I got to the 5 at about 9:20, as Skyla Raine was just finishing her set. Given the nature of what I was expecting from the show, I was trying to decide where I wanted to sit. I asked one of the bouncers if he had seen the previous show and if there was going to be much fake blood used. His response seemed to suggest that there might be a good chance of it for those in the front row. One of the booths in which I tend to like to sit was open but I didn't really feel like being splattered, so I opted for one of the tables on the raised area just to the right of the stage by the entrance. You still have a decent view of the stage from there and I actually wondered if any splatter might make it that far.
All of the promotional material for the show advertised a scheduled start time of 9:30. By the time I was actually seated and settled in with a drink, it had to be close to that time already. I believe the DJ announced that the show would be starting in "two minutes". Not even close. Before the show, one of the week's feature dancers, Rocket, did a full set. It was a decent set but nothing special. After a short break, another of this week's scheduled dancers came up. Although, in this case, it was Sugar, so no complaints here
She put on a very good, high energy set, which I really enjoyed. (I admit that at times I've seen her seem less enthused but when she's on her game the way she was last night, she remains one of my favourites).
After Sugar's set, they finally handed over the reigns to the Bloody Betty crew. The "Stripkeeper" came out. At one point, he made a comment that he was a big Hulk Hogan fan but he reminded me more of a poor man's Randy "Macho Man" Savage. I so hoped that just once he'd break out an "Ohhhhh yeah!"
In any case, he was appropriately enthusiastic and energetic while just walking that line where he wasn't too annoying. A couple of scantily clad "slave girls" were introduced as they prepped the stage and wiped down the pole.
The first of the burlesque performers to take the stage was introduced as "Sherry Hymen" if I understood correctly. Even with the racoon eye make-up, it was apparent that she has quite a lovely face. She did some rather impressive dance athletics and burlesque style strip tease on a chair to what I think was a Michael Buble track. Red, heart shaped pasties and the panties stayed on but a very entertaining performance overall.
The next dancer they announced was Salem Lords... only there was some kind of delay and mix up and she didn't come up. So, I guess they had to improvise and prepare the stage for Bloody Betty's first performance instead. Damn, that woman can move! Very high energy, high tempo almost frenetic dancing style. I had originally written a very detailed description of her performance but I've edited that out so as not to potentially spoil any surprises for those that may choose to catch her act in the future. There was some simulated violence and moderate gore during the performance. Overall, I found her performance highly entertaining.
Salem Lords did finally hit the stage after Bloody Betty. She looked very familiar to me. I think she may have been one of the No5 VIP dancers in the past. I vaguely recall myself and a guy who I used to meet up there from time to time referring to her as "living dead girl" back then. So, I got a kick out of the fact that the second song of her first set happened to be "Living Dead Girl". Anyway, she also danced with great energy and was great fun to watch.
At this point, the Bloody Betty crew took a break and two of the week's scheduled dancers took the stage for back to back full sets. No break between Ariel and then Jade. On any other occasion, I would quite enjoy either of these lovely ladies' stage sets. But the shift in tone from the great showmanship of the very burlesque style of the Bloody Betty group back to the more typical exotic entertainment didn't quite work, in my opinion.
After the break, a contest where three audience members were called up to the stage to participate. Again, don't think I should reveal the specifics of the contest in case it's something they do again and I wouldn't want to give away the surprise. Not as CRAZY as suggested by the promo material and the prizes handed out weren't nearly as INSANE as promised either. But the contestants and the onlooking crowd seemed to enjoy it.
Each lady came up again after that. Sherry Hymen with another very entertaining, high tempo set done to Joan Jett's "Do you wanna touch me?" Then Salem Lords came up with a demon who was suspiciously dressed like Randy "Macho Man" Stripkeeper. And finally one more wild set from headliner Bloody Betty which culminated in some more simulated violence and gore.
Overall, I found the evening quite entertaining despite the fact that I had higher expectations about how much simulated gore would be involved. I was in no danger of getting any splatter on me even if I had been sitting closer to the stage. As for this:
some of these performances will leave you unable to sleep and begging for more gore.
I slept just fine and yes... I definitely expected more gore
But I would certainly venture out to see another Bloody Betty show.
