Interview: Dave the Bear (2019)

Dave the Bear is a legend on the Burlesque scene, and has been performing and winning awards all over the world since 2009. He appears regularly on television, and if you’ve already seen his live show, you’ll never forget it. Sexy, hairy, funny, talented: he’s got it all, and he’s coming to Brighton Bear Weekend 2019! We put him on the spot with a few questions …

Hi, Dave! Can you please tell us what you do and where you perform?

Most people think I’m just a pretty face but it’s not true, I also have a great set of legs.

I’m a singer foremost but also a compere, gogo dancer and casually the UK’s Number One Male Burlesque Performer. I’m also a talent judge on BBC One’s All Together Now.

How did you get started, and how has your act evolved over the years?

I studied music for a long time, then became a singer in a 10 piece band for years and then wanted to do something more interesting so began singing in Cabaret and Burlesque Clubs and that’s where the Dave The Bear character was formed. I began performing with the legendary Fred Bear and Bearlesque which led to me getting my clothes off more and then touring the world as a solo act. These days I like to mix it all up and do a bit of singing and stripping and give an audience the full Dave The Bear experience.

You’ll be performing at Brighton Bear Weekend this year, at our afternoon of cabaret at Amsterdam Bar and Kitchen on Sunday 16 June. What can we expect from you on the day?

That’s gonna be a riot! I mean it gets packed down there when I do a normal Sunday so it’ll be a hoot. I’ll be there looking flawless (naturally) and doing my usual combination of miserable songs and dad jokes! I like to mix things up with my singing set, it’s not all upbeat and party stuff, i like a lot of blues and country so there will be that plus some special guests and I’m sure I’ll end up with my tits out.

You perform in Brighton often and spend quite a bit of time here. What do you like about the city, and what would you recommend that the Brighton Bear Weekend visitors see and do while they’re here (apart from our events of course)?

I love it down here and am fortunate enough to work at Proud Cabaret here every other weekend, in fact I’m there both the Friday and Saturday of Brighton Bear Weekend if anyone wants some early evening glamour before taking our tops of and getting sweaty at Subline – that’s probably where I’ll be afterwards!

I like the shopping in Brighton, the marina, the pier and kayaking if the weather’s good.

You’ll also be hosting the Brüt Cabaret Tent at Brighton and Hove Pride in August this year. How did that come about, and what can we expect there?

This will be the second time I’ve done a show with Kylie, she needs to stop stalking me … Yep, I’m hosting that and there are some great acts on too. I’ve known Wayne Shires who runs Brüt for years and often gogo dance at his clubs and perform at his events. He’s a great guy who’s done a lot for the bear scene over the years.

What else is on your plate at the moment? Any new or particularly exciting gigs coming up?

I’m off to Berlin to sing and get my bum out at Wintergarten this Saturday and Sunday and have shows in Italy and Croatia this year too. Hoping to release some more music too, I just need to write it!

Any last words?

Yes. I have my standards and I’m not raising them for anyone!

Dave the Bear will perform at our aptly-named Cabaret with Dave the Bear afternoon at Amsterdam Bar and Kitchen on Sunday 16 June from 3:00 to 8:00 pm.

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