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You love their pinup photography every week right here in Tonya Kay’s RacingJunk pinup column, so I figured it’s about time you get to know the extravaganza that brings all that talent together: Tonya Kay’s Pinup Pole Show! Tonya Kay’s Pinup Pole Show is a company of cheeky, kustom kulture women and the hot rods they love. In Los Angeles, we are known as the “non-traditional” car show and even better, “Lucille Ball meets sexy Cirque du Soleil.” Let’s take a look at the highlights from June’s sell-out event. We hope to see you at our upcoming Aug. 17 event, too!
The June evening in North Hollywood, CA at The Federal was warm and the sun set at about 7:30, so our 6 p.m. car show was packed! A huge range of automobiles showed, including the maiden voyage for Daniel (of Voodoo Disciples cc)’s rare 1959 Ford UK Thames. Simon (of Car Crush Magazine and OddSquad cc) showed in his English 1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2 while Ken Weiler, Joey Heshion and our very own Heather Lou played live blues and throwback tunes for the greasers. We had two 1965 Buick Rivieras, Hugo (of Fleetsiders cc)’s 1966 Chevy c10 and artist Natalie Zigal (of Girls Drawin Girls) live sketching automobiles, which went over spectacularly. Pinup Pole Show wore Bettie Page Clothing and made a ridiculous amount of good trouble posing for our official cruise-in photographer, Ryan Enos. The famous photographer Mitzi Valenzuela shot as well, and featured model Christini Martini lit up the lot with her contagious smile. But we weren’t the only ones with style - just look at all of the women at the car show, celebrating being women and having the time of our lives with our lovers, our car clubs and our friends cheering us on.
Guests can choose to hang at the classic cruise-in all evening - and many did! But some came into the venue early to enjoy The Federal NoHo’s amazing food and drink menu and watch a screening of grind house film, Faster Pussycat Kill Kill! starring Tura Satana. We had a pinup art show on the walls with exquisite, framed works created by Girls Drawin Girls artists. The pre-show entertainment didn’t stop there! We also had Lexico Fashion and Girls Drawin Girls vendor booths selling live pinup drawings by Leen Isabel, published art books, bling accessories and authentic retro clothing. Next to the vendors was our red carpet, and you can see in every red carpet photo just how much we love Dirtnap Handcrafted and RacingJunk.
And all of this is just pre-show entertainment for our main-event! At 8p, the hilarious, sexy, retro-styled variety show, Tonya Kay’s Pinup Pole Show, took the stage to a sold out house. June’s show starred Monica Kay, Candace Cane, Heather Lou, Tiffany Rose and of course burlesque by me, the featured cheesecake, host and company director herself, Tonya Kay. We started with a bold choreographed group dance to Brian Setzer’s “Go Go Godzilla,” moving into a vocal trio singing “Lollipop” with large lollipops to satisfy anybody’s sweet tooth. Monica Kay dazzled the audience with her Diner Girl pole solo - executed in roller skates on a 16’ Platinum Stages dance pole and performed to Morphine’s “Mary Won’t You Call My Name” and Revered Horton Heat’s “Bad Reputation.” Other stage highlights included my Peekaboo Feather Fan Burlesque performed to Duke Ellington’s “Jeep’s Blues,” Tiffany Rose’s Fire Fighter comedy duet with Monica Kay before intermission and Candace Cane’s astounding hand balancing and contortion solo performed to the Rolling Stone’s “Satisfaction.”
Mid-show, we awarded Best Classic Vehicle Awards and gave our stylish audience members a chance to show off their retro-fashion and take a spin around the pole in our Best Vintage Dress contest, guest judged by pinup model Christini Martini and upcycling fashionista Francesca Esker. Prizes were awarded compliments Steady Clothing, Mitzi and Co, RacingJunk, Lexico Fashion and Christini Martini. The stage production closed with a wild Esther Williams bikini group dance, with all performers getting on one pole at once! The things you never thought you’d see in life - all with inclusive, celebratory and hilarious fun at Tonya Kay’s Pinup Pole Show.
We've even got a short video to share of this awesome event! You can find it right here, on YouTube.
Please come visit us at our next live show and (hint, hint) - buy your tickets early because we DO sell out!
Cruise-in car photos by Rick Guzman.
Cruise-in model photos by Ryan Enos.
Red carpet and stage photos by Daniel Sliwa.
Video shot and edited by Super Happy Fun Time Network.
