Sandpoint will be treated to the decadence of the roaring ’20s with a performance of the original Red Roses: A Vintage Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hive (207 N. First Ave.). The one-night-only performance will include singing, dancing, comedy and crowd work in the risqué style of a classic cabaret.
“This will be a show unlike anything North Idaho has seen before,” said organizer and performer Ashley López, later adding, “I personally feel it’s an important moment in time to be offering people something fun, exciting and beautiful to fill their hearts and lift their spirits.”
For those unfamiliar, a cabaret is a theatrical, song-and-dance experience, usually accompanying dinner and drinks, made popular by venues like the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Keeping the tradition alive, Red Roses will combine the diverse skills of vocalist Holly Beaman; burlesque and belly dancer Miss Nickie B, of Bloomhouse Academy; Keely Gray, founder of Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre; López; and Andrew Sorg in a multi-act performance featuring a variety of dance and music styles.
The Red Roses cast includes (from left to right), Back row: Keely Gray, Andrew Sorg, Holly Beaman. Front row: Ashley López and Nicki B. Courtesy photo
“The dancers are trained in circus, jazz, modern, ballet, bellydance and burlesque,” said López. “Expect highly technical dancing with extreme flexibility and circus elements, showgirl glamour, theatrical characters who love to tease you and make you laugh, and copious use of showy costumes, as well as props such as feather fans, chairs and silk veils.”
López, a professional belly dancer, contortionist, instructor and former opera singer, has settled in Sandpoint after performing in 25 countries. Because of her extensive entertainment history, she partnered with Gray to create and perform this entirely original cabaret.
“My friends are amazing and they inspire me, but we can’t be contained in one genre, so I made a cabaret show that can be both thematically consistent but makes room for each of these incredible individuals to showcase their unique strengths,” said López.
Individual acts will be performed solo and in an ensemble, highlighting jazz-era and big-band music, musical theater hits and some retro takes on modern songs. The entirety of The Hive will be the entertainers’ stage, so expect singing, dancing and skits among the audience in this seated show.
“Truly, each of these performers is a showstopper,” said López. “Many are already well known for their talents and work locally, but this will be the first time we’ve come together for this kind of unique event.”
Tickets are $30 online at livefromthehive.com.
Want to support independent local journalism?
The Sandpoint Reader is our town's local, independent weekly newspaper. "Independent" means that the Reader is locally owned and operated by people who were born and raised in Sandpoint. The Reader is owned by Publisher Ben Olson, Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone and Senior Writer Soncirey Mitchell. Sandpoint Reader LLC is a completely independent business unit; no big newspaper group or corporate conglomerate or billionaire owner dictates our editorial policy. And we want the news, opinion and lifestyle stories we report to be freely available to all interested readers - so unlike many other newspapers and media websites, we have NO PAYWALL on our website. The Reader relies wholly on the support of our valued advertisers, as well as readers who voluntarily contribute. Want to ensure that local, independent journalism survives in our town? You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
TIMBER WARS: Six-part series, February-November 2022. GO READ IT»
WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?: Five-part series, September-October 2021. GO READ IT»
THE AMERICAN REDOUBT: Seven-part series, November-December 2017. GO READ IT»
STANDOFF AT RUBY RIDGE: 25 Years Later. Five-part series, August-September 2017. GO READ IT»
Curious about what media the locals use? Check our 2018 Local Media Survey. GO SEE »
Sandpoint in Pictures
Filmmaker Jimmy Matlosz of the Idaho Film Company has made a series of mini documentaries about influential Sandpoint locals, including the late Dann Hall and Erik Daarstad as well as icons Diane Michaels and Dan Shook. He is currently working on a series of interviews connected to the history of the Panida Theater. Jimmy is a 30-year veteran filmmaker who's work can be seen at dpmatlosz.com.
Meet the Reader
Ever wonder who makes the Reader happen? Here's a behind-the-scenes look pieced together by summer 2017 intern McCalee Cain in which Ben, Cameron and Lyndsie explain what exactly about the Reader keeps them coming back to their shabby (but well-loved) office each week.
