THE WIGGLE ROOM Opens Tonight in Montreal
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 03, 2013
In Montreal's notoriously raucous heyday, it was known as 'Sin City of the North'. Here was an epicenter of entertainment and debauchery where gangsters, showgirls and jazzmen ran rampant; where champagne flowed like water and the clubs were "noisy, sexy and had plenty of bounce". This according to the illustrious nightlife journalist, Al Palmer, himself a well-pickled denizen of Montreal's sexiest corners. Enter Plateau men-about-town The Wiggle Room's proprietor, Jeremy Hechtmanand General Manager Patrick Charron. They, along with burlesque maven Holly Gauthier-Frankel and her famous alter-ego Miss Sugarpuss, welcome you to Montreal's premiere show bar. At The Wiggle Room, vintage style meets contemporary cabaret, and classic and signature cocktails are served nightly to patrons enjoying neo-vaudeville variety, comedy, burlesque and live music. Join them in this exciting, new venture.
The Wiggle Room is intimate and rich in character and tone with deep purple walls, gold accents, warm exposed brick and vintage cocktail tables and chairs. It hearkens back to Montreal's vibrant nightclubs of the 50s where bands were hot and the mood was loose and fun; when service and style were paramount. For patrons' added amusement, there are secret little surprises planted around the venue.
Though obscure in its origin, one definition for the word Vaudeville comes from Voix de Ville, the name of the Tuesday night open mic show that kicks off the week of performances. On tap is an amazing schedule of acts from full burlesque revues to comedy nights, live retro-electric music to TheatreSports, as well as fun workshops, slow dance parties and more! The heart of the room is Signature Saturdays when The Wiggle Room presents burlesque revues with the crème de la crème of Montreal's best burlesque and cabaret performers. Not to be missed are the signature cocktails named after each artist.
The Wiggle Room is set to enrich the Montreal nightlife landscape
People are craving the past in a way that goes beyond simply reviving a style or a hairdo or listening to vintage music. This from General Manager Patrick Charron, "The club will not only deliver quality live entertainment in an intimate and welcoming environment, but also serve as a reminder that we can take our time, be a little more innocent and connect to live performances that exist for discerning audience members. We are bringing time-honoured entertainment traditions back to the forefront and importantly, creating a strong sense of community and camaraderie."
In the 1940s, there were over 30 cabarets in Montreal. Everyone involved with The Wiggle Room has great respect for Montreal's entertainment and nightlife history, both on The Main and all over the city, no one moreso than owner Jeremy Hechtman, "Every step that has gone into making this club a reality is taken with Montreal's rich history in mind; we are simply preserving and enriching what's already around us." He continues, "Montrealers love a good soirée on the town and The Wiggle Room is poised to be able to give them that unique yet familiar nightlife experience. We were definitely lacking a cabaret cocktail club devoted solely to burlesque, variety, and the neo-vaudeville arts." Run by artists and people who appreciate and respect artists, The Wiggle Room is a place where culture is encouraged to thrive and evolve. Also showcased will be top DJs, fun workshops and community events that give back to Montreal's vibrant cultural milieu.
Burlesque Maven Miss Sugarpuss is proud and thrilled to be working alongside Jeremy and Patrick to make this wonderful dream of Jeremy's a reality, "I come from an artistic and musical background and have always been nostalgic for a Montreal that I never experienced. The fact that my parents not only knew about the Gayety (headquarters for Lili St-Cyr), the Esquire Showbar and Rockhead's Paradise, but performed in those places, sealed the deal for me. The burlesque/vaudeville bug got hold of me young and I've never stopped dreaming of performing in a place like The Wiggle Room. Now my dream is coming true!"
On August 24, Jeremy Hechtman's friend, Just for Laugh's Nasty Show star, comedian Bobby Slayton, will inaugurate the club at a private show celebrating Hechtman's birthday. This epic extravaganza includes the very best burlesque and cabaret performers in town, two live bands and the climax of the evening, a set by Slayton. What better way to fête the birthday boy than with a bevy of beauties, booze and top-drawer comedy. The evening will be an unforgettable way to kick off the club.
The official opening is tonight, September 3 when The Wiggle Room begins regular Tuesday-Sunday operations. The cozy room ensures an intimate and exciting experience- check the schedule regularly to see the hottest music, burlesque artists and comedy stars.
The Wiggle Room performs at 3874 St. Laurent (across from Schwartz'). Official opening tonight, September 3. Open Tuesday-Sunday, different shows nightly. Ticket price- $10-$20. Call 514 508-WINK (9465), email info@wiggleroom.ca, or follow The Wiggle Room on Twitter @wiggleroommtl and Facebook: www.facebook.com/wiggleroommtl. Visit the official website at wiggleroom.ca.
Jeremy Hechtman is the former Artistic Director of Mainline Theatre, former Producer of the Montreal Fringe Festival and Boulevardier Extraordinaire... Patrick Charron, a local producer, performer and performing arts supporter, is the former English Communications and Programming Director at Montreal's historic Rialto Theatre. Steeped in vintage jazz, beat literature, indie theatre and early 20th century showbiz culture, Charron has made a mission out of bringing artists and audiences together in Montreal for over 2 decades. Holly Gauthier-Frankel is Montreal's 'Multi-Threat Sweetheart of Burlesque'. An 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.
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