September 15, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE KEEFER BAR & SWEET SOUL BURLESQUE CELEBRATE ONE YEAR with A SASSQUERADE SPECTACULAR!
It's not just the steady stream of well-liquored guests that have taxis lined up outside the Keefer Bar on Thursday nights. The critically acclaimed Sweet Soul Burlesque dancers have been perfecting their intimate cabaret show there for the past year, glittering visibly from the street through a large picture window.
"The stage is flush up against the patio, so I suppose passers-by - or cab drivers - tend to get a good view," says Crystal Precious, producer and host of the night, with a wink. "Luckily we're not exactly shy."
After 8 years of producing their own shows at various venues around the city (including their own underground venue, the now de-funct Dollhouse Studios), Vancouver's original professional burlesque troupe have settled into a permanent residency at the upscale China Town hotspot. October 6th marks the one year anniversary of the Keefer staff serving up luscious libations along to the fabulous Sweet Soul femmes every Thursday night.
"It just makes perfect sense," says Keefer manager Danielle Tatarin of the partnership. "We're trying to create a sensual experience, but not too serious or pretentious... a place where you know the service and cocktails will be top-notch but can you can still have a laugh and maybe still see something onstage that surprises you." Not satisfied with just straight vintage striptease, the Sweet Soul girls are also known to rap, sing, incorporate magic tricks or add circus feats to the mix.
"We work really hard to keep the show fresh & lively," says Vancouver's infamous rock n' roll flapper, Sweet Soul girl Lola Frost. "It's important to us to present varied takes on what 'sexy' can mean while keeping up the quality of the performances. We want to send the message that it's possible be creative, diverse, sexy and fun all at the same time."
The anniversary show on October 6th will be a grand masquerade, or "Sassquerade", with live feed of the performances projected around the bar. Guests are encouraged to wear masks (or they can use one of the fabulous ones provided at the door). The night's acts will feature group burlettas, special surprise guests and specials from sponsors Cointreau & Jack Daniels. Doors at 9, shows begin at 10pm and last call will be at 1am.
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Sweet Sip Thursdays One Year Anniversay Sassquerade Spectacular
October 6th, 2011 @ The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer St, Chinatown Vancouver
Regular admission is $10
For more information, media guest list or more hi-resolution images, please contact crystalpreciousproductions@gmail.com.
Image attached of Sweet Soul Burlesque's Little Miss Risk by David Denofreo.
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About The Keefer Bar:
The Keefer Bar is a place where you can come to escape the rush and unwind in a unique atmosphere where cocktails, food and music are in harmony. The intricately designed cocktail program focuses on Apothecary style drinks created to soothe ailments and balance one’s mood. Ingredients for the Asian influenced small plated food and specially crafted drinks are sourced from local Chinatown markets and herbalists. Bar Manager, Danielle Tatarin and Creative Director, Free Lee work with their team to develop the exceptional atmosphere and unique house made tinctures, bitters, syrups and teas to incorporate into the pre-prohibition influenced drinks.
About Sweet Soul Burlesque:
Sweet Soul Burlesque is Western Canada’s longest running professional neo-burlesque troupe. Founded in 2003 out of a passion for the genuine DIY pin-up grrl culture, Sweet Soul strives to raise the bar by creating fun, ground-breaking burlesque performances that are of unequaled production value. From ribbon staffs to giant venus fly traps to fire tricks to life-sized jack-in-the boxes, each Sweet Soul dancer (Cara Milk, Cherry OnTop, Crystal Precious, Little Miss Risk, Lola Frost & Rita Star) has spent years individually crafting her own persona & performance style. Get ready for a vibrant mash-up of classic striptease with elements of hip hop, underground dance culture & punk rock.
Since their inception, Sweet Soul Burlesque has quickly become internationally reknown and has been featured in the Globe & Mail, CBC Television and Radio, Fashion TV, MuchMusic & MTV and has appeared at hundreds of events & festivals across the continent, from the Pemberton Music Festival to the New York Burlesque Festival. In 2010 they were honoured with a nomination for World’s Best Troupe at the International Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
