A Night with Bite: Where to Watch Vaudeville in Sonoma County

"Neo-vaudeville" and "neo-burlesque" have become hot nightlife features across the Bay Area.


Burlesque dancer Audrey Von Price perform with the North Bay Cabaret. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Burlesque dancer Audrey Von Price perform with the North Bay Cabaret. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)

Vaudeville, which laughed, danced, juggled and sang its theatrical way into American hearts in the early 1900s, is back.

Fueled by the burlesque revival of the mid 1990s, “neo-vaudeville” has become a regular feature of bars and clubs across the Bay Area with its fresh approach to merging poetry, risqué performance art and eclectic entertainment. 

In Sonoma County, you can now catch vaudeville and burlesque performances at a number of venues, including Annie O’s and Whiskey Tip in Santa Rosa, and at Hop Monk Tavern in Sebastopol.

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Rouge Dance Company at North Bay Cabaret’s Hot August Knights event. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)

The North Bay Cabaret is a local neo-vaudevillian troupe led by Jake Ward that stages a series of variety shows with a rotating cast of entertainers and artists. Their flagship event entertains on third Fridays, at the Whiskey Tip in Santa Rosa. (In November, the show will move to Annie O’s in Santa Rosa). 

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Comedienne and guitarist Samantha Gilweit performs with the North Bay Cabaret. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)

The cabaret typically begins with sketch comedy, spoken word, and musical performances by artists such as Slaperoo Percussion player Andy Graham. The show progresses with high energy performances from fire art and belly dancing to burlesque. 

For information about upcoming North Bay Cabaret events, visit: northbaycabaret.com or facebook.com/NorthBayCabaret/

Eva D'Luscious, of Cabaret de Caliente, performs with the Sonoma Show Girls during the Whole Lotta Love Burlesque show (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
Eva D’Luscious, of Cabaret de Caliente, performs with the Sonoma Show Girls during the Whole Lotta Love Burlesque show (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

Cabaret de Caliente is a prolific production company, run by husband and wife burlesque team Eva D’Luscious and Will Longfellow (stage names), that stages burlesque and cabaret performances. 

D’Luscious and Longfellow met in San Francisco and quickly became part of the city’s vibrant performance art scene. The couple then moved to Sebastopol to begin performing shortly after the North Bay town’s only cabaret show folded. Their show continues to grow in popularity and D’Luscious and Longfellow now perform in Portland, but return to Sonoma County for occasional performances at Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol. 

For information about upcoming Cabaret de Caliente shows, visit: cabaretdecaliente.com

The North Bay Cabaret recently put on Hot August Knights, a medieval variety show, at Annie O’s in Santa Rosa, check out some of the performances:

Aerial acrobat Amanda Grace performs with the North Bay Cabaret during their Hot August Knight's medieval variety show at Annie O's in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Aerial acrobat Amanda Grace performs with the North Bay Cabaret during their Hot August Knight’s medieval variety show at Annie O’s in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
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The Albion School of Defense at Hot August Knights. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
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North Bay Cabaret producer Jake Ward. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Prince Arthur Dancers at Hot August Knights event. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Prince Arthur Dancers at Hot August Knights event. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
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Rouge Dance Company at Hot August Knights event. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
North Bay Cabaret dancer Jesi Ringofire. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
North Bay Cabaret dancer Jesi Ringofire. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Burlesque dancer Patty La Melt. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Burlesque dancer Patty La Melt. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Burlesque dancer Dangerous Dollie. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
Burlesque dancer Dangerous Dollie. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
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Rouge Dance Company at Hot August Knights event. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)