You Get What You Get: A Burlesque Variety Show — 9/20/25–16 Stone Brewpub (Holland Patent, NY)

Not only do I love that there’s an ever-growing drag and burlesque scene ‘round here in the Utica area, but dammit, just how fuckin fun these events are! And I’d been to Bartschland Follies in NYC to see my old friend Dirty Martini, in the hypermanic show back when the City had just reopened after lockdown. Bleeding Hearts Burlesque, tonight’s organizer, Qupids Arrow Productions and Utica Drag Shows are all amazing powerhouses of fun and naughty entertainment in Central NY. Tonight’s variety show was a sweet af slice of the…um, well…pie.

Emceed by local karaoke star Maddie, the show revolved around extracting names and toys (no, not THOSE kinds!) from a gumball machine. In between acts, Miss MJ, the stage kitten, fetched tips to a rousing chorus of meows from the riled crowd. Doll E. DeVille and her ass, self-described as a country mile wide, got the performances going with some classic platinum-blond, full-length-glove, furry-pink-nightie action, to be countered by The Kai Project offering up the reason for the gothic season with a split-personality performance sliced down the middle.

Next up, the tallest drink of luscious water in the bunch, the stunning statue of burlesque royalty, Jianna Romano, commanded the room in a fitting to her stature, parading the room and flinging her tips with pizazz over her shoulder to the stage. And Kay DeLish ended the first half on a high note with another chapter in her endless versatility. This time, wowing the crowd in a silver ensemble (with bottle service! as one lucky audience member learned quite…um…orally) to the beats of Siouxse Sioux.

A brief break to refill and recharge, and it was needed, cuz Part 2 launched with the solid fandancing prowess of Cleo Qupid to none other than the coming up and seeing me of Mae Totalfuckingicon West. Miss Lily is billed as having an arsenal of ability in performance, and her spot showed every ounce of that energy and verve, right down to the smiley face spread across her entire torso.

Jenn Rose came next as a flight attendant who will no doubt fuel Mile High fantasies for years, and last but in no fucking way least, Lady Fingers strutted onto the stage as full blown bucket of chicken. And this Alvin Ailey Theatre alum rocked that bucket to “Eight Piece Box.”

image courtesy of the Bleeding Hearts Burlesque Facebook page

And Bleeding Hearts Burlesque is going to do it again October 18 — same batty place, same batty time. This one will no doubt be another stunner.