The dancers of Ooh La La Burlesque.

The University of Denver School of Music will rock the house tonight at the legendary Herman's Hideaway. Along with the four bands all made up of DU music students, there will be a light show and video shoot featuring Ooh La La Burlesque.

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- Win tickets to see the Head and the Heart and more at DU's Music Fest this Saturday
- The ten best concerts to see in Denver this week
- Chimney Choir channels the spirit of exploration on its new album, (compass)

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Stereo Vision Photography

After his house was foreclosed on, Baltimore burlesque performer Paco Fish decided to seize the circumstance and pursue his dreams. So the performer took the plunge and moved into his van, then embarked on a 52-week Burlesque Vanguard Tour across the country, taking along a variety of characters and theatrical striptease acts. Fish's next stop is Denver, where he'll perform tonight at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse and Friday, in the Midnite Martini's Sexy Circus Sideshow at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret; he'll also teach two afternoon workshops at Vivienne VaVoom's School of Burlesque and model for Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School on Sunday. We caught up with the bold performer, who talked with us about being inspired by the Dresden Dolls, quitting his day job, and how to shower when you're living out of a van.

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- Amy Schumer on self-confidence, bathroom attendants and angry Jackass fans
- Photos: The women of Burlesque on BROADway

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All photos by Danielle Lirette.

The art of burlesque comes with a long (and sexy) history, from pin-ups to pasties. Over the weekend, Tatiana Tata and her troupe performed a glamorous tribute to the burlesque styles of yesteryear, at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret with performances from Orchid Mei, Midnite Martini, Honey Touche, Veronica Von Tassel, Peggy Tulane, Chalita Bang Band and Lady Shanime. Continue reading for the highlights, and visit our full slide show for more scenes from the evening.

See also:
- Slide show: Pin-ups and Pasties at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret
- A Burlesque Tribute to Lisa Frank (NSFW)
- A Salute to the Legends of Burlesque at Bender's Tavern

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All photos by Christopher Morgan.

Remember Lisa Frank -- the designer behind all those technicolor stickers and binders and backpacks that achieved a cult status for girls raised in the '90s? Merry Widow's Artisan Operetta certainly does. Last night, the burlesque troupe performed a tribute to the love of all '90s girls at Voodoo Comedy Lounge, and Westword photographer Christopher Morgan stopped by to capture the act. Continue reading for a few highlight, and visit our full slide show for more photos.

See also:
- Slide show: A Burlesque Tribute to Lisa Frank
- Slide show: A Burlesque Tribute to South Park
- Merry Widow's Artisan Operetta performs Lisa Frank-themed burlesque tonight

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Haus of Dollz

What do you get when you mix psychedelic Trapper-Keeper artist Lisa Frank with burlesque? The Merry Widow's Artisan Operetta will answer that question tonight with its monthly, artist-inspired variety show at Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. In the past, host Tamara Pidhayny has chosen such pre-1960s inspirations as costume designer Edith Head, actress Mae West and Broadway star Flo Ziegfeld. But this month, the Operetta is delving into the magical, neon world of the '80s and '90s artist whose work graced the covers of elementary school girls' notebooks everywhere.

See also:
- Photos: Burlesque and theater meet in Merry Widow's Artisan Operetta
- Photos: Pasties and performers at the Colorado Burlesque Festival (NSFW)
- Reader: Most papers have an editorial section; Westword has Lisa Frank's diary

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All photos by Brandon Marshall.

As if Denver's resident burlesque maven, Cora Vette, didn't have enough steamy shows in the works already with Ledville, Bust and Reefer Mania -- as well as a handful of other clothing-optional projects and a burlesque store -- she launched a brand-new recurring show this week at Bar Standard. Technicolor Tease combines elements of her history in local burlesque, including the same bawdy song-and-dance influences, and added a speakeasy aesthetic to the entire evening. Photographer Brandon Marshall stopped by to snap these scenes of the first night of the new event. For more photos, visit our full slide show: "Technicolor Tease Burlesque (NSFW)."

See also:
- Slide show: Zombie Burlesque at Bar Standard
- Backstage at the 2012 Colorado Burlesque Festival
- Photos: Burlesque on BROADway

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Sammich the Tramp

There are advantages to living in the same town as Cora Vette (aka Reyna Von Vett), the queen of burlesque emcees. Case in point: Tonight's Bawdy Beggars Roadshow at Bar Standard, which starts at 8:30 p.m. and costs $10 general admission, $25 for front-row VIP seats, is something you'd usually have have to travel to St. Louis to see. But she's brought Sammich the Tramp and the whole crew out west for one night only.

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- It's Cora Vette's birthday -- and Coco Lectric is the present
- Male eye candy: Photos of Cora Vette's Hot Rods
- Photos: VaVaVette sneak peek: Vintage/burlesque clothing madness

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All photos by Christopher Morgan.

Fans of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, local comedian heroes, know that their hilarity knows no bounds. And when it comes to South Park, it also knows no boundaries. Which is why we weren't entirely surprised to find that the show and its creators were recently spoofed themselves -- with a burlesque parody at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. Continue reading for photos of a different kind of South Park scandal.

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- Slide show: South Park burlesque
- The Book of Mormon opening night: What the ticket holders had to say
- In honor of Book of Mormon, here's a pop history of religious satire

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All photos by Jim Wills.

The zombie craze shows no signs of dying out; you can't take part in any pop-cultural obsession these days without someone trying to add brains to it. But last night at Bar Standard, the show revolved around what was being removed, not added. Burlesque maven Cora Vette and crew added an element of the undead to their burlesque routines by dressing up as zombies -- and then undressing. Continue reading for photos of the night's unique mix of skin and horror.

See also:
- Slide show: Zombie Burlesque at Bar Standard
- Backstage at the 2012 Colorado Burlesque Festival
- Burlesque on BROADway

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Led by title performer Merry Widow, Merry Widow's Artisan Operetta features a rotating cast of local burlesque and theatrical talent that performs a variety of experiments, sketches and song-and-dance numbers at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse on the third Monday of every month.

Photographer Brandon Marshall caught up with the group last night to capture these photos of its most recent performance.

See also:
- Slide show: Burlesque on BROADway
- A Salute to the Legends of Burlesque at Bender's Tavern
- Photos: Pasties and performers at the Colorado Burlesque Festival (NSFW)

More »