Written by Sabrina Rogers, Entertainment Editor
On Saturday, Oct. 17, in Roanoke at the Golden Cactus Brewing, the Brackety-Ack was invited to experience a show of a lifetime, The Feral Showgirls. Bringing burlesque to the Star City, these performers made their debut for the quaint community of Roanoke. We previously covered their pre-show interview this past week, so if you have not had the opportunity to learn about the history, the sparkle, and the why of these talented performers, go check that out!
If one had been to this establishment before, they’d know there’s no stage. Golden Cactus Brewing expertly created an open area for the performers to shine, spotlight included, with the long tables surrounding them (almost in a round staging). There was a mix of ages in the audience, but mostly from what I could tell were millennials. Half of the crowd expressed they’ve been to a burlesque show before, so threy knew what they were stepping into.
The night kicked off with Rachel, the founder, welcoming everyone and giving the audience a little taste of what to expect. Glamour, tease, and excitement all wrapped in one. There were seven performers in total, each having two appearances to captivate the stage. Each performer brought temptation, a little mischief, and artistry unlike any other.
Salacious Sinn: Sultry and captivate the room with just a singular look. Her looks involved an all-black set as well as in her second act a gorgeous red dress/slip. She sauntered the room, knowing exactly who she is and who she is showing off as.
Coko Galore: The first thing I noticed was the costuming. Electric and poised. Special note for the tear away pants that were so inventive and perfect for a performance. Her second look reminded me of a ladybug and captivated the room just by pausing and giving a look. Absolutely loved seeing her on stage strutting her stuff.
Czarina Etherea: Our favorite gal helps in-between performances. She helped pick up tips as well as any garments on the floor. She has a PhD. In the move “Bend and Snap” from Legally Blonde from how many times she was picking up items. Even when not on stage, she was making jokes and made the audience feel even more welcome than before for this electrifying night.
Suilean Gorm: Poised and purposeful, this one is. Starting her first act with a pink and black color scheme, she was a sensual baddie. With continued audience participation, she walked the runway in tandem to the music bringing joy and excitement to everyone who was present. Her second look made me think of the Ice Queen from Narnia with her white getup and extravagant jewelry pieces. She also matched her wig to the color scheme which made my brain happy.
Kitt Fatale: Magnifying. Stunning. And a certified Sexologist. She devoured the workroom with just a glance. Captivating doesn’t even begin to describe the effect she had on the audience. As if her purple haze look wasn’t enough, her second look being a whole production? Phenomenal. The wedding goddess was ethereal to experience front row. It was her world, and we were just living in it.
Jade Fatale: JESSICA RABBIT REALNESS. As soon as “Why Don’t You Do Right?” started playing, my mouth was agape and I was on the edge of my seat. She started her first performance with the iconic red sparkly dress, then as the song went off, so did the clothes, leaving her in a purple set with red accents. Her second look reminded me of snowflakes on a cold, yet blissful day. Her fluidity with her movements was a highlight!
Rachel: Last but certainly not least, the mastermind behind it all showed the audience. She taught a class earlier in the day and had Ash come join her on stage to do a performance, which was AMAZING! Serving looks and showing the audience exactly why they do this in the first place. Rachel shows that this work is for anyone and everyone, no matter who you are or what you look like. She makes sure everyone is comfortable, having fun, and excited to be there. She introduced all the performers and made commentary with the audience (who gave the same energy back might I add) making each performance memorable.
I knew I was going to like this event, but it exceeded my expectations. As Rachel said in the preshow interview, this show is meant for everybody with every body. The expression of self and appreciation for the craft of burlesque was astonishing to experience. Sitting in the front row, I was able to see everything and even interact with some performers during the show. Overall, I had a great time and enjoyed the burlesque atmosphere. With how glittery, funny, and charismatic each person was, I would attend again!
