lucha vavoom

11 Things: Lucha VaVoom

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Lucha VaVoom is sex and violence, striptease and wrestling, fun and funny. Lucha VaVoom producer and striptease dancer Ursulina (Rita D'Albert) has played with the Pandoras, performed with Andy Prieboy and appeared in the Queens of the Stone Age video "No One Knows." We caught up with Ursulina this past week and asked her to tell us 11 Things about the "Voom" in Lucha VaVoom:

1. The Lucha VaVoom luchadores: "If you've never seen Mexican masked wrestling, you don't know what you're missing. The wrestlers exhibit comic-book heroism, comedic timing and amazing ability."

2. The striptease dancers: "Lucha VaVoom searches the corners of the earth for uniquely talented performers that usually possess a special skill, such as contortion, hula hooping or even stripping from a pogo stick. They also must rock, and not in an ironic way."

3. The comic comedy: "It was once suggested that we should think about Dane Cook. We politely declined. Past comedians who have graced our stage include many of my idols: Patton Oswalt, Joel Hodgson ("MST3K"), Fred Armisen, Dana Gould and Tom Kenny ("SpongeBob SquarePants") among them."

4. The crowded crowds: "They really know how to let their hair down and have an amazing time."

5. The cinematic cinema: "A good way into the world of lucha libre is through its rich film history. Santo and Blue Demon et al. made hundreds of films. If you loved the 'Batman' series, you'll really love 'Blue Demon Contra los Cerebros Infernales.' "

6. The sassy brassiness: "We're not embarrassed by our brassiness; we embrace it!"

7. The legendary legends: "We've been lucky enough to include Mil Mascaras, Blue Demon Jr., Hijo del Santo, Mistico, Dr. Wagner, Felino, Tinieablas, La Parka, Blue Panther and so many more I've lost track. When you are standing next to Blue Demon Jr. and he's in his mask and short-sleeved turtleneck, it's actually overwhelming."

8. The musical music: "Our DJ, Senor Amor, never fails to delight me as well as the audience. He digs deep to find the rare stuff from south of the border. My favorites are the Mexican garage versions of 'Mother's Little Helper' and 'Hello, I Love You.' "

9. The nightclub night: "This incredible hodgepodge of elements comes together to make the kind of nightclub night that Lucy would have bugged Ricky to take her to. It's nice to break out your best duds and be around other people dressed to the nines, or, if you're more comfortable, you can wear your most glamorous big-boy shorts."

10. The tequila tequila: "Start training early - we don't want to clean up any more messes."

11. The happening happening: Lucha VaVoom happens at 8 p.m. Sun. $27.50 (ages 21 and older). The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco. (415) 346-6000. www.thefillmore.com or www.luchavavoom.com.

- Tim Sullivan, tsullivan@sfchronicle.com

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/25/NSIA11DOEQ.DTL

This article appeared on page G - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle