Let’s Talk About Male Stripper, Male Revue…Movies

Okay I know I have some new readers. My viewing numbers are up and that is great. Amazingly enough, the gossip numbers are the same so maybe the number of non-nosy non- blabber mouth readers are up. LoL But before you read this blog some of you might want to go read THIS, THIS, and THIS. I don’t want anyone shocked. So, you have been told to prepare yourself.

So, with the success of the movie Magic Mike,

there will be a sequel to it and a movie featuring the realm of black male strip clubs called, Chocolate City. A guy wrote about the lack of diversity in Magic Mike in this ARTICLE and the idea for this movie was born. The movie is about a college guy who gets pulled into the world of stripping by a club owner and the veteran dancer who worries the youngsters are taking his limelight. Like the other movie, 

I probably won’t see Chocolate City in the theaters and will wait until it comes to cable stations like HBO, Showtime, EPIX, BET, Centric or Aspire. Why because everybody else will be there to see the men, I being a movie purist will be going for a storyline. And like Magic Mike (Yeah it (storyline & dancing) was boring to me, too), Chocolate City, I bet will have more attention paid to the eye candy than the screenplay. I can look at the actor’s pictures at home for free.

So, does there need to be an all-black cast male revue movie? I know everything is so racial these days. Yet if the truth is told, there is a difference in predominately white & predominately black male strip clubs or revues. I’ve been to both. First, a few times to Labares (a white club) when I was under 21 and to the world of black male revues after I graduated college. I was shocked at the difference. The culture of both clubs are unalike.

There is a cover charge. I’ve been to a “free” show once, be very afraid. Either there are dressing rooms or male restrooms where the dancers get dressed in.  Both have a staging area, a DJ, seating, tables, and bar areas. Latecomers may have to stand (Been there and that is not cute). There is a dancer on stage and dancers are working the crowd also. Both have flyers passed inside and outside of the club. And interesting enough not as many falling down drunk women as pop culture makes you believe. There is a crowd favorite maybe 2 or 3. They usually have a more elaborate set with props & equipment like pools & chairs. There is a new guy there. He’s mostly dancing and doing tricks and usual first or behind one of the favorite. The guy that makes you wonder why is he up there is there too.  

Clubs like Labares or Chippendales are similar to the Magic Mike. The opening group dance, the scheduled sets, and the stereotypical costumes with tear-away pants to boot. The stage area has a very exclusive feel. You throw your dollar and might engage with the dancer for a moment and you move on. Big tippers pay for private dancing or tip every dancer on the stage (yeah those chicks are funny). Private dances are like off to the side or maybe in an exclusive area. Dancers may bring up an audience member during their set but if they don’t, don’t be surprised.

Black shows are very casual, like an enlarged bachelorette party at home. Punctuality is an option (I'll say it, one of my major pet peeves with these shows) with these guys. Never seen an opening group number (have a few theories) at a black male revue. The costumes are not as a pop culture defined.

I’ve seen a few cavemen & masked men but never a cop or firefighter. Costume varies. I saw slaves, candy bar outfits, thugs but nothing stereotypical to male strippers. I’ve seen a lot of chains, whistles, baby oil, ice cream, vibrators, fire tricks, swings, & motorcycles. Crowd participation is encouraged and most of the dancers will bring an audience member to the stage to be part of the act. Some are asked to prior. Many are not. The unsuspecting audience member on stage can be entertaining. Sometimes the host of the show may engage a lady while he’s talking while the next act is getting ready. Private lap dances are private because they are taken off stage. Never had one so I can’t tell you that.

How do I know?

Well, I get bored and I pay attention to stuff that is not on the stage. look, every dancer is not somebody I want to watch.

Oh, and I can’t keep going to the bathroom to avoid boredom. No Male Revue holds my attention that well that my mind and eyes don’t wander. You see this stuff. Also, women talk and some of this stuff is on YouTube.

Oh well, I hope Chocolate City does well. I hope it sticks to the culture of an all-black club and not a reboot of Magic Mike. The stories are different that is what I expect, A Different Distinction. Here to you guys telling about it!!!

Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms