Sat 2/11
Ohio Burlesque kicked off 2023 with a sizzling, sold-out show at its regular home at the Beachland Ballroom, a start to what promises to be its biggest year yet. The headliner was Quebec burlesque star Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere, whose First Nations identity was reflected in her presentation and whose beading skills were displayed in her intricate costume. She was both forceful and graceful, displaying why she’s considered one of the art form’s top stars. Co-headliner Faggedy Randy lived up to his name with NSFW number that had the crowd howling appreciatively. And Ohio Burlesque founder, Cleveland’s Burlesque Queen Bella Sin, set the stage for them with another of her high-energy, beautiful costumed numbers.
Other performers displayed the variety you always find at an Ohio Burlesque show, from the cheeky humor of Heather & Lace, Lola Loveletter and Sappho La Fae (the latter with a dollop of S&M), to the sass of drag king Jared Jamison, to the sly slinkiness of Amaretto Rose, to MJ Shamali’s sinuous elegance. Sarah Tonin filled the stage space with a dramatic presence, while Empress Dupree brought a classic drag queen imperiousness to her performance, and Hilde Häschenbetty and Monica Mod brought down the house with their vocals. As usual BW professor/author/comedian Ken Schneck emceed, getting the crowd engaged before any performer even set foot on stage. If you didn’t make it this time, be sure to catch the next Ohio Burlesque show, taking place at the Beachland on March 25.
View the PHOTOSTREAM here.
