Boadicea Danced for Me!

Boadicea Danced for Me. 

Truly. 

And she can -- and will -- move and sway for you, too, should you stop by Mary's Club while you're in the lovely city of Portland, Oregon.

The original Boadicea led her people (circa 62 C.E) in a revolt against the foreign rule of the Roman Empire, winning herself a place in the hearts of Brits/Celts to this day -- and in the minds of all desiring justice against tyranny.

The current manifestation and comely incarnation of Boadicea that I clapped eyes upon a week ago, dancing at the world-renowned Mary's Club  http://www.marysclub.com/index.php  (first topless in Portland, yo!) claimed the name and energy of Boadicea. I will personally attest that this Boadicea was fearless, fine, intelligent, and articulate.

Some know Mary's Club as the place that Courtney Love danced and pranced for attention (under the name "Michelle"). Love's photo graces a small space against the back wall. (Check out some Love, yo!) Some know Mary's as a historic home of dance for going-on over 45 years -- beginning as a piano bar with live burlesque entertainment between sets in a humble port town. When the dames proved more diverting than the ditties, the pianists (those divas!) picked up their sheet music and hit the highway.  

Some consider Mary's Club as a manifestation of First Amendment rights in action (and up close-n-personal). 

A place to make -- or spend -- student loan payments.

A second home.

A reason to get up in the morning. A refuge from the rain.

Feminist philosophy on the erotic arts is as nuanced and varied as the number of philosophers engaged on contemplating the topic at the moment. Me? I'm all for it!

Now, what I like about Mary's Club is...Mary's is an honest dive. Emphasis on honest. Emphasis on dive. Unpretentious, uncomplicated. No cover during the week, and a skimpy two or three bucks on the weekends. Drinks are what you'd pay at any watering hole. No less, and certainly no more. And the sound-system/music selection alone is worth the run. 

Mary's Club is a female friendly and women-empowered joint. Women can come in and feel welcomed. Tutelary spirit/cum proprietor Ms. Vicki is heir of impresario Roy Keller (who bought the joint from Ms. Mary before having the vision to turn it topless). Roy's philosophy, literally on the wall: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!" 

Besides Ms. Vicki, a fixture as bartender/waitress, two granddaughters and a daughter-in-law work Mary's Club keeping it real, in the family, and awesomely distaff.

To enjoy the full experience, I tipped both dancers who graced the stage during my pilgrimage. Boadicea discussed what Mary's meant to her and slipping off her gold high heeled shoe and fishnet stocking, showed me the iconic image of the Mary's Grrrllll tattooed upon her slender, shapely, and high-arched foot. (Question: Do your employees mark their bodies in support of what you do? Conversely, does your job inspire you to emblazon your employer's logo upon your person? Right. Score and point.)

The other dancer, whose name I missed (sorry), was a gorgeous Amazon of the "Zena, Warrior Princess" variety (kid you not). When I told "Zena" I admired her athleticism and slipped a bit of appreciation into her palm, she did a handstand. Literally. Right up against the wall.

Goddess bless the First Amendment!

Mary's Club. Portland, Oregon. 

129 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-3023
Hours
Monday - Saturday
11:00AM - 2:30AM
Sunday
11:30AM - 2:30AM