In the popular film, "This is Spinal Tap," Michael McKean's character, David St. Hubbins considers two album cover images, one sexually tasteless, the other sexually "artistic." He then recites the now classic line, "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

There is also a fine line between strip tease and burlesque, and the Admiral Theater wants to take the high road with three summer performances by Burning Hearts Burlesque. The first is this Saturday, June 21.

West Seattle residents Cleopetra and Mick will manage and promote the shows, while Cleopetra will host. Cleopetra stated unapologetically that burlesque is "racy," featuring female dancers. While dancers are sparsely clad in boas, corsets, and gloves, she said she is not going for a strip show.

"Stripping is a step further from burlesque," she said. "Burlesque is about the tease, but is not what you get at a strip club.

"I auditioned a former stripper for my show and saw something about her that was talented beyond the dancing she was used to. I told her what she needed to change. She must have studied burlesque movies from the '20's and '30's and taught herself to sew corsets because when she came back, this girl was a genius, like she stepped right out of the 1920's."

Like the Prohibition and Depression-era performers like those at Minsky's in New York and Sally Rand with feathered fan in Chicago, the burlesque is considered by those in the industry as a thinly veiled display of tamed sexual spice without full nudity or tacky gyrations.

"Burlesque is a throwback and fits in perfectly with the theater as a landmark and historic site," said Dinah Bein, Admiral's new director of promotions and entertainment. She works with her brother, Jeff, and said they are busy upgrading sound and lighting for the Admiral's Pier 2 Theater where burlesque and comedy nights will perform. Pier 1 has no stage. Both theaters within the Admiral will continue showing second-run movies. She would like to see the Admiral become engaged in both the Seattle International Film Festival and Seattle True Independent Film Festival next year.

Cleopetra grew up in Arcada, Calif., and recalled that the local movie theater was her "weekend babysitter" while her mother worked.

"I saw a lot of 'B' monster movies, Buck Rogers, everything." She now loves Russ Meyer, the director of camp, low-budget '50's and '60's-era films like the cult classic, "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill."

"I was always interested in performing, but like to be in charge," she said. A former singer, she occasionally performs but usually remains behind the scenes during her shows. She said Burning Hearts was born six years ago at the Rendezvous in Belltown.

"It was the classic Seattle dive bar, AA meetings upstairs, punk rock concerts downstairs. Just a pit." It has since been renovated.

"Burlesque was one of the original forms of entertainment," said Bein. "I guess as a woman I feel (burlesque) is empowering to women while a strip club is demoralizing to women."

There seems no shortage of women who want to get in on the act.

"We hold the 'Open Tease,' a burlesque competition at the Skylark Caf