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Burlesque show bring glitz, glam and giggles to the Sid for Valentine’s Day

Cheesecake Burlesque Revue returns to the Sid!
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Cheesecake Burlesque Revue

Looking for glitz and glam this Valentine’s Day? How about some humour and heart? Get that and more with Cheesecake Burlesque Revue!  

The Victoria-based troupe brings their award-winning variety show to Courtenay on Friday, Feb. 14. Presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society’s Blue Circle Series, audiences will be in for an  unforgettable ride, according to co-founder and producer Champagne Sparkles.  

Known as “The Head Cheese,” she describes Cheesecake Burlesque Revue as a dynamic blend of singing, dancing and comedy all centered around the art of striptease.  

“We style our performance as sort of a vaudeville show with shorter skits, about four to six minutes  each, in which we tell a story or have a theme to go along with the music. We do a lot of comedic  performances and then some more classic striptease – the kind with a beautiful lady in feathers and  sparkles,” explains Sparkles.

Mixing solo, small group and large group performances, even the emcees join in the fun, weaving humour and ukulele interludes into the lineup.  

For this Valentine’s Day-themed show, the ensemble is celebrating love in all its forms. 

“Not just  romantic love,” Sparkles emphasizes, “but also love for your friends, family, community and especially  yourself.”  

Self-love and body acceptance are central to the Cheesecake mission. “We want our audience to feel  represented and good about themselves in the bodies they’re in right now,” she says.  

Over the years, the troupe has shifted their messaging from “body positivity” to “body acceptance,”  acknowledging that nobody feels great about their body 100% of the time. 

“It’s about accepting your body as the vessel it is for you,” shares Sparkles. 

This commitment to embracing and celebrating individuality also extends to the troupe’s collaborative  process. Just as they respect each performer’s unique relationship with their body, they draw on each  other’s diverse skills and experiences to create their acts.  

“We have a feedback process to help each of us develop our acts and to draw on the skills within the  troupe. So, for example, if I have an idea for an act, I bring the concept to our group, I'll act out and talk through what I’m thinking, get a bit of feedback, go away, work on it, come back, and the work will  evolve over time that way.”  

This spirit of collaboration reflects the troupe’s diversity. With 14 members, 11 of whom will be at this  show, there’s a range of professional backgrounds. 

“We have several moms, we've got people who are government workers, consultants, social workers, scientists, as well as some performers who have professionally studied dance and theatre. So, we all bring our backgrounds and skills to the stage,” said Sparkles. 

The troupe’s journey began in 2006 with a workshop that grew into small performances for friends, then occasional special events before evolving into full-fledged productions. They honed their craft in a variety of venues, from intimate cabaret spaces to community fundraisers. A turning point came at Courtenay’s own Sid Williams, which helped the Cheesecakes transition into larger, more formal theatre spaces.  

“The Sid Williams was the first big theatre that we ever performed in,” Sparkles recalls. “In 2008 we did a Halloween show there. That experience really propelled us onto the trajectory we’ve been on since then. Performing in theatres gives you the space to fully realize your vision, which can be challenging in smaller venues, especially with a group.”  

 As Cheesecake Burlesque Revue prepares to dazzle Courtenay, Champagne Sparkles hopes the audience leaves feeling joyful, empowered and inspired. “We want people to have fun and feel good about themselves,” she says. “We want everyone to feel like they’ve been part of something special.”  

Don’t miss your chance to experience the sass and celebrate the sizzle of Cheesecake Burlesque  Revue. Some lucky audience members may even have a chance to participate and, of course, they’ll  meet and greet after the show. Tickets are available now online, by phone or in person at the box office. For additional information about Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, please visit  www.sidwilliamstheatre.com



About the Author: Comox Valley Record Staff

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