Three dark cabaret acts, Voltaire with the Black Unicorn Cabaret, This Way to the Egress, and the Hellblinki Sextet will be joined by 4 local lovelies from the Brew City Bombshells Burlesque troupe for a performance on 21 October at Club Anything, 807 S. 5th Street.

                 Renaissance man and New Yorker Voltaire, well-known and respected for his contributions to the worlds of music, films, comic books, and toys, makes his third stop at Club Anything in as many years to promote his recently self-released album
"Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While
Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children".   As one may gather from this title, Voltaire is a musician who doesn't take himself too seriously.  Past song titles include "Future Ex-Girlfriend", "If Only I Were a Goth", "Coin Operated Goi
".  Featured on this album are contributions of many-a-well-known musician, including David J of Bauhaus on bass, Brian Viglione of the Dresden Dolls on drums, and Melora Creager of Rasputina on cello, among others.  Voltaire's band, the
Black Unicorn Cabaret, includes the standard bassist, guitarist, and drummer,
but distinguishes their sound with the addition of violin, trumpet, cello,
accordion, banjo, and tuba.  While touring, the band is pared down appropriately. 
                This Way to the Egress, a group of gypsy cabaret performers from Bethlehem,Pennsylvania, whose name is taken from circus lore, is formed by a rotating cast.  They describe their sound as "crispy, swanky, circus-y music."  Instruments
employed to achieve such an endeavor include mandolin, accordion, cello, tuba,
piano, drums, and a host of others.  The band recently self-released its debut album 'This Delicious Cabaret'.           

     The Hellblinki Sextet, hailing from North Carolina, produces a unique show with a unique sound, which they themselves describe as "three penny opera meets Sesame Street...with punk rock experimentation and a southern drawl" in a
"Performer Magazine" story.  The band's name is a misnomer because it currently consists of just three musicians:  founder Andrew Benjamin,
whose musical repertoire includes vocals, guitar, and drums; Valerie Meiss,
responsible for accordion and vocal stylings (and also the occasional
contribution on toy piano, saw, and ukulele); and JonPaul, who takes care of the
bass guitar, keytar, and organ pedals.  This pirate cabaret describes their sound as combining "elements of American folk, European cabaret, and punk rock experimentation into an intoxicating brew of transcendent madness."   Audience
participation is encouraged.  

                In his stops along the road this tour, Voltaire has invited local burlesque dancers to participate in his show.  Milwaukee attendees will be treated to Brew City Bombshells Chassy Dee Luxe, Sugar St. Clair, Polly Amour, and new 'shell Zara Estelle.  Chassy's been performing burlesque for 7 years.  Her tattooed, curvy form allows her to naughtily shake it like she means it, and she loves (and lovingly encourages) a response from her audience, ensuring that everyone has a good time while she's doing her bump and grind.  Sugar Saint Clair, formerly known as Violetta DeMur, celebrates her '40s retro style of dress and appearance while performing routines inspired by old burlesque footage, classic movie musicals, and pin-up artwork, which she adapts to her own style.  Polly Amour, with her long, black, Betty Paige-esque hair and curvaceous figure, shakes and shimmies with the best of 'em.  Polly's style can be described as
innocent school-girl meets sexual vixen.   The talented and voluptuous Zara Estelle brings her 17 years of training as a professional dancer in the styles of ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and African to the group.  Her grace and poise while performing are to be admired. 
                  The Milwaukee stop on the 5-week tour will set concert-goers back a mere $18 for advance tickets, $21 at the door.  To order, go to www.elektrotrash.com.   This event is sponsored by Amerique 1912 Absinthe and the Elixir Absinthe Lounge.