Burlesque, Tits, and Champagne.....

(Burlesque dancer being fitting by a designer)


Oh GOD, I am completely STARVED of good adult entertainment right about now, so now I’ve been on a nation wide quest to find good Burlesque clubs? I’m willing to travel anywhere within the United States and Canada to find what I want. It all started with the Movie “Cabaret” staring the fabulous Liza Minelli. As I sat there in awe of a bygone era where the Burlesque/stripper clubs were actually a place where the wealthy and fabulous mingled and sipped champagne, I was sadly reminded that this current era and area (St. Louis) is a cesspool of gutter trash and classless neon lit hole in the walls.

I was at Penthouse Gentlemen’s club a few weeks back with my evil team of gay boys who love to look at tits every now and then. As we sat there at the main stage watching the unmotivated girls gyrate on the floor with cheap platform shoes, and Target store lingerie, I looked around to see the men just as unmotivated. This is what happens when clubs no longer have a guest lists, and just lets anybody patron them.

At least back in the day, there was no such thing as people coming into Burlesque clubs with no money, no tipping etiquette, and no drinking. Back in those bygone eras, there were (1) drink minimums that usually ranged from $24-$50 depending on your guest-list status. You see men today just sitting at the stage gawking and not tipping, or even having a drink.

Back in the 40’s and 50’s, the burlesque and Cabaret singers wore expensive and elaborate costumes that were made by fabulous designers. The stage stetting was just as elaborate as their outfits. The patrons had to wear suits and pretty dresses just to enter the clubs. In between each sensual act, there would be a comedian/MC to keep the crowd excited. The women were not just strippers and shake dancers, they sang and danced just as beautifully as any major artist of that time. The women would become famous in their own right, look at Ginger Rogers for instance; she started as a burlesque dancer. Then we can’t forget my Queen Josephine Baker!

I guess in the end, like anything that is ran completely by men, becomes de-feminized when you take away female management. Back in those days you had Madame’s that carefully made sure that the women were dressed classy and that their routines were up to par. Now a days bars are ran by shrewd and arrogant pricks who wouldn’t know class if it jumped up, and bit their disks off. But that’s just my opinion!

Xoxo
Erika