A full audience welcomed the members of Carnivàle Debauche — Champaign-Urbana’s very own motley crew of vaudevillian and burlesque performers — to the small stage in the beer garden of Mike ‘N’ Molly’s at their first of two shows on Saturday evening. Though the show got off to a bit of a late start, the members of the troupe and their band — fondly known as the Dirty Asterisks — were received with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
The aesthetics of Mike ‘N Molly’s beer garden amped up the performance even more than I had expected it would. The exposed brick and ivy enclosing the space, as well as the dim street lamps illuminating the tables made the show feel like a private invitation to some kind of raunchy, back-alley sideshow. The light from the vibrant sunset-colored stage lights also helped set the mood for the evening. A black backdrop boasting the name Carnivàle Debauche, complete with a couple sexy silhouettes, was a final touch to the stage.
The troupe began strong with a sexed-up group number, featuring the carnies’ catchy version of Irving Berlin’s “Putting on the Ritz.” After the intro it was time to get into the swing of things with a couple of entrancing solos. Mad Dog — Carnivàle Debauche’s trick hula hooper of the evening — put on a mesmerizing solo performance to Squirrel Nut Zippers’ song “The Ghost of Steven Foster.” Using one hoop, and then transitioning to doubles, she kept her routine fresh and engaging. Both of her hula hoops were made even more enchanting with the addition of LED lights, one glowing with warm, tropical colors, and the other with cool blues and greens. The lights looked perfect in the dimness of the summer evening. Mad Dog maintained amazing stage presence as she held a sweet smile through the whole number. Her solo culminated in loud cheers and howls from the audience. It was this kind of unorthodox performance — used in tandem with more traditional burlesque numbers — that kept Carnivàle Debauche’s performance interesting.
Perhaps the most captivating performer of the evening was veteran Carnivàle dancer, Bettie Leigh. Her energy and commitment poured out on stage. Clad in a decadent red satin dress featuring sparkling rhinestones, and armed with a fluffy black boa, she brought the sex appeal to one of the troupe’s original compositions called “Aces and Eight’s,” sung by fellow Carnivàle dancer, Drusilla Delacroix.
Drusilla Delacroix
In her first performance with Carnivàle Debauche, newcomer Legs Over Easy (How could you not love that name?) put on a titillating display to another carnie original, “Dirty Butterfly.” Her solo was undoubtedly one of the best of the evening. Decked out in more red satin with black fringe hanging off the seams, her props — a pair of huge, red feather fans — guided her performance. Swirling the fans gracefully around her, she kicked and pranced around the stage like a pro. Not to mention, she popped off the components of her costume with ease, even with a handful of feathers. She struck an ending pose with her fans propped behind her like a pair of butterfly wings, paying tribute to the anthem she had just danced to. The Dirty Asterisks hadn’t even played their last note before the beer garden erupted in applause.
The evening’s co-hosts, Ring Master Billy Boudoir and resident goof-off Carnie Barker Steve, provided a bit of comedy between each act, completing the vaudevillian trio of song, dance, and humor. Though the audience didn’t always respond to the duo’s jokes with fervent laughter, Billy and Steve still held the performance together, providing transitions for their dancers and musicians and getting a rise out of the audience throughout the night. As more booze started flowing, the two even reached out to playfully converse with the audience on occasion.
Group dance numbers sandwiched the dancers’ solos, and offered the opportunity to try out some more creative, neo-burlesque routines. One of the troupe’s favorite numbers — and what I thought was the best group number — was a belly-dancing inspired routine to popular electronic and world music group, Beats Antique’s song, “Catskillz.” Dancers Legs Over Easy, Bettie Leigh, Drusilla Delacroix, and Scarlet Tickle stepped on stage in vibrant blue and red belly-dancing attire, dripping in beaded fringe that sparkled under the stage lights. Exotic choreography made this number stand out from all the rest.
A final surprise came when Billy Boudoir revealed the troupe’s “secret weapon” — a newcomer referred to as Caveman Matt, The Skirted Wonder — who stepped onto the stage spinning a set of fire poi. His dance was the most far-out addition to the show, exciting (and possibly frightening) the audience.
Overall, the show was a fun and special way to kick off my Saturday night. Great music, sexy sights, relatively few glitches, and a playful atmosphere. Though I didn’t stay for the second performance, I’m sure it was even more scandalous. To learn more about Carnivàle Debauche, or find out about their upcoming performances, check them out on Facebook!
All photos by Sean O’Connor.