SPURLESQUE: THE WORLD’S ONLY COWGIRL BURLESQUE SHOW
Runs until July 16
Quincy’s on Seventh
Another Stampede is upon us. While polishing up your belt buckle and digging out your Stetson, maybe you should consider moseying on down to Spurlesque: the World’s Only Cowgirl Burlesque Show.
"I don’t know what it is about cowgirls that gets people wound up," says producer Tim Tamashiro.
Originally a jazz singer, Tamashiro said the idea for the show came from the name. "It was a fluke. I’ve never been interested in burlesque. It just kind of vaporized together," he says.
After much thought and discussion with family and friends, he decided the project was worth pursuing, so he teamed with fellow producer Todd Svecla in order to make his idea a reality. "I realized that people kind of got it and I should give this thing a kick at the cat, so to speak."
So far, the event has been a success. With tickets almost sold out, Tamashiro and Svecla are pleased with the results of their venture. "Every event wants that kind of excitement behind it. We’re very thrilled by the reaction we’ve been getting," says Tamashiro.
Although show dates are during Stampede, Spurlesque won’t be your typical cowboy fare. Rather than slanted wood floors, chuck wagons and hay bales, Spurlesque has gone with a bordello theme. A classier atmosphere, audiences will be ushered to their seats by "housemothers" before each show begins. "We wanted to completely differentiate ourselves (from the Stampede)," says Tamashiro.
Consisting of 12, 20 to 25 minute performances ranging from the Redneck Women and Ellie Mae sets to the Rodeo Princess set finale, Spurlesque tries to encompass all cowgirl fantasies in a fun, sexy but classy way.
A warning however: if you are going to Spurlesque hoping to see more than a cowgirl dance, remember the key word here is class. "Spurlesque offers great performances that are fun and a little bawdy, yet classy with no nudity involved," says Tamashiro.
While offering its own new take on burlesque, in some ways Spurlesque is a throwback to burlesque’s beginnings. The dancers tease and entertain the audience, while never actually revealing their goods. "It was about having fun with the audience. It was a precursor to vaudeville," says Tamashiro.
An interactive show, Spurlesque offers audience members the chance to get in on the performance to some degree. Volunteers can attempt to ride out the Eight Second Wedgie (which is just what you think it is). Participants are judged based on the height, the ride and the rippage of each wedgie. If this is not enough to get your juices flowing, there will also be Sp-erotic dance lessons held daily.
"My mind is a scary, weird place sometimes," says Tamashiro.
Wedgies aside, most surprising for Tamashiro has been the overwhelmingly positive reaction from women. "I was initially (surprised), and then when I started thinking about it, it made total sense. One of Redneck women, she might not be a 10, but she dresses up real nice. A lot of women feel empowered by that.
"This show is entirely about women. This is not about men." |
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