Check out Shannon Cottrell's photo gallery from Wig Out!

The good thing about a Charles Dickens-themed party in early December is that, even if you don't have a costume, chances are that it will rain and you will stumble into the club bundled up in a scarf, old coat and hat, dripping wet. Instant Victorian waif. The bad thing is that you might spend most of the night kicking yourself for never making that Miss Havisham costume that you're always threatening to do. It's okay, though, because, after all, it is a Dickens party, so, inevitably someone will embrace the fierceness of the 19th century serial king's famed old maid. At Wig Out!'s “Get Your Dickens On” bash last night at Bordello, the rich spinster jumped onstage and danced to Lady Gaga's “Bad Romance,” a fitting tune if you recall her back story.

Once a month, promoter Jean Natalia takes over Bordello for Wig Out!, a nightclub/cabaret event where hairpieces are heartily encouraged. Each party has a different theme, one that both the audience and the performers take with both utmost seriousness and a good sense of humor. In this instance, the cabaret portion featured carolers who satirized “Do You Hear What I Hear?” for the rave generation and a band of scruffy Victorians covering “Fairytale of New York.” As we wandered around the room, we ran into the Ghost of Christmas Future, Tiny Tim and a lot of people who reminded us of characters from Oliver Twist and Little Dorrit.

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

For those who wanted something a little less old school, Jean Paul Yamamoto, whose members are almost always wigged-out, played a set of the psychedelic electro rock that has made them a popular act on the local circuit. Jean Paul Yamamoto shows are always fun and this one was no different. In between performances, DJ My Little Pony spun a solid mix of electronic and rock music. We have to give him a special shout out for playing The Avalanches.

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.