Looking for something different to do this Valentine’s Day weekend? Forget dinner and a movie. Exquisite Entertainers and Gypsy Allure Production present an intimate and entertaining evening of burlesque and vaudeville at NOVA535 in St. Petersburg Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.
There’s something for everyone at Le Cirque de L’Amour, said Mayven Missbehavin, founder of Exquisite entertainers.
“Friends, lovers, just met you yesterday. Nobody is left out,” she said.
So whether you want to impress your sweetie with an outside-the-box date or grab a group of friends for a raucous evening, the show is sure to impress.
Though there might be other burlesque performances in the area, Le Cirque de L’Amour stands out with its nod to classic vaudeville.
“Our production is not just a burlesque show,” said Gypsy Allure. “Le Cirque de L'Amour is more of a variety show and will demonstrate the sensual side of vaudeville. The crowd will not only be teased; they will laugh their asses off, be left in awe, feel raw sentimental emotion, and of course they'll be hootin' and hollerin' for our beautiful performers!”
Mayven added, “We have the dangerously sexy in our show and everything that makes an interesting vaudeville show – machetes, juggling, singing.”
Gypsy Allure, a sixth-generation circus performer based in Sarasota, continues the legacy of her father, world-class master illusionist Vince Carmen, with her magical act.
“She loves what she does,” Mayven said. “She lights up the stage and everybody pays attention. Magic is a male-dominated industry. But her stage character is a modern magician with a classic background. She incorporates a new modern twist.”
Mayven’s specialties include comedy and singing burlesque acts, as well as aerial and fire performances. At Le Cirque de L’Amour she’ll be singing in addition to fire eating and performing with fire fans.
Aaron Bonk, a juggler and whip artist, based out of Clearwater Beach, will also perform.
“Not only is he beyond delicious to look at, his talent to manipulate objects makes him sexier than any other juggler you've ever seen,” said Gypsy Allure.
Jenna Beth is a classic burlesque performer out of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, where she is producer of a troupe called Cupcake Burlesque. Other acts include Miss Margie and Sir Rick are an acrobatic dance duo, and The Lady Satine is a one-of-a-kind pole artist based out of New Orleans.
The line-up is rounded out by hostess Franki Markstone, “an obnoxious riot with a vivacious spirit who you can’t help but to fall in love with,” Gypsy Allure said.
“We’re incredibly excited,” Mayven said. “There’s a lot of talent in this show.”
Gypsy Allure added, “We’re going to wow our audience. They're going to experience an evening that is like nothing they've experienced before. The show consists of a broad range of performers who will be executing dangerous feats, hilarious comedy, and of course all of our performers will be bringing their sexy! This show is meant to titillate the crowd, setting the mood for Valentine's Day.”
Pre-sale general admission tickets are $25 or $35 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online here.
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2015.