The prudish ought to cover their eyes, divert their attention or otherwise set sail for places more Victorian.

When I say pastie, I'm not referring to the under-sunned and nearly translucent shins of our fellow Mainers. I'm referring body parts farther north.

Yep, those parts.

Burlesque is back. Oh my.

It's that saucy mix of risque dance, comedy, performance art and revealed skin. And if the packed house during last night's Burlesque, Burlesque! show was any indication, Portlander's are glad to have it.

A talented local cast took the stage at One Longfellow Square, including Kings of the Hill, Atomic Trash! and Whistlebait Burlesque.

Before the first of the night's two shows opened, MaineToday.com photog Cara Slifka ducked backstage to snap some photos of the primping performers. [The photos in this blog are Cara's. See all the stellar Burlesque, Burlesque! photos here.]


And then The Dirty Dishes Burlesque Revue took the stage.

It was the group's debut performance, but you would never have known it. Right on cue, hips went left and a blouse went...well, off. It's burlesque, after all, which implies a level of striptease. But fear not local censors, "naughty" parts were always covered with pasties, coconuts or strategically placed band-aids.

A drag king barbershop quartet called The Dynamic Dictaphones did an excellent performance to the song, "My Enormous Penis."

Yes, it's a real song originated by barbershop quartet Da Vinci's Notebook. And by the by, The Dynamic Dictaphones are also the USM Royal Majesty Drag King champs. Well deserved.

Burlesque meets Roller Derby with Victoria Von Teasdale, who piece by piece removed those cumbersome wristguards, kneepads and elbow pads. And yes fellas, by the end of the performance, she'd taken her helmet off too. Yowza.

Michelle Estelle shook her money maker in way that would put Shakira to shame.

While Burlesque, Burlesque! was a one-night-only affair, there's still a chance to catch performances from Atomic Trash!, Vivid Motion and others during "Reawakened" at St. Lawrence Arts Center tonight and Saturday.
8:00 pm shows Friday & Saturday

Geno's in Portland also boasts a bi-monthly Burlesque Night, the next of which is Sunday, April 19th.

So go ahead, let the Burlesque light shine some good-natured impropriety in your direction. Support the local Burlesque. No one's going to force you on stage to dance in your delicates. But hey, no one will stop you either, if you get my drift.

See all the Burlesque, Burlesque! photos