Tainted Lady in Williamsburg offers some unique drink holders. (Photo by Cathy
Bennett)
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By Rachel Kramer Bussel
Friday, July 30, 2004
When I think of strippers, I think of sexy, slinky ladies shimmering up and
down shiny poles, offering up their alluring bodies for a few minutes of passionate
teasing. So I was expected a little of that long with some comedy at “Stripped
the Play.”
Instead, they offered up a slapstick musical featuring the most outdated of
stereotypes, from the gold-digger to the sassy, proud black woman, and even
a ditzy dyke. The only real treat I found was some eye candy from the almost-naked
women — and if that’s what I want, I’d prefer to head Downtown,
far from the Bridge and Tunnel crowd to Rififi for Starshine or Red Hots Burlesque,
by ladies who really know how to take it off.
Speaking of burlesque, I can’t get enough of Julie Atlas Muz (www.julieatlasmuz.com),
whom I had the honor of performing with last week at “Heat: Sexy Stories
and Burlesque.” This shapely Coral Room mermaid is a knockout who wowed
everyone with her creative dances, while Jack Ferver channeled Condi Rice as
a lust-crazed madwoman fixated on Dubya. Straight-but-wild organizer Christen
Clifford regaled us with her predilection for the dirtiest of gay male porn.
Actress Sheri Sanders, who has performed in “Urinetown,” unleashes
her resemblance to and fascination with Laura Nyro by interpreting her songs
in her tribute show at Ars Nova (.arsnovanyc.com), truly channeling the bisexual
songwriter, who died before her time.
You have one more chance to catch this show Aug. 2. Then, you’ll have
to hope it makes a longer run to showcase Sanders, Dioni Collins and Stephen
Bienskie belting out Nyro classics such as “Eli’s Coming,” by
way of interpreting her tumultuous life.
Now that Meow Mix has closed, dykes may have to travel a little farther to
have their fun — to my neighborhood, Williamsburg. Not only do we have
the fabulous Metropolitan, where you have one more month of free Saturday brunches
and leisurely Sunday barbecues and a swinging Wednesday ladies night, but now
we have one of the plushest, sexiest bars in all of Gotham: Tainted Lady Lounge.
Opened just over a month ago, it’s helmed by Deb Parker, the genius
behind such classics as Girl Bar, NoTell Motel, Barmacy and Beauty Bar. The
décor is a perfect mix of elegant and sleazy: wall to wall in glitter
and pinup photos of naked ladies; mud-flap girls and old-school glamour.
It’s the perfect hangout for dykes and their friends. Be sure to check
out the all-female jukebox, featuring everyone from Loretta Lynn to Marilyn
Monroe to Le Tigre, as well as Deb’s fabulous tattoos. Be sure to check
out the scandalous headline-filled bathroom.
A recent Wednesday night found the bar hopping with the likes of Marga Gomez,
Cathy from Cityrag.com, and Parker’s baby son Earl, who seemed content
amidst all the girlie glamour. There’s even an extensive drink menu filled
with famous “Tainted Ladies.” One not-to-be-missed event happens
Aug. 11.
The Roller Derby Bingo and Smack Rack fundraiser is a unique event, where
bingo winners get special spankings, and you can support the Gotham Girls (gothamgirlsrollerderby.com)
as they zip around the city.
The second annual CineKink film festival is on its way, and you can get your
perv on at their Aug. 10 party at Remote Lounge, where they’ll be raising
money for a film that’s perfect pre-RNC viewing, a documentary about
photographer Barbara Nitke’s lawsuit against our porn-phobic Attorney
General John Aschroft.
Literary lovers, take note: Sunday, Aug. 1 is the debut of the Atomic Reading
Series at Park Slope’s Lucky 13, curated by Cheryl B. and featuring Guillermo
Castro, Aaron Hamburger, Anne Elliot and Lisa Haas. For the politically minded,
tonight (July 30), I’ll be joining a stellar group at a benefit reading
for Camp Trans, which works toward a more gender-inclusive Michigan Womyn’s
Music Festival: M15 at 52 Walker St. at 9 p.m.
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