SKITS N TITS

Bowery Poetry Club

By Roger B.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 - Skits N Tits is a raunchy, seemingly thrown together series of burlesque strip acts, comedy skits, stand-up and by all appearancesrandom performances that do little or nothing to give the impression that much planning or thought went into this once-a-month act. Still, I have to admit that I enjoyed myself and had a good laugh and a great evening...and if for five bucks you’re expecting the Moulin Rouge, then maybe you should get the hell out of the Lower East Side and book a flight on Air France. This is New York in the Summer; albeit, a part of New York that many don’t get to see...but really should try to experience because it’s real, it’s pure, it’s got NY attitude and it’s honest. Some call this a sort of underground movement, but quite frankly it's right there for anyone to enjoy. We all seemed to be having a good time!

The place is an over-used, messy venue/bar/cafe with kitchen (or were they office) chairs in some sort of theatre set up, strange looking wanderers and slackers who could easily be homeless, regulars or actually one of the night’s featured acts. At some point you start to wonder who the hell is a paid customer and who is about to run up to the stage and sing some bizarre, but surprisingly funny song. I was lost. But in a dirty, sleazy way I felt right at home...like I was hanging out in my garage with very funny, sloppy friends drinking beer and performing little acts for each other.

The small wobbly stage is about ten years overdue for a good paint job and the curtains look like they could have a nervous breakdown at any second. God only knows what they’ve seen over the years. But they are still hanging in there.

Shappy Seascholtz is the evening’s host and not your typical black-tie host either. He’s easily likable and funny and moves the show along with ease and some witty bits that seem almost improvised on the spot. Maybe it is.

A big part of the show are the three young comedians/producers (Diane O’Debra, Steph Sabelli and Jessica Delfino, also known as the Funny Filthy Floozies) who put this thing together andinject their comedic skits into the night’s performance with great conviction and no restrain. Wanna hear vagina, gay dad and divorce jokes?You got it. Their cougar routine (or skit) was like a comedic tightrope act with drinks ready to fly out into the audience. Don’t expect to see these acts on prime-time, they make the old Saturday Night Live "not-ready-for-prime-time-players" look like choirboys. I was sort of turned on and disturbed all at once, but I did laugh a lot. Maybe I was just nervous.

For sexy and burlesque, look to the Chi-Ciones dance trio (although I think there were four of them). They bump and dance and grind and actually were entertaining. Dominique Trixx handled the bump and grind with real burlesque flair and a must have fan dance. I won’t mention all the acts here (you do get a full slate of talent), but suffice it to say that each held their own and most remain quite memorable. It’s notjust a burlesque show...keep that in mind and come prepared to get more.

Go at your own risk and don’t expect a classy evening. In fact, dress down.Still the crowd was friendly, the DJ and sound were great and the bartender actually worked the entire bar even though it was a small and crowded space.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer (uh, this is not a martini kind of place) sponsored the night and had some fun giveaways as part of a raffle. I really wanted that PBR towel they raffled, especially after one of the dancers wrapped it around her seemingly undressed body before giving it away. Oh well...not meant to be.

Not a bad Wednesday evening at all, actually.

Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 10PM | Bowery Poetry Club | 308 Bowery | $5 Admission | skitsntits@gmail.com

(picture from http://www.myspace.com/skitsntits)