The Art of the Nipple Pasties

Burlesque in New York Nightlife

By Gamal Hennessy

She steps on the stage in a full length gown, long gloves and high heels when the music starts. By the end of the song, she’s only wearing the heels and a pair of tasseled sequin pasties on her nipples. What happened in between is part strip tease, part comedy and part history lesson. This isn’t Scores or Tens or the Hustler Club. This is burlesque and you are probably missing it.

What it was. What it is

Burlesque is a form of variety show that started in Europe and eventually made its way to America. It used to include all sorts of acts but modern burlesque really boils down to X-rated comedy, a little music and a lot of women taking off their clothes in a Boardwalk Empire type atmosphere. Picture Eddie Murphy in Delirious backed up by a jazz band and a constant parade of thongs. Add a large quantity of liquor and a crowd of men and women cheering like they are at the Super Bowl and you have a good idea of what the show is like.

The resurgence in burlesque started in the 1990’s. Most of the performances are done by small collectives who perform in art houses, bars and lounges but there is also a professional circuit where full time burlesque performers travel from city to city, enter competitions, perform in major festivals and become famous for the way they twirl their pasties. The art form has become so prevalent that there are burlesque shows in New York every week, almost every day.

Classy Smut

The appeal of burlesque is the element of controlled risqué.  It is stripping with a more artistic feel than normal pole dancing. It has an underground feel without being threatening. It encourages an acceptable kind of voyeurism and exhibitionism and burlesque crowds often contain as many cross dressers, divas and other assorted characters as the actual show. If you are bored with the nightlife you currently live, try a night of burlesque for a different type of thrill.

Where to Find It

The 8^th Annual New York Burlesque Festival hit BB Kings last weekend, but if you missed that show you can find regular burlesque performances at Bamboo 52, Bar 9, Carnival, Hells Gate Social, Honey, Triad Theater, and Vig 27. Check the individual websites for dates and times.

Have fun.
G