Pretty Things Peepshow brings danger, excitement to Bourbon

Instead of buying your sweetheart chocolates or flowers this Valentine's Day weekend, why not show a little skin?

Maybe even add some flexibility, flames and sharp weaponry to spice it up.

Members of the Pretty Things Peepshow will perform at the Bourbon Theatre Sunday, at 7 p.m.

Based in New York City, the Peepshow is a combination of burlesque and dangerous sideshow acts. The evening will include sword swallowing, knife-juggling, fire eating, a straightjacket escape and even an electric chair, among other hazardous tricks and sight gags.

The current cast is comprised of Miss Heather Holliday, host Donny Vomit, go-go Amy and Lil' Miss Firefly.

Amy, owner, producer and performer for Pretty Things, said she loves the beauty and sparkle of burlesque dancing. According to Amy, Pretty Things is unique because it provide both visual appeal and in-your-face acts.

"It sort of takes a lot of the sideshow acts that are quite dangerous or scary and it makes them a lot easier and more fun to look at because we do them in such a beautiful manner," Amy said. "It's a totally different twist on it."

Each group member has a history that lends itself well to such an out-of-the-ordinary business.

Donny spent six years hosting the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and also worked at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Times Square. He is a master of whip cracking, animal traps, chain saw juggling and fire eating. In Donny's human blockhead act, he shoves ridiculous objects up his nose. According to Amy, this weekend's repertoire includes a six-inch nail.

To make the show as exciting as possible, the group often calls on audience volunteers. Donny is good about involving the audience in all his jokes, Amy said.

"Donny as a host is exceptionally talented," Amy said. "It's like hanging out with your best friend; he includes everybody and he doesn't pick on anyone."

Heather Holliday aims to amaze audience members by swallowing solid steel swords, up to two feet in length. Touring with the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and the Brothers Grim Sideshow, Holliday has perfected other acts such as fire breathing, glass eating and becoming a pain-proof woman on a bed of nails. She has appeared on television shows such as "Miami Ink" and "The Girls Next Door."

The Pretty Things Peepshow website describes Holliday as leaving "the women in awe and the men in love, as she can perform stunts that might make you sick to your stomach, but keep you drooling for more."

Before joining the Peepshow, Amy was a solo performer who appeared in Warped Tour, Ozzfest and The Brothers Grim Sideshow, among other events. She was the featured dancer in the music video for "The Zephyr Song" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Amy also instructs and photographs for Pretty Things Productions "How to be a Pin Up Girl" classes.

"Go-go Amy, a burlesque performer, brims with the kind of professional wisdom that could turn any latter-day Twiggy into Bettie Page," said Ruth La Ferla in a New York Times review.

Standing at 27" tall, Lil' Miss Firefly has earned her nickname, "The Midget of Mischief." She has toured with Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. Firefly also starred in the show "Freaks" on the Vegas strip.

While these four performers may seem like a handful, Eddie Price, the performer of a one-man rockabilly band, adds to the energy and chaos of the tour.

Price sings, plays guitar, bass drum and snare at the same time. He claims his music sounds like a full band, minus one or two instruments.

"All my stuff is super energetic and it's fun music," Price said. "I think people get a kick out of that. Also, I've got really great hair so the audience is always looking at my awesome hair."

Lollipop Shoppe Burlesque, a group of local ladies, will also join the fun on Sunday. Performers include Ava Von Harte, Luscious Lavey and Kandi Karisma.

While the Pretty Things Peepshow is currently on its eighth national tour, Price insists the shows don't become dull for the audiences or the performers, especially given the unique nature of the events.

"One thing I was kind of surprised by is it never gets old," Price said. "I've seen it night, after night, after night."

In Amy's opinion, Pretty Things Peepshow is a great Valentine's Day event to attend because audience members get to experience live theatre. There is no magic involved, so she hopes the real life antics will "blow audience's minds."

"People go to the movies and watch things that are computer generated and we're so used to seeing everything photoshopped," Amy said. "Technology has a place in entertainment where everything is amazing, but we also know it's fake. I think something cool about our show is that everything is absolutely real."

Mostly, Amy is adamant that audience members will be able to enjoy different aspects of the show, which offers garish, but diverse entertainment.

"All the performers in the show are so different that there's a little something for everybody," Amy said. "Some people love costumes and sparkly things and then other people are amazed by the skills we have and other people just want to dance to awesome music. The variety of the show really makes it."

carawilwerding@dailynebraskan.com

if you go:

Pretty Things Peepshow

when: Sunday, 7 p.m.

where: Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St.

how much: $10