Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

July 5, 2012

Peek-A-Boo Revue: The racy is on

But the emphasis is on tease, not sleaze.

By Avery Yale Kamila akamila@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Get ready for the romance and allure of a bygone era to entrance you with come-hither moves during the Peek-A-Boo Revue show, starring a bevy of burlesque beauties.

Taking place at Mayo Street Arts in Portland on Saturday, the show stars Jolene DiVine and Vivian Vice of Whistlebait Burlesque. The duo has been titillating audiences in Portland since 2006, and typically hosts two revue shows each year.

Saturday's event will also feature the sexy moves of Cha Cha Velour, who hails from Las Vegas; Ludella Hahn, who's originally from Maine and now lives in Boston; and local favorites The Dirty Dishes and Holly Danger.

"We are all inspired by the era of burlesque from the '40s, '50s and '60s, when burlesque was in its prime," said DiVine. "We have always been attracted to that era when men were gentlemen and women were ladies. It's such a romantic and attractive era."

Audience members will find hints of the "Mad Men" years in the costumes, musical selections and dance moves. "We incorporate some bumps and grinds from bellydance as well, but we keep it really classy," DiVine said.

Music will include "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Marilyn Monroe, "Why Don't You Do Right?" by Peggy Lee and "Poison Ivy" by The Coasters.

"It really takes you back," DiVine said. "You don't realize you're in 2012."

In addition to the dancers, the show will feature a "stage kitten" who sweeps up the discarded clothing after each act. Autumn, a pin-up model who was named Miss Northeast Chop Shop 2012, will fill that role. "She cleans up the stage after each act, but of course she does it in a super-sexy and cute way," DiVine said.

The show will be emceed by Miss Staci, and will last about an hour and a half with an intermission. Beer and wine will be available for purchase during the intermission. The show is open to those ages 18 and older.

Since the Whistlebait Burlesque shows typically sell out, it's a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.

"We actually have a wide range of audience members," DiVine said. "Of course men love the show, but we always have women coming up to us afterwards and telling us they're awed by what we do. It's something everyone can enjoy from ages 18 to 80."

If you've never experienced a burlesque show, do expect to see lots of skin, but not in the way you would at a strip club.

"We are not strippers; we are performers with a striptease," DiVine said. "There will be no nudity. It's all about the tease."

Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:

akamila@pressherald.com

Twitter: AveryYaleKamila

 

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