Hi there, I wonder if anyone can offer some advice? I'm trying to organise a Burlesque evening for the recently refurbished Lavish Lounge Bar (in Weybridge, Surrey - The Lavish Lounge Bar, Monument Hill, Weybridge, Surrey). It's a lovely little bar with a great vibe, fabulous coctkails and a brilliant clientelle. I would love to have some kind of Burlesque performance in January and hopefully becoming a regular event; however like I said the bar is small. Could anyone tell me if it would be possible to have a performance in a limited space? or offer some advice? Thankyou!
Charlene.

Hi Charlene,
I think it's definitely possible, heaven knows we have all worked small clubs/venues and had to do a quick rework of acts because of the limited space. I would suggest letting the talent whom you want to book know exactly how much space they will have to work with so they can choose an act accordingly. Also when the communication gates have opened probably a good idea to ask them if there are any special requirements for their acts. For example if they usually walk through the crowd to get to the stage for a little bit of interaction it would be a good idea to let them know ahead of time if this is not possible. Sometimes an act requires the venue to provide a prop i.e. a chair this also needs to be figured out ahead of time as no one wants to get to just before the performance and then find out that a key item is not available.

Anyway good luck with it hope it goes well.

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Angel LaVey - Naughty But Nice

lol x thank got this is a venue post x i was dreading another self image diet thread.
Angels hit the nail on the head. It's possible to do acts in limited space just check the balloon popper can get threw the door and be creative with the furniture x

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buxom bimbo and political poltergeist

Ever been downstairs in Coffee, Cake and Kink in covent garden? Tiny little venue. We had a lovely intimate night there. Just me singing with backing tracks and sax player and prob about 25 or so people. Was done a forum social event though rather than any kind of money making venture but the atmosphere was lovely.

(I'm not sure thats helpful. I partied hard til 6am, and with 2 small people haven't been to bed yet!)

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http://www.kerispring.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/missmidnightblue

[color="DeepSkyBlue"]awwww. i love Coffee cake and kink... my older sister was working there recently![ im the same love... Was up till 6 not partying. just insomnia and up at 9/COLOR]

Thank you so much ladies, this has helped alot; I definately think we can make use of the furniture now. My only other concern is that there is nowhere for the performer to get ready or make an entrance from...apart from the bathroom - which I must say though is a rather luxurious as it has just been refurbished! it's the kind of set up where it's just one very spacious WC (with a big mirror) for women and one for the men - as opposed to cubicles, and there is a little gangway outside the toilets leading to another door to the bar - Is it out of the question to make an entrance from here? We would have to put some kind of 'Burlesque Beauty Dressing Room - Do Not Enter!' sign on the door from the bar while she is using the bathroom so no one gets in the way of her entrance/exit.
One more thought. My only other option is a cubby space in the corner of the venue which could be curtained off but it's about the size of a large shop dressing room - what does eveyone think? I SO want to make this happen! I know it will be a great night.
Thank you ladies - I'm all new to this.
Charlene.
P.S I dont know why it says 'Cornish Pastie' under my name!??

Thank you so much ladies, this has helped alot; I definately think we can make use of the furniture now. My only other concern is that there is nowhere for the performer to get ready or make an entrance from...apart from the bathroom - which I must say though is a rather luxurious as it has just been refurbished! it's the kind of set up where it's just one very spacious WC (with a big mirror) for women and one for the men - as opposed to cubicles, and there is a little gangway outside the toilets leading to another door to the bar - Is it out of the question to make an entrance from here? We would have to put some kind of 'Burlesque Beauty Dressing Room - Do Not Enter!' sign on the door from the bar while she is using the bathroom so no one gets in the way of her entrance/exit.
One more thought. My only other option is a cubby space in the corner of the venue which could be curtained off but it's about the size of a large shop dressing room - what does eveyone think? I SO want to make this happen! I know it will be a great night.
Thank you ladies - I'm all new to this.
Charlene.

As long as you have somewhere that is just for the use of the talent it will be fine. We are all used to tiny dressing spaces/toilets with no mirrors as well so don't worry. Have a good look around your venue are you sure there is no entrance space? Even if it's just pulling back a curtain it should work don't stress too much take your time and think things through. Remember everything that can go wrong probably will go wrong the first time you do this, but think of it as a learning curve and each subsequent show will be better than the previous one.
I did notice in your post you said her as in singular. Most performers will only do two acts per night three at a push and most acts are about three minutes long. You will definitely need more than one performer and something or someone to entertain the crowd between performances.

Pasties is an in joke as burlesquers generally speaking wear pasties when performing so it's tying in to that whole ethos.

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Angel LaVey - Naughty But Nice