Tim Norris

Modern burlesque may have its roots in retro culture (and the objectification that was prevalent in the past), but today it's become an undeniably empowering form of expression for the women who do it and a unique form of entertainment for an avid fan base that goes way beyond the turn-on.

Cheesy interpretations aside (that Christina Aguilera movie, The Pussycat Dolls pop group), Los Angeles may have the most copious and creative burlesque in the world. Every shape, size, ethnicity and age is represented, every genre of music drives the dancing and every pop culture reference continues to get explored thematically. Thanks to the ground-breaking gals of the Velvet Hammer in the early '90's and the mainstream success of Dita Von Teese, L.A. is considered tops when it comes to babes their shaking bottoms in these glitzy bits and vampy vignettes.

Here, ten of best burlesque clubs and locales in the city, all of which boast troupes with oodles of T&A (talent and attitude), and one of which has a special event (hint, hint) coming up on Cinco de Mayo.

See also:
*10 Best Drag Clubs in L.A.
*10 Best Gay Bars in Los Angeles
*10 Places in L.A. to Draw Nude Models
*10 Best Vintage and Second-Hand Boutiques in L.A.

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Lina Lecaro

L.A. is the unofficial capital of drag. Yes, New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco are formidable contenders too, but thanks to the "sickening" mainstream success of RuPaul's Drag Race (which is filmed here in Los Angeles), the per capita queen count in Cali has gotten kinda cray-cray.

After the country's best boys-as-babes come here to compete, many stay to try their hand at showbiz. And even before Drag Race was a TV phenom, L.A. reigned as a wiggy wonderland thanks to Dragstrip 66 (photo above featuring current RPDR fave "Detox" and hostess with the mostest "Momma" was taken at one of the last 66's events and a doc about the seminal Silver Lake dress-up party is in the works).

Below we count down the best spots to see she-male entertainers lip-sync (as well as really sing, act, dance and prance) "for their lives" on stage and on dance floors. Many of these clubs, not surprisingly, feature Ru's runners-up, and you will find many of the same performers popping up at each. Cross-dressing creatives are a bona fide community in Los Angeles and we've been lucky enough to cover them all for years in L.A .Weekly. Big or small; "fishy" or kitschy; rockin' and raunchy; or glammy and hammy, you will find an L.A. wo-man to worship at these clubs.

See also:
*10 Best Gay Bars in Los Angeles
*10 Best L.A. Art Galleries For Partying
*10 Places in L.A. to Draw Nude Models

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See also:
*10 Tips for Surviving the Apocalypse
*10 Bars Most Likely to Get You Laid in L.A.

We're sure you've heard, on December 21, 2012 -- merely a day from now -- we're all fucked.

According to the latest scientifically astroreligious analysis, the gates of Xibalba, the Mayan Underworld, will open to unleash upon the earth beasts and plagues of unfathomable cruelty and unimaginable horror for, y'know, cleansing purposes (consider it a once-every-5,000-years-earth-douching). No one's entirely sure what types of terrors will be released -- perhaps some bees and locusts, hordes of rabid kittens...a little fire maybe? Definitely some Mayan Death Lords.

Given the odds, you're not gonna make it to the next cycle, it's time to get your affairs in order, get a little crazy and, of course, get intimate. Don't panic, we live in the Greatest City on Earth, and you've got options, so get out there and make it happen. To help you along, we've come up with a quick open-ended guide to spending your final day in the City of Angels before it becomes the last bastion of soul-consuming death minions.

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Brandon Roosa

Canvassing LA

See also:
*Best L.A. Novel Ever: The Tournament
*5 Artsy Things to Do in L.A. This Week
*Our Best of L.A. issue and our Best of L.A. app

What do you get someone who has everything: a beautiful home, great food and legal marijuana? From endless gift certificates to countless books and DVDs, there's no shortage of things to buy that special someone who lives and/or loves the City of Angels, even if that person is, well, you. In fact, it can all get a little overwhelming.

So instead of turtle doves, French hens and a partridge in a pear tree, we've compiled a wish list of 12 items people can actually use -- just in case the ladies dancing and maids a-milking have a casting call.

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Wikimedia Commons

The problem with wanting to help the so-called less fortunate on Thanksgiving is that it's usually the only day of the year most people feel like volunteering. While researching this year's roundup of Thanksgiving-related volunteer opps, we discovered a number of local nonprofits that are already filled to capacity -- not with hungry people, but volunteers.

Nonetheless, most organizations still need help actually procuring the meals, so if you suddenly find yourself willing and unable to lend a hand on Thanksgiving, consider making a donation to any one of your favorite charities instead -- chances are they can use your help. And of course, if you still feel like doing some good for your fellow humans, remember that every single person needs at least one good meal, every day of the year.

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Topless Robot, home for "nerd news, humor and self-loathing" is looking to immediately hire a new chief blogger and editor.

Yes, really!

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Flickr/Dawn Zarimba

Southern California's dry winds in fall and winter can rise up to speeds of 90 mph. Commonly known as the Santa Ana winds, they're now making their first attack on the area.

Panic has arisen on social media. That can't change the winds' mind, but you can find Twitter accounts personifying the winds with posts updating us on their progress.

Here are 10 pop culture references to the famous winds to keep you occupied in the house for a few minutes -- and spare you from heading outside and getting yourself blown away.

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Michael Jason Enriquez

Drug possession, driving under the influence, vandalism and theft are just a few of the crimes celebrities commit to earn them a mugshot that lives on forever on the world wide web. Celebrity mugshots have become a part of pop culture due to the poses or distraught looks they have. But in the 1920s, TMZ didn't exist to expose crimes to the whole world so priceless mugshots of interesting faces were not seen unless the person was Bonnie and Clyde or Al Capone.

Local art student Michael Jason Enriquez has made a blog of celebrity mugshots photoshopped onto mugshots from the 1920s. Here are the photos, along with what he has to say about what the criminals did to earn their close ups.

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Lina Lecaro

Goody Tu Shoes

See also:
*Top 10 Bars With the Hottest Women in L.A.
*Top 10 Photo Booths in Los Angeles
*10 Bars Most Likely to Get You Laid in L.A.

There are essentially four reasons why people don't like clubbing: 1) douchebags 2) over-priced drinks 3) shitty music 4) douchebags. Ok, there's also parking and traffic but that's sort of douche-driven too (obnoxious guys -- and gals -- either steal your space, try to hit on you while "cruising" or own the lots that gouge you). We cannot guarantee you won't encounter a few big D's (which can also stand for Dicks, Ditzes with D-cups, Drama queens and generally Despicable humans) at these events, but the odds are very low thanks to promoters who make it more about the music, the performers and the atmosphere and less about making a dime off guys looking to get some -- or the giggly/jiggly girls who attract them.

Here, we present our top 10 clubs/parties for people who don't like club/parties. One note: Go with a good attitude and an open mind, people! If you hit the club expecting to hate, that will likely be your fate. When it comes to nightlife, sometimes you get what you give.

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Ryan Mungia

Marijuana dispensaries are a part of L.A.'s culture. They are hidden away in your neighborhoods and many people don't even give them a second glance due to their familiarity. The L.A. City Council has begun trying to erase pot dispensaries from the city's existence but a few thousand signatures have been gathered for a referendum to stop the ban.

With all the commotion surrounding pot shops in Los Angeles, it is time to take a break and reminisce on the good times (lighting up is optional). Here is a look at 10 of the best photos featured in Ryan Mungia's zine, Pot Shots , and what he has to say about them.

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