Coyote Caliente & Coco Taylor go a'raffling ... (Images by Matthew Rettenmund) It has been years since I made it out to see Members Only Boylesque — the modern, LGBTQ+ burlesque troupe famous in NYC for its tongue-in-cheek vibe and yet its relentless professionalism regarding the art of burlesque.
This time, it was their occasional show SKIN. Her new jokes were old-jokes and we loved all of 'em. I put an end to my dry streak and started a wet one Saturday night at the Laurie Beechman in NYC, where you can eat and be fed by these artistes at the same time.
JMV even coordinated with the EXIT sign! Hostess Coco Taylor was on-point or on-something all night, as quick-witted as ever and clearly ready for the lip-synch Olympics.
Oh, baby!-Shark The show-offs were co-founder Twinky Boots, JMV (both of them lightning-fast, almost surgically exact dancers), Chartruice (her showpersonship is out of this world, and definitely reminiscent of classic burlesque with a punk streak), Bollywood Ken (whose cheering section was as impressive as his fluid moves) and cheeky Saké (who never met a hula he did not hoop).