It’s been a while since there was anywhere to go in Nashville and pay to see hot men strip down—since Arrow closed, you either see it for free or you set up a private adventure. So far there’s nothing to quite replace the strip club, but Music City Male Revue may be as close as we’re going to get. The men are hot, and they’ll strip down to some pretty tight underwear during the hour-long show.
The Revue’s website explains what you should expect: “Not that. It’s not that kind of show. Damn girl, clean it up, your soon-to-be-mother-in-law will be there! But have no worries, we are a PG-13 male burlesque show featuring some of Nashville’s most talented and chiseled performers, located downtown in the heart of Music City at The Root Cellar beneath BB King’s Blues Club. This is Nashville’s first and only male revue. For approximately an hour you will enjoy a fully choreographed entertainment experience with slamming music, and a full service bar. We’d like to think that you can bring your soon-to-be-mother-in-law and not have to worry!”
That description also tells you a lot about who the show was created for and marketed to, as well. One of the show’s organizers and promoters, Shawn Catz, freely acknowledges this, but he believes the show will appeal to LGBT audiences as well.
"While the show was created with the immense numbers of Nashville bachelorette tourists in mind,” Catz explained, “it has quickly morphed into a variety show of a show that appeals to, we believe everyone, the LGBT community included. Thanks in part to the addition of our new host Veronika Elektronica. We all feel anyone over 21, who appreciates comedy, dancing and singing along to popular music will not be disappointed."
Hey, there’s a drag queen at a venue DESIGNED for bachelorettes! It might be fun for LGBT folks to crash THEIR party sometime!
Veronika Electronika has been around the scene for a while, and I spoke with her, as host of the show, to gauge just how much this display might appeal.
JG: So, tell me about the show and how you got involved in Music City Male Revue?
Veronika: It's the best way to start your weekend... Drinks, drag, and Downtown Nashville!
I was referred by Jonathan Pinkerton. He is friends with one of the managers... They had a different host, who was more like a karaoke host... When I came in I wanted to bring in Las Vegas energy, with Nashville charm.
So, after I begin the show by performing a couple of high energy numbers and prepping these folks, we can hardly keep them in their seats! The show itself consists of 6 to 7 dancers of all types—even one on skates from time to time.
They perform as firemen, cops and lots of other tantalizing fantasy men. Working the stage and the room, they keep the energy up—pair that up with shots, and it makes for an amazing experience.
JG: What's the flow of the show like?
Veronika: I open the show with a number, then welcome the crowd and lay out the ground rules. Then the dancers do a group number, and the individual dancers perform. There is an intermission, with a little more drag, before the dancers do another number.
JG: So, it's not like a strip show: there isn't any touching or tipping, so how would you describe "the interest" of such a show?
Veronika: The audience loves the guys. They like that the dancers are personable, and of course it doesn’t hurt when they strip down to their briefs, oiled down for your viewing pleasure. Of course, they girls say I'm the best part.. I've had 5 brides ask me to be a bridesmaid!
But, seriously, they love when the dancers sing live, or play guitar! And they love the choreography, of course!
JG: The guys are mostly, if not all, straight. Do they seem comfortable with you as a gay man or with men in the audience?
Veronika: They are very comfortable. I've asked them if a group of gay men was to come, would they be cool. And their response was, “We just want people to have a good time, no matter who they are.”
JG: What's the hottest thing you've seen ... and will we be able to stomach the brides to be?
Veronika: The brides are cool! And the hottest thing? Three sets of cheeks along one wall while changing for a group number, but that’s backstage! But … Benedict Cummerbuns plays the guitar and winds up wearing union jack undies, which he fills them out beautifully! He’s also like 6'3” and smoking…
So, if you’re interested in catching the show, watching come hot men dance, and crashing some bridal parties, you can get more information on the show at musiccitymalerevue.com.