Scene and heard: Telling fibs has never been so much fun

The idea of the (Liar, Liar) Pants on Fire game show? Two teams of three take each other on, determining who is telling big, bad lies or truths. In turn, members of each team make a claim that something wild or strange has happened to them; the other side grills them to see if they believe the story.

At X-Cues bar on Sargent last Thursday, when the Pants on Fire game show comedians climbed onstage, one of the guests included a long, white-bearded Santa type, who turned out to be Robert G. Slade, actor and father of host Robyn Slade.

Teams were Angie St. Mars, Riva Billows and Sarah Jane Martin versus Aaron Pridham, Gord Tanner and Robert Slade, who lives and works as an actor and improv man in London, England. All eyes were on him! "I think he’s in his wizard stage," 33-year-old Robyn said with a laugh.

In an amazing game, Robert claimed he’d seen an actress receive a dressing room full of lilies sent by Barry Manilow after a show she’d done. On quizzing, it came out that the actress was Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland — and the story was absolutely true!

Other strange truths? St. Mars claimed she’d been bitten in the butt by a goose, while Tanner recounted a story about writing a letter to apply to astronaut college.

Want to see this wild game show? Next date for Pants on Fire is Nov. 28 at X-Cues at 8 p.m., $12 at the door.

HALLOWEEN HANGOVER: "Halloween will have just come and gone and we’re offering some sassy, sexy entertainment for adults 18 and over," says Meagan Funk, the burlesque queen and teacher of Prairie Diva dance classes. The show, featuring 40 burlesque dancers (you heard me!) has been practising for 10 weeks. It’s all happening at the Park Theatre on Saturday, Nov 2.

The women are all ages and all body types.

"It’s about celebrating who you are, as you are," Funk says. "I love watching the women in the classes and seeing their abilities and confidence grow."

The dancers are scantily clad, but they don’t do stripping. "It’s all about doing those sensual dance movements," Funk says with a laugh. Stars of the night include pole dancer Tara Meyer, who recently danced with Cirque de Soleil’s show Rebel in Andorra; classic burlesque artist Felicity Fawn; and singer Rebecca Ward doing Roxie from Chicago. Plus, there’s alternative rock music with Twitchitt.

The host is local comedian Heather Witherden, who will also perform as her burlesque character, Stella Starlight. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show is at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 in advance at halloweenhangover2019.eventbrite.ca; $30 at the door.

THE MARIACHI GHOST CELEBRATES THE DEAD: This renowned local mariachi-pop band (the members paint their faces to emulate Day of the Dead sugar skulls) invites Winnipeggers to join them on Nov. 2 at the Planetarium for the unveiling of their new single and album Puro Dolor.

The evening is also a celebration of the Day of the Dead or Dia de Meurtos, the Mexican holiday when people celebrate the lives of dear ones who have died. Sadly, four members of the band lost family members this year.

"We’d love for people to bring pictures of their loved ones and a food item their loved ones enjoyed to share in our Day of the Dead offering," guitarist Jorge Requena says. "It is a cultural part of this event that helps people share in each other’s memories, sorrows and happiness all together."

The band consists of Requena (vocals, guitar), Rafael Reyes (lead guitar), Gabriel Fields (jarana, vocals), Adam Kroeker (bass, vocals), Ian Mikita (drums, vocals), Bruce Berven (percussion, accordion, guitar, vocals) and Tim Friesen (keys, trumpet, vocals), plus dancer and percussionist Alexandra Garrido.

Local Mexican restaurant BMC Market will be in attendance; each ticket includes three tacos. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35, cash bar.

This unusual night is presented by Jazz Winnipeg and the Planetarium at the Manitoba Museum. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, or come early and take a chance at the door!

Got tips? Cool things happening in your world? New clubs, restaurants or funky businesses opening? Email Maureen’s Tips at mscurf@shaw.ca