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Maybe it's the names - Betty Blaize, Dainty Melons, Honey Do, and Joy de Vie - or maybe it's the sequins the women wear. Whatever it is, Quincy city councilor Brian McNamee isn't much interested in the burlesque troupe known as the Boston Babydolls. "Mr. McNamee told me he didn't want 'boas, strippers, and (expletive)' in his neighborhood," says the Babydolls's flamboyant founder and frontman Alex Newman, who goes by the name of Scratch. (McNamee didn't return our call yesterday.) At issue is a dance studio the troupe has been trying for several months to open on Billings Road. When McNamee got wind of it, the certificate of occupancy was revoked. "In describing his neighborhood, Mr. McNamee said it's lace-curtain Irish," says Scratch. "He felt his constituents would react badly if we were there, but I don't think he knows the difference between strippers and a burlesque dance troupe." Scratch said his group has so far racked up $10,000 in legal fees trying to move into the Billing Roads building, and they're not giving up. "This would be a community resource," he says, "offering dance and fitness classes for children and adults." Even while they're fighting City Hall, the Babydolls are busy. The Great Boston Burlesque Exposition and Vintage Fashion Fair takes place April 10 at The Hyatt Regency.
Caption: Miss Mina of the Boston Babydolls performs a routine. (Lee Kilpatrick photo)
About this blog
Mark Shanahan joined The Boston Globe in
2003, having worked previously at the Portland Press Herald, where he
covered City Hall, and the Lewiston Sun-Journal, where he was the
education reporter. A Northampton native and graduate of Bates College,
Shanahan enjoys the usual - books, music, movies, etc. - as well as the
unusual. shanahan@globe.com
Meredith Goldstein has worked for the Globe since 2003, covering
everything from nightlife to New Kids. She keeps her eyes peeled for
celebrity juice, and also writes Love Letters, a Boston.com blog for
hopeful (and hopeless) romantics. Meredith chats about love problems
every Wednesday at 1 p.m. If you see Justin Timberlake or someone like
him at a local eatery, please e-mail her immediately. mgoldstein@globe.com
- Steve Greenlee is living editor for The Boston Globe
- Hayley Kaufman is a senior assistant living arts editor
- Additional contributors include the Boston.com sports and A&E staff
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I'm lace-curtain on my father's side of the family and shanty Irish on my mother's. One thing that Irish people traditionally are NOT is close-minded. I've been to a Boston Babydolls show and thought it was a lot of fun. Believe me, you can see more on a Cape Cod beach than onstage at a Babydolls show. I'd be happy to have them in my neighborhood.
From the two shows I've seen, the Babydolls' raunchiness ranks at a 6, with a ten being "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila". Woe upon America for its Puritan upbringing--the Babydolls are creative, graceful, and very educated.
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