Talk Nerdy to Me

By Laura Latzko, June 2015 Issue.

In its fourth year at Phoenix Comicon, Talk Nerdy to Me: A Byte of Burlesque will present “teasing talents of burlesque dancing, twisted with the fantastical world of geekdom” it’s become known for.

Sable Switch, Talk Nerdy to Me: A Byte of Burlesque producer.

The show’s producer, Sable Switch (pictured), is also an artist with Arizona’s BurlEscapades, and a member of the Phoenix Gaymers, a local LGBT gaming and meet-up group.

“I’m a nerdy girl at heart, so this definitely falls into my happy place,” Switch said.

The burlesque performers in the show, picked through an audition process, will showcase themes and characters from popular anime, video games, movies and TV shows. Well-known superheroes and villains will also be part of the show.

Switch said that she avoids going with a theme other than “nerdlesque” because she wants to give greater artistic freedom to the burlesque dancers.

“I don’t really want to box any of my performers into a specific genre,” Switch said. “I feel like people put up better work if they’re passionate about what they are auditioning for.”

This year, May Hemmer from New Orleans and Ava Dahl from Nashville will headline the show, which will also feature such solo artists as Nikki Riot, Berlin Meowschwitz, Anya Graves, Mia Pia, CherrieIvory Clover, Tom Tuerff, Sharon DeLove, Luna de Lumbre, Visa V, Pearl Necklace and Sable Switch.

Photos courtesy of 2Life Photography and BurlEscapades.

According to Switch, each year the nerdlesque show is one of her favorites to produce as well as perform in. As part of past Talk Nerdy to Me shows, Switch has played the victim in a Psycho number and the seductress in a piece inspired by Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Because large shows, such as Phoenix Comicon, decrease burlesque dancers’ ability to interact with the audience, Switch said the goal is to find to connect through their performances.

“All of it is designed to be a fun role-play experience, so the idea is to keep that three-dimensional ideal going, whether you can see the audience member or not,” Switch said.

Because the show grows in popularity each year, including 700 people last year, the shows ticketing will be separate from the Phoenix Comicon memberships. While membership is required for show access, tickets cost $10 in advance and the $15 at the door.

For more information on the 2015 Phoenix Comicon, which takes place May 28-30 at the Phoenix Convention Center, click here.