Bruises, babes and burlesque:

Mondo Lucha returns to Milwaukee for second show

By: Carolyn Umfress

Posted: 4/23/09

Gaining success from last year's September premiere, Milwaukee's gonzo variety show returns to Turner Hall Ballroom on April 25 for its second time to mixing wrestling, scantily clad performers, comedy and musicians all in one night.

Presented by sponsors such as Pabst Blue Ribbon and The Establishment Salon, last year's event drew a crowd of five hundred audience members hungry for the oddities that is Mondo Lucha. The master mind behind the retro show is Andrew Gorzalski, executive producer of Purple Onion and a proud UWM alumni. He compared last year's event to that of watching the Donny & Marie Show, except on acid.

"Mondo Lucha represents Milwaukee's new era of progressive arts and music scene, with a fun wink and nod back to the city's history of seedy, old-time culture tied to "Da Crusher" and old AWA wrestling," says Gorzalski.

Scheduled to appear are acts Lola Van Ella, Gravity Plays Favorites, Tomahawk Tassels, Go Go McGregor, Sturdy Gurlesque and a grudge match featuring Milwaukee's all women's roller derby team, The Brew City Bruisers. New this year is a performance by Milwaukee's own indie-rock band Maritime, formerly The Promise Ring and Clownvis Presley, the self-proclaimed ghost of Elvis Presley who has the dress and sound of Elvis but look of a clown.

The main act of course is the variety's show ultimate showdown of the Lucha Libre Mexican wrestlers, adorned with masks and near-death stunts. Gorzalski himself will appear in the ring, risking his life for the entertainment of others.

"I get in the ring as an evil, bad guy wrestling manager. It will leave you speechless, just think of my embarrassment," adds Gorzalski.

Aside from wild wrestlers, the burlesque acts, to name a few, include Lola Van Ella, Gravity Plays Favorites and Tomahawk Tassels. Originally from St. Louis, Lola Van Ella has been featured internationally with a tagline to find out why, called "The Derriere Beyond Compare." Also from St. Louis is Tomahawk Tassels, independent burlesque with a Native American inspiration. Returning to Mondo Lucha by popular demand is Gravity Plays Favorites, an act by Katrina the Red and Michelle Gravity. These two ladies present their acts with a mix of burlesque and acrobatics.

Mondo Lucha is in addition presented by 91.7 WMSE, The Tool Shed, Chartreuse, The Monkey Bar, Black Sheep Photography, Four Seasons Skate Park and the Brew City Bruisers. Tickets are $18 and all ages are encouraged to attend. Tickets can be purchased at turnerhallballroom.org/mondolucha.