Only Teasing

The Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt once wrote, “A pretty girl in her underwear; if there’s anything better in this world, who cares?” Well, we’d argue that four pretty girls in their underwear might be four times better, especially if said women are performing choreographed dance steps, walking on stilts, eating fire and telling ribald jokes. While any jackass with a dial-up can uncover the mystery of the female form in all of its glory, there’s no substitute for skillfully executed burlesque, with its healthy, winkingly flirtatious and charmingly modest approach to sensuality. Having honed their talents on the LA stage, the Dollface Dames (consisting of Kiki, Lola Boutée, Ginger Snap! and Sabine Musetta) bring their act to Cal State Long Beach today to show those college kids how it’s done. Or at least, how it used to be done back when grandpa was single. Campus health services will be standing by should any audience member experience the Avery effect, symptoms of which may include uncontrollable jaw droppage, ear steam discharge, exterior heart leapage, and that condition where your eyes turn into slot machine reels, spin around and hit double cherries.
Thu., Oct. 30, 5 p.m., 2008