Wham Bam Pam bares it all.

Burlesque fits squarely in the "hedonism" part of our tag line.

Pamela "Wham Bam Pam" Neko is a little blond spitfire who charms audiences onto the edge of their seats. She's one of Vaudezilla's regular burlesque performers and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I had a couple drinks with Pam last week and discussed how she began burlesque dancing and why it's become the hottest adult entertainment in Chicago.

Pam: I wouldn't be so attracted to burlesque if it was socially acceptable. I've always been an exhibitionist. It really has boosted my confidence and gave me a new pride in my physical appearance.

I get to decide what's sexy, and then do that, and it comes from within myself. In any other aspect of life as a woman people tell you how you're supposed to look and what is most attractive. The negativity comes from having to do things you don't want to do. Having to dress and wear your hair a certain way and when you see another woman who pulls it off with ease you feel envy because you're in a skin you don't feel comfortable in and you don't want to be there.

Everybody who's on stage has something they want to express. The all have something they want to say. That's a girl who has a stronger sexuality than a girl who has her body made up to a certain [mainstream] ideal.

For the most part, burlesque is just starting to explode in Chicago, and there are so many ways of doing it. Right now there are a lot of opportunities for everyone to do their own thing and there are a lot of opportunities show-wise. I haven't seen a lot of weird jealousy. There's kind of a place for everybody.

The kind of men who really love burlesque dancers are the ones who appreciate that individuality and getting to know somebody. Instead of some homogeneous stripper who bought their clothes at the same store that every other stripper did.


Yes, it is a banana and yes, she is happy to see you!

BTSIC: Vaudezilla does private parties, which is uncommon. Why is that?

Pam: Some girls think it's on the stripper level. Which I don't believe at all. Everyone loves a stripper, but how many people want to have one at their bachelor party? We're not gonna get on your lap and try to coerce you into buying a blow job. We're just there to liven up the party and get people going. People are a little bit nervous about it but I'd like to do more of them.

BTSIC: What's the future of burlesque for you? Who do you look at and say, "I'd like to do what they're doing?"

Pam: Three years ago I would have quit my job. Now I'm afraid to set any goals because I have no idea what the future will bring. This economy is going to get worse before it gets better.

I'm not too concerned with status. It's less important to get what you want than to want to be who you are.

I really admire Annie. I love that she is able to be doing things for a living that she loves and is very good at and I know she and Keith work very hard with Vaudezilla.

We want to be able to do a variety of shows at different venues, and to be a draw for venues as well as performers. It's really important to have something different and to reach different audiences. There are still a lot of people who are like "Why don't you just strip?" or "I couldn't take my wife to [a burlesque show]" But those people are the ones the came and are like "Wow I had so much fun, and my wife had a great time too!" It's important to be more than just the biological desire for women.

I always need some way to express myself. I just want to push myself until I'm exhausted or run out of ideas or hate everyone, which I don't think will happen.

BTSIC: Well put! We hope you don't stop any time soon. Thanks Pam!

Vaudezilla has free bar-top shows every Thursday night, 10pm at the Blue Bayou. Check their calendar for other upcoming events.