Mondo Burlesque mixes dance, music and comedy

Cora Vette ably emceed the recent Mondo Burlesque show at Harrah’s. (Photo by Derek Jackson)

The second show of this year’s New Orleans Burlesque Festival, Mondo Burlesque, played at the Theatre at Harrah’s last weekend weekend. The performance was hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Cora Vette, who opened with an invigorating musical number, “Welcome to Burlesque.”

Even without a live band, music was one of Mondo Burlesque’s strong points. Lucky Deluxe regaled the audience with a sassy song about exhibitionism, followed later by Cora Vette’s Rosie the Riveter number, after which Kitten on the Keys played ukulele and spiritedly sang about her geriatric, punk rock boyfriend.

The incomparable Stormy Gayle (Photo by Derek Jackson)

Other highlights included a Charlie Chaplin-style comedy starring the loveable vagrant, Sammich the Tramp, in which Sammie won the girl and outsmarted the police officer, much to the delight of the audience. All of the dancers proved adept, but three of the most distinctive acts were “1920s tap dancing sensation” Gin Minksky, the “Golden Glamazon” Sydni Deveraux, and the classically pristine Miss Stormy Gayle, who entered the stage wearing an elaborate, Marie Antoinette-esque costume and executed one of the most precise, self-assured performances of the festival.

Angi B. Lovely wows the audience. (Photo by Derek Jackson)

Emily Yonker writes about New Orleans lifestyles and entertainment for Nolavie.