Voice of the City

Kevin Larson has something very different planned for his upcoming bash, Theatre Du Vaudeville. "It's a kick-off party for his new non-profit company," notes Jodi Johnson of Kevin Larson Presents. "The National Performers Alliance is a group where people can come together and book different kinds of talent that don't normally have an agent — fire-breathers, stilt performers.

"Really, he just wanted to do a vaudeville-themed show and really do it up in modern cabaret style," Johnson adds.

It's no surprise that Larson would be attracted to vaudeville; the American roots of vaudeville most likely lead back to New Orleans and the "medicine shows" that toured small towns throughout the country, offering programs of comedy, music, jugglers and other novelties to help sell the tonics, salves and miracle elixirs they peddled.

There won't be any bad medicine at this show, though; George Swartz will act as Ring Master (aka emcee), introducing performers who will take the stage, one after another. Some of the planned acts include a music-box maker and dancer; a magician; a harlequin clown playing with balloons; the Devil's Fiddler; stilt-walkers; the Bearded Madame; contortionists; jugglers; puppeteers; tap dancers; Firefly, the little person/fire-performer/glass-walker; belly dancers; sword dancers; jesters…you get the idea.

Tickets for Theatre Du Vaudeville are $35; all proceeds from the show will go toward promoting National Performers Alliance talent for future events. Only 120 seats are available, so reserve yours now at www.lannies.com or 303-293-0075; the show goes down at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe Street, tonight at 8 p.m.
Thu., April 3, 8 p.m., 2008