Winston-Salem Falls for Camel City Burlesque/Haus d’Katzmeow
February guarantees year after year Valentine’s Day-themed events left and right to enamor the Triad, but not a single one compares to the Camel City Burlesque/Haus d’Katzmeow show this upcoming Saturday, February 11 at Winston-Salem’s Camel City Playhouse, located at 110 7th St. W in Winston-Salem. The fairly newly established collective of professional burlesque performers that make up Camel City Burlesque/Haus d’Katzmeow began performing a bit over a year ago, quickly establishing a home base in the downtown theater. Their upcoming show “Crazy Lil’ Thing Called Love” will be the first of its kind as it highlights and celebrates the most loving day of the year.
Producer and owner of Camel City Burlesque/Haus d’Katzmeow, Selia Katzmeow, collaborates closely with Camel City Playhouse artistic director Chris Cohen. As soon as the possibility of having a Valentine’s Day special became an option, she developed the theme for the show.
“I think the entire Triad is craving this type of performance,” said Katzmeow. “To anyone who watches the show, it’s about empowerment, it’s about consent.” Just last month, the burlesque company performed in Burlington during New Year’s Eve, and the audience was astounded to have this type of show taking place in their small downtown.
As big as Camel City Burlesque/Haus d’Katzmeow feels in their warm and strong community, Katzmeow is aware of what a small subculture the performers belong to. With the support of Camel City Playhouse, though, the theater not only hosts the company, it has made a point to provide a home for it along with booking it throughout the rest of the year.
“We have non-stop emails coming in asking when our next burlesque show is,” said Cohen. “People are lined up. We sell out almost every time. Everybody who works the show is fantastic, so talented and you walk away with a smile on your face.”
