Pierre’s Naughty Burlesque & Comedy Night
Ask any stand-up comedian, sideshow freak or burlesque diva in town – it’s not easy to create a show or themed night that will consistently change and sell well enough for a long-lasting run in Denver.
That’s why Pierre Jean-Pierre St. Pierre’s variety night at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret is essential. It’s a fun, gutter-loving hodge-podge of a cabaret, bringing together comedians, musicians and burlesque dancers from all over Denver and putting them on the same stage.
It doesn’t sound revolutionary, but it actually is a giant step forward.
Pierre’s show makes you realize how cliquey Denver has become with much of its local entertainment. As the evening’s host, Pierre turns his nose up at practically everything – from politics to the bald guy’s shiny dome in the front row. It’s thoroughly silly, but he’s the inclusive glue of an important cultural melting pot that is bringing people together on a weekly basis, every Thursday night in the basement of the historic D&F tower.
As a result, Pierre’s show is better than most comedy nights, burlesque shows or burlesque-musical collaborations. That’s a compliment not only to Pierre – played hilariously by Jefferson Arca, a partner at Lannie’s – but also the the acts. It’s great there are comedy crews and burlesque troupes, and it’s brilliant that Denver has a multitude of these artists interested in creating art. But it’s integral to the survival of these scenes that everybody learn to collaborate better, and this Thursday night outing is an ideal start. |Ricardo Baca
Red Stinger
Indie rockers have lately discovered what punk and electro kids have known all along: Moving your body is essential to enjoying live rock ‘n’ roll. The too-cool shoegazer days and slacker ’90s taught us that disconnection is a virtue. No more. Whether you’re at a hardcore or a twee pop show, you have no excuse to stand there and sip your overpriced Miller Lite like a glass of champagne.
Roughly half the audience at the Bluebird’s punk-hardcore show on Tuesday took this to heart. Death and the Lovers, Murder in Memphis, Suburban Hostage and Red Stinger united to pummel the young audience’s eardrums. That last band, in particular, seemed bent on whipping the crowd into a violent lather, and they nearly succeeded.
Lanky lead singer/guitarist Tim-E didn’t hesitate to bark good-naturedly at sedentary audience members. “Grab a girl and dance, buddy!” he yelled at one. “All you people in the back, step up to the center!” he implored before launching into “Setup.” The muted verses and explosive choruses bordered on ska before hitting a full-on speed metal coda, courtesy of dexterous guitarist Frad.
“Who’s to blame? Is it the president, your parents or the pope?” he shrieked to a small but devoted mosh pit churning before him. People chucked empty plastic cups on stage. They screamed and writhed. One overzealous fan even grabbed the bass player’s mic stand, prompting an angry bouncer to descend to the floor and yell at him.
What do you expect? It’s punk rock. |John Wenzel
