Orlando’s New Wave Cabaret has glam, camp and dark-humored flair in abundance. However, they also possess a rebellious spirit, encapsulated in their compelling fusion of burlesque and drag.
Their mission? To spotlight artists, generate community and stand strong against a political climate in opposition to the LGBTQ+ community.
In the spirit of celebrating artistry and showcasing a history of queer resilience, the new Orlando-based burlesque & cabaret production is debuting with Let’s Dance: A David Bowie Burlesque Tribute on Friday, Nov. 7 at the ME Theatre.
Hans Von StrangeLove, a co-producer of New Wave, is one of the masterminds behind this cabaret concept, along with his real-life partner Leggy StrangeLove and Kimbolicious.
What really sets the production apart, is New Wave’s main goal to cast people with unique looks or different aesthetics than what would be usually found in most other burlesque groups.
To StrangeLove, the production could be described as almost an amplified version of classic burlesque.
“This is a performance,” StrangeLove tells Orlando Weekly. “This is theater; there is sort of a structure to all of this. Everybody has put-together, elevated costume outfits and planned their stuff. So both of these are beautiful worlds, and we’re not throwing shade at either of them. But what I think inspires me the most about what we’re up to is finding that delicious synthesis of both of them and bringing drag and burlesque to the stage at the same time.”
The team decided to center on David Bowie for its debut show as a reminder to honor authenticity and expression, especially in our current turbulent times. Let’s Dance is a nod to the cultural icon’s persistence in remaining true to himself and defying gender expectations, even during a time when it was very uncommon to see men wearing makeup and flamboyant outfits.
“David Bowie, for me, is not only an icon of queer self-expression, but also an icon of resilience and evolution,” StrangeLove says. “We started this group in early 2025 in Florida, which is not a time when many people would be like, ‘You know what, this is when the climate is most favorable for us to do this.’ It is, in fact, because things presented in such a way that there would be a lot of headwinds or resistance, this is needed now more than ever.”
As well as showcasing the individual talents of the cast, the Bowie show will also feature a full-cast group number, with performers tackling different personae of the chameleonic artist.
Contributing to a collaborative project bigger than himself has alleviated some of the heaviness of the current climate in the United States.
“I still do see this as a part of myself as an American,” StrangeLove says. “This is my part of my American self-expression, because I am an American, and this is what I’m up to. So that’s there for me, but critically, if you feel like you want to be a part of something that doesn’t yet exist in the world, you get to create it. And that’s exactly what we’re up to here, which is to say, ‘Hey, this is something that we want more of, and so we are going to create it. ’ And so that’s why we’re doing this, is because it it helps us survive these times, not just for ourselves, but to create something that helps other people survive these times as well.”
In fostering this type of community, New Wave has cultivated a new safe space for Orlando’s queer scene, something Kimbolicious, also a performer in Friday’s Bowie show, calls central to the overall mission.
“The political climate right now is not great, especially for queer people, especially for trans people, and in Florida specifically,” Kimbolicious says. “So I think creating spaces that are safe for queer people, where community can be built, and where we can start to feel like we have a say over our future, is important to us. It’s not about producing shows and making money. It’s about getting the community together and highlighting art and rebelling in this way, which I think is a very constructive way to rebel against a lot of things that are happening right now.”
When it comes to performing, Kimbolicious says she enjoys being able to express all aspects of her personality, especially with the anticipation from the audience or the energy on stage with other performers.
StrangeLove describes having fallen in love with New Wave’s community after witnessing extraordinary personal growth in all the people involved, including himself.
“The capacity to cultivate both the creative spirit in general, but also the creative spirit to take your clothes off in front of a room full of people, is truly extraordinary,” StrangeLove says. “And so to have that, to have this extraordinary celebration of body and gender and all these other things … bodies and genders can typically be like, sites of pain, shame, expectation, and so it feels really inspirational to see those things transformed into sources of joy, play, community, affirmation.”
“I’ve heard horror stories of other places where the burlesque community is a little more cutthroat,” Kimbolicious says, “but I have had nothing but good experiences with the people here, and everyone’s cheering you on and celebrating you and they’re there to help you on your journey. Whether you need help rhinestoning or sewing or help with your act, or if you just want some feedback, everyone is just ready to jump in and help. And it just feels very loving and welcoming and empowering to be a part of the greater community here in Central Florida.”
This will be both StrangeLove’s and Kimbolicious’ first time in producer roles, and the process of putting the show together has been challenging, yet insightful for both. Kimbolicious and the two StrangeLoves have been able to support each other through it all, complementing each other’s strengths and coming together as a creative powerhouse to bring New Wave’s vision to vivid life.
Despite the money it costs to put the show together and keep New Wave alive, StrangeLove is determined to make the show accessible for all, specifically in the wake of the ongoing federal government shutdown and SNAP cuts.
“What is more important for us is that people get to come and be a part of this community, especially in these trying times,” StrangeLove says. “So we’ve tried to design our ticket systems that, you know, we’ve had a pay-what-you-can deal for people, etc. That’s there because it’s an honor for everybody to come to submit their art for our show. It’s an honor for people to attend our show.”
Let’s Dance is only the first of what’s to come for New Wave, who will be announcing more shows at Friday’s (Nov. 7) performance.
Let’s Dance: A David Bowie Burlesque Tribute
Time Fri., Nov. 7, 7 p.m. 2025
Location Marshall Ellis Theatre, 1300 La Quinta Drive, Orlando