Variety is the spice of life. Or at least the spice of Ron Paul, who is outside a polling place this very minute, squeaking, “No seriously, you don’t HAVE to vote for one of those guys!”
Soliciting your vote for “most interesting new date spot in the city”: The Slipper Room, famed LES den of live variety exhibition, relaunching tonight after a Sandy-imposed delay.
The Slipper Room once housed a host of gonzo performers (including Lady Gaga herself) before succumbing to demolition two years ago. But like a Phoenix rising from the booby-tasseled ashes, it’s back – a cozy, boozy Victorian hideaway of dark oak paneling, sconces flickering against poppy flower wallpaper, and a bar where mustachioed barmen sling “Newfangleds” and “Burlesque Breakfasts.” (view their tasty tipple selection)
And then there’s the velvet-curtained stage and frescoed tin ceilings — 25 feet high to accommodate Cirque de Soleil-esque silk dancing and the “flipping and stripping” trapezery of Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey.
And since a variety show is nothing without variety, you’ll also spy other world-traveling acts like contortionists, magicians, and maybe, just maybe, pyrotechnic “fire artists.”
Other nights will feature live comedy, musicians like The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley, and of course, the requisite burlesque.
Because while variety’s great, a little consistency never hurt either.
P.S. The Slipper Room’s showing election results tonight starting at 10pm. Good luck, Ron.
Photo: Rick Mendoza
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