The Velvet Hammer Burlesque

The Velvet Hammer Burlesque has put the tease back into striptease. Based inLos Angeles and founded by Michelle Carr, the infamous troupe kick-started thecurrent era of Neo-Burlesque and has caused a furore on stages worldwide. TheVelvet Hammer s shows are a potent cocktail that mixes elements from classicalAmerican revues with a post-feminist punk rock attitude. Their intricately choreographedand lovingly costumed performances have much more in commonwith the tradition of Vaudeville than with the sleazy table dancing of today.The book The Velvet Hammer Burlesque presents photographs of the group svoluptuous ensemble of dancers and performers from their savvy on-stage actsto a glimpse behind the curtain. Beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, most ofthem don t correspond to today s generally accepted, often surgically enhancedideal. But they all radiate an authentic, raw energy in their routines that mesmerizesthe audience until (almost