Hubba Hubba Revue
Encyclopedia
The Hubba Hubba Revue is a San Francisco-based neo-burlesque
and variety show. After starting in September 2006, the next year the show went on monthly in San Francisco in addition to a smaller weekly show in Oakland.
in San Francisco, California. This show usually begins with a band, then is followed by a burlesque show involving dozens of performers. There is also a weekly show at the Uptown Nightclub in Oakland
, California. This is a smaller show that takes place every Monday night. Additionally, nonperiodic individual shows (such as for holidays or individual occasions) occur around the San Francisco Bay Area.
. Each show has a different theme, reflected in the burlesque acts, the opening skit, the go-go dancers' costumes, and the flyer art.
The rotating cast of characters includes female and male burlesque performers, as well as daredevils, comedians, aerialists, rock bands, jazz vocalists, magicians, swing bands, and other such variety performers. Frequent performers include San Francisco-based burlesque performers Mynx d'Meanor, Delilah, Honey Lawless, Twilight Vixen Revue, The Scenic Sisters, Gorilla X, Kliff Jerk, and others, as well as occasional performers visiting from outside the Bay Area.
From 2006 - 2009, R. Black was responsible for the monthly "main-show" flyers. Besides contributing his artistic ability, Black also introduced the idea of a "flyer girl" - every month, a different performer would be chosen as the subject of the flyer. Starting in January 2008, Sparkly Devil became Hubba Hubba Revue's first flyer girl for that month's theme, Creepshow Peepshow. Black also implemented another change in design - instead of printing flyers to the standard 4" x 6" (1/4 page) size, flyers were now printed to a 2" x 6" bookmark.
Since January 2010 to the present, former frontwoman of the punk band, The Mimsies, and regular Hubba Hubba performer, Casey Castille took over "main show" flyer duties. This year's flyers saw a return to the standard 1/4 page size as well as a radically different design (but still in keeping with the flyer girl concept).
's list of Top 10 Best Burlesque Shows around the world, its first non-local recognition.
Since its inception in 2006, The Hubba Hubba Revue has received the following awards:
Neo-Burlesque
Neo-Burlesque is the revival and updating of the traditional burlesque performance. Though based on the traditional Burlesque art, the new form encompasses a wider range of performance styles; Neo-burlesque acts can be anything from classic striptease to modern dance to theatrical mini-dramas to...
and variety show. After starting in September 2006, the next year the show went on monthly in San Francisco in addition to a smaller weekly show in Oakland.
Shows and locations
The Hubba Hubba Revue includes three variations, all occurring under the Hubba Hubba Revue moniker. The first is a monthly "main show", taking place at the DNA LoungeDNA Lounge
DNA Lounge is a late-night, all ages nightclub in the SoMa district of San Francisco owned by Jamie Zawinski, a former Netscape programmer and open-source software hacker. The club features DJ dancing, live music, burlesque performances, and occasionally conferences, private parties, and film...
in San Francisco, California. This show usually begins with a band, then is followed by a burlesque show involving dozens of performers. There is also a weekly show at the Uptown Nightclub in Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, California. This is a smaller show that takes place every Monday night. Additionally, nonperiodic individual shows (such as for holidays or individual occasions) occur around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Description and cast
The Hubba Hubba Revue is produced by Jim Sweeney, who co-hosted the show (as "Kingfish") along with late co-producer Eddie Dane until Eddie's Dane's death in March 2011. Jim Sweeney continues to host the show alone or with rotating co-hosts including, notably, local burlesque performer Sparkly Devil and Lee Press-on of the swing revival band Lee Press-on and the NailsLee Press-on and the Nails
Lee Presson and the Nails is a swing band that formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in October 1994 during the late '90s swing revival. It disbanded in 2004 and reformed in 2006...
. Each show has a different theme, reflected in the burlesque acts, the opening skit, the go-go dancers' costumes, and the flyer art.
The rotating cast of characters includes female and male burlesque performers, as well as daredevils, comedians, aerialists, rock bands, jazz vocalists, magicians, swing bands, and other such variety performers. Frequent performers include San Francisco-based burlesque performers Mynx d'Meanor, Delilah, Honey Lawless, Twilight Vixen Revue, The Scenic Sisters, Gorilla X, Kliff Jerk, and others, as well as occasional performers visiting from outside the Bay Area.
Flyer art
For each Hubba Hubba Revue production, flyer artwork is commissioned from local artists.From 2006 - 2009, R. Black was responsible for the monthly "main-show" flyers. Besides contributing his artistic ability, Black also introduced the idea of a "flyer girl" - every month, a different performer would be chosen as the subject of the flyer. Starting in January 2008, Sparkly Devil became Hubba Hubba Revue's first flyer girl for that month's theme, Creepshow Peepshow. Black also implemented another change in design - instead of printing flyers to the standard 4" x 6" (1/4 page) size, flyers were now printed to a 2" x 6" bookmark.
Since January 2010 to the present, former frontwoman of the punk band, The Mimsies, and regular Hubba Hubba performer, Casey Castille took over "main show" flyer duties. This year's flyers saw a return to the standard 1/4 page size as well as a radically different design (but still in keeping with the flyer girl concept).
Notability and awards
On December 8, 2010, Hubba Hubba Revue was named on Travel ChannelTravel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
's list of Top 10 Best Burlesque Shows around the world, its first non-local recognition.
Since its inception in 2006, The Hubba Hubba Revue has received the following awards:
- "Best Cabaret/Variety Show", SF Bay Guardians "Best of the Bay 2008"
- "Best Burlesque Show", East Bay Express Reader's Choice, 2008
- "Best Burlesque Show", East Bay Express, 2008
- "Best Burlesque Show", SF Weeklys "Best of 2009"
- "Best Burlesque", 7x7 Magazines "Best of San Francisco 2010"