Started by model and burlesque performer Courtney Cruz in 2007, “The Devil’s Playground Burlesque” has grown from an underground troupe of six performers to one of the hottest monthly acts in Hollywood, boasting 13 uniquely skilled women. Gathering talent from all walks of life, including choreography, contortionists and good old fashion bump and grinders, Cruz and her group have been performing themed shows since it began in 2007.

“We started with comic book characters,”  Cruz explains. “It was around the time The Dark Knight was released. After that we did a video game-themed shoot, which G4TV covered.”

With that publicity, they got a new type of clientele coming in. “The crowds that come here aren’t necessarily just burlesque fans; they’re more fans of the themes,” added Cruz. “We get repeat offenders coming in who love it, but everyone—first timers or regulars—enjoys something.”

Since its inception, they’ve run through around 30 to 40 different themed shows, one of which is the Star Girls burlesque show—a monthly affair hosted by Dragonfly in Hollywood. Aside from the spectacle, the show also acts as the group’s breast cancer charity, which includes an art auction with the proceeds being donated to the Catherine H. Tuck Foundation.

Cruz says that the show is about empowerment. While the sexually-charged night is full of women showing off their bodies, there’s a humor to it. Especially with their end-of-show tradition “The Treatment” (you’ll have to come to find out what that is), Courtney Cruz has a message for first timers: “Prepare yourselves for a bumpy ride.”

The Devil's Playground Burlesque's next performances will be "PUSSY BANG BANG! An evening of Grindhouse and Burlesque” on August 14 and "STAR GIRLS BURLESQUE AND COURTNEY CRUZ BDAY BASH” on August 28.