Cupcakes and Clownvis, sugar and sinners, Ice Queen's and Candy Girls, pastries and pasty's, this is the kind of Christmas party St Louis's Lola Van Ella likes to throw. With a packed crowd at Off Broadway right before Christmas Lola Van Ella hosted the Sugar and Spice, Naughty and Nice burlesque showcase, a show packed full of the areas best burlesque acts along with a few special guests.

This is the fourth showcase of this type thrown by Miss Van Ella in recent time and by far one of the best burlesque shows I have ever seen. Filled with about twenty different performers mostly burlesque but with a couple of different acts that add a little comedy and laughs to the show. This show was themed for sweets and candy performances and all of the acts performed a new and different number for the show in said theme. It was also the premiere of many of Lola's burlesque students whom she teaches on a weekly basis and all tied together with performances by Clownvis Presley and the Rev. Brian Dowell.

The show began outside the door where you were verbally assaulted by the Rev Brian Dowell who was protesting the show (as any good god fearing Christian should be doing at such a den of iniquity) with a giant sign proclaiming "God hates Breasts" and sharing his view of the world with anyone who had to stop to get in or just wanting to hear the good word.

Lola Van Ella started it off inside with a fantastically sang rendition of "Santa baby" and then introduced the Lola Van Ella burlesque army (her students) who did a great group number. Foxy Le Feelion and Greta Garter were the next acts. Foxy is without a doubt one of the best physical performers and Greta makes the best faces, truly reminiscent of older burlesque acts from the past. Siren was next bringing his own brand of debauchery followed by a few more acts from the students. Tomahawk Tassels finished out the first act with a truly beautiful and moving snow queen number. Tomahawk was in special from out of town, she got her start here in St. Louis but has been refining her acts in Minneapolis since.

The second act started with Go-Go McGregor who was kick-ass as always and was quickly usurped by the Rev. Brian Dowell who proceeded to tell all in attendance that there is a special spot reserved for us somewhere unless of course you donate to the second Baptist church and bait shop in Pontoon Beach Illinois. As a side note this man is funny if you have a chance please see him perform as few people understand the way to the funny bone is through offending everybody as much as possible. Roxy Red Rockets did a wonderful number and Clownvis and his little chocolate worm sang their way into the audience's hearts. Then a unanimous "Oh Snap" was heard when Sturdy Gurlesque took to the stage as New Edition's "Candy Girl" came on. Sturdy's usual fire performance was overshadowed this time by her costume which was completely made out of candy right down to the pasty's. This number was defiantly a crowd pleaser as was she. Gravity plays Favorites was next and this is truly one of the most extraordinary acts I have ever witnessed in my life. Gravity is a pole dancing duo who perform simultaneously on the same pole in unison it's like Cirque De Sole meets a strip club (I have had dreams that actually start like that). And the show wrapped up with Lola Van Ella covered in vanilla frosting which I feel is an appropriate way to end any show.

If you are interested there are videos posted on you-tube I will provide a link at the end of this article.

There were also many numbers and performers I may not have mentioned as I was in and out of the show and I have word constraints for my reviews so please do not get offended if you were not mentioned or were not mentioned enough.

The showcase kicked ass, beautiful, sexy ass. Sugar, spice, naughty and nice were promised and were delivered in spades. Thanks to Lola Van Ella, Sturdy Gurlesque, Tomahawk Tassels, Go-Go McGregor, the Alley Cat Revue, Lola Van Ella's burlesque army, Gravity Plays Favorites, Clownvis and everyone else involved for putting on one of the best shows in St. Louis. Be sure to be on the lookout for all of these acts individually or together as it is a sight to be seen.