Eric wrote this up for us on the re-emergence after many decades of burlesque in Bushwick. It is probably the first and last time you’ll see both “the ‘Wick” and “nabe” on this blog. –Jeremy

I’ve been doing research into the New York Burlesque scene for about a year. I know. Roll your eyes. “Riiiiight. Research.” Yeah, and you may punctuate this by miming that air quote thing. ‘Cause, like, they take off their clothes and stuff. But let me put this into some sort of perspective. I have a background in theater and graphic design. So I like to think I have a strong, er, visual acumen. When I went to my first burlesque show I was surprised at how polished, how well performed, how theatrical the whole thing was. And then there’s that participatory response of the audience. This ain’t no stripper crowd. It is a happy mix of hipsters, goths, the Indie Rock and a dash of rockabilly. When a journo friend of mine asked me to sum up in one visual what the New York Burlesque scene is like I replied, “Think: Bettie Page. With tattoos. And maybe some body piercings.”

I was doing this “research” for a documentary I’m co-producing. I also moved to Bushwick around the time I had decided to take on the project. I was skittish about the prospect at first. I was a Manhattan snob, having lived in Chelsea and the East Village. But the rent was more than reasonable for the apartment’s size and the commute was a breeze. One year later I have not only grown more comfortable with my neighborhood, but I’d discover that two topics prominent in my life — Burlesque and Bushwick — would ultimately be reconciled. more »