This Birmingham, AL based troupe gives a variety show feel with individuals varying in dance, style and costuming. They promote body positivity by celebrating all shapes and sizes that the dancers represent. Routines are typically heavily choreographed creating loads of action with leaps, splits, spinning and all the hair flips. From disco to avant garde, to jazz tap and ballet, there's something for everyone. At a TSB show you may see a hooping disco queen, a knife twirling murderess, or a trumpet playing woodland fairy. No matter what it is, it's always top shelf. Behind all of the action you see on stage is months of DIY. Top Shelf Burlesque is a totally ground up organization, creating their own choreography, props, costumes, etc. They really are Jills of many trades!
TSB has performed with local Birmingham bands such as The Dizzy, Jacquie Cotillard (creator of The Earth Hotel podcast), Matchi, Sex Camel, Sister Sniffle and members of Little Raine Band. Comedians Duell F. Aldrige from Florence, LA based Rivers Langley, and Jackie Brown (the funniest lady in Birmingham) have also performed with the troupe. TSB shares featured performances with their sister troupe Basement Burlesque based out of Florence, AL and has worked with Ember, the Mistress of Pain from Blue Moon Circus in New Orleans. Top Shelf burlesque combines the art of the tease with comedy, creative costuming and lots of action and fun.
Performance Schedule:
- December 2017 - First Show @ Soft Rock Bungalow
- February 2018 - Heartless Valentine's @ The Syndicate Lounge
- June 2018 - Angela Lucy @ Rocket City Pride
- July 2018 - Dazed and Amused @ Brennan's Irish Pub
- July 2018 - @ Spike's with emcee Sharon Cocx
- August 2018 - Dazed and Amused @ ArtTown
- September 2018 - Disco Show @ Crestwood Tavern
- October 2018 - Trick or Tease @ Mom's Basement
- December 2018 - Season's Teasings @ Brennen's Irish Pub
- April 2019 - Once Upon a Tease @ Clubhouse on Highland
- May 2019 - Savriety @ The Vault
- May 2019 - Spring Showcase @ Crestwood Tavern
- June 2019 - Slicefest After Party @ Vape Loft
- June 2019 - Anything Goes Interactive @ Crestwood Tavern
- June 2019 - Erotic Art Show @ Boutwell Auditorium
- September 2019 - Burlesque Brunch @ Cahaba Heights
- October 2019 - Trick or Tease @ Brennan's Irish Pub
- October 2019 - Trick or Tease @ Trim Tab Brewing
- January 2020 - Jazz Era Traditional Show @ Avondale Upstairs
- October 2020 - Trick or Tease @ Avondale Upstairs
- October 2020 - Trick or Tease @ Tropicaleo
- February 2021 - XOXO Show @ Avondale Upstairs
- May 2021 - Divine Divas @ Electra
"It is the honor of my lifetime to serve as the emcee for Top Shelf Burlesque. The members of the troupe are true professionals - dedicated to their craft, and to thoroughly delighting their adoring fans. They provide high class, non-family friendly entertainment to the culturally starved masses of the Birmingham Metro Area, and their performances are physically, emotionally, and spiritually thrilling." - Max Rykov, official emcee of TSB
"In TSB, each artist brings their own unique strengths and style to the stage. From amazing choreography, to stunning costumes, jaw-dropping theatrical climaxes, and just straight up drop-dead gorgeous women, TSB has a little bit of something for every taste. It's an honor to plug in, turn up, and support this group of intersectional and powerfully beautiful women." -Mika Carpenter, Top Shelf Burlesque's Audio Tech Kitten
Credits:
Created with images by Jakob Owens - "Graffiti wall dances" • ivanovgood - "girl model skirt" • Forest Simon - "untitled image"