Burlesque Babes, Helen's Crazy Dream, Plus Tiki Tribe Tats, Robin's Giggles And A Spoon-Fed Secret Song!

A few years back, "Burlesque," a movie starring the pre-bloat Christina Aguilera and a plasticine-faced Cher, purported to reveal the world of nouveau-burlesque. It's since become a minor camp classic (I say "minor" because, yes, it's unintentionally funny, but not quite awful and funny enough to qualify as major). Sadly, the dancing wasn't all that good. It was "magazine-ish sexy" in the vein of old MTV videos or Dita Von Teese, and though I grudgingly admire Ms. Dita's business acumen (so much renown for such little effort), what she does is not real burlesque. This, ladies and germs, is burlesque:

If you and yours have a burning desire to dance and swing like the buxom broad above (and I don't know why you wouldn't) then you'll need proper musical accompaniment. And honest, I can't think of anything better for such moves than 2011's "Burlesque Swing," a primo compilation that'll keep you up off your knees with new and newly-restored tunes like "Peroxide Swing," "Marijuana Cha Cha Cha," and "Pap's In Bed With His Britches On" (the only misstep is a semi-annoying remix of "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend," but you can uncheck it, as I have, on your iTunes, or just delete it).

Hawaii Wicky Wacky, Anita in Japan, Plus Sondheim Dipped In Jazz And A Luminous Topiary Secret Song!

The face says "wassup," the arms say "gun show," the picture says "Made in Hawaii." And so he is. It's Jason Mamoa. Yes, it's true, your favorite "Games Of Thrones" (and "Baywatch") actor was born in the Aloha state (along with several more Hollywood stars and a certain politician). Which is just a roundabout way of saying that Hawaii sure seems like a fun place (I've never been). It even sounds like fun.

Or at least it does in this terrific Lei-It-On-Me Cheerful Exclusive!, "Hawaii On Broadway," a somewhat misleading title since this swingin' compilation brings together stars from the pop music world and movies, too. 

Heaven's Trio, Complete At Last

The original Girl Group. Accept no substitute. With the passing of the last Andrews Sister, Patty, just this past Wednesday, they belong to the ages.

It's impossible to overstate their influence on American music. Though they started in burlesque, and were originally famed for "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Of Company C)," their influence continues today, stretching from girl groups like The Supremes to Destiny's Child to The Puppini Sisters, and in fact, to entire genres of popular music, most notably R&B, jazz and folk.

In the collection below, marvel anew at their super-slick harmonizing and jazzy vocal interplay. They're just delicious.

Scrub Me Mama, With a Boogie Beat!