There may be snow on the ground, but it’s going to be sizzling inside the Capitol Theatre and Spiritbar this weekend if Scarlet Mary Rose has anything to say about it.
Nelson’s queen of the burlesque scene and her troupe Heavy Petal Burlesque are staging two Valentine-themed shows this year that promise equal amounts spicy sexuality and gut-busting comedy — as well as singing, rapping, spoken word and monologues, a contest or two and a healthy dose of audience participation.
“It’s a variety show, and it’s really my artistic expression, so it’s whatever I feel like doing, whatever I dream up,” explains Rose. “There’s striptease, there’s pastie twirling. It’s always a combination of humour and sexuality.”
Dressed in leather chaps and a red cowboy hat, it’s a combination Rose embodies with ease. This particular ensemble, she explains, is for her character Rosie Rawhide, “my freedom fighting pin-up cowgirl of relish — Rosie Rawhide’s Rootin’ Tootin Relish.
“All of the proceeds of my relish go directly towards freedom fighting activities,” she adds with a drawl. “And I actually make that relish.”
Now in its seventh year, the burlesque review originally began as an Easter-themed event before settling into its current spot in Nelson’s entertainment calendar.
“It’s a community event,” says Rose. “People who’ve never done it before can come and do it. And Valentines is about love, so it’s the perfect time of year.”
This year 16 performers sporting names such as Shai Violet and Lily Blaze will hit the stage. While some are veterans of previous years, others found there way into the show by taking Rose’s burlesque crash course, Boob Camp — or by approaching her with acts too good to pass up. Live music comes courtesy of Varouj and the Very Burly Band, a group of mostly Selkrik College students.
And though this year’s show won’t feature any “boylesque,” Rose says she’s got plans to recruit a few male performers during the show itself.
Heavy Petal Burlesque perform Thursday at the Capitol Theatre at 8 p.m., and Saturday at Spirit Bar, starting at 10:30 p.m. Admission to either show is $20, and advance tickets for the Capitol performance are available through the theatre box office.
While both nights will feature the same lineup, Rose says the atmosphere will make all the difference.
“The Capitol Show will have more of the pinnings of the theatre. We’ll have the lights and the balconies and the stage and the whole environment,” she says. “But in the bar we’ll have a party.”