Variety is the spice of life – and Naughty and Spice Burlesque aims to make life interesting with its new variety show Saturday (April 9) at Nanaimo Centre Stage.
The group went through a series of changes and professional development over the past three months, adding three new members and an entire slate of new numbers. The group was inspired by the high level of talent and showmanship displayed at BurlyCon, the annual burlesque conference members of the troupe attended in Seattle last October.
The result – bigger, better, funnier, sparklier.
“We always tried to offer something to everyone who comes to our shows, no matter their age, their job or their body shape,” said Roxee Lee, the group’s president. “We still hold to those values of making women feel beautiful and empowered by seeing us on stage and cheering us on.”
It’s not just about women anymore, either. Naughty and Spice welcomed its first ‘boylesque’ performer with Will N. Downed. The group is excited about the comedic potential of working with a man on stage and all three new members are eager to perform for the first time.
“I went to one of the shows and saw that it was everyday women made into beautiful, empowered, sexy vixens that the crowd went wild for,” said newcomer Vampish Heart. “I wanted to know how I could be a part of that.”
Burlesque incorporates elements of dance, theatre and acting with striptease to create humorous, thought-provoking and shocking numbers. The themes often poke fun at social attitudes.
The variety show is set for Saturday (April 9), 8 p.m., at Nanaimo Centre Stage, 25 Victoria Rd. Tickets $23/advance from the Clubhouse Dance and Fitness in Departure Bay and online at www.naughtyandspiceburlesque.com. Cash bar and after party with DJ Turk will be available.