/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Culture

Literary vices: there’s a naked book reading tonight at the Gladstone

By Allison Friedman
Copy link
(Image: Soaringbird)

“Naked Girls Reading” sounds like someone’s half-serious suggestion for getting people hooked on literature again, but that’s the name of the event kicking off the Toronto Burlesque Festival tonight at the Gladstone. The scholarly salon, which has a sci-fi theme this year, will spotlight women reading works by such authors as Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury in nothing but their birthday suits—and maybe a space-age accessory or two. The Globe even wondered whether it might be “the most provocative literary series in the world.”



But pure provocation isn’t what the bookish beauties are after: in fact, they seem to be taking the whole thing almost painfully seriously. One performer explains that they all have “an emotional connection to the pieces,” with another qualifying, “In burlesque, we unveil our bodies. In Naked Girls Reading, we unveil our souls.” Their souls, of course, are a main draw for the audience. “They’ve already seen us naked, so that’s routine for them,” insists Sauci Calla Hora. “They come to hang on every word.” Oh, honey—who are you kidding?

Naked Girls Reading? Burlesque turns a page [Globe and Mail]

THIS CITY

Obsessive coverage of Toronto, straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.