Blues And Burlesque : A Monster Combo

Blues and burlesque seem like a perfect combo. Especially dirty, grimy blues. Fucked up blues. Deranged bluesmen pumping three chords louder and louder, twin guitars dueling while the harp player blows like a hurricane and a singer in a red three-piece suit bellows through a homemade bullhorn, which only serves to distort and fuck things up further. Molly, a burlesque dancer of some note and a Toledo Show "Dame", threw herself around like a voluptuous rag doll, psychotically blazing a sexy scene to the delight of both the boys in the band and the folks on the floor. Take a look for yourself:


The Band is 'Smokehouse' Brown (guitar), 'Pink' Arguello (vocals), Henry Carvajal (guitar), Tom Fillman (drums), Johnny Mastro (harmonica) and Bobby Tsukamoto (bass).

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!!

LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE : Comes To Harvelle's

The current issue of Los Angeles Magazine ("Classic L.A." issue) features a glowing review of my favorite Westside bar. If you read this blog, then you are already aware of Harvelle's. 

If not, check out the write-up, and if it sounds good to you, come pay a visit.  

Besides the decor and the speakeasy vibe, besides the custom cocktails and authentic nightly blues & jazz, there's always plenty of parking in the structure adjacent to the club and there's a spot next door (West 4th/Jane) that serves great food (you can order and have it delivered to the bar) until about midnight. If you love live music, enjoy a night out dancing, or imbibing with like-minded people over delicious one-of-a-kind cocktails, check out Harvelle's (1432 4th St. between Broadway & Santa Monica Blvd. in downtown Santa Monica) [Harvelle's Santa Monica]

Some other things you may not be aware of:

Harlow Gold - the spectacular underground burlesque revue that consistently sells out (It's the last 2 Thursdays of each month - reservations are highly suggested.) [Reservations link]

There's Westside Wednesdays - local Venice collective House Of Vibe All Stars mid-week massive that combines live hip-hop, reggae, jazz, funk and r&b played by some of the industry's most in-demand musicians. [House Of Vibe All-Stars]

Every Monday night is Ultralove - infamous local singer/songwriter who's faithful fan base makes a ritual of kicking the week off with a dose of the band's illest medicine. [Ultralove]

And there's The Toledo Show.

The longest running show of it's kind, having just celebrated it's 10 year anniversary at Harvelle's, it's a wild burlesque road trip to hell and back. The must-see spectacle is a Westside institution and you really should be indoctrinated. Every Sunday night, the tall, dark and handsome Toledo Diamond mounts his Show - his gravely baritone tells erotic stories of hard living in the back alleys of this grimy urban metropolis, while the impossibly funky band jams tirelessly. A bevy of dancing "Dames" gyrate electrically throughout the evening, enticing you with their bouncy bodices, ripped stockings, red lips and high heels. They're a thing of beauty. [The Toledo Show]

Last year, the up and coming Vintage Trouble left their sold-out year long Tuesday night residency at the club to launch their first European tour. They've been back twice since and are currently in Australia playing sold-out stadiums and festivals. They will be back in Europe this summer touring with Lenny Kravitz. Congrats to VT for being the next big thing. It's completely deserved. [Vintage Trouble]

Additionally, there is now a second Harvelle's in Long Beach.

Larger in size with the same attention to the light and sound systems, the venue is garnering accolades and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The bluegrass/ragtime of Capt Jeffrey & His Musical Chumbuckets have been packing 'em in on Sunday nights (Phil Alvin of The Blasters has stopped by and sat in a couple of times). The very cool The Vespertines take over on Monday nights. And on Feb 4, Sheila E. will be bringing her family (Pete, Juan, and Peter Michael Escovedo) for what promises to be an exciting night of incredible latin flavored funk!! That's what the Escovedos do!! The club is located at 201 E. BROADWAY beneath The Congregation Ale House. [Harvelle's Long Beach]

Harlow Gold : Underground Burlesque in SM

Harlow Gold.

Full of hot chicks dancing to alternative music, the Harlow Gold show is a tribute to a simpler world, when men were brutish sweaty warriors and women were beautiful bouncy objects; teasing, touching, and tantalizing us broken boy soldiers, on some kind of mind-fuck hiatus, or more likely, clandestine awol meetings late at night not far from the water's edge. [Reservations are HIGHLY recommended : TICKETS]

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.

Harlow Gold : Burlesque FantasyIn The Huffington Post

The word is out...

Huffington Post piece on Harlow Gold.

Harlow Gold : The Westside's Burlesque

Under the radar for the last couple of months, Harlow Gold has been producing their sultry, provocative bump 'n' grind fest the last 2 Thursdays of each month exclusively at Harvelle's since April.

There is little I can write here without giving much away, and the show MUST be seen to be appreciated. There are 6 or 7 dancers in the revue each with her own gorgeous signature style, moves and individual characters; i.e. the pouty pole climbing redhead, the broken hearted chanteuse, the sado-masochistic military chain of command, the "stewardesses" who direct air traffic and dispense snacks, the 6 legged ultra-fem human fly, or my fave: the jaded sexually aggressive stripper dancing - one more time - to Tom Waits' "Pasties & A G-String". Special kudos to Beez (above), the night's Mohawk-ed host.

The Toledo Show's Malik Pointer (below, left) was in the house. I asked him what he thought of Harlow Gold, "FUCKING RIDICULOUS!... There's people that say that they can do shit, and there's THIS!! There is a difference!" This show is consistently sold out, so reservations are highly recommend.

- Posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the Hipstamatic app on the iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

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

Mindy. Dame Mindy.

It's hard not to think about The Toledo Show's "Dame" Mindy - the troupe's exotic brunette dancer - whenever the Toledo Show is brought up in conversation.

Here she is in all her glory.

Dame Mindy.

Bless her.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Toledo Show : A View From The Decks

Vicious Lee is the world's greatest D.J.

He's at Harvelle's every Sunday night.

The place is a sweaty frenzy of funky madness when he's spinning.

He also has a first row view of The Dames, the burlesque dancing beauties that provide the show with unbridled sexuality. He also has a camera. Here's some of his flicks of Dame Mindy.

Thanks Vicious.

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.

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.

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.

Furious Bongos & Gorgeous Dancers

Bongo Fury - every Tuesday night - is the latin/afro-samba soundtrack behind the half-naked burlesque dancers gyrating for your entertainment. The incomparable Walter Davis and his saxaphone lead the swinging evening into the night, where drinking and dancing are welcome and encouraged. 

DJ Daylite spins the wax in-between sets by the 4-piece combo in a flurried blend of kick-started Maceo Parker and soulful Blue Note cool. 

Come see for yourself.