An early escape from a semi-busy restaurant, off to the Kootenay Burlesque Festival.
Now this was almost a miss - I've seen enough burlesque festivals to last me a lifetime, and there's a Harridan that constantly harangues me at these events, but - bloody hell, it's a small town, avail yourself of whatever culture offers itself.
It did not disappoint.
Most of the acts, standard, pretty girl, BBW, BBBW, BBBBW girl, girls that resemble Ken's Fraternal Twin, takes off most of her clothes. Camp witty MC. Etc. Etc. The locals, they hoot and holler and support every performer, irregardless. And I have to say - it takes some gumption (?? Probably not, there may be other things at play here) to take off your clothes on stage, even if you're "perfect" - but - for those less than perfect, and a good many were, well...
Hats off. Nobody in the audience should have left feeling they had anything to hide.
There were dancers/performers from across the US, but really - there was no need - the local talent in every aspect was every bit as good.
One act stands out - an older couple - man/woman - 65 ish, maybe 70. It opens with the woman (shorter, plump) revealing herself in the spotlight with some racy BDSM regalia on. Then it cuts to the man (tall, bald head, black lipstick, full bdsm gimp outfit, with added rhinestones and sparkles) - back to the audience. Music. She whips him and he turns to face the audience. Now he shuffles to the music and she proceeds to ... with her whip. And it was fucking hilarious. And I mean hilarious. Worthy of the Nelson Talent Show. It proceeds, it would baffle me to describe it, "Over the Top", turned up not to 10 or 11 but easily 15 or 20. I was searching my pocket for the Gold Lion to hand them.
And so that was it. For the one act described poorly above I would have felt I had gotten my money's worth, the rest was all gravy and filler.