Because it's the long-awaited conclusion to the now much over-hyped "Heavenly Nights..."
I see the marquee. I see the words "Burlesque Review". I'm a guy. I know all about the Pussycat Dolls. I say nothing. I'm with a young lady and I don't know anything about this show's repute - ill or otherwise.
The young lady however happens to be the coolest best friend, girlfriend, and former girlfriend that I have ever had. Upon her seeing the sign she says, "Ooh! We have to check that out." She's already headed for the entrance. My Y-chromosome is thinking: "Awesome!" My X-chromosome is thinking: "This could be extremely akward and/or something I'm not into if it's sleazy." But we had just left the Paddy Reds so I didn't care about thoughts or thinking, if you catch my meaning.
We descend some stairs into shadowy depths with scant traces of red lighting. We approach the guy who takes the money. I noticed that this is Hyena's, a local comendy club. The idea that it might not take itself too seriously appeals to me more. Rachel asks the guy what the show is like.
"Have you heard of the Pussycat Dolls?" Rachel says no. I'm nodding. He continues, "We have a live jazz ensemble and the girls come out and sing and dance. Our MC is a regular comedian here and she sings and does some standup and she's great."
We're intrigued. "How much is the show?"
"Cover is ten bucks, but since you two just came in off the street looking for something to do we'll let you in for free. If you like the show just remember us and tell your friends."
"Serious? Awesome! Thank you..." He hands me a free ticket for the next time I come as well. So cool. After that, there was a little bit of a scary moment as I couldn't find my driver's license. It wasn't in the wallet window or in my pocket. I started to fear that I had left it next door. Anti-climatically, it was just behind my bank card. We're all good again. We get our wristbands and descend further.
We are met at the bottom of the stairs by a guy who works the club. He helps us find a table. He talks to us about the show. We learn his fiancee is the MC. They've been doing the show there at Hyena's for a few weeks. We should let him know if we need anything. He goes back to his post. I'm looking around the place. Everywhere we had been so far had espn news on over the bar. This place? Pulp Fiction was playing. The gimp scene to be specific. The stage is larger than I expected and there are no poles on it. I'm further relieved that this will not be sleazy. The waitresses are all wearing the fishnet, high heel boot, lingerie get-ups so I'm thinking they may double as the act too. They don't. They're too busy serving. Ours comes over. She's nice and we go with red bull vodkas.
The MC comes out and does a great rendition of "When You're Good To Mama" from Chicago wearing a sequin gown and I think a boa too. She introduces the band and then her girls. They come out and I'm pleased that they are all just normal girls. Not plastic bimbos or anything like that. For example, Mama makes the point that we can't tip the dancers. As for their outfits, think Chicago and Moulin Rouge with maybe just a little bit of rollergirl. I thought they were classy sexy sassy. I'm already noticing that over half of the audience is women. There is a bachelorette party up front. There is only one group of just guys and they are sitting in the VIP area smoking cigars. There are tons of couples and it seems that the women were bringing their guys not vice versa. Rachel remarked that watching those normal girls do their thing and be sexy, that every girl in the place couldn't help but feel confident and comfortable with who they were and thus feel sexy themselves. Sexy by example I call it now.
Anyway, each of the girls has a great stage name and can sing and dance. It was really a great show and a great experience. The comedy, the live music and dancing...I put it right up there with rollerderby and I am definitely going to go back as soon as I can. Like rollerderby, it's really hard to describe to someone who hasn't seen it. So you should go with me next time.
Afterwards, the guy who seated us introduced us to his MC fiancee. She was also so nice and we talked for a little while. They were so happy to meet us and that we came out. Yeah, we're on a first name basis. I'm pretty much on the guest list now.
So we bid our new friends goodnight and made our way back out to the street. It was getting late now and we needed to sober up a bit so we stopped into Bennigan's and ordered coffee. Since there was hardly any customers there we made lots more friends with the bartender and staff there. One of the waiters put a full pint of Guiness in front of me because someone had bought it for him but he didn't want it. So I HAD to put that away while drinking lots of coffee. It would have been rude to refuse a new friend. I also made some special new friends in the form of another bachelorette party. Two of the girls from the group were ordering a shot for the lucky lady. This particular shot requires male assistance and the bartender was busy so being the next sexiest guy there and again not caring or thinking at this point I obliged. Plus Rachel said I had to so...This girl was very sweet and I think I was more embarrassed than she was but we put on a good show and I wished her all the best on her upcoming nuptials.
That's it. That's the night in all it's crazy, fun, new friend making glory. I've got two more spots that I plan on regularly hitting and "I know a guy" at a lot more places. I think they probably all remember Rachel much more than me but here's hoping I'll be able to click in a few heads too. I don't care if it's Austin or Fort Worth just give Ray one night and she'll be running the place, little social butterfly that she is.
Anyway, here's some links as a reward if you made it down this far. I don't feel like revising this beast so hopefully it's light on the suck. PostHaste out!
Links:
Red Light Burlesque Review Flying Saucer
