Tonight: Inked Magazine presents SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque at Marathon Music Works

After a six-year hiatus, the SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque Tour returns tonight to Marathon Music Works with world-renowned choreographer Manwe Sauls-Addison, who has worked with performers such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and J.Lo. This isn’t a voluptuous parade of Bettie Boop haircuts and roundhouse tasseling; Manwe has developed a show interpreting some of pop culture’s most highly regarded movies and TV series into dance. Ever thought about what The Big Lebowski, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, and Game of Thrones would look like with a little 5-6-7-8? Yeah, the thought didn’t really cross our minds either. Until now. Nashville’s own Lux-O-Matic, Shan de Leers, and Freya West of Music City Burlesque will open the show. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m., 18+. For seating, tickets are $23 (ADV) and $25 (DOS); standing, tickets are $20 (ADV) and $23 (DOS).

We got to talk more about Blackheart Burlesque with five-year SG and dancer Bambu Suicide.

Q&A w/ BAMBU SUICIDE (pictured below w/hot pink hair)

No Country: Comparing Blackheart Burlesque now to what it was six years ago, what’s different?

Bambu:We have a fancy tour bus, professional choreography, and amazing costumes by Junker Designs. We perform for sold-out crowds in the coolest cities and meet the hottest SuicideGirls. The other tours were great too! But I think this one is epic. Epppppicccc!

NC: As an instructor and dancer, what does Manwe Sauls-Addison bring to the table, and why does it work with SuicideGirls?

B: Manwe is not only experienced, talented, and a fierce dancer… he has a fun spirit. He gave us a great choreographed foundation with enough wiggle room for us to put that “punk rock-suck it” swag in it!

NC: Does he have any quirks that set him apart, certain moves, coaching techniques, etc.?

B: I love his little cut-off tops. And this is a little inside joke for dancers: choreographers speak in choreo talk, like “Boom ka! Ba boom, boom ka!” Manwe has great choreo talk.

NC: How did SuicideGirls seek out the dancers? Were they already part of the SG squad?

B: SG held an audition for dancers in L.A. I’ll never forget seeing Brixie at the audition. She showed up in black “x” pasties all goth ‘n’ fierce— rocked the audition. All of the dancers involved with Blackheart Burlesque are professional performers. I am a specialty performer/dancer. I’ve traveled the world performing, some of the girls have danced for So You Think You Can Dance, toured with Rihanna, or come from the New York dance scene, L.A., they’re from all over. We are a trained group of superheroes, yes.

NC: Where did the idea for the ode to pop culture come from?

B: Somebody took some acid and magic happened.

NC: Is there a routine that’s a favorite among the dancers?

B: We all have different favorites for different reasons. I love the Kill Bill routine, The Fifth Element, and Planet of the Apes. I also love the moments in the show when I give body shots of Jameson to local SGs and crowd surf.

NC: What type of audience to dancer interaction can we expect?

B: 10 million high fives, a few motorboats, possibly some cake to face—but it’s good cake. The front row will get slightly wet; you may find yourself dancing in your underwear onstage as well. Oh…and lots of membership giveaways!

NC: Most memorable moments of this tour thus far?

B: A guy proposing in Detroit, all of us dancing on stage with Eoto, Missy stagediving in Brooklyn, meeting so many amazing people and dancing with super-talented  performers, the die-hard SG fans, and the fact that we get to look at boobs all day is cool—talented boobs.

SuicideGirls’ Blackheart Burlesque and Lux-O-Matic, Shan de Leers, and Freya West of Music City Burlesque will perform  Wednesday, December 4 at Marathon Music Works. The show is 18+, begins at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), and tickets are available for $20 (for standing) and $23 (for seats) in advance.