Wiggle it, just a ‘lil bit

Finally, the perfect venue has arrived. Where do you go to get entertained in Montreal? I mean, really entertained? Where can you get laughter, music, live shows, meet great people and dance all night? It has arrived folks and it is called the Wiggle Room. What a great name!

There are 3 power houses behind this idea. Jeremy Hechtman is the former Artistic Director of Mainline Theatre, former Producer of the Montreal Fringe Festival and Boulevardier Extraordinaire is the first one. then add Patrick Charron who’s a local producer, performer and performing arts supporter and is the former English Communications and Programming Director at Montreal’s historic Rialto Theatre. To complete the awesome trifecta is Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Montreal’s ‘Multi-Threat Sweetheart of Burlesque’.  She’s actor, singer, dancer and teacher, Holly has been in showbiz for over 25 years. Her alter-ego Miss Sugarpuss has been wowing and wooing crowds with her ecdysiast expertise internationally since 2005.

With these three together, I don’t see how it could fail! But it’s not just a few nights a week folks. From Tuesday to Sunday, something will be wiggling in the Wiggle Room. The idea of putting vaudeville, stand-up comedy, burlesque, improv, dance and live music under the same roof is just amazing. Here’s what this week’s launch has to offer you Montreal!

TUESDAY- Voix de Ville (vaudeville) Open Mic, hosted by Paul Ash

“The word for this variety evening, Voix de Ville, is where our present day vaudeville comes from! Any and all singers, weirdos, vaudevillians, comics, spoken-word artists and sundry will regale with a 3 to 5-minute act; anything goes, within reason! Join host Paul Ash, one of Montreal’s finest comics, for this no-holds-barred evening of… whatever the city can offer!”

Pat & Bunny from Vladimir Vodka Hour (1950’s Variety Hosts)
Sucre à la Crème (burlesque)
Thundertickle (sketch comedy)
Dan Derkson (stand-up comedy)
Ethereal Tribal’s Dominique Senécal/Sue Snyder (belly dance)

WEDNESDAY- Live Music to Please Your Ears

“Hear The Wiggle Room’s house bands, The ACME Burlesque Band and Summersett Fred every Wednesday for a trip down Musical Memory Lane. From Blues to Bossa to Lounge to Chanson, let the music transport you back to the days of Brel, Peggy Lee and Xavier Cugat. An intimate and exciting aural experience awaits you, so get ready to kick back and let our vintage music nights soothe your soul.

Enjoy one of The Wiggle Room’s house bands with Patricia Summersett and Nick Carpenter. Relish old time cabaret, jazz and chanson Française.”

THURSDAY- TheatreSports , hosted by Dan Derkson

“We’re starting with a special show, Improv Against Humanity– a combination of TheatreSports and one of the hottest new party games, Cards Against Humanity. Featuring some of the best improvisers in the city accompanied by live musicians including performers Marianna Vial, Greg Hamilton, Jason Hatrick, Keith Waterfield and Jennifer Walker; and musicians Shayne Gryn, David Ryshpan and Beth McKenna.”

FRIDAY- Wild Card Fridays: Mystery Guests and Secret Surprises!

“The first Friday of every month, The Wiggle Room hosts a night of live vintage soul music. Kicking things off is Shades of Soul, a musical collective of musicians, back up vocalists and guest solo artists. Deeply rooted in the R & B, Soul and Funk musical community, with a strong commitment to quality music and staying true to the essence of soulful sounds, Shades of Soul and musical director Ben Comeau will take the audience on a musical odyssey. This week’s guest singer is CoCo Thompson ”

THURSDAY to SATURDAY- Top DJs and dancing after the show

This Friday and Saturday, we welcome the lauded Andy Williams and Jazz Amnesty Sound System

Roxi D’Lite Headlines the Wiggle Room September 7th

SATURDAY- Signature Saturdays: Burlesque at The Wiggle Room, special guest headliner

“Every Saturday night, The Wiggle Room brings you the very best of Neo-Burlesque from Montreal and
beyond! With it’s line-up of sultry Signature Performers, visiting headliners and more, Signature
Saturdays at The Wiggle Room are simply not to be missed. Emceed by Montreal’s own Miss Sugarpuss
and other hot talents, our Burly-Q revues will leave you breathless.”

Opening week headliner:

Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Queen of Burlesque Miss Exotic World, Roxi D’Lite, alongside the alluring Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière, the dazzling The Lady Josephine and the enticing L. Diablo. With guest Emcee, Billy L’Amour.

SUNDAY- Sugarpuss Sunday School, hosted by Miss Sugarpuss

“A new workshop series for amateurs, students and lovers of burlesque, Sugarpuss Sunday School is an exciting program designed for the budding burlesque, boylesque or neo-vaudeville star! Join Miss Sugarpuss and guest teachers for a specialized 12-week workshop from 5 to 7pm, followed by a ShowShop at 8pm! Featuring new acts-in-progress by students for friends, family and invite-only guests, the Show-Shop is an interactive and innovative way to demystify ‘The Burlesque! Starting September 29th. Sign up today at misssugarpuss@gmail.com!”

Paul Ash will host the inaugural night at The WIggle Room

I can hardly wait to opening night. When is that you ask? The Wiggle Room will open its doors to the public September 3rd. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 8pm.  It’s located at 3874 St-Laurent Blvd, right across Schwartz. For more info, call 514-508-WINK (9465) Follow them on Twitter @WiggleRoomMtl and like them on Facebook too!

It’s gonna be a hell of a night so come on down and support a new home for live entertainment and help bring back this city’s vibe it once had. Put on that sultry dress ladies, slap on those suspenders fellas and I’ll see you there in both!

Jo