More at The Wet Spots youtube channel

SHINE: A Burlesque Musical is not so much a traditional musical as it is a bawdy version of TV’s old variety shows.  Think of a cross between burlesque and an adult-only Muppet show.  The show is a reworked version of an improvised one-act, originally known as By the Seat of Our Panties, presented at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival in 2008.

The book by Sam Dulmage and The Wet Spots is thin, but works nevertheless.  Theatre owner Shine Mionne (Cass King) and her troupe of burlesque performers are approached by a producer who promises to revitalise the ailing show with buckets of money.  Various hijinks, gags, and word-play ensue.

Cass King as Shine Mionne in SHINE: A Burlesque Musical

The original music by first-time musical theatre writers the Wet Spots (John Woods and Cass King) has some bright spots and a tonne of potential, but isn’t given the full opportunity to shine as brightly as it should.

The female cast is full of incredibly strong personalities and they almost completely overwhelm the male contingent of the show. Michael Smith as wealthy producer Richard Suit is nowhere nearly up to the challenge of matching the stage presence or vocal abilities of his female co-stars.  Both of Smith’s songs, “When You Deal With A Suit” and “Matinee Crowd” fell unfortunate victim to his weak singing voice and weren’t given a fair airing.

The tempo of certain songs (“Everybody Wants to be A Star” and “Rocky Horror”) could also use some reworking to better steady the pace of the overall show.  There were too many slow numbers.  SHINE’s score would also be better served by the use of live music as opposed to the current pre-taped backing tracks.

None of these criticisms should take away from the overwhelming positives of SHINE.  I went in not knowing what to expect, but was completely won over.

Cass King is a natural performer and brings to life the “Perversions of Yesteryear.”  Her speaking delivery is peppered with shades of Katharine Hepburn and she periodically channels various other classic stars of the silver screen.

“Broadway Love Song” wryly spoofs a musical-theatre ballad and makes for a strong closer to the first act.

The chorus/ensemble comprised of Violet Femme, April O’Peel, Calamity Kate and Sister Madly, Keri Horton and Fairlith Harvey provide a rock-solid backing to SHINE; there’s not a single weak link in the bunch.  Choreography by April O’Peel and Melody Mangler is inspired and sinfully fun.

Gemma Isaac as an overeager grad student and Teddy Smooth as an aspiring young actor make wild and dirty magic in “The Nasty.”  Noelle Pilon as Lulu Von Doozy, the resident diva, is a force of nature and sells all of her numbers with relative ease.

SHINE is chockfull of clever moments and snappy dialogue; it will absolutely and thoroughly entertain you and leave you wanting more.

SHINE: A Burlesque Musical is presented by Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and The Wet Spots and plays from August 12-22, 2009; Wed-Sat @ 8 PM, at the Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St, Granville Island.  Tickets are available online or call 1-800-838-3006.  SHINE is an adult-oriented show which contains nudity and themes of healthy sexuality and is not suitable for those under the age of 18. Age restriction strictly enforced.

SHINE: A Burlesque Musical bills itself as ‘a tassel-twirling original musical about an infamous burlesque theatre and the family of talented misfits who try to save it from demolition… or worse, respectability’.  SHINE is the brainchild of songwriting-duo The Wet Spots and burlesque group Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society.

Usually at this point, I’d give my critical pre-perspective, but honestly, I’m not sure what to expect.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing it and will make sure to report back. SHINE promises to combine burlesque, cabaret, and variety with catchy songs, campy jokes and plenty of bump and grind (click here to view the YouTube trailer).  I’m intrigued to see what they will deliver.

SHINE: A Burlesque Musical was written and created by Cass King, John Woods and Sam Dulmage. Directed by Jen Cressey with choreography by Lauren Allen (AKA April O’Peel) and Rebecca Franklin (AKA Melody Mangler).

SHINE: A Burlesque Musical plays from August 12-22, 2009; Wed-Sat @ 8 PM, at the Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright St, Granville Island.  Tickets are available online or call 1-800-838-3006.  SHINE is an adult-oriented show which contains nudity and themes of healthy sexuality and is not suitable for those under the age of 18. Age restriction strictly enforced.

Performer Teddy Smooth and Co-Creator Cass King give us several good reasons to see

Shine: A Burlesque Musical

Written and Created by: Cass King, John Woods and Sam Dulmage

Directed by: Jen Cressey

Choreography by: Lauren Allen (AKA April O’Peel) and Rebecca Franklin (aka Melody Mangler)

Presented by: The Wet Spots/Screaming Chickens Theatre Society co-production (link)

A tassel-twirling original, SHINE: A Burlesque Musical is a full-book musical about an infamous burlesque theatre and the family of talented misfits who try to save it from demolition… or worse, respectability. Featuring the award-winning choreography of Screaming Chicken coupled with the acclaimed songwriting of cabaret duo The Wet Spots, SHINE is racy, intelligent entertainment for adults that will appeal to the same adventurous audiences drawn to productions such as Rocky Horror and Avenue Q.

SHINE celebrates the re-emerging arts of burlesque, cabaret, and variety with catchy songs, campy jokes and plenty of bump and grind. A sneak preview of SHINE (under its working title By the Seat of Our Panties) played to two enthusiastic, over-capacity audiences at the WISE Hall during the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival this past May.

At its heart, SHINE is a love letter to contemporary burlesque, created by those who have lived it. The Wet Spots (Cass King and John Woods) have enjoyed international success with their elegant, comedic songs about sex and have played sold out shows at the Sydney Opera House, Massey Hall (Toronto), Café de Paris (London) and The Public Theatre (NYC). Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society are a driving force in Vancouver’s burlesque community and produce shows inspired from traditional Burlesque, Gran Guignol (Theatre of Terror), Vaudeville, b-movies and pop culture.

August 12-22, Wed-Sat at 8:00 pm

The Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver.

Tickets: $25 available from www.brownpapertickets.com.  For online ticketing info, call 1-800-838-3006.

Not suitable for those under the age of 18. Age restriction strictly enforced.

Time: July 23, 2009 at 6pm to July 26, 2009 at 12pm
Location: Toronto
Website or Map: http://www.torontoburlesque…
Event Type: burlesque
Organized By: Toronto Burlesque Festival

Starring Michelle L’amour (Miss Exotic World 2005), Kitten De Ville (Miss Exotic World 2002), The Wet Spots, Jo “Boobs” Weldon, Amber Ray, Dr. Lucky, Kellita and more!

Along with THREE 2009 Burlesque Hall of Fame Winners;
Roxi DLite (Windsor), Hot Toddy (Chicago), Gigi & Pop (NYC),

TORONTO – The Toronto Burlesque Festival is back for their second year with “Tassels without Borders”, bringing you the best of the international burlesque scene! Building on the success of last year they’ve expanded into a FOUR day festival filled with tantalizing performances, workshops, classes in burlesque and pole-dancing, art shows and a Boobalicious Bra Auction for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

This year, the Festival boasts performances from Toronto darlings such as Les Coquettes, Skin Tight Outta Sight, Coco Framboise, Zero Gravity Circus. Boylesque TO, Ceci My Playmate, Lena Love, The Saucy Tarts, The Harlettes and the list goes on! The Festival also features over 40 performances from out-of-town artists, giving our local audience a rare opportunity to see some of the best in burlesque including TWO past holders of the Miss Exotic World Queen of Burlesque awards (Michelle L’amour and Kitten De Ville) and THREE 2009 Burlesque Hall of Fame Winners; Best Variety Act- Gigi and Pop (NYC), Best Boylesque – Hot Toddy (Chicago), 1st Runner-Up Reigning Queen of Burlesque and regular Guest Performer with Skin Tight Outta Sight! Roxi DLite (Windsor). All the shows will follow a vaudeville format with a Master (or Mistress!) of Ceremonies, comedians, live music, singers, variety, and acrobats along with the striptease artistes!

Visit http://www.torontoburlesquefestival.com/ for more information. To check out footage of last year’s Festival, please click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msHwA6mc8dw

NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net

To view this post at its new location click HERE!

I have also been meaning to tell you about several concerts I snuck out to while supposedly studying (no wonder I was unprepared).

I saw The Wet Spots at Joe’s Pub with G; I told you about the concert in a post about upcoming events somewhat beforehand. They were hilarious; I downloaded their first album on iTunes and have been singing inappropriate lyrics under my breath on the subway ever since. G’s favorite song is Texas Annie:

I was back at Joe’s Pub a couple of weeks ago to see Naomi Shelton with one of my bosses, SW, (I mentioned that show to you in advance as well).

Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens

I don’t have much experience with Gospel music but I enjoyed it a good deal. SW said that it paled in comparison with the Gospel tents at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, where the “almost sexual religious fervor” of the singers electrifies the audience, but I guess there has to be some reason for leaving NYC from time to time.

Last week K and I attended the Santigold concert at Terminal 5. We drove back and forth across the country last summer and my friend MGF gave us Santigold’s album Santogold when we reached CA; we then listened to it as we drove through the desert and are now great fans. It was therefore especially meaningful to us when she said “I don’t know if you’ve ever gone from town to town in this country [K and I hug ecstatically] but I have on this tour and I can tell you NO ONE DOES IT LIKE NEW YORK!!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. It was in general a fantastic show. Her dancers/back-up singers had amusing robotic dance moves and everyone had very gold costumes. Amanda Blank opened and her crazy LED decorated pants were an excellent way to start the show. Here is a somewhat shaky video:

And here is a somewhat indistinct photo of mine:

Santigold

I will write about my more recent adventures this past weekend as well as the events coming up this week later today- stay tuned!

NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net

To view this post at its new location click HERE!

It’s good to be back! The LSAT is behind me for another few months (I’ve decided to cancel this score and try again as I think I can be better prepared next time) and it is time to paint this town red! I started last night with a fantastic concert at Terminal 5; Santigold was phenomenal! I will tell you all about her stunning performance, as well as two other concerts I snuck in during my months in exile (The Wet Spots and Naomi Shelton, both at Joe’s Pub), as well as the fantastic films of the Media that Matters Film Festival, which you can watch online. Before I start gushing about the past, let me gush about the wonderful events happening today and tomorrow.

Tonight Brooklyn Based is presenting the premier of Food, Inc.; it’s currently sold out but there will be standing room seats available starting at 7:45.

More than just a screening, this event is the grand finale of the spring installment of our Drinks on the Doc series. We’ve asked Roebling Tea Room, Sweet Deliverance, McClure’s Pickles and Nunu Chocolatesto whip up some tasty bites for a pre-film reception, and Brooklyn Breweryis providing us with Cuvee de Cardoz and BrooklynSummer Ale, for a pre-film, seasonal beer open bar. After the movie, director Robert Kenner will participate in a Q&A, answering all your burning questions about food politics, ammonia-laced hamburgers and the challenges of documenting the work of huge corporations that don’t want to be documented.

Though this is the Brooklyn premier, Kate1 and F saw a press screening some time ago and tell me that…

It was interesting – you should check it out! The producer (and muckraking journalist/author of Supersize Me), Eric Schlosser, was on the Colbert Report a couple of days ago promoting the film. It’s made by Participant, the same production company that did An Inconvenient Truth.

With that recommendation coming from my favorite world-saving power couple I feel comfortable saying that standing room will be a hot commodity.

Tomorrow night at Don Pedro’s you can see some of the hottest DJs spinning leftfield disco in the big apple- Cowboy Mark, Fucci, Trus’me and Jacques Renault.

Also tomorrow Adult Swim presents the Summer at Santos Series; the fantastic line-up includes Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, the name alone makes them worth investigating, but this video clinches it:

Head to Santos Party House to get in on the action!

I’ll be adding a very intense weekend post shortly as well as the promised details of my recent adventures so stay tuned!

NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net

To view this post at its new location click HERE!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Monday. I am in full LSAT study mode (or at least I should be) so I won’t be able to attend many events until after June 8th but I will certainly tell you all about them and hopefully live vicariously through you!

Tonight you have a choice between indie rock, a tribute to The Bed In and a night of neuroscience!

First, if you missed the Heliotropes concert I told you about last week you have another chance to check them out tonight. They’ll be playing at Public Assemblywith Ancient Sky and Beloved Rogue.

If the term The Bed In means something to you, you should undoubtedly be at the Gershwin Hotel tonight where Neke Carson and Michael Wiener will be presenting “Give Peace a Chance”:

Book launch benefit celebrating the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s historic Bed In. With a Give Peace a Song Cabaret.  Celebrate the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s famous Bed-in for Peace 1969 in Montreal. Get a sneak preview of the photo exhibition that will open May 26 in Liverpool. Launch Joan Athey’s new book. Brooklyn-born photographer Gerry Deiter, on assignment for Life Magazine was the only photographer there the entire eight days.  Special guests Guitar Legend Gary Lucas and composer Steven Lynch will be on hand to add to the proceedings plus more surprise quests. The Cabaret includes a presentation of Bed-in images, a reading from eye-witnesses to the recording of Give Peace A Chance, a special guest — writer Charles Childs (who worked with Alex Haley on Roots) presents excerpts from his unpublished interview with the couple. Climb into bed and talk peace like John and Yoko did.  Local musicians rock the room with their favorite John Lennon songs. This is also a fundraiser for music writer Paul Williams. He sustained a head injury in 1995 while cycling and needs 24 hour care for the dementia that has recently manifested itself.

John & Yoko Bed In

Finally, at the Bell House tonight the Secret Science Club will be meeting to discuss recent developments in neuroscience on the topic of memory.

Dr. Arancio is a cellular neurobiologist at Columbia University’s Department of Pathology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain. In his lab at Columbia University, neuroscientist Ottavio Arancio explores the molecular mechanisms of memory formation.

Settle down in the comfy couches and learn about the workings of your brain (or at least the cells you didn’t kill with tequila last week).

On Wednesday you can satisfy all your local food/wine cravings in one place- Brooklyn Uncorked at the spectacular Brooklyn Academy of Music at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene. This lovely event is run by the trio of Edible Publications and features wine from local wineries including:

Baiting Hollow, Bedell/Corey Creek, Bouké, Bridge Vineyards, Brooklyn Oeneology, Castello di Borghese, Channing Daughters, Clovis Point, Diliberto, Grapes of Roth, Harbes, Lieb, Long Island Merlot Alliance, Macari, Old Field, Osprey’s Dominion, Palmer, Raphael, Roanoke, Sherwood House, Shinn, Sparkling Pointe, Waters Crest, Wölffer Estate

as well as food from:

Amy’s Cookies, Bodum, Bridge Winery, Buttermilk Channel, DiPalo’s, Fizzy Lizzy, Get Fresh, Great Performances, iCi, North Fork Potato Chips, NuNu Chocolates, Palo Santo, Plowshares Coffee, Rick’s Picks, SerendipiTea, Stonehome Wine Bar, The Farm on Adderley, The Smoke Joint, Vere Chocolate, Wine Cellar Sorbets

Get your tickets here!

Also on Wednesday, Wye Oak will be playing at Mercury Lounge along with the Pomegranates and Winter Gloves. Check out the video for Please Concrete:

B is a big fan of Wye Oak but he won’t be able to attend because he will be spinning at Hugs. I am pleased to announce that Sunday Singles was a big hit (it was written up in Gothamist amongst other lovely blogs) and Excess Energy is bringing you Love Machine:

On Thursday there will be a reception at the Brenda Taylor Gallery for their new exhibit- the Love Armor Project. Check out their website for the history, as far as I’m concerned this picture says it all:

Also on Thursday you can check out the second Puppet Playlist- Magnetic Fields at The Tank Theater.

Puppet Playlist takes talented puppeteers and brilliant musicians and slams them together into an evening of live theater to stir the senses. Our second Playlist will feature new works of puppetry set to a litany of love songs by The Magnetic Fields. Between sets, hear new interpretations of Magnetic Fields music — on cello, accordion, guitar and more. A chance to see some of New York’s most interesting puppet artists and musicians at play. Performers (and their work) have been seen all over New York and throughout the world, on, off- and off-off-Broadway, at Here Arts Center, Shakespeare in the Park, the Metropolitan Opera, FringeNYC, Lincoln Center, with Jim Henson Productions, and on both American and International TV (yes, that includes the Muppets). Featuring pieces by: Eric Wright, Melissa Creighton, Marta Mozelle MacRostie, Ithai Benjamin, Darragh Martin, Maja Rajenovich, and Mary Robinette Kowal and Jodi Eichelberger. Musical performers include: Hannah Temple, Matt Singer, Emily Hope, Anna Leuchtenberger, Jon Levin, Jo Williamson.

There are two shows but they will sell out so be sure to reserve here.

A few early weekend announcements…

Friday night, weather permitting, there will be telescope observation at the Columbia observatory. Regardless of cloudy skies there will be a lecture, The Good the Bad and the Ugly- Astronomy in the Media, by Jackie Faherty.

On Saturday I am already torn between three events (who knows what I’ll do when I discover even more!). First, there’s a roller derby match well worth seeing- Brooklyn Bombshells take on Manhattan Mayhem at the Hunter College Sportsplex. Check out this video from last season!

Also on Saturday Finger on the Pulse presents Louis La Roche, Justin Faust and Danger at Studio B. B is a major fan so I can guarantee this will be an awesome dance party!

Last but not least, The Wet Spots have a late show at Joe’s Pub. They are described as “vaudevillian, oversexed, and weirdly Canadian:  think sex club by way of Monty Python.” I was deeply skeptical until I watched this video and now I’m kind of hooked:

Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for additions!

Watching Angels on Horseback on Friday, we laughed our asses off at their cover of The Wet Spots‘ Texas Annie.  Misioning around trying to find a copy of their song, I stumbled over this, which is also flippen funny.  Do you take it? manages to be cute, gawky, slightly smutty, and overall very funny, inclusing the great line: “You’re beautiful and curvy, but unless you’re kinda pervy, there’s no way you and me are going to last…”

I absolutely love these guys. I’ve seen them live a few times now and I always have the best time! Thanks to subheart for posting it.

Much props to the Quaker for this one:

Grab yourself the print edition!

Terrence writes about A-town’s Flickr genuises.

Josh Duke enjoys the Vista.

Jennifer reviews My Name is Rachel Corrie, begs you to see The Blakes, dances in anticipation of Urinetown and does a rundown of further bands On Tour.

At some point in the last year, I attended a cabaret at Arcata Playhouse, where the high point was hearing Tyler and Kate sing “Do You Take It?,” a jazzy-lounge-style duet about er, anal sex, performed with a high-class attitude. When I relayed this unexpected moment of hilarity to a friend, he said, “Well, yeah – it’s a Wet Spots song!” Mature audiences can hear The Wet Spots (Cass King and John Woods) sing their smart, catchy tunes about sex at the Arcata Playhouse, Wednesday Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. Call (707) 822-1575 for reservations.

Immerse yourself in the rock Thursday night when Floating Goat and their SF-brethen Walken flood the Alibi with riffs inspired equally by Helmet and Sabbath. “Heavy downbeat junkyard dog metal,” as how one listener described Floating Goat’s “Twice As High.” Go to myspace.com/floatinggoat – or just turn on KSLG 94.1 FM. Show starts at 11:15 p.m. Ian starts collecting money ($5) at 10:30 p.m.

The Blakes play the Jambalaya Friday night. (See B1 print edition.)

As a member of Sonic Youth, Thurston Moore is a legend. On his own, he’s pretty cool, too. AS Presents welcomes him to the Depot (of all places) Friday, Oct. 26. If The Blakes weren’t playing at the Jambalaya (see B1), this is where I would be.

Saturday night sees the return of sensitive rockers Dragged By Horses with a band out of Portland called Facepilot. Given the way the music erupts like rock lava, maybe Melt-your-facepilot would’ve been more apt. Expect a sonic beatdown. Earplugs and steel-toed shoes recommended. Check out myspace.com/facepilot.
At the Alibi, Saturday, Oct. 27 at 11:15 p.m. $5.