Judging the Deja Vu Showgirl Spectacular 2005

April 20, 2005

Deja Vu invited me to judge their Showgirl Spectacular back in April.  I've judged a lot of contests, and watched as an audience member of so many that I can't even remember.  So when this invitation came my way, I wasn't all that excited about it, but it was something to do.  Before reading this behind-the-scenes report, be sure to read the regular report.

What I didn't realize was that this is no regular dance contest.  In fact, it was more like a grudge match between the Deja Vu clubs, and it was definitely more than money at stake here and bragging rights was what they wanted.  Before the contest, I talked to a couple of the managers and they all wanted to win badly.  Now, it was starting to sound a little more interesting.

Deja Vu, Bakersfield

Then backstage, the people running the contest handed the judges the scoring sheet which explained that each group brought their own manager, DJ, 3-8 dancers, costumes, props, and songs.  The scoring was broken down to 3 catagories: 20 points maximum for entertainment value (creativity/theme), 3 points maximum for lights and music, and 3 points maximum for costumes.  It was also explained that the theme was for a Broadway type show.

At this point, I was still not sold on the idea of this contest.  The concept sounded interesting but the execution was going to have to prove itself.

The first club was Bakersfield and I have to admit that I wasn't really sure if the contest had begun.  One of the other judges were also confused and we both asked the other judges if the contest had started.

Deja Vu, Industry

What was more confusing was that the first group had multiple mini-contests within their "act" which made it even more confusing.  By the time I realized that indeed, this was part of the competition, it was almost over.  However, I did enjoy the banana eating contest as well as the whip cream.  Because of the confusion and nothing noteworthy taking place, I gave them 9 for entertainment, and zeros for music and costumes.  I don't think they even had any costumes.

Next up was Industry, and this time, I had figured out what was going on.  The girls were all covered with gold paint and the music set the tone of their exotic dance number.  Although the pole work was pretty good, and there were some sexy moves, I was still not very impressed with the performance.  For them, I gave 15 for entertainment, 3 for music, and 1 for costumes.

Deja Vu, Ontario

When the fog machine came out for Ontario, it appeared that something was going to happen.  And sure enough, the Kung-Fu guys came out, then the dragon running around the club, set the tone for a new level of entertainment at this contest.

After the girls came out of the dragon and lined up, they were synchronized when they all dropped their Kimono and were fully nude.  Finally, I sat up in my chair, ready for some entertainment.

These girls did not disappoint.  First, they did their fake fighting scene, which was interesting to see nude fighting, but not very sexy.  But when the fighting stopped and the lovin' started, I really sat up in my chair.  Actually, I think I was more like pole-vaulting out of my chair.

After some pole work and other stuff that I barely remember, they did some lap dancing, which I certainly remember.  One of the performers did a nice lap dance for me and I was wishing it was more private.

With my interest peaked, I rated this performance with 19 for entertainment, and 3 for music and costumes.  I would have gladly given them higher points for costumes but 3 points was the maximum.

Hustler, Redlands

Next up were the fantastic four from Hustler, Redlands.  Now, I know you're reading this saying, oh well they are your Dancer of the Month so you were biased.  Not so.  I had not even gone to Redlands when this contest took place.  In fact, after the contest, I couldn't wait to go to Redlands to check it out.

First off, keep in mind that these girls at Hustler work topless, not nude.  This alone made it sexier in my mind because you'd normally never see them nude.

And whoever came up with the idea of them exercising nude at a gym, and washing down with water, my hats off to you.  I could not have thought up a better fantasy scenario for these hotties with short shorts.  When the water started to spray over the private areas, I was ready to spray myself.  I was fully... fully... entertained.  I gave this show 20 for entertainment, 3 for music and 2 for costumes.  I took 1 point off for costumes because it wasn't elaborate like Ontario.

Huster, Westminster

Hustler, Westminster was next up and these girls also were normally topless but did the gig nude.  I have to admit, it had to be hard to follow the Redlands girls.

The lip-syncing to metal music wasn't all that interesting or sexy for me and I never really fantasized that an all girl band would go nude during their performance and start making out with each other after wetting down with fake alcoholic drinks.

For me, it would have been much sexier if they pretended to be the Spice Girls or something more girlie.  For the rocker band, I had to give them 12 for entertainment, 1 for music, and 1 for costumes.

Deja Vu, North Hollywood

Last up was North Hollywood, which obviously had the home field advantage with the audience.  They also had some ballers who threw in some heavy singles onto the stage during the performance.  That certainly didn't hurt their scores.

Since the instructions told us that they were looking for Broadway type shows, this was clearly the best performance of the bunch by a long shot.  However, I had max-ed out the score with Redlands because I was so entertained.  Don't get me wrong.  The Chicago number was well rehearsed, executed, and a wonderful display of dancing abilities.

But if the scoring was based purely on sexiness, I would have to give it to the Redlands girls by a mile.  But based on the rules, I gave North Hollywood 20 for entertainment, 3 for music and costumes.  The Chicago costumes were probably the best of the entire contest, and if there was a separate scoring category for stage props, they would also win that too.

At the end of the day, this is clearly the best strip club contest I have ever attended.  I've never seen so much work put into a dance contest before and everyone involved, behind the scenes and on stage, should be given a pat on the back for their work.

One thing is for sure.  Don't miss the next one in 2006.  I am going to be there for sure.