The Hubba Hubba Revue is a San Francisco–based neo-burlesque and variety show which opened in September 2006[1] and continues with weekly and monthly shows in San Francisco and Oakland.
There are three versions of the show, all called The Hubba Hubba Revue. The main show is staged monthly on second Fridays at "DNA Lounge" in San Francisco, California. The burlesque and variety show involves dozens of local and touring performers. There are weekly shows every Monday at a smaller room in the same venue. A smaller monthly show was staged on the fourth Saturday at the "Uptown Nightclub" in Oakland, California.[2], The Oakland show closed down in 2019. There are additional occasional shows staged for holidays or special occasions in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jim Sweeney produces the show. He originally hosted Hubba Hubba Revue (as "Kingfish"), with co-host Eddie Dane. Dane died in March 2011.[3] [4] Jim Sweeney continues to host the show with co-host Alexa von Kickinface, and "Hooray Hostess" Maggie Motorboat as well as a rotating cast of co-hosts including Lee Presson from the swing revival band Lee Presson and the Nails,[5] Jay Siren of Sacramento's "Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience" and, until her death in an automobile accident in May 2013, international burlesque star, Sparkly Devil.[6]
Each monthly Hubba Hubba Revue show at DNA Lounge has a different theme, reflected in the burlesque acts, the opening skit, the go-go dancers' costumes and the flyer art. The rotating cast of characters includes female and male burlesque performers, as well as acrobats, aerialists, comedians, contortionists, magicians, vocalists, and other such variety performers. Although many of the acts are from the San Francisco Bay Area, a large and growing number of visiting performers from cities across the country and around the world have performed with Hubba Hubba Revue shows.
For each The Hubba Hubba Revue production, flyer artwork is commissioned from local artists. From 2006 to 2009, R. Black was responsible for the monthly "main-show" flyers.[7] Black also introduced the idea of a "flyer girl" . Every month, a different performer would be chosen as the subject of the flyer. In January 2008,[8] Sparkly Devil became The Hubba Hubba Revues first flyer girl. That month's theme was Creepshow Peepshow. Black also implemented the printing of flyers to a 2″ × 6″ bookmark size as well as the standard 4″ × 6″ (page) size.[7] In February 2010, performer/illustrator Casey Castille took over "main show" flyer duties. As of 2015, Castille continues to produce monthly flyers and posters for the show.[9]
On December 8, 2010, The Hubba Hubba Revue was named on the Travel Channel's list of Top 10 Best Burlesque Shows in the world.[10] This was the show's first non-local recognition.Since its inception in 2006, The Hubba Hubba Revue has received the following awards:
Below is a list of the monthly "big" shows. The "Your Tour Guide for Entertainment" is how the traditional card girl is referred to at the show. Updates to the list are welcome.
| Date | Theme | Emcees | Your Tour Guidefor Entertainment | Performers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/11/2015 | 9th Anniversary Show | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Lee Presson, Jay Siren | Honey LeBang | DNA Lounge | ||
| 10/9/2015 | Asylum! | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Lee Presson | DNA Lounge | |||
| 11/13/2-15 | A Burlesque Fairy Tale | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface | Vala Mar'Velle | DNA Lounge | ||
| 12/11/2015 | A Hubba Christmas Carol | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface | Vala Mar'Velle | DNA Lounge | ||
| 1/8/2016 | Warrior Women! | Kingfish, Jay Siren | Chestie LaRoux | DNA Lounge | ||
| 2/12/2016 | St. Valentine's Day Massacre | Kingfish, | DNA Lounge | |||
| 3/11/2016 | Villainesses! | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Lee Presson | Maggie Motorboat | DNA Lounge | ||
| 4/8/2016 | Cartoon Funhouse! | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Dave Haas-Baroque | Ariyana LaFey | DNA Lounge | ||
| 5/13/2016 | Murder Mansion | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Jay Siren | Ariyana LaFey | DNA Lounge | ||
| 6/10/2-16 | Burlesque Nation! | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Lee Presson | Ariyana LaFey | DNA Lounge | ||
| 7/8/2016 | Summer Camp | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface | Maggie Motorboat | DNA Lounge | ||
| 8/12/2016 | Post-Apocalypse | Kingfish | DNA Lounge | |||
| 9/9/2016 | 10th Anniversary | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, Lee Presson | Chestie LaRoux | DNA Lounge | ||
| 10/14/2016 | Damsels & Dragons | Kingfish, Alexa Von Kickinface, | Red Velvet | DNA Lounge | ||
| 11/11/2016 | Brovember! | Kingfish, Broseph Joe Brody | Brosephina | DNA Lounge |