The new normal might mean that none of us can go anywhere right now, but enterprising entertainment promoters are doing their best to keep live entertainment going in new ways that utilize technology and social media, allowing us all to enjoy the thrill of performance in a new way — from the comfort of our couches. With this in mind, we’ll be highlighting local and national streamed entertainment options here on laweekly.com regularly with “Virtual Event Picks.”

Our first pick features some of Los Angeles’ top burlesque performers bringing their popular weekly show (which usually takes place in Venice on Wednesday nights) to Instagram Live. The Bootleg Bombshells will perform from Vertitude Pole Dance Studio on their IG tonight and according to Bombshells’ creator Lulu Mon Dieu, if it goes well, they will do more. “I need my dancers to have income,” Mon Dieu told us. “The mom in me is worried about everybody.”

Indeed, in addition to service workers, musicians, actors, DJs, bartenders, chefs, waitstaff and so, so many more, dancers who depend on income from clubs and shows like Bombshells have seen their making money outlets (many rely largely on tips) dry up almost immediately. But as I wrote when I looked at the history of the L.A. scene last July, the burlesque community here is one of sisterhood and support. It is hoped that those who watch tonight’s show will donate to Bootleg’s Venmo account (@BootlegBombshells) if they like what they see. “I think right now the feeling of solidarity is in the air,” Mon Dieu observed. “I think we genuinely want to help each other as artists get through this.”

The bill is sexy-strong for this one by the way, and includes performances by artists Coco Ono, Ruby Champagne (Miss Tiki Oasis 2018), Vanessa Burgundy, Jessabelle Thunder, Danielle G, Lux LaCroix (Lucha VaVoom), Lulu, and male dancer Haute Coque. Go to instagram.com/bootlegbombshells/ at 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time and click their stories for the Live Stream.

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