The Toledo Show : 1 Night 2 Photos

Every Sunday night in Santa Monica (Thursday in Long Beach), The Toledo Show is an institution. Running for 10 years, this film noir cabaret has garnered fans worldwide due to it's impossibly funky dirty jazz, beautiful dancing "dames", and the leader of the pack, Toledo Diamond - a front man's front man who is so captivating that women swoon at his feet.

Wholly original and ripe for repeated attendances, The Toledo Show is beyond the description my humble adjectives can depict. Come check it out. [Toledo Show Website]

This is Dame Mindy and fan/friend of the show Miss Heather hanging out in-between sets.

The Toledo Show : The Dames!

I almost think that if you're not cool enough to have shown up to see The Toledo Show, you're not worthy of seeing The Dames. You're lucky. I'm giving you a sneak peek, not just because "sex sells", but perhaps if you don't know, you'll come check it out. 

Still pictures - even HD video - doesn't do The Toledo Show justice. It's an experience of light and sound and funk and a virtual walk down the back alleys of Toledo Diamond's cerebral private universe. Is it fiction? Or are these true tales from Toledo's adventures? One never knows, do one?  So here for your pleasure, a small gallery from a recent Sunday Toledo Show.

DJ Mic on the mic keeps the club hits bangin' all night long!!

Dame Leah is sho nuff sittin' on a goldmine!

Tonight, along with Sebastian Leger (keys, trumpet, vocals), Seth Murphy (d) and Mike Gunn (b)were The Toledo Show back line. Bringing it deep and low, loud and fresh, uncomplicated and true, they handled their debut with The Toledo Show with fire and much aplomb!! Check them out as the drum and bass of Ultralove; they play at Harvelle's every Monday.

And by the way...

you're still not worthy.

Toledo 500 : 10 Years Of The Show

The Toledo Show is a dirty burlesque film noir experience that can only be understood by being present. For 10 years The Toledo Show has taken over Sunday nights at Harvelle's in Santa Monica pushing boundaries and converting the uninitiated into staying out late on Sunday nights.

Unlike any other show, The Toledo Show is wholly original, funky as hell and leaves you exhausted and satisfied. 

Happy Anniversary Toledo and company! 

Walter is incomparable

Toledo's 10 year Anniversary

Dame Erin

Rachel Lynn, Toledo, Dame Mindy

Dame Nykky returns triumphant.

Dame Erin's dance of love

Toledo diggin' on Dame Molly's thighs

 Jonathan Heuer plays guitar

Dessy DiLauro : Why You Raggin' - The Video

Why You Raggin'? is the latest video from hep-hop head Dessy Di Lauro.

Ric'key Pageot is Dessy's partner in crime

below: Toledo Diamond twirls dancers Dame Mindy & Dame Erin

 Featuring internationally known choreographer/dancer Toledo Diamond and his 2 fave dancing dames - Erin Bridges and Mindy Cantu - Dessy DiLauro's Why You Raggin' video brings a magical burst of color to video screens everywhere!! Kudos to director James Elder for a hot blend of visuals that matches the songs energy. [Dessy DiLauro Website]

Dessy DiLauro's EP Jumpin' 'N Jivin' Live @ The Swing House is available at all the usual outlets including Amazon & CD Baby

Harvelle's is hosting a party and performance by Dessy DiLauro on Thursday, July 14, 2011. 

The Toledo Show : Sunday Night Fever

Does anyone not know about The Toledo Show? The Westside's livest experience must be seen to be understood. Some of the funkiest cats in L.A. are in The Toledo Show. Toledo, Spoonie, Brew, Shamari, Asa, Sebastian, the new guitar player, Malik and Walter are at the top of their game. The Dames - Erin, Mindy, Leah and Molly seem to have raised the stakes in the burlesque dance department. With burlesque shows playing everywhere in some sort of revival, this is the real deal.  

The Toledo Show : Shamari's Having A Par-tay!!

The annual birthday celebration of Shamari of The Toledo Show took place this past Sunday. The revved up atmosphere was like an Xmas explosion. Tinsel and presents everywhere! There was rumors of Shamari descending from the ceiling - which were exaggerations - although she did have at least 3 clothing changes through out the night. Happy Birthday Shamari! Enjoy your next trip around the sun!

Shamari - seen here beaming in the rapture of a Spoonie bass solo.

The night was all about Shamari and her prescence ...errr presents.

That's Mindy. One of The Toledo Show Dames.

Shamari raises the roof!

Walter Davis on the saxophone.

Walter Davis is incomparable. That has been proven by Toledo Diamond. This post about The Toledo Show features no photos or mentions of Toledo himself. That doesn't seem right. It's The TOLEDO Show. He's Toledo. My apologies to Toledo.

T-Smidi & Toledo : Right There : Video Shoot

Harvelle's legend Toledo Diamond recently shot a video for "Right There" - a song written by T-Smidi, who also performs with Toledo on this clip.

The video features Dame Erin and Dame Mindy who perform as part of the Toledo Show every Sunday at Harvelle's.

Haunted Harvelle's PresentsThe Toledo Show's Halloween!(Adieu Ashley!!)

October 31, 2010 :

Harvelle's historic Halloween haunt hovers on the hysterical, as handsome heros and hi-heeled heroines - hotter than hell - hold horizontally and whore their hollow halls, high as heaven.

OH! and it was Dame Ashley's last dance. The Texas beauty is returning to her roots. I wish her the best! She will be missed.

aerialist Leigh Acosta high above it all

Specialist of thanks to the whole Toledo Show posse : The Dames - Erin, Mindy and Ashley• the band - Walter Davis (sax) Asa Watkins (drums) Anthony Brewster (keys) Brian Allen (bass) Alyson Montez (violin) Sebastian Legar (trumpet/keys) & DJ Vicious Lee (turntables)• the vocals - Shamari & Malik• and the man himself Mr Toledo Diamond.

All the love to David and Cevin & the Harvelle's staff - John, Mika, Candise, Guy, Ne$to, Stan, Joseph, Emily, Samantha, Sheena, & Melinda.

A groovy kind of love to Leigh, Jackie & Brian, Miss Heather and Miss Nikky.

The Toledo Show : Family's Running Deep

This is Toledo Diamond

This is Jessie Payo

That's Tom McNalley backing up Toledo

Walter Davis with unknown Dame

Like some kind of Ambien™ hazed Bootsy Collins nightmare-on-wax, The Toledo Show peeled itself back - like a royal purple onion - revealing family, friends and funk; spectacularly - Harvelle's darling Jessie Payo reuniting with Mr Toledo Diamond himself front and center; familiarly - the return of the forever vocals of Rachel Lynn to So Cal; and funkily - the knock-down drag-out rhythm section of Brian Allen on bass plus (any and all drummers including Asa Watkins &) Punky!! (also of note: the appearance onstage of SoulFunk vet, guitarist Tom McNalley).

Toledo and Jessie reunited

That's Rachel Lynn

(Come check her out solo on Wednesday night before House Of Vibe)