Wild Things

The unnatural kingdom is calling! Leap into spring with a wild night of circus, burlesque, comedy and chaos.

The biggest, boldest variety show in the Bay is back, and we're unleashing the beast. Panthers take the pole, burlesque slithers across the stage, circus performers break free from their cages, and lyricists & freestyle rappers run wild on the mic in a fiercely frisky animalistic edition to kick off mating season.

This is a roaring night with teeth: the birds and the bees will sting, werewolves will howl, and bears will bare it all in a jaw dropping showcase that goes on a full rampage of audacious, untamed entertainment.

The East Bay Express calls Ruckus “the most consistently spectacular event Oakland has ever seen.” Every month brings a brand new lineup and a different flavor of chaos, with audience-interactive mayhem and unfiltered entertainment! No reruns, no repeat acts.

Featuring the wildest variety of acts you’ll see anywhere:

• Uncensored circus

• Stand up comedy

• Burlesque

• Pole performance

• Freestyle rap battles

• Aerial artistry

• Beat-boxing

• Slam poetry & Dirty Haiku Bouts

• Shocking sideshow

• Breakdancing

• Full-throttle audience mayhem

Fast, loud and absolutely alive.

The Huffington Post called us “one of the best underground performance art shows in America.”

Both the freestyle rap battle and the slam have open sign-ups with $400 in cash prizes, judged by YOU, the audience. Every show is a one-night riot, and once it’s done, it’s gone.

Hosted by Jamie DeWolf (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, NPR’s Snap Judgment) and Wonder Dave (Mental Health Comedy Hour), with masters of mayhem DizzyfromEarlier and Little Glitter Bomb, and our very special stage crew the Wu Tang of Weird.