Hubba Hubba Live Burlesque Revue at The Uptown Showcases Oakland Talent
June 5th Hubba Hubba Revue at The Uptown
Sheba Queen of the Night is an Oakland Burlesque performer whose first show with The Hubba Hubba Revue at The Uptown was last night. In performing “Space Bowie,” her act was a fantastic blend of space camp and vamp, and we wanted to better understand the appeal of burlesque for this particular Oakland local.
Sheba: I adore all forms of burlesque and I'd like to sample them all. I love the old timey tease just as much as the comedic skits but I really just plan to find music that conjures up my inspirational juices and choose costumes that are inspired by that music. I just want to be moved by the elements and then share them with the world.
OL: How long have you been performing burlesque? How long have you been Sheba?
Sheba: I have been Sheba for quite some time now, she lives within me. She is that fierce, fiery, powerhouse of feminine energy that I hold within. I organized a burlesque benefit at the Uptown in January 2009 featuring many fabulous performers and musicians to raise money for production costs for two of the Vagina Monologues Productions I was involved in. I debuted at this event with two other performers and then got busy with life. I performed at Debauchery last month with 'Hans Onher' at the White Horse to get me back in the game.
OL: Have you been performing a different style of dance or involved in a comedy troupe prior to starting burlesque?
Sheba: I have a degree in the visual and performance arts and I have been dancing and acting since I came out of the womb, but I have mainly been focused on directing activist theatre and making documentaries in the last eight years. I am excited to get back into the physical form of expression.
OL: Why burlesque?
Sheba: Burlesque is so amazing. The first time I saw a performance was in New York at the Slipper Room where my friend 'Darlinda Just Darlinda' debuted. I was mesmerized by the performers at that event and I felt instantly inspired. Burlesque to me is a celebration of ones sexuality and gives an outlet for that type of expression. I have performed a piece from the Vagina Monologues called 'the Woman who makes Vaginas happy' and in the end I had to belt out twelve different ranges of orgasmic moans. There was something tremendously empowering about being on stage in front of hundreds of people and expressing something so taboo. That's how I see burlesque, it’s a release of ones sexual self and the art form creates a platform for me to let go of my own inhibitions and shine.
OL: What other revues or venues have you performed burlesque at in Oakland?
Sheba: I have performed at the Uptown with Hubba Hubba Revue, Debauchery at the White Horse, and I was a stage kitten for Bunny Pistol's Barbary Coast this month. In July you can find me at First Friday Follies and again at Debauchery.
OL: Do you feel sexy on stage?
Sheba: Does anyone not feel sexy in silk, lace, fishnets, glitter and rhinestones? Yes, that is definately why I do it. I think every woman feels sexy on the inside but burlesque allows that sexy to come out full blast. Its very empowering and provokes body-acceptance and sex-positive euphoria.
OL: Do you encourage people to try it?
Sheba: I think everyone could benefit from playing a little dress up and dancing around, whether it is at home in front of the mirror, in front of your partner or pets or on a stage. But for those who are inspired by the art form I think that they should go for it! Even if they do it once and never do it again, its an amazing experience and can be transformative.
OL: Is being Sheba a hobby or profession for you?
Sheba: Sheba is an art form- I don't do it for money. I am happy to be paid for my art, but it’s more about self-expression than a hobby or profession. I am starting a "burlesque union" right now called B.U.S.T.I.E. (Burlesque Union of Sexy Talented Independent Entertainers) for people who are currently performing, or those who want to start performing, in order to build a community of performers that want to collaborate. That is one of the main things that attracted me to the burlesque scene I saw in New York; how strong their community is and how they collaborated on each other’s events. I see that same vibe in Oakland and I am excited to be apart of it.
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Leilani Hunter of the Lakeshore neighborhood was in the audience for the Hubba Hubba June 5th show. She attends burlesque shows two to three times a year in Oakland, “I love the Oakland scene. I really enjoy the diversity of our downtown.” She appreciates that the Hubba Hubba Revue is at the Uptown every Monday night, “I brought my friend from Marin and she is really excited to know that it happens often enough for her to come back and enjoy more on a regular basis.” The most appealing part of Burlesque for her is the, “show-womanship. I find it very entertaining to see the creativity of our women expressing themselves in a sexually open manner with no reservations.”
On the distinction between burlesque and stripping, Hunter finds that “burlesque has more art and creativity that goes into a performance. Stripping has taken on a less glittery appearance. Burlesque seems to be more feminine and fun for everyone, while stripping is very geared towards men and their entertainment. In burlesque the women seem to be having more fun performing.”
In that spirit of fun and empowerment, Hunter would consider performing Burlesque, “I feel every woman should have the opportunity to have fun showing off their body in a way that feels comfortable and fun for them.”
You can check out The Hubba Hubba Revue every Monday night at The Uptown, $5, 21+, Door 9pm, Show 10:15pm.
If you want to join B.U.S.T.I.E. you can find the group on Facebook. You can also find out where to catch Sheba’s next act by adding her on Facebook or to book her for an event you can e-mail her at sheba.queenofthenight@gmail.com.
About Airial Clark
