LE CHICK: After a nearly two-month hiatus, Chick Cashman's Burlesque Revue returns in grand style to the Club Congress for their sexy!sexy!sexy! 1997 debut, the first show in a new monthly format. Accompanied by the infamous Countrypolitans, Cashman hosts an evening rife with special guests, most notably the Demolition Doll Rods and Taste of Peter. Perhaps you caught the Doll Rod's last appearance in Cashman's Burlesque Revue? If you don't remember, you probably didn't. A three-piece band (two girls and a boy), the Doll Rods commanded the stage in nothing more than pasties and G-strings--unless guitars count as garments. These undressed garage rockers play one mean cover of "Femme Fatale," and not surprisingly manage to maintain the audience's keen attention both on and off the stage. What else is new with the revue? "The emphasis is more on the music this time out. We've cut back on the drag queens a little--the show was a little heavy on drag in the past," says the man with the superb calves. Favoring diversity and perversity of talent, the new format will include more sexy sophistication, bawdy brashness and crafted camp. "A few comedians will make an appearance, like 'The Amazing Vavinco, the Soul of Buenos Aires', who will ponder the meaning of springtime." Cashman also hints at the prospect of a very exciting, surprise guest-appearance by a well-known "regional" talent, but refuses to spill the beans, with apologies that "confirmation is still pending." Given the surprises he's unleashed in the past--like the understated appearance of Jon Spencer (who, incidentally, produced the Doll Rod's latest release)--it behooves you to stay tuned. Cashman clammed up regarding any details on the band's new look, whether Chick will adopt a new wig or if Mr. Tidypaws will once again don the clown costume; but more importantly, the Countrypolitans will be playing some of the new material they've put together in the downtime, some of which will appear on their forthcoming disc, Wet Sounds. Taste of Peter is slated to christen the Congress stage around 9 p.m., but the sequence of events following is as mysterious as a spin of the Win-O Wheel. Get yourself gussied up and converge early on Wednesday, February 26, at the Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. A titillating evening of non-stop misadventure awaits. Call 622-8848 for more information. HOT PICKS: Blues/pop songstress Rory Block blows into Tucson on Saturday, February 22, as part of her whirlwind Tornado tour. Hailed as the most intense, intimate and moving of her 12 full-length recordings, Tornado (Rounder Records) includes 10 original tracks along with a country blues song and a cover of Andy Barnes' "The Last Leviathan." Acoustic as well as fully backed sets are planned to showcase the full range of Block's enormous talents: as spine-tingling blues vocalist and guitarist, and the versatile contemporary songwriter who does justice to her classical training, passion for blues, and get-down folk-rock and pop tendencies. Block performs at 9 p.m. at the Rialto Cabaret, 201 E. Broadway. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Out of deference to one of the best voices singing Delta blues today, there will be no smoking at this 21-and-over show. Call 740-1420 for more information. Looky here! Terry O' continues to bring the blues to The Boondocks, 3306 N. First Ave., with an order up for two sizzling shows. First is a Black Top release party for former frontman of The Mannish Boys, Gary Primich. The rising harmonica star reveals his broad scope of new takes on old school blues with a sampling from his new release, Mr. Freeze. Joined by openers Some People's Kids, a long evening of hot blues gets underway at 8 p.m. Hot on their heels comes bad-ass Texas guitar blues by Mike Morgan and the Crawl, featuring songs from their recent Black Top release, Looky Here! Set your alarm for 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, for that one. Tickets for either show are $6 in advance, $7 day of show, and $5 for TBS members. Call 690-0991 for more information. LAST NOTES: While you're sitting back with your steaming mug of General Mills International Coffee and fondly reminiscing about that waiter you met in Paris, try to recall the music you heard in those cafés and bistros of yore. Better yet, eschew the instant powdered beverage and make your way east to the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4831 E. 22nd St., where "troubadour cosmonauts" Ad Vielle Que Pourra take the stage on Friday, February 21. Although they hail from Quebec, the hurdy-gurdy of this ensemble is sure to pass muster with the average colonial. Advance tickets are $14, $12 for TFTM members. They'll cost an additional $2 at the door. Call 327-1779 for information. CD RELEASE PARTY: Tastes like...Greasy Chicken. The local jazzmasters of fowl repute celebrate Good Time Barbeque, their new CD, on Thursday, February 20, at The 3rd Stone Bar & Grill, 500 N. Fourth Ave. Bring your appetite and some extra cash for your own copy of the new disc, along with lots of other cool shit for your perusal. Tickets are a poultry $2. Call 628-8844 for information. --Lisa Weeks

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