Save against stunning!
A party of ladies with high charisma and dexterity scores will strut their stuff at a new science-fiction and fantasy-themed burlesque show starting in Gowanus on April 18. The “Dirty Nerdy Revue” from D20 Burlesque combines sexy dances with “Dungeons & Dragons” jokes, a technique that charms skittish nerds more comfortable with rule books than real live girls, said the group’s founder.
“People may feel awkward watching, so putting it through a nerdy lens kind of softens that for people,” said Anja Keister. “It gives people an easier way into the world of burlesque.”
The girls of D20 Burlesque have been stripping off their chainmail at a Manhattan bar for five years. But when a monthly opening at Gowanus metal bar Lucky 13 Saloon became available, Keister jumped at the chance to level up her show.
“When I was offered one of the Mondays at Lucky 13, I was very lucky to get it. It’s a really nice space because it’s a higher-up stage, so you can really see everything,” she said. “And it’s a more alternative bar. It draws a very interesting crowd that I feel would do well with nerdy topics and subjects.”
The group’s first Brooklyn show will star six sexy women, each performing her own three-to-five minute routine. Each dancer will start dressed as a monster or “Game of Thrones”-type character — but the outfits will have a saucy twist, said Keister.
“Everybody’s act is a little different,” she said. “It’s kind of like a mix of cosplay, trying to emulate characters, with kind of burlesque aesthetics with corsets and rhinestones and glitter.”
The party is all women for now, but Keister would love to have some men show off their nerdy assets, she said.
“At this point, there’s more women in the burlesque community, but eventually I would like to incorporate male performers as well,” said Keister.
Keister, a self-proclaimed nerd, says that the burlesque show lets her and the other performers explore the things they are passionate about. She hopes that expressing their love of fandom will score a critical hit with the audience.
“It allows people to find things they are very passionate about and bring that to the stage in a fun entertaining way,” she said. “I hope a lot of people come — it’s much more fun to share it with other people.”
“D20 Burlesque’s Dirty Nerdy Revue” at Lucky 13 Saloon [644 Sackett St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, www.d20bu
