Ava Von Sweets calls herself the “frisky fraulein,” and her burlesque routine is distinctly Milwaukee. As a German march plays, Von Sweets performs in a traditional dirndl, holding two giant mugs of beer. As she dances, her dirndl disappears, and so does the beer as she chugs it. Dressed only in her knickers, she tosses Bavarian pretzels to the crowd. The audience loves it – wolf-whistling and applauding loudly.
Von Sweets, 29, helped form a six-lady “neo-burlesque” troupe named the Brew City Bombshells. She split with the group this spring, citing creative differences and a busy schedule, and will return with a new burlesque group this fall.
Burlesque goes back to the 1840s, yet had all but died until a national revival began in the early 1990s. Milwaukee’s attempts were hit and miss – a short-lived group named Brew City Burlesque, and occasional acts with the Dead Man’s Carnival cabaret and sideshow.
Half of the Bombshells were part of the Alley Cat Revue. But when Alley Cat founder Bella Sue DeVianti moved to Canada, the group restructured itself into the current lineup, which, minus Von Sweets, now features Vee Valentine, Raven Nevermore, Violetta DeMur, Chassy Dee Lux and Chanel le Meaux.
While many groups follow strictly in great-grandma’s footsteps, the Bombshells added a modern flair. They’re more likely to perform to a Joan Jett rocker than an old standard.
“Anything goes,” says le Meaux. “If it’s entertaining, we’re for it.”
The dancers say they’re not in it for money but the thrill of performance. Several say they grew up loving the limelight of cheerleading, dance and pageants.
“I’ve always wanted to dance around in sparkly outfits,” Von Sweets says. “I get a kick out of being onstage. The feedback is a high.”
She says the biggest misconception about burlesque is that it’s a strip club routine. “It’s more like a Vegas show,” Von Sweets says, and may include acrobatics, song and dance, acting and comedy. “We’re not just grinding and picking up dollar bills.”
