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Tuesday, April 23

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Circus Tue Oct 20 2015

Acrobatica Infiniti Has Nerd Fun at Uptown Underground

Dharmesh, Acrobatica Infiniti
Photo by Nancy Behall.

Everyone knows when Halloween comes around, it is safe for the nerds to come out in full cosplay. But the nerd circus members of Acrobatica Infiniti dress up all year, and now, once a month, nerds, geeks and fanfolk can get an extra dose of sexy nerd by seeing their show at Uptown Underground, a self-described retro-themed night club that hosts regular burlesque, cabaret and magic shows.

Every month, the cast roster is mixed up, with new characters performing different disciplines. Last Friday, things heated up at the show long before MC Thom Britton (of the Danger Circus Company and Freak Show & Tell) gave demonstrations of his fire-eating abilities. There was a visit from the antihero Deadpool played by Mr. Spring while hand balancing in freaky ways. Aeon Flux (AKA Mary Pat) played a sexy assassin with mad contorting and ass-kicking skills, and Dharmesh Bhagat showed up disguised as Totoro, but soon revealed himself to be Michael Jackson during the Thriller era with moon-walking capabilities--and all while juggling.

Throughout the show, the set was tended to by a zombified, thus strangely mellow, Minion, played by Drew Dickelman. Dawn Xiana Moon was a formidable bellydancing evil queen and Dizzy Lizzy played Wednesday Adams on the hula hoop, her expressions so apathetic and in such contrast to her impressive hooping ability that it was hilarious to behold. Last up was Sally Sachs, who was an increasingly drunk, zombified Joffrey Baratheon on the pole, a comic mash-up that defies words.

This is what Acrobatica Infiniti is so good at: Embracing the nerd obsessions of all eras and genres, sometimes ironically, but still embodying all the power of their iconic characters. They make it saucy and yet comedic, while exhibiting the wicked circus skills each performer possesses. With the rotating cast of characters, things are not likely to get stale any time soon. It is a rare thing, to see your heroes so alive and active, to celebrate them and laugh with them at their own quirks. And it is a recommended event for 18 and up fanfolk and anyone who wants something exciting and edgy, but needs a little subcultural context to make it worth their while.

You can catch the next Acrobatica Infiniti at Uptown Underground on Nov. 20 at 8pm.

 
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Architecture Tue Nov 03 2015

Paul Goldberger Describes the "Pragmatism and Poetry" of Frank Gehry's Architecture in His New Book

By Nancy Bishop

Architecture critic Paul Goldberger talks about Frank Gehry's life and work in a new book.
Read this feature »

Steve at the Movies Fri Jan 01 2016

Best Feature Films & Documentaries of 2015

By Steve Prokopy

Read this column »

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A/C is the arts and culture section of Gapers Block, covering the many forms of expression on display in Chicago. More...
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