Shiver Me Tassels!

by Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath

On Sunday, September 21st, performer and producer Stephanie Griffiths—AKA Miss Angie—transformed Philadelphia’s historic tall ship Gazela Primeiro into a floating playground of sequins, sass, and sea spray. Her latest installment of Burlesque Bingo Aboard was anything but your average Sunday matinee. Sailors, sirens, and plenty of mischievous “buoys” climbed aboard for a cocktail of “nauti”-cal burlesque, cheeky puns, and belly laughs.

From the gangplank, guests were handed bingo cards and markers before being ushered to the main deck. A bold red wooden stage stretched down the center like a runway, flanked by rows of chairs. At the helm sprawled a giant bingo board whose laminated numbers couldn’t quite handle the breeze; the pieces flew off like confetti, turning retrieval into a sport of its own. The ship’s rigging mirrored the dancers’ buckles and straps, while the occasional technical difficulty and wobble of the boat kept everyone a little off balance, figuratively and literally.

Performances unfolded to a soundtrack featuring songs like Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” with Miss Angie initially steering through a fussy Bluetooth connection like a captain in choppy waters. Sunglasses were essential, drinks flowed, and the afternoon sunlight lent a deliciously awkward edge to the risqué routines. Who needs midnight shadows when rhinestones glitter brighter at 2 PM?

Between rounds of bingo, Miss Angie and her kitten cohost, Acemerelda Spade, kept the crowd howling. Forget shouting “Bingo!”—players gleefully subbed in lines like “Spank me!” or “I’m close!” Volunteers (and the occasional “volun-told”) were roped into burlesque-flavored games, including musical chairs with a shimmy and a dare to dance your way out of a shoe.

The burlesque acts themselves shimmered with contrast: AshantiDoll’s bubbly flirtations sparkled alongside Raven Nightingale’s slow-burn seduction, the combination like champagne fizz meeting dark rum. The wind joined the party, tugging at skirts and feathers. Passing boats added honks, cheers, and the occasional foghorn to the soundtrack. Every unpredictable hiccup (rogue numbers, stray gusts, surprise shouts from passersby) folded seamlessly into the improvisation.

What began as a novelty bingo party blossomed into a full-bodied spectacle of communal joy. Miss Angie and her siren crew reminded audiences that great theater doesn’t always rely on flawless execution but on inviting audiences into the chaos, laughter, and thrill of the moment. In the end, Burlesque Bingo Aboard didn’t just make waves—it invited everyone on board to ride them.

Miss Angie Goes Nauti: Burlesque Bingo Aboard, Stephanie Griffiths, Gazela Primeiro, Spruce Street Harbor Park, September 21.

Homepage Image Description: On the deck of a boat, three glamorous performers strike confident, dramatic poses. At the front, Raven Nightingale wears a black rhinestoned corset with cascading ruffled sleeves and fishnets, leaning toward the camera with playful bravado. Behind them, Miss Angie tilts her head back with effortless poise, hair  cascading freely over her deep blue, velvet gown. To the side, AshantiDoll dazzles in a hot pink sequined gown and gloves, paired with bold jewelry and a blonde wig that evokes vintage Hollywood. With the river and Benjamin Franklin bridge faintly visible in the background, the image blends nautical calm with bold theatrical energy.

Article Page Image Description: A black-and-white photograph shows three burlesque performers posing confidently at the wheel of Philly's historic ship, the Gazela Primeiro. Regal and composed, AshantiDoll stands directly behind the wheel in a sparkling gown with a white fur stole and short, curled blonde wig. On the left, Raven Nightingale wears a sequined top, fishnet stockings, and dramatic feathered sleeves, accessorized with a tall feathered headpiece. On the right, Miss Angie rocks a velvet corset-style gown with long gloves and voluminous curly hair as she tilts her head with a playful, bold look. The ornate ship’s wheel dominates the foreground,, anchoring the theatrical trio in a maritime setting that contrasts with their vintage burlesque styling.

By Emily "Lady Em" Culbreath
September 24, 2025