Cleo Petra has a reputation for being one of the badder girls of Seattle burlesque. The longtime local producer likes her shows a little rough around the edges—wrestling and whipping, pillow fights and rock ‘n’ roll. Back in 2002, she and her sometime partner Timmi Harrop launched Burning Hearts Burlesque with a series of bawdy nights at the Jewel Box Theater (coincidentally, the first was named Burlesque Box).

Since then, Burning Hearts has popped up at the Miss Exotic World competition, masterminded a wrestling tent at an early Capitol Hill Block Party, and stripped in the sun at Lollapalooza. Its monthly revue at Club Motor, Bad Motor Booty, is a deeply weird rock ‘n’ roll variety show just across the street from the Seattle docks and their looming cargo cranes. Inside the club—with its concrete and chicken-wire decor—you can swill a beer and eat pepperoni sticks while catching some surprisingly decent singers, down and dirty burlesque, and a little perilous-looking aerial work. The epic, transgender ’80s cover band the Nasty Habits turned the room into an unhinged dance party after the girls took their bows and the rough-looking roadhouse crowd danced in harmony with the trannies. Bad Motor Booty, much like its producer, is a brash, frenetic mishmash of rock and camp—renegade burlesque at its grittiest. recommended

9 replies on “Burlesque Box”

  2. You go Cleo! So glad you’re still keepin it alive in Miss Petra style! Love you all and the Nasty Habits are truly an epic flavorful band of great ladies…

  3. Cleo has produced some of Seattle’s best and worst burlesque. A select few of the performers are extremely talented and put the time and effort into their costuming, choreography and appearances that one would expect of quality burlesque. Others (sadly, most) have been downright cringe-worthy, sloppy, hair and make-up undone, costuming made up of boring underthings and basically just on stage to show their pasty-covered tits and vaguely disguise it as “burlesque.”
    Personally, I’m extra glad to see Loretta Sin back in Seattle and back onstage. Seattle has been missing her special brand of humor, class and talent! And if Cleo keeps bringing ladies like her to the stage, she’ll keep picking up audience members who truly appreciate burlesque.

  6. fyi- a little history on the burlesque scene: cleo and i were partners for nearly two years. we had a great run, and i wouldn’t trade those times for anything! i wrote, directed, and performed in “burlesque box”, burning hearts burlesque’s first show at the rendezvous. it was a take on the story of pandora’s box–a great time had by one and all! our troupe was unique in that we all took turns writing the shows–a mix of vaudeville, burlesque, and a LOT OF CAMP! other troupes branched off of burning hearts, but i’m glad cleo is still at it—she’s stuck with it through some hard times–the woman has perseverance! keep it up, and continue to support!

  7. Cleo does help develop alot of new talent in Seattle burlesque, just ask her! She’ll tell you how she “discovers” and “develops” new talent, but it’s not necessarily quality talent. Not every girl who’s willing to show her tits is worthy of stage-time. And there is a definite lack of quality costuming required of performers at Burning Hearts shows. They are a far cry from the creativity of the Foxies or the Sinner Saint crew, and light years from the polished showmanship of the Bombshells or the Castaways.

    Truly Burning Hearts is the karaoke of the Seattle burlesque scene. Though Cleo has worked with many top names in Seattle burlesque, few if any veteran performers still choose to have a professional relationship with Burning Hearts. It’s like amateur hour at every show!

  8. Have you ever seen spoken word that melts hearts, strip tease, and
    stand-up comedy mixed?
    Well check out the amazing Lucky DeLuxe coming to Portland May 18th
    just for you!

    Plan B will feature Lucky DeLuxe the May West of the Mid West, with
    her sultry voice,
    her buxom plentifulness, and her all too present hilarity, Lucky
    DeLuxe has been
    taking the nation by storm, one comedy house at a time!

    She has been featured here in Portland at Harvey’s Comedy Club for
    many years, and we
    now she’s performing at Miss Frankie Tease’s ‘Pastie Parade Burlesque
    Show’

    She will grace us with 2 separate performances and be couched duo sets
    from burlesque dancers:
    Lucky Lucy O’Rebel, Miss Frankie Tease, and the amazing Tyger the
    Knife Juggler, and possible
    Fire Juggler, Mike Menace!

    Several things in one night, you just have to see to believe just how
    we like it!

    May 18th Tuesday, 8pm-11:30 $5/ 21+ $3 if service industry
    at Plan B [1305 SE 8th Ave.]
    http://girlpartiespdx.blogspot.com/

    ###

    http://www.girlpartiespdx.com
    Info Line503 560-7427
    Advance Tickets at Jackpot Records
    http://www.twitter.com/girlpartiespdx
    http://www.girlpartiespdx.blogspot.com
    http://www.myspace.com/girlpartiespdx
    http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/12904
    http://www.photobucket.com/girlpartiesp

    —
    You are on our list to find out about GirlPartiesPDX.com Burlesque Shows & Events in Portland Oregon !

    This announcement Group is visible online at
    http://groups.google.com/group/girlparti…

    To immediately unsubscribe send email to
    girlpartiespdx-announcements–events+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

Comments are closed.