But there's a Saturday night screening that really slapped our polka face. You may recall back in early 2023 when an SF-based burlesque group was running a Kickstarter to make a documentary about their Weird Al' Yankovic-themed burlesque troupe. Welp, they actually raised their $115,000 and made the damned thing, and now the documentary will have its West Coast premiere Saturday night at The Roxie at 8:30 pm.
For the past 12 months, photographer Myla Faith Thomas has been photographing burlesque performers globally in an effort to examine how the art form functions as a space for self-invention, resistance, and radical visibility. What began as a portrait study of the UK scene has expanded into a broader exploration of contemporary burlesque culture and an internal investigation of the body, confidence and sensuality.
The show, which has built a downtown following through sold-out runs at The Paradise Factory in past years, reimagines Clara's journey as a downtown-meets-uptown fever dream set in performer Pearls Daily's first New York apartment on Christmas Eve in Harlem. Cabaret, burlesque, comedy, dance and original shadow puppetry all come out to play in the 90-minute spectacular that's guided-sometimes gently, sometimes not-by Tchaikovsky's score.
Experience Best of Odinani, a one-night immersive performance with multidisciplinary artist Ashley Alizor. The show fuses original electronic music, sultry burlesque, and interactive art installations to create a playful, empowering, and unforgettable evening. Celebrate creativity, community, and live performance in a unique, sensory-rich event designed to captivate audiences of all kinds.
Stephanie 'Tanqueray' Johnson passed away last night after suffering a severe stroke. She will be most remembered for holding the world in thrall with her no-holds-barred storytelling about life as a burlesque dancer in the 1970s.
This is BRIEFS, from the outrageously queer Australian performance troupe Briefs Factory, an emulsification of drag, dance, comedy, theatre, burlesque, acrobatics, and clowning.