Nerdlesque : Burlesque For Nerds and Strip Operation

 

Nerdlesque - We’re starting to see it more and more, a form of entertainment going through a lovely rebirth : burlesque.  It is taking the stage once again with its evening gloves, swirling tassles, and sequins all entwined in a seductive dance.  Burlesque seems to be regaining the fame it once had in the early 1900s, and we find this very exciting!  Most especially after seeing one of its new offspring called “Nerdlesque,” bringing out the sex appeal of nerd culture. Taking place in a small theater in Brooklyn called the Brick Theater about every 2 months, Nerdlesque is a made up of superhero performers, offbeat characters and filled with references to nerdy things like fantasy computer games and comic book villains. 

We went to their show on Saturday night, February 4th.  The theater seems to hide on the block, as there are no lights or big signs to distinguish it.  I could barely make out the words Brick Theater on a small plaque before heading through the first door.  We waited patiently with a small crowd, standing in the limited space between the ticket desk and the entrance.  A few minutes later we entered and sat down.  It was small with an intimate distance between the seats and stage, but still a professional set-up.  By showtime it was packed, and people were sitting on the floor.  Hosts Makin’ Whoopee and Dick E. Lovejoy opened and hosted the show.  These two did a funny act that I think was referencing World of Warcraft (or another computer game that I’m not nerdy enough to know.)  The acts to follow were unique, with subtle, playful humor and a variety of characters.  My favorite was Iris Explosion as The Flash.  In the middle of the show they asked for two volunteers to go on stage and play a trivia game.  For each question answered correctly, two performers, one on each side, would take off an item of clothing.  They asked a bunch of questions I couldn’t have answered, even if I had studied beforehand, but the players successfully got some clothing removed.  It was a fun little interlude in the show.  As a side note, part of what I think is burlesque’s new appeal is that the women are all different shapes and sizes, just like real life.  Many of them have curvy and voluptuous figures, and it’s almost enviable, how comfortable they are with their bodies.  Their allure and seduction does not depend on whether or not they have cellulite or love handles, but rather naturally comes through as they shake it on stage and show off what they got.

As much as we loved these performances, we were really anticipating the after-party and its promise of…get ready for it…strip board games!!  On the program for that night: strip Operation and strip Apples to Apples !  When the show was over the audience members were invited to stay for drinks and games.  A table was set up for Operation, and us, along with the 10 other participants, formed teams on each side.  The rules that night were if someone buzzed the nose, each member of their team had to remove clothing.  To add a little intensity, there were also challenge cards to pick, such as the speed challenge to operate in 5 seconds.  Operation has never been so thrilling, and the night flew by with a rowdy, naked good time!
    
Lastly, just thought I would share a conversation I had with a player next to me during the game, as I was talking to him about nudism.

Him : Are all of these people nudists?  (Yes, we’re EVERYWHERE.)
Me : No, just me and him and those couple of people over there.
Him : So you guys like have orgies?
Me : No, we just hang out naked, have indoor and outdoor events, parties..People who do the social sexual stuff are called swingers.
….I grew up as a nudist at a club, you know, and there, there’s swimming, tennis, volleyball, hiking,
Him : And orgies?
Me : No.
Him : Why not?

Stay tuned for the next showing of Nerdlesque, to which we will invite you all!

Nerdlesque : Burlesque For Nerds

Young Naturists & Nudists America