Only The Politics Are Naked!

WELCOME TO THE DEMOCRACY BURLESQUE BLOG

Democracy Burlesque has been performing as a political satire group for over 3 years now. This blog is here for members of Democracy Burlesque to talk about their experiences, for guests of the group to visit and share thoughts, and for the general public to learn about and get a taste of some of the funniest political satire happening in the Midwest - - or anywhere.

DEMOCRACY BURLESQUE INTRODUCES: THE PINK ELEPHANT CLUB



Come to the October show and watch what happens when Republican women become drunk with power!

BLACKWATER PRIVATE ARMY LEAVES 11 DEAD

from Associated Press writer Robert H. Reid at news.yahoo.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070922/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq



By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 51 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - Iraqi investigators have a videotape that shows Blackwater USA guards opened fire against civilians without provocation in a shooting last week that left 11 people dead, a senior Iraqi official said Saturday. He said the case was referred to the Iraqi judiciary.

Iraq's president, meanwhile, demanded that the Americans release an Iranian arrested this week on suspicion of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias. The demand adds new strains to U.S.-Iraqi relations only days before a meeting between President Bush and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said Iraqi authorities had completed an investigation into the Sept. 16 shooting in Nisoor Square in western Baghdad and concluded that Blackwater guards were responsible for the deaths.

He told The Associated Press that the conclusion was based on witness statements as well as videotape shot by cameras at the nearby headquarters of the national police command. He said eight people were killed at the scene and three of the 15 wounded died in hospitals.

Blackwater, which provides most of the security for U.S. diplomats and civilian officials in Iraq, has insisted that its guards came under fire from armed insurgents and shot back only to defend themselves.

Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said Saturday that she knew nothing about the videotape and was contractually prohibited from discussing details of the shooting.

Khalaf also said the ministry was looking into six other fatal shootings involving the Moyock, N.C.-based company in which 10 Iraqis were killed and 15 wounded. Among the shootings was one Feb. 7 outside Iraqi state television in Baghdad that killed three building guards.

"These six cases will support the case against Blackwater, because they show that it has a criminal record," Khalaf said.

Khalaf said the report was "sent to the judiciary" although he would not specify whether that amounted to filing of criminal charges. Under Iraqi law, an investigating judge reviews criminal complaints and decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial.

For more click link above

SHORT VIDEO: ANDREW RITTER SINGS THE CONDI

See Andrew Ritter singing "The Condi" from our "Condi-Ween" show last October.

Other Dbers that can be seen here are Sylvia Mann and Greg Landgraf.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=2992040

BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZE BROADWAY


From the Billionaires for Bush website:



BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZE BROADWAY

August 22, 2007 --
BILLIONAIRES FOREVER is a spectacular musical romp through the crumbling Bush empire.

* Curious about what will happen to the Billionaires when Bush is out of office?
* Want to know why Rove is really resigning?
* Do we want government of, by, and for the corporations?
* Are we willing to trample roughshod on democracy to get there?

"This show will answer all your questions," explains Billionaire Follies Artistic Director Ivy League-Legacy. "Are we in it for the long haul? You bet your golden parachute we are."

* New Show, BILLIONAIRES FOREVER, runs September 4-9th at the 45th Street Theatre

* "At last" raves Rupert Murdoch, "a reason to go to the theatre!"

GINGRICH GIGGLES


The news we are receiving about Newt Gingrich is stirring the imaginations of Democracy Burlesquers across the Windy City. Surely there will be plenty of fun to come from the latest intelligence Libby Quaid, Associated Press Writer as found at news.yahoo.com:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070920/ap_po/gingrich2008


By LIBBY QUAID, Associated Press Writer Thu Sep 20, 12:49 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he still might run for president if supporters will pledge $30 million by November.

"You can't bring all your good ideas if you don't have the resources to communicate," Gingrich told reporters Thursday at a breakfast in Washington.

Gingrich is holding a national Internet-based workshop next week. Afterward, his top political adviser, Randy Evans, will spend October seeing if he can generate pledges of $30 million, which Gingrich said would be needed to compete with the leader in the GOP presidential money chase, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

On Nov. 1, if the pledges pan out, Gingrich will consider running, he said. He didn't say when he would decide, but noted that Nov. 13, when Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy in 1979, is a "propitious" date.

The Republican former speaker had good things to say about the field of presidential contenders:

_Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, "a historical figure" as mayor, "would be a very strong candidate" as an alternative to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

For the rest of the article, click here.

ORIGINS


In the spring of 2004, due to a misunderstanding of an experimental production of "Arms and the Man", a number of stalwart performers became targets of an FBI sting. The group found themselves "outsourced" to a prison cell in Egypt, the objects of George Bush's brilliant play on the word "rendition". (Apparently, torture costs so much less abroad.) Whiling away the hours in between waterboarding sessions, the group began scripting and writing the show now known as Democracy Burlesque. Their capers and antics so amused their captors that they decided to take the show on the road. They killed! They played for a year in Kabul, proving "burlesque" and "burqa" aren't mutually exclusive, drawing rave notices and packed houses despite the fact that their musical accompanists were often abducted and decapitated. Eventually they escaped on a shrimp boat down the Helmund River, and from there to the Arabian Sea. The determined artists vowed that if ever they were released, they would perform their little revue to the even more critical audiences of Rogers Park in their native Chicago.

They made their way through rugged storefront theatres of Prague, street corner doo-wop rappers of Manchester, abusive deconstructionist baristas of the Paris cafe scene, and mad drunken inventors of County Guiness, making their escape to the near north side of Chicago in an insane underground railroad of cutting-edge entertainment and blistering mainstream criticism, vowing that they would pay back their entertainer/protectors with guest turns and Special Guest Appearances at their little ragtag revue.


They even managed to be protected by real do-gooders of all colors and stripes ... people whose spirits had been beaten to exhaustion and bankruptcy so much by the Bush Regime that they realized this was actually worse than it was during the Bush I and Reagan years. To them they vowed the same promise: give us a chance to entertain, and we will reward you with opportunities of handshakes and petitions and a penny or two for your work.

They made it.

And here they are, bravely displaying for your entertainment the talents that kept their spirits high during those bitter months of abuse and torture.

Note: Engravings by Gustave Dore

D.B. "Earl" Esque Covers Bush's war on Al Pocalypse


Seen in recent comments on this blog:

Bush Reads Revelations,
Declares Pre-Emptive Strike Against Heaven

D. B. "Earl" Esque
Washington -- After reading John’s Book of Revelations, President George W. Bush has declared that he is ordering the full forces of the military to launch a pre-emptive strike against Heaven, citing evidence of WMDs
“They got these seven bowls.” Bush indicated in a press conference called yesterday, “Weapons of Mass destruction.” Speaking to reporters, Bush went on to explain that these weapons that can unleash pestilences, plagues, hailstones the size of Chicago softballs, and earthquakes simply by pouring them out from the sky. According to President Bush, a group calling themselves the Al Pocalypse, possesses a bio-chemical agent that turns water into blood.
Said, Bush, “Lead by four Evil-doers on different colored horses, this insurgent group is every bit as dangerous as Al Qaida.” Bush has ordered the CIA to investigate an extremely secret man named “John”, who wrote the manifesto called, Revelations.
“Clearly, we need to bring some intelligence to this situation,” indicated General Michael Hayden, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
When asked to comment on President Bush’s plan to search for “John”, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates indicated less chance of finding “John” than Osama bin Ladin in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We have a better chance checking the guest registries of cheap hotels in the Bible Belt.”
Vice President Dick Cheney commented on anecdotal evidence that John has already been beheaded, but that a possibility existed that may be a different John. “There are at least two John’s that figure prominently in this developing situation.” He further commented that this rested on analysis of possible code words “Disciple” and “Baptist” which he indicated were clearly titles held by members of terrorist organizations.
General Hayden admitted that gathering clear intelligence would be difficult since the CIA had no known assets in Heaven. When asked if Heaven had been considered an ally given President Bush’s claim for “faith-based” governing, Hayden indicated that clearly there had been a breakdown in prayer diplomacy.
(More Pg 24)

William Greider and the Soul of Capitalism

Democracy Burlesque is a progressive group, and, even though not all members agree on all things, in one way or another each of us considers him or herself progressive.

I don't speak for the group as a whole, but I know a lot of us like the Nation Magazine. One of my favorite writers is William Greider. In the spirit of trying to get some initial conversation going, I wonder if anyone has read his book The Soul of Capitalism. The thesis looks pretty interesting:

http://www.williamgreider.com/

My new book is in the stores. This one is a bit different from my previous work -- a head-on critique of American capitalism that (I hope) leads people toward the sunlight, not darkness. My premise: we have reached a rare moment in history when Americans have the opportunity (and obligation) to confront the destructive qualities of the U.S. economic system and reform it in profound ways. That is, alter capitalism's operating values and its imperious power structure that produce the damaging consequences for society, the confinements on people's lives and values, the collisions with nature and our future. Americans are more powerful than they imagine. People have the potential to force organic changes on the system from within. Many smart citizens are already at work on it.

I like to think that Democracy Burlesque is one of those groups working on what Greider is talking about. Interested in what others think - - this is a blog after all . . . place your comment or write the email address www.dburlesque@gmail.com to ask to receive a blogging invitation.

Suggestion: To view the blog in its entirety AND all of the comments, click on the title - - then leave a comment of your own to get in on the discussion inside the blog. Remember to get inside the blog for the discussion you have to click on the title. Anyone can leave an anonymous comment, you do not have to be a member.

PICTURES FROM THE BEGINNING

PREMIERE PERFORMANCE

Valentine's Day, February 14, 2006

The event was capably hosted by Martin Aistrope. This suit always grabs audiences.






















Cheney's hunting buddy mingled graciously.



















Matthew Owens and his expressionist puppetry always is attention-getting:

































Opening night crowd, a fairly typical audience for us:












The winner of "VD with Jenna" receives her crown. . .


















Kandy with a "K" shares notes with the audience on just why they want to share VD with Jenna Bush:















Andrew Ritter provides "tight security":

DICK DETZNER: EXTRAORDINARY ARTIST

































If you are wondering about all of the original web-design art at this blog or at the democracy burlesque website, visit the website of the artist, Dick Detzner, at http://www.detzner.com/

Dick has allowed us to use his original work in our promotions. He has done an extraordinary job creating the "labels" of the fictional, yet oh so refreshing, "Freedom Water" line of products.

Here are only a few a few examples of Dick's work that he has shared with us along with the Freedom Water design and Democracy Burlesque logos posted at various spots on this blog.

Thanks Dick.


SCHEDULE: THIS MONTH'S SHOW, SPONSORS, AND SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMERS

THE NEXT SHOW:

ELEPHANTITIS: A Case of the G.O.P. and their Candidates

WHEN: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 at 8PM

WHERE: THE NO EXIT CAFE ROGERS PARK
6970 N. GLENWOOD CHICAGO, IL IN THE ROGERS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
ACCESSIBLE AT THE MORSE STOP RED LINE EL AT GLENWOD AND MORSE

SPONSORS: TBA

MUSICAL GUESTS: The Famous Brothers

$10 or what you can afford at the door.

All proceeds divided between the evening's progressive sponsors

____________________________________________________

DEMOCRACY BURLESQUE 2007 SEASON TWO - ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
FULL SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 27 - THE DALEY SHOW
Chicago politics - The Best Show in Town!

MARCH 13 - FOUR! MORE! YEARS!
An Iraq War Retrospective

APRIL 10 - MERCY MERCY ME
A Show About the Ecology

MAY 8 - DR. DB:
Laugh Because it Hurts (Not to Have Health Insurance)

JUNE 12 - THEOCRACY BURLESQUE
Celebrating the Wedding of Church and State

JULY 10 - PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
The Immigrant Show

AUGUST 14 - DB4KIDS
A Show for the Entire Family

SEPTEMBER 11 - DONKEY KONG
The Democratic Presidential Candidate Game

OCTOBER 9 - ELEPHANTITIS
A Case of the G.O.P. and Their Candidates

NOVEMBER 13 - DB SOUP
The Best of Democracy Burlesque

DECEMBER 11 - THE 2ND ANNUAL DB HOLIDAY PAGEANT

ALL SHOWS ARE AT THE NO EXIT CAFE
6970 NORTH GLENWOOD AVENUE

ALL SHOWS ARE $10 (CHEAP) AND BENEFIT OUR SPONSORS

GUEST PERFORMERS

GUEST PERFORMERS

Democracy Burlesque is a collaboration of many individuals and groups. If you would like to perform, write, or direct in a future edition of Democracy Burlesque, please contact us.

Some of the performers featured in previous, current, and upcoming shows include, in no particular order:

Chicago Dramatists

The i.O. Theater (formerly the ImprovOlympic)

Matthew Owens

3rd Sunday String Band

Elyne Handler

Billionaires for Bush

Ground Up Theatre

Prop Theater

The Green Brothers

Sheela Na Gig

Lin Shook and Perceptual Motion

The Tomgirls

Aaron Philips

The Radio Hour

SWAG




http://www.democracyburlesque.com/swag.htm

Democracy Burlesque T-shirt
Democracy Burlesque T-shirt
$14.99
Guantanamo Guava T-Shirt
Guantanamo Guava T-Shirt
$19.99
Freedom Water T-shirt
Freedom Water T-shirt
$14.99
All-American t-shirt
All-American t-shirt
$14.99
Cotton Condi T-shirt
Cotton Condi T-shirt
$14.99
Freedom Fruit T-shirt
Freedom Fruit T-shirt
$14.99
Terrorist-free T-shirt
Terrorist-free T-shirt
$14.99
Liberty Lemon T-shirt
Liberty Lemon T-shirt
$14.99
Patriotically Pure T-shirt
Patriotically Pure T-shirt
$14.99
Women's Tank Top
Women's Tank Top
$17.99
Classic Thong
Classic Thong
$12.99
Boxer Shorts
Boxer Shorts
$14.99

PAST CAUSES CELEBRES

Each month, Democracy Burlesque features the mission of one or two progressive organizations. The following are links to some of the groups we featured during our 2006 season. They're good people, So explore for a while at the links provided.


Chicago Legal Aid for Incarcerated Mothers

That ain't it! Old-school
Chicago Bike Winter

Chicagoland Coalition for Liberties and Rights

Creative America Project

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization

International Committee of the Red Cross

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Code Pink: Women for Peace

Amnesty International USA

GeneWise

Illinois Health Care Reform

Pilsen Environmental Rights & Reform Organization

The Africa Project

The Joseph and Valerie Wilson Defense Trust

LINKS

25 Progressive Links

* http://www.motherjones.com/
* http://www.tompaine.com/
* http://www.greenpeace.org/
* http://www.workingforchange.com/
* http://www.democracynow.org/
* http://www.hrw.org/
* http://www.americanprogress.org/
* http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/
* http://www.doonesbury.com/
* http://www.zmag.org/
* http://www.buzzflash.com/
* http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/
* http://www.amnesty.org/
* http://www.alternet.org/
* http://www.fahrenheit911.com/
* http://www.moveon.org/
* http://www.thenation.com/
* http://www.truthout.org/
* http://www.counterpunch.org/
* http://www.dailykos.com/
* http://www.democraticunderground.com/
* http://www.airamerica.com/
* http://www.villagevoice.com/
* http://www.commondreams.org/

ORIGINAL MUSIC

Over time Democracy Burlesque has copiled an extensive list of song parodies and original songs. Here are some of the titles. As time allows a goal will be to link titles to recordings. For now here's the list:

o=original
cp=cover parody

We've got Separation (o, parody of schoolhouse rock about separation clause of the constitution)

Actors of Evil (o, opening song to introduce the group)

F-A-S, F-A-S, F-A-S-CIST (o, jokes and chorus bit)

I Just Shot A Man (c, Bohemian Rhapsody, Cheney shoots his best friend and has to tell Bush)

Evolution (o, Fundamentalists: "all I know is Evolution blows")

Sassafras (o)

Hey Dick Cheney (c, Hey Big Spender, listen to radio interview link)

We Gotta Brand New Drug (cp, Huey Lewis)

Sunshine in My Hole (c, Stevie Wonder, anthropomorphized Ozone Layer sings a love song on "Endangered Idol" national talent show)

Good Bye Polar Ice Cap (c, Rolling Stones, sung by endangered polar bear)

Duelin w's (c, Dueling Banjos, two George Bushes compete to be the "real Bush")

Dems (c, KIDS! - - I don't know what's wrong with these dems these days)

Rove (c, Vogue, Karl Rove vogues at reality tv fashion contest)

After the Killing (c, Humperdinck - - Bush lulls himself after a slaughter)

American Reindeer (o, nativist reindeer harrass poor Rudolph for being foreign)

Karl Marx Rag (o, Karl Marx congratulates the religious right for proving his thesis)

Freedom Water (o, inspirational and patriotic, a song to sell Freedom Water products)

Red State Blue (c, Brown Eyes Blue)

The Answer is on CNN (o, Bob Dylan, elderly hippie senior citizens sing and are interrupted by the "Demonatrix" who tell them they need to toughen up)

I Feel Pretty parody

Leavin On a Jet Plane parody

Love on an Ice Floe (o, two polar bears can't reproduce because their ice flows are melting and drifting them apart)

Why Can't a Billionare be Mayor? (o, a song for the Billionaires for Bush)

Let's go local (c, Prince sings about local Chicago urban politics)

Doin the Condi (c, Time Warp, Condi urges all to take steps to the right)

World Domination Confrontation (o, Condi and laura Bush vie for world control)

Summertime Medley (c, a medley of classic summer songs, perfect for any Beach Party)

Republican Blues (o, Republican lament their Congressional losses, a companion democratic version was written just in case)

SUPPORT CAST MEMBER SHOWS IN CHICAGO

Click on individual names or see the ads below:

Democracy Burlesque Cast
THE "ACTORS OF EVIL"

Martin Aistrope
Gina Buccola
Sandy Bykowski
Dan Carroll
Payton Chung
Heather Durham
Molly Fitzgibbon
Aaron Gang
Martin Green
Jeffrey Hoge
Aaron Johnson
Greg Landgraf
Sabrina Lloyd
Mike Lynn
Sylvia Mann
Brent Mesick
Paul Moulton
Kevin Marshall Pinkney
Andrew Ritter
Meghan Rutigliano
Lisa Stevens
Music Director: Thomas R. Jones

_________________________________________________________________________________

Show ads:

GENERAL PICTURES

VIDEO CLIPS

BILLIONAIRES FOR BUSH MOCK IMPEACHMENT TRIAL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJqkrIwgRuM

Short video of Andrew Ritter singing "The Condi"

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=2992040