Harlow Gold is a burlesque show like no other I’ve seen in a
while. This isn’t your old standby bump and grind and take it off show. Harlow
Gold is loud brash and in your face. Snare drums and cymbals have been replaced
with Tom Waits and PJ Harvey. The performance I attended was in a club called
Harvell’s in downtown Long Beach. Harvell’s is a great venue for this show. The
club is underground (physically) on a walk street right off of Broadway right
in the center of Long Beach. Walk down a metal stair case to a plain black
metal door that when opened reveals it is lined in tufted red leather and opens
onto a dark red and black themed underground space. The club has two options either a reserved
table or standing room and back wall seats. The former is more expensive but
well worth the extra money. The cheaper option is good though as the performers
in Harlow Gold frequently leaves the stage sometimes even dancing on the bar
and hanging from the ceiling.
The creators of Harlow Gold are Tracy Phillips and Dominic
Carbone. Who not surprisingly are
successful choreographers kept busy in Hollywood working with the like of
Rhianna, The Spice Girls and Fiona Apple. They have given the old time burlesque
a modern twist evoking a Weimar meets Cirque du Soleil vibe. The performers exude female energy and power
as well a healthy sexuality.
The audience is part of the show while the performers jump
up on tables and climb across walls. The show starts off with a disclaimer
saying the performers may touch you but you are not allowed to touch them. I at
one point in the night had a package of Planter’s peanuts pushed into my mouth
during an airline flight attendant themed piece. If you are faint of heart or a
prude this might not be the show for you but then again what burlesques show
would.
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