Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Jerry Fink: Routines more than routine in ‘Sweet Lillie’s’

It's naughty. It's nice. It's free.

Several times a month, late at night, the Sahara's Casbar Lounge, made famous by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, becomes "Sweet Lillie's Cabaret."

Five sexy sirens, clad in bodices and other provocative attire, excite fans with the kind of titillating burlesque routines once practiced by such legends as Gypsy Rose Lee and Sally Rand.

The titillation comes from the dance routines rather than the overexposure of skin.

"We really can't show any form of nudity," entertainment director Ron Garrett said, noting that the lounge has very little privacy. The walls are mostly curtains -- visitors to the casino can get glimpses of the stage as they pass, and some might be offended by the naked body.

A lack of nudity hasn't hurt attendance. Fans routinely crowd into the 120-seat room to ogle the girls during their performances, which are rotated with other acts throughout the month -- this month the Cabaret women perform at 10 p.m and 11:45 p.m. through Sunday and again at the same hours Oct. 26-31.

Other outstanding performers who share the room, offering perhaps the best free entertainment in town, include vocalists Denise Clemente, Bertie Higgins (the 1982 hit song "Key Largo") and Lena Prima (Louis' daughter).

Also, saxophonist David Van Such and Elvis impersonator Pete Wilcox perform in the room.

On Monday nights there is "Monday Night Football," followed by Kathleen Dunbar's "Divas of Comedy."

Dusty Shelton is one of the intoxicating burlesque performers, and is also the mastermind behind "Sweet Lillie's."

"One morning I woke up and said, 'I'm going to do my own show,' " said the 25-year-old producer, who has appeared in such productions as "Heat Wave" at the Greek Isles.

She invited four friends to her home, including her sister, Kendall Shelton, Lisa Alexander, Jaime Bright and Shakira, to brainstorm. Within 48 hours they had created the outline of a show in which all of them would co-star.

"But it took six months and a lot of choreography work to get it up and running," Shelton said.

Producer/director Larry Hart, creator of the musical "Sisterella" in Los Angeles, stepped in to help direct.

"He's an amazing man," Shelton said.

It was a real grass-roots effort. Shelton is the producer because she kicked in the money. They all worked on costumes.

"This is the first time I ever produced a show," Shelton said. "It's a lot harder than I thought it would be."

Although she has appeared topless in other productions, she likes the burlesque idea of "Sweet Lillie's."

"The art of burlesque is the art of showing nudity without giving nudity," Shelton said. "It's a classy way of showing the female body without showing all of it."

Shelton was born and raised in Las Vegas.

"I always liked the vintage Las Vegas," she said. "I wanted to do a show that was burlesque, but cool enough so the younger crowd would think it was hot and sexy."

Judging by the audience, she achieved her goal. Fans span the age spectrum.

"I was going for simplicity in the production," Shelton said. "I was trying to make it fun for anyone from 21 to 75."

Women like it too.

"It's not too girlie," Shelton said. "It's just enough to grab the little bit of burlesque I wanted."

She's happy with what she and her cast have created.

"I'm satisfied with it," Shelton said. "It's small and intimate."

But she isn't satisfied with simply producing and performing in one little show.

"I'm going to work on some other projects for bigger rooms, more extravagant productions," Shelton said. "Actually, my real goal is to rule the world. Until that happens, I'm not going to sleep."

When "Sweet Lillie's Cabaret" is on its rotational break, she says she wants to take it on the road to places such as Atlantic City and Chicago.

"I do want to travel with it," Shelton said. "Burlesque is really hot right now."

And so are the girls of "Sweet Lillie's."

Lounging around

Pinups Bar at the Cannery has some incredibly talented entertainment. Through Oct. 17 it's the piano-playing twins Mark & Clark (8 p.m. until midnight Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and 9 p.m until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays).

Vocalist Michael Lee will take over the same days and hours Oct. 19-31.

At the Club in the Cannery, John Lee Hooker Jr., son of the late blues legend, will perform a free show at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Oct. 15.

Loveshack continues to pack them in at Texas Station's Armadillo Lounge, 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The free lunchtime concerts at Frank Wright Plaza ends the season Oct. 22 with the Huck Daniels Band performing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Food is by the Seven Sea's. The concerts are presented by the Cultural Affairs Division of the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services.

Popular vocalist Susan McDonald is performing at Bally's Indigo Lounge from 9 p.m. until midnight Mondays and Tuesdays.

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