NATIONAL TREASURE: Paco Fish

Red Hots Burlesque’s National Treasure: Paco Fish

Oh, Paco, we’re so excited that you’re our National Treasure!

PACO FISH
MARYLAND

The man, the myth, the Cheeto. Paco Fish may not be based in Maryland anymore, but besides John Waters, this burlesque hero is our favorite export. A winner of king of burlesque titles from the Southern Fried, Carolina, and Southern Exposure Burlesque Festivals, as well as one of the top ten male burlesque performers of 2013 according to 21st Century Burlesque, Paco Fish is sure of what sets him apart from other burlesque performers: “As far as I can tell, is that I can open my mouth and eyes really wide,” Paco tells Red Hots Burlesque. But all jokes aside, we love the head on this man’s shoulders. He infuses his performance with not only burlesque, but physical comedy, clown, mime, and more, all with the purpose of challenging his audience. “I try to challenge expectations of masculinity and sexuality by exaggerating masculine attitudes in more effeminate and fabulous costuming than machismo could abide, or by mixing masculine and feminine physicality in my characters. I love making the audience assume things about me, and then question their assumptions. That’s my goal — to make people consider themselves and society from new perspectives.”

WHAT TO SEE IN MARYLAND: “The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore is exquisite, and the secret swimming spot at Prettyboy Reservoir (ask a local to take you) is one of the loveliest and most peaceful places I’ve ever been.”