After a ten year hiatus, Polaris Dance Troupe is back with bells on! Or should we say, bells off... Founder and local dancer and teacher Melinda Miller-Klopfer directs "Les Filles Rouge ~ a burlesque extravaganza!" at Gualala Arts Center on Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.. The goal of the troupe is to bring unique and socially relevant dancing to small communities, but also the first time a European-style burlesque show has made an appearance in Gualala.

Gualala native Miller-Klopfer grew up dancing on the Mendocino Coast, and spent extensive amounts of time in Paris and Berlin - two cities instrumental to the development of burlesque. She found the creative and feminist possibilities of the dance form to be incredibly liberating and beautiful. Parallel to her own experience, most burlesque dancers were classically trained ballerinas, who, due to injuries, could no longer perform as ballet required them to. Thus European burlesque tends towards sophistication rather than vulgarity.

"Les Filles Rouge" is a grand spectacle in the style of the Pigalle district of Paris circa 1960 and is filled with the usual suspects: song, dance, and underpants! It is NOT a strip show, but a variety show of sorts that happens to involve perhaps a bit less clothing than most...

So pull your corset out of the closet and don your best French accent and come dance the night away with a gaggle of gorgeous gals (and their guy pals!) at the Gualala Arts Center! The ladies of Les Filles Rouge are pleased and proud to be able to shake their tail feathers, but be warned, their last 5 shows all sold out instantly, so get your tickets early and prepare for a night that can't be beat! Cheaper than tickets to Paris, and no jet lag!

Tickets are $25 advance, $5 more day of performance. This is an adults only performance, you must be 21 years of age or older. Photo ID will be required. Franny's Cup and Saucer will have cupcakes, "Tasty Pasties," for sale plus a no host bar.

For advance purchase, go to Brown Paper Tickets or call them at 800-838-3006.
To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.

Les Filles Rouge
a burlesque extravaganza!

Gualala Arts Center
June, 2011

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The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gualala Arts, 1961 - 2011

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.