Anybody can have a normal holiday, with carols, turkey on the table, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” playing on TV for the umpteenth time. It takes a real trailblazer to break the mold and celebrate the season in a wild, weird, or otherwise unconventional way.
The performers at Dance Fabulous are here to spike the eggnog of traditional holiday entertainment. “HO Ho HO: A Holiday Variety Burlesque Cabaret Spectacular” at The Bur Oak mixes music, sexy dancing, comedy and more to create what’s become a memorable holiday tradition in Madison. (Who’s up for a burlesque “Die Hard” parody?)
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Dance Fabulous co-owner Lyn Pilch and the show’s emcee, Dana Pellebon, about putting the “grin” in “Grinch.”
Here are a few other unusual holiday events in Madison this season that will allow you to be both naughty and nice:
Turkey Slaughter Metal Show (Nov. 22)
Celebrate the carnage at the Thanksgiving table with this “heavy as Hell” all-metal show this Saturday at Crucible. Bring your earplugs and a canned or non-perishable food item for Second Harvest Foodbank.
Cranksgiving Madison (Nov. 23)
It’s a food drive! It’s a bike ride! It’s a scavenger hunt! Cranksgiving is all this and more. Participants hit the road and scramble around town to buy enough ingredients to make a Thanksgiving feast, and then donate it to a worthy cause.
Kevin Bozeman’s 20th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 26, 28, and 29)
For 20 years now, former Madison comedian Kevin Bozeman has returned home to Comedy on State to give people an excuse to escape their visiting families and go see live comedy, often with some surprise guests.
Dark Holiday Bazaar (Nov. 30)
Krampus isn’t usually invited to your usual holiday market, but the yuletide demon is the guest of honor at Crucible’s annual shopping event. Buy gifts from area vendors, enjoy live music and themed drinks, and get a selfie taken with Krampus himself!
Jay Bragg’s Christmas in New Vaudeville (Dec. 12)
The rare weird holiday show that’s for all ages, this show features holiday classics, original Christmas tunes, and lots of audience participation – most of it accompanied by a kazoo orchestra.
Shrek Rave (Dec. 13)
Everybody’s favorite ogre has a Christmas TV special, so that’s reason enough to break out the donkey ears and green facepaint to Shrek the halls at a wild holiday dance party featuring EDM bangers and probably that one Smash Mouth song.
A John Waters Christmas (Dec. 16)
Sadly, advance tickets are currently sold out to see the king of sleaze behind such films as “Cry Baby” and “Pink Flamingoes.” But check to see if any tickets get released at the last minute, including VIP passes that include early access, a signed poster, and a “selfie from a distance” with Waters himself!
Beefus Xmas Radio Holiday Special (Dec. 18)
Beefus, Madison’s “weirdest eight-piece freak flag meat-sound peddlers” (their words), presents their 13th and final holiday pageant. This one’s called “Hinky the Chicken Heap,” the heart-warming tale of a pile of reanimated chicken tissue that searches Madison for the true meaning of Christmas.
Steel Panther (Dec. 18)
It’s the “Handel’s Messiah” of glam-rock parody bands, as this immensely fun band returns for their annual holiday show, featuring sleazy rock songs like their R-rated version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Waylan St. Palan and His Magic Elves (Dec. 20)
It just wouldn’t be Christmas in Madison without an appearance from musician Nate Palan’s alter ego, a sleazy lounge singer who specializes in boozy, woozy holiday tunes. It’s like a spiked punch in musical form.
