Concourse Dance Bar reopened last fall with a whole new concept, sensory dining. The revamps included a 1,000 square foot ice bar, a light show and some curated Philly-centric food and drinks. But for its newest addition this summer, Philadelphians can expect a monthly show featuring some of the city and country’s top talent that the club says is “ready to set the dance floor on fire.”
Starting this Wednesday, July 28, Concourse will begin to host the brand-new TopCatt Cabaret, a star-studded adults-only show with a rotating cast of top drag and burlesque performers.
“Concourse Dance Bar was created to offer guests a place to escape,” said owner Avram Hornik in a statement. “Our entire focus is on one thing – having fun. We want our guests to have silly, unpretentious, forget about your problems for a few hours, fun. With TopCatt Cabaret, we get to expand and diversify our entertainment options while fulfilling our mission in an all new way. We are thrilled to host such an amazingly talented line-up of performers.”
Having fun has always been in the recipe for this Center City spot. Located right in the heart of the city, pre-pandemic Concourse offered an escapist environment where professionals, students and drinkers alike could dance, play in their ball pit and even slide down a slide at the entrance. After COVID, there were more bells and whistles added, as mentioned before. Now, these shows offer an additional reason to let loose during the work week.
After hosting a sold-out dance party for Philly Gay Pride Month and BOS Philly, Concourse will debut its first Cabaret show this Wednesday. According to the release, for the brand new residency, guests will find a “talented and energetic” line-up curated and hosted by South Philly Leopard Queen Maria TopCatt. TopCatt has performed in all corners of the city and throughout the country, which has garnered a loyal and growing following from her Drag Queen Story Time at Mister John’s Music, as well as performances at Frankie Bradley’s, Fabrika, Voyeur, Evil Genius Beer Company, Queen’s Brewery, Boxers PHL, Heat Bar and Nightclub, Ritz Theatre, Henrietta Hudson, and so many other venues over the last ten years. With her Concourse debut, TopCatt will embark on one of the largest and most exciting shows she says she has ever produced.
“TopCatt Cabaret is a cabaret style show hosted by myself, South Philly’s leopard print, disco dancing, glamorous yet trashy showgirl,” said TopCatt in a statement. “This show blends together performers from both burlesque and drag. The performers are the top in their game and (in my opinion) immensely talented. People should come to see the amazing talent booked, and to see and be entertained by me. I think I’m pretty frigin’ awesome, and I’m funny as heck on the mic. Don’t [forget] to bring your sense of humor and an open mind.”
The debut this Wednesday will feature Pennsylvania’s Miss Anita Manhattan, Ashanti Doll and Mika Romantic as well as Delaware Drag Icon winner, Chasity St. Cartier. Headliners for this performance will be award winning burlesque performer, The Doll of DC, Bebe Bardeaux. Bebe has won the 2019 Golden Smile Award at the Golden Legends Champion Challenge and the #1 top prize at the 2018 Washington D.C. Burlypicks competition. On top of those accolades, she was also nominated for the 2018 New York Burlesque Festival’s Hottest Freshman Award and the 2018 Best of Gay DC Best Burlesque Performer Award.
As an added bonus for guests, the famous ball pit will be open before the show, as well as during intermission.
Concourse’s new line-up of drinks, which they revamped before opening, will also be available. Patrons can check out cocktails on fire or stick with the ice theme with all-new cocktails that add to the sensory experience with some fan favorites being Concourse’s signature Mermaid’s Tears (coconut rum, Sprite, sprinkled with edible glitter) or Wildfire cocktail (Grey Goose pear vodka, melon liquor, pineapple and lime juice with Red Bull).
According to the release, looking ahead, August’s line up will include co-host GiGi Holliday, who is ranked 40 in the 50 top burlesques in the country, and NYC performer Dirty Martini, who is best known for their tour performances with Dita Von Teese and is a regular cast member in all of Suzanne Bartch’s shows in NYC. In September, Miss World Exotic Lou Lou D’Vil will be joining the fun.
While at Philly’s own “underground playground” visitors can also check out that ice bar kept at a cool -5 C and also features pieces from renowned ice sculpture Peter Slavin. On top of it all guests who head to Concourse will also have the chance to walk through the infinity room giving “a nostalgic nod to everyone’s favorite fun house with an adult twist.”
For future line-ups and advance tickets, visit the Concourse website at concoursedancebar.com. Those interested in learning more can also follow Concourse Dance Bar on social media at @ConcourceDanceBar to follow Maria TopCatt on Instagram at @mariatopcatt.
