Sex, violence, and flying midgets. That might be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about the greatest show you’ll ever see – Lucha Vavoom. Since 2002 Lucha Vavoom has been giving audiences a night full of wrestling debauchery they surly will never forget. Whether you’re throwing on the sombrero for the Cinco de Mayo night or strapping on those chaps for the Halloween extravaganza, everyone comes ready for the show.
Let’s take a moment to talk about the heroes of the night, though, the luchadores. The mysterious and masked men who fly through the air, perform spectacular acrobatics, and keep the symbolic icon of the Mexican luchador alive and proud. From the ever so graceful Dirty Sanchez, to the catch them if you can los Minis, you never know who will land in your seat (first row be warned).
In the mood to get saucy? Try and contain yourself during the sexy striptease from some of the finest ladies in the biz. Didn’t think anyone could do that on a pole eh? The Lucha VaVoom burlesque dancers have more tricks than you ever imagined. Get to the Mayan early and sneak peak these beauties as they are escorted up in low riders and tease everyone anxiously waiting in line.
Silverlakeblog recently caught up with co-founder Liz Fairbairn to talk about the conception of the show, it’s cultural significance, and the ultimate luchadores. Lettttt’s get readdddddy to rummmmmble!!
How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
Just short of 20 years
What are your thoughts on how DTLA is changing?
DTLA changed enormously from when I first moved here. It used to be run down, sketchy and a veritable ghost town at night. When we first started doing Lucha VaVOOM we would have a hard time getting west siders to come to the shows because they were afraid. The Mayan was like a Wild West outpost or something. When we did our first show in 2002 they were just starting to renovate the classic theatres on Broadway and Al’s Bar was still the most happening venue in DTLA (oh, and it wasn’t yet referred to as DTLA).
Lucha VaVoom | The Most Spectacular Show on Earth
Lucha Vavoom has become a DTLA institution today – Was the concept difficult to sell when you first started?
We’ve actually been fairly successful from the first show. We launched the first show as part of a Latino Film Festival so we had some cache with that and once people saw it, it was on like Donkey Kong!
Lucha VaVoom | Crazy Chickens wrestle @ Lucha VaVoom’s Valentine’s Day Show
Luchador culture in Mexico goes back to the 1920s and is really almost magical for anyone of the heritage growing up watching these luchadores. Do you agree?
Absolutely! For me, the discovery of Lucha Libre was akin to my introduction to Punk Rock. It is such a rich multi layered treasure trove of visual, cultural and symbolic goodness. I didn’t grow up with it culturally but many of our fans did. Lucha VaVOOM has reframed what may have previously been a nostalgic guilty pleasure into a hip event that they can enjoy with their friends.
Lucha VaVoom | Aerialists Kate Minwegen and Mei Wang
Who thinks up the concepts for the shows?
Rita [co-founder] and I riff off of each other but we also welcome input from our performers and crew and also friends who just happen to be comedy writers and smart funny people.
Favorite act ever performed at a show?
I think, for me, it would have to be Julie Atlas Muz and Matt “Seal Boy” Frazier doing An American Trilogy” It just flat out blew my mind.
The audience participation is wild – has anyone ever tried to jump into the ring? What’s the craziest thing an audience member has ever done?
It used to be more common for people to try to get in the ring…usually some drunk guy or his drunk girl friend. I remember one Halloween seeing a tall guy with a mask and a Canadian Flag cape making his way across the floor toward the ring with a chair held high above his head. I signaled frantically to him nooooooo and he turned around slowly and just walked back.
The sex appeal of the show is OFF THE CHARTS. Did it always make sense for the burlesque and striptease element to be part of the production?
We take a lot of creative cues from the old cine Luchador Films of the 60’s and 70’s. In these films there are always one or two sexy girls either battling Santo and Blue Demon (Vampiras, Brujas and sexy aliens) or The luchadores would pit stop into a club and strategize over a cocktail with a sexy dancer or singer to entertain them. My fave is the one with the sexy singer who’s beehive hairdo jumps off her head and attacks Santo.
Lucha VaVoom | Kitten de Ville
What do you think is the biggest mistake you’ve made so far? Why was it a mistake?
Most potential mistakes come from not listening to our gut instincts. When we proposed doing our first Cinco de Mayo show Cinco was on a Tuesday. Everyone told us that we could never pull it off but we followed our instincts and it’s been a HUGE hit from day one.
It seems like everything pretty goes and all is fair game. Is there anything completely off limits for the luchadores to do?
We don’t like blood. We did have one bloody “bull terrier” match where Cassandro and Pirata Morgan were chained together and it got really bloody the first night. Rita had to explain to Pirata that it made her sad so they wouldn’t go so hard the next night.
The greatest luchador of all time? Santo, La Parca, Atlantis, or?
Santo is the Ultimate star in Lucha Libre but there are many many great luchadores at every level. Our very first show featured El Hijo de Santo and Mil Mascaras who is also one of the greatest living legends of Lucha Libre. That said there are many many talented luchadores and we take great joy in discovering and presenting super talented Luchadores to our audience. Many of our wrestlers have gone on to success in the WWE and in CMLL and other prestigious companies all over the world.
Dirty Sanchez just won the first ever Lucha Vavoom belt match. He is quite the ‘dirty’ opponent. Any plans for new and/or incoming luchadores to the Lucha Vavoom family?
We’re always on the look out for the “next big thing” we have a surprise return of one of our most beloved luchadores to ever grace the VaVOOM ring for our October shows. We’re going to keep it a surprise for now.
What inspires you?
Anything that is awesome in both Mexican and American pop culture as well as traditional Lucha Libre and Burlesque. The world is our oyster and it’s an honor to explore all of its treasures and present them in our own unique way in the context of Lucha VaVOOM.
Lucha VaVoom!!!
LuchaVavoom.com for calendar of events
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