It's that time of year again, folks! A time of year when burlesque fans from San Francisco and the surrounding areas dress up and head out to the Great American Music Hall for a true variety show! The show's description down below pretty much sums up the event and the performers, so I'll let you in on some of the nuts and bolts of attending Verdalet.
Tickets are available now! There are a number of ways you may purchase tickets, which are described at
www.gamh.com/tickets. General admission tickets are $30, and ticket fees vary depending on how you purchase them.
There is an option to purchase an additional $24.95 dinner ticket, which reserves you a seat at a table and of course a dinner from their
special menu. I imagine the table will be close to the stage, so that's an option. Otherwise make sure that you get there early to get a seat at a decent table.
If you arrive at the show late and can't get a decent table, there are seats upstairs along the railing. There's a table in front of you and the waitstaff goes up there, so you'll still be able to eat. That's where I sat last year, and if you can get a seat close to the stage, you'll have a good view of the proceedings. The
gamh.com site has a nice picture of the venue on its homepage, so you'll get an idea of what it's like.
If you purchase a general admission ticket, you'll still be able to order dinner. It'll just be from the
regular menu. I had the chocolate malt last time. It was yummy! I saw other people ordering salads and stuff, so that's an option if you don't have time to eat before the show.
The show itself is a mix of performances, so musical performances, burlesque, and circus aerial acts are performed through the evening. Cabaret Verdalet was founded and is run by Douglas Good, so if you've been to a Little Minsky's show, you'll have an idea of what the show will be like. In fact, Verdalet has been described as Little Minsky's big sister. The show ran about 3 hours last year, so it will probably end at about midnight.
There's no dress code beyond what is normally required at clubs, so you don't have to wear your formalwear. But the feel of the show is "a night out on the town," so you'll probably see a couple of tuxedos and more than a few suits and dresses.
Limited parking is available on the street, but they also validate at the AMC Van Ness 14 on O'Farrell between Van Ness and Polk. According to
gamh.com, parking there is $10 for 4 hours with validation.
Hope to see you there!
Cabaret Verdalet
Cabaret Verdalet's ninth annual variety show combines the beauty, humor and allure of burlesque, the thrill of circus arts acrobatics, the playful charm of drag artistes and live musical interludes in a three hour stage production featuring outstanding local talents and guest performers from across the country. A true variety show, Verdalet brilliantly balances the sensual with the comical, the classical with the unclassifiable, vampish vocalists with seductive dancers and charismatic characters. The cast mixes performers from various Bay Area scenes - alternative circus folk, the thriving drag and cabaret shows, underground jazz circuit, the burlesque revival - and all have devoted countless hours towards both evolving their acts and keeping their style of art alive and well. It's an impressive array of established and emerging artists gathered for one night only.
Special guest performers include legendary New York drag vocalist Joey Arias. Known for an uncanny Billie Holiday impersonation as well as a sparkling stage presence, Joey Arias' past appearances have included the film "Wigstock," David Bowie's musical guest on Saturday Night Live, and an extended run as MC of Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" show in Las Vegas. From Los Angeles, we have the stunning international star of shimmy and shake Kitten de Ville, frequently known as "The Embodiment of Burlesque." From her early days as an original member of Velvet Hammer Burlesque - one of the first troupes of the new burlesque - Kitten De Ville has performed ceaselessly, worked with bands such as The Cramps and Rob Zombie, appeared on film and television and also teaches classes in the art of the tease.
From Key West, Florida, we have the lovely living pin-up Tatah du Jour, co-founder of Key West Burlesque. From New York, the striking and stylish Miss Delirium Tremens known for acts ranging from sultry ballet to gothic glamour and classic striptease. And from Los Angeles, the ever-elegant Eliza Bane brings her vintage charm and fabulous custom costume creations.
Cabaret Verdalet was created in 2001 by producer Douglas Good who also runs Little Minsky's Burlesque/Variety Show, an intimate monthly affair showcasing local and national talents to a packed house since 2005.
Cabaret Verdalet
FEATURED GUESTS:
Joey Arias (New York)
Kitten de Ville (Los Angeles)
Tatah Du Jour (Key West)
Eliza Bane (Los Angeles)
Miss Delirium Tremens (New York)
BURLESQUE:
Hot Pink Feathers
The Flying Fox (New York)
Mariel a la Mode (Los Angeles)
Kristina Nekyia (Los Angeles)
Alotta Boutté
Delilah
Flame Cynders
VARIETY:
Trauma Flintstone
Shannon Vau de Vire
Cowboy Girls
MUSIC:
The Cottontails
MC:
Katya Smirnoff-Skyy
Cabaret Verdalet
March 6, 2010
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
Great Arerican Music Hall
859 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
$30, ages 6 and over
http://www.verdalet.com
http://www.gamh.com
