Oh My Stars and Garters

Every moneymaker in a 50-mile radius of St. Louis is going to be shaken to the point of exhaustion this weekend. Van Ella Production has not one but two burlesque extravaganzas on tap. The fourth annual Shimmy Showdown features a dozen national burlesque stars locked in a sexy death match for bump 'n' grind supremacy. NYC's Dangrrr Doll, San Francisco's Sugar Lee and hometown favorite Greta Garter leave it all on the stage starting at 9 p.m. Friday, January 17, at 2720 Cherokee (2720 Cherokee Street). Then at Saturday, January 18, A Night of Stars features an equally talented roster in a non-competitive performance of burlesque delights at the Ivory Theatre (7620 Michigan Avenue; 314-610-1649 or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/539275). They're equally talented because it's the same group of performers as last night, but with special guest stars and other surprises. Tickets for the Shimmy Showdown are $15 to $20, and A Night of Stars costs $25. Of course, for $35 you can buy a weekend pass and see both shows -- you know you want to.
Fri., Jan. 17, 2014