THURSDAY AUGUST 9TH

Bergerette formed in late 2009 to fête the owner of Mary's Club, Vicki Keller, on her birthday. Their first gig was at the company Christmas party, where two dozen strip-tease professionals accompanied the trio with hand bells. Their new CD, "Beguiled", compiles popular French hits of the 12th-18th centuries, songs that are provocative harmonically, historically, and literally (the French, it turns out, have a loooooong history of hit songs about mutual orgasm; Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime (moi non plus)" of the 1960's is essentially a retelling of "Tyrcis vouloit mourir" of the 1560's).

Bergerette is Pat Janowski, Viva Las Vegas, and Stella Pentimenti, three ladies with decades of performance experience between them. Pat, a veteran actress and musician, is best known for her work with Live Wire! and PICA's Flash Choir. Viva is an author, actress and stripper who fronts Coco Cobra and the Killers. Stella, their magical & mysterious leader, has produced many events in Portland under various pseudonyms, and is a longtime stage veteran as well.

Joining Bergerette on 8/9/12 at Valentine's will be Heather Blackburn on cello. Following Bergerette will be sets by under-sung country stars Jake Ray and Paul Brainard (on loan from the fabulous Landmark Saloon), and "Incubator" founder and curator Myrrh Larsen.