For a city that boasts the highest number of strip clubs per capita in the United States, you’d think that a burlesque show in Portland Oregon wouldn’t be a huge draw, right? Wrong. The Bossanova Ballroom hosted the intensely sensual crew of Little Miss Nasty on a scorching August evening and temperatures at the venue were just as hot inside as they were outside.
Visionary singer/performer Gina Katon brought the crowd to life with her musical project Gina And The Eastern Block (GATEB). Starting with their cover of NIN’s “Head Like a Hole”, GATEB went on to perform 10 of their original and cover songs including their recent collaboration with Butcher Babies’ Heidi Shepard, “Freak On A Leash”. Closing out their set with “Sippin’ on a Forty”, the Portland faithful with drinks in the air were all in sync, singing back every word. Speaking of the Portland faithful, our ladies showed up in droves packing the intimate Bossanova Ballroom.
By the time GATEB finished their set, the crowd was moving, drinks were spilling and everyone was feeling a bit friskier than when they walked in. Who says free love died in the 70’s?
Little Miss Nasty was up next and they brought five of their Little Miss Nastiest dancers on tour. Miss Kyla, Miss Cierra, Miss Sativa, Miss Jessie, and of course Miss Gina put on an incredible, well choreographed, intensely sensual performance that stands out as far as dance performances are concerned. Each wardrobe change morphed into a new theme, stimulating every sense and eliciting a multitude of dark fantasies. Every performer executed their part of the performance flawlessly, despite the challenging techniques and precise timing employed throughout.
No stranger to myself and the rest of the staff here at OnStagePress, the soundtrack was the kind of hard hitting, in-your-face metal we all know and love. Tracks included Korn’s “Twist”, Pantera’s “Walk”, Slipknot’s “Psychosocial” and so many others. All those pop music primadonnas that say you “can’t dance to metal” should belly up to the stage so Little Miss Nasty can show you how it’s done.
Such a great performance. We’ll be sure to let you know when they come back to town. You know you’ll find us there.
