The Pitter-Patter of Bump 'N' Grind :Bongo Fury Returns To Harvelle's (Long Beach)

Dateline : February 17 2012. Long Beach, CA

The return of Bongo Fury - Walter Davis' afro-cuban-latin-jazz-burlesque night  - a huge draw in Santa Monica a couple of years ago now back into production at the Harvelle's in Long Beach. It's been well documented in this blog that BF is responsible for the very inception of my relationship with Harvelle's, Walter and Carolina; the reason I perform poetry is due in part to the encouragement of Walter.

Carolina Cerisola (right->) has inspired many photos, a poem or two, and her spirit and life outlook have kept me lifted. She is very wise, a true internationalist and someone whose moves I follow (figuratively and literally). With her business partner Sascha Escandon, they have created The Floor, and this Friday (Feb 24) they kick-off Friday Kind Of Love - at Harvelle's Long Beach; an exciting new night where the groove is set to sweet sweet soul.

Although her heart and home is Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carolina is a fixture in Hollywood, she's a heroine to some and inspires others she doesn't even know. When people speak of her without her present it is always with reverie and joy. I see the look on people's faces when she dances; they smile. They forget everything else. They're mesmerized and elated by her every movement. She makes people happy by dancing.

It was great to see Bongo Fury again. Walter's group - which reunites drummer Asa and percussionist Timbali also features Shadarius Shields on bass - laid down the tribal wickedness, and brought out the afro/latin/cuban vibe without kitsch. Dancer Zepha (<-left) took to the new room like a fish to water - if a fish had hips - and worked the room like she'd been there a million times before. This simple combo of cool jazzy live music with ridiculously talented dancers is a winner every time! (The show also features DJ Paper spinning club hits, hip-hop, oldies, soul and eclectica.)

There are lots of burlesque shows in town. 

There are a couple of great ones - shows I try to never miss, but Bongo Fury has a special place in my heart and no matter where or when it happens, I'm there!

Thanks -  the BF crew (Walter, Asa, Tim, Shadarius, Carolina & Zepha), DJ Paper, Ryan, Doug, Dana and David. Happy Birthday Cevin!!

The Return Of BONGO FURY

I haven't written the words "bongo", "fury" or "zepha" in quite sometime, but all that ends right now!

Walter Davis has re-booted Bongo Fury, his afro-cuban jazz and burlesque show, that was a huge draw when it played every Tuesday nights in Santa Monica. It is what inspired my initial relationship with Harvelle's (and this blog), as well as with Walter and dancer Carolina Cerisola. Bongo Fury used to feature some of the sexiest dancers around, among them, the aforementioned Carolina, Dakota, Annika, Jillian, Molly, Lisa, Hannah and of course Zepha!

Tonight in Long Beach, Harvelle's presents Bongo Fury.

Today Is Carolina's Birthday

Carolina used to dance at Harvelle's every Tuesday as part of Bongo Fury - an amazing nu-skool burlesque triumph that was my sole impetus for coming to Harvelle's many years ago. While Bongo Fury no longer exists as it did - I made some amazing friends: Walter Davis, Asa Watkins, Bjørn Fleuren, Victor Orlando, Toledo Diamond, Adrian Govind and of course Carolina Cerisola.

Happy Birthday Carolina!!

Harlow Gold : Pasties and A G-String

The last 2 Thursdays of the month, burlesque troupe Harlow Gold take over Harvelle's. The ladies' reputation preceeds them. The women of Harlow Gold are fierce, sexy and amazing dancers. Performing in venues all over the world, I'm pretty sure they are internationally known.

Debuting their new show in Santa Monica to a sold out west side audience tonight - every table and every barstool was filled.

And everyone knows that Harvelle's is the best place to see burlesque.

The club pioneered the burlesque revival with it's Bongo Fury spectacle that was here Tuesday nights for many years.


The whole club is theirs. They bump and grind from the front to the stage and back again.

Those in attendance stayed and danced after. They were apparently revved up from the performance.

Next Thursday we'll do it again.


∞          ∞           ∞           ∞
Tomorrow night:
Rock N Roll with Paul Warren.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Bongo Fury : A Farewell To Arms... And Legs...

And hips. And thighs.

After a much ballyhooed run at Harvelle's, tonight marks the end of this awesome Tuesday night residency. The incomparable Walter Davis will lead his afro-samba latin funk quartet through it's paces, and of course invites the bevy of burlesque beauties to perform as only they can. (photo above by Rich Kim, Toledo shot by J Ryan)

The Bongo Fury Band

Tuesday night's Bongo Fury Burlesque and Afro Samba Jazz show is a club favorite and always provides unbelievably fun and funky entertainment. This is weekend caliber stuff on a week night!!! The furious artists who collaborate and make this night the party that it is, are (pictured above l—r) Victor Orlando-congas/bongos, Toledo-vocals, Carolina Ceresola-dance, Todd Washington-guitar/vocals, Asa Watkins-drums, Bjørn Fleuren-bass guitar, the incomparable Walter Davis-sax, DJ Daylight(in front)-spinning wax on the 1's and 2's.

Live Music and Burlesque Dancers : Bongo Fury

The Tuesday night show at Harvelle's, known as Bongo Fury, is in full effect tonight!! The incomparable Walter Davis takes over and unfurls the potent night of cool music and hot dancers. 

Come join in the fun and excitement as this early-in-the-week party blasts off into an exciting and stimulating night! Always a beautiful crowd, and always satisfying, Bongo Fury is the city's best kept secret.

Tonight Bongo Fury hosts the incredible talent of Carolina (top) and Zepha. Come early and get a good seat.

Bongo Fury : The "Bongo" Blog

I've been accused of devoting much of this blog to Tuesday night's Bongo Fury, so much so that it has been suggested I call this the "Bongo Fury Blog". To those critics, you are correct sir, i love the Bongo Fury show and think everyone should experience it. 

There's nothing like it. 

The incomparable Walter Davis leads the band, who coax the women out onto the stage, who dazzle the audience. Men and women alike are enchanted by the beauty and movement of these dancers; burlesque beauties who entertain with their bodies in motion.

A sight to behold.

The Return Of Bongo Fury

Tuesday night's Bongo Fury show is fast becoming the coolest night of the week to stay up late, have a drink and ogle the burlesque beauties that are the feature of the show, and it's right here at Harvelle's - your entertainment destination - in Santa Monica.

Walter Davis - on saxophone - leads the proceedings, and the urban-afro-samba that he elicits out of his jazz-centric quartet coaxes the aforementioned beauties onto the stage and into the crowd for your pleasure. DJ Daylight spins brazilian beats and current club funk in between sets and into the night.

HARVELLE'S CLOSED FOR REPAIRS

Apologizing for the inconvenience, the management of Harvelle's informs me the club will be closed Tuesday (tonight). They will re-open Wednesday for House Of Vibe at their regularly scheduled time. Bongo Fury fans will reconvene next week.

Bongo Fury : Music To Watch Girls By

This Tuesday, rain or shine, Harvelle's will host it's weekly Bongo Fury party. Rich afro-cuban jazz-funk, beautiful burlesque dancers and DJ Daylight spinning funk and brazilian beats entertain like nobody's business. The incomparable Walter Davis leads the band, plays the sax and directs the action.


(thanks to Jeff Cranford for the pix)

Bongo Fury : Dakota & Nina : Pix

The incomparable Walter Davis ruled the night this past Tuesday. Dancers Dakota and Nina seduced the crowd with classic burlesque. Special guests this week included Toledo, Dorthea and a French singer named Jasmine. Each and every Tuesday. (pix - from top : Dakota, Nina, Walter, Jasmine)

Bongo Fury : Warning!!

On stage tonight, the Bongo Fury show, opens it's curtains and let's Miss Dakota out of the Red Room to destroy men's souls with her dance of beauty and feminine essence. 

Once you have seen Miss Dakota dance her dance, you will never be the same. The most intense and exotic of Bongo Fury's many gorgeous seductive dancers, Dakota will tattoo your soul and haunt your dreams. Can your heart stand it? Proceed at your own risk. 

For you music lovers, check out the band, as the incomparable Walter Davis runs things, and shake your own groove thang to the acid jazz, balearic beats, new wave and vintage funk spun on wax by DJ Daylight. Special guests seem to always drop by. Holding it down: Asa - drums, Bjorn - bass, Victor - congas/bongos and Walter on sax. 

Bongo Fury : Dancer? I didn't even know her!

Tonight: The return of Carolina Cerisola!!! Fresh from her performance on ABCs "Superstars Of Dance", the beautiful and dangerously talented Carolina is not the only dancer on tonight's bill. Also - for your pleasure - Zepha, a greek goddess with knock-out legs and a backside fit for even the most discerning connoisseur of that particular muscle. Of course, the incomparable Walter Davis on sax and flute leads the Bongo Fury orchestra through the night's improv afro-cuban jazz. DJ Daylight spins funk, brazilian beats and acid jazz for your dancing pleasure deep into the night. Toledo Diamond might sit in if he feels like it.

X-Rated?!?! : The Night Known As Bongo Fury

Bongo Fury, the weekly live music and dance collaboration at Harvelle's, features the hottest burlesque dancers in the world every Tuesday night. The vodka was Rated X, and the performance was just as provocative, as Erin (dark hair) and Jade (red hair) wowed the crowd with heavenly curves, gymnastic gyrations, table-top dances and mad crazy sex appeal. The incomparable Walter Davis led his quartet, (Bjørn Fleuren (bass), Asa Watkins (drums) and the amazing Victor Orlando on congas and bongos), through 3 sets of electric latin/afro-samba jazz and funky soul. DJ Daylight provided the between sets entertainment, spinning his selection of funk and brazilian beats. 

Bongo Fury : Burlesque Beauties Striptease to Afro Samba Jazz

Tuesday night, the incomparable Walter Davis leads his afro/samba jazz group through 3 sets of music and burlesque dancing. Pictured here are club fave's Annika (dark hair)and Dakota (lighter hair) shaking their groove things in ways that seem virtually impossible. Sexy doesn't even begin to describe the Bongo Fury night here at Harvelle's. Come early, get a good seat and a cocktail and settle in for a Tuesday night that will be the highlight of your week. I am always there. I never miss it. Highly recommended!!! 

Inauguration Fury

Wake up America. 

Today is the day. 

Brand new funky president.

I'll be at Bongo Fury tonight! 

Harvelle's weekly showcase of latin/afro-samba jazz and inspirational scantily-clad burlesque dancers is the place to have a cocktail and celebrate.

The incomparable Walter Davis leads the band.

Congratulations America.

Bongo Fury : Fresh for 2009

Beautiful burlesque dancers, live afro-samba jazz, DJ Daylight on the wheels of steel... the first of 2009. Tonight the return of Dakota and the command performance of Erin (above)... The incomparable Walter Davis leads the cabaret.

Bongo Fury : The Pre-New Years Eve

Shhhhhhhhhhh.... it's Bongo Fury. 

The city's coolest secret burlesque night, featuring the live afro-cuban samba of the city's coolest 4 piece group, led by the incomparable Mr. Walter Davis (sax, flute) with Victor Orlando (bongos/congas), Asa Watkins (drums) and Bjørn Fleuren (bass).

The night's secret lies in the ultimate beauty of the 2 featured dancers. With a wealth of L.A.'s best of the best dancers in his Rolodex™ the night's dancers always rate "10"s all around. Breathtakingly beautiful, scantily clad, shaking, jiggling, writhing on the floor, these women are from all over the world, but now they're here.

In between sets DJ Daylight spins soulful wax and Brazilian beats.

Bongo Fury Tuesday : The Rules

The first rule of Bongo Fury? 

Do not talk about Bongo Fury. 

Tuesday nights at Harvelle's is the reason I started going there in the first place. A therapy of sorts of it's own, it's many a man and woman's burlesque fantasy come to life. It's a Tuesday wake-up call, a chance to fall in love, or more casually, have a drink with friends.

The inspirational retreat, led by the incomparable Walter Davis, features the exotic beauty of burlesque-style dancers, latin afro-samba jazz, and the intoxicating aroma of cocktails. 

A treat for all the senses. 

DJ Daylite spins classic acid jazz, soul & funk and hip-hop into the night for your dancing pleasure.

The second rule of Bongo Fury?

Shhhhhhhhhhhh...

pix:

-Victor Orlando/Walter Davis/Asa (on drums)/Miss Dakota

-Victor Orlando bongos it up.

-DJ Daylite spinning the wax