We all love shows—the kind that transports us shakes up the ordinary, and leaves us craving more. This Friday, February 7, Cupid’s Kiss Cabaret is bringing that thrill to Sarasota, lighting up The Gator Club with an intoxicating mix of burlesque, circus artistry, and unfiltered stage magic. Created by Nicolette Fornasari, the mind behind Sinister Sisters, this show is set to be the city’s most unforgettable pre-Valentine event.
The Gator Club venue at 1490 Main Street, Sarasota, FL, sets the perfect scene for a night of velvet-draped indulgence. Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the performance starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets sold out in a flash, but if you’re hoping to catch the spectacle, there’s still a chance—limited standing room may be available at the door, so arriving early is your best bet.
The night comes with some extra flair—guests are encouraged to dress their best for the Best Dressed Giveaway, with prizes including Sinister Sisters merchandise and free tickets to their next St. Patrick’s s-themed show in March.
But before the music starts and the stage comes alive, let’s step behind the curtain momentarily. Nicolette Fornasari didn’t just create Sinister Sisters—she lives it. An eighth-generation circus performer, she comes from a world most people only glimpse from a theater seat. Her parents were aerialists and acrobats, her grandparents worked with horses and comedy, and her grandfather, a legendary Italian clown, brought the family to the U.S. in the 1960s. Over time, their name became woven into Sarasota’s circus history, earning them a place in the Ring of Fame at St. Armands Circle. Her family’s legacy is undeniable. They hold the Gold Medal from the Circus World Championships in London and have performed for audiences including Pope John Paul II, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, and The Rolling Stones.
Born in Sarasota but raised everywhere, Nicolette spent ten or eleven months a year on the road, moving from one country to the next, performing alongside some of the best talents in the world. It was a life of movement, of constant reinvention, where home was never a place but the people she shared the stage with.
Then, the world went dark. When the pandemic shut down the industry, Nicolette saw the chance to build something of her own. She didn’t want to return to someone else’s vision—she had one of her own. That’s how Sinister Sisters was born, a show that fuses burlesque, circus, and raw stage presence into something bold, dark, and wildly captivating.
Five years in, Sinister Sisters has built a reputation across Florida and Georgia with a lineup of fire breathers, aerialists, burlesque dancers, and a contortionist with three gold medals in global circus competitions. Their upcoming performance at The Gator Club is their Sarasota debut, and given the demand, it won’t be their last. McCurdy’s Comedy Theater is another venue that has embraced them, packing the house with audiences that stay hooked from start to finish. Later this year, they’ll return to McCurdy’s after more sold-out shows across Florida.
Each Sinister Sisters show runs between an hour and ninety minutes and is an intoxicating mix of solo and group performances that push the boundaries of burlesque and circus. Their next themed show, a St. Patrick’s Day spectacle in North Port Scotty's Pub on March 15, will feature fire performances, aerial acts, and a whole cast of dancers. On April 4, they take over Orlando’s ME Theatre, another major stop on their growing tour. And I forgot to mention one more show on April 6 at McCurdy's Comedy Theater.
And for those looking for something even more significant, Sinister Sisters will make waves at the Florida Gulf Coast Tattoo Expo in Fort Myers on June 28, bringing their signature mix of seduction and spectacle to an entirely new stage.
What audiences see on stage is just a glimpse of what it takes to make it happen. The performers train relentlessly—between three and eight hours daily, depending on their discipline. When they’re touring, rehearsals fade, replaced by the rhythm of constant performances. Nicolette started at six, watching her mother from the wings before stepping onto the stage. She lived in the air for 28 years, mastering aerial performance, until a shoulder injury forced her to come down for good.
Now, she’s devoted to producing Sinister Sisters while mentoring the next generation of burlesque dancers and aerialists. Though she’s left the trapeze behind, she’s found a new passion in Argentine tango, training for world championship-level competition.
For her, performing—whether in the air, on the dance floor, or behind the scenes—is about something more profound. It’s not just about skill or even passion. "I’d like to thank my coach, Zavio Javier, CEO of Dance Fever Sarasota. I wouldn’t have tango if it weren’t for him. His passion, wisdom, and dedication continue to shape my understanding of the dance, and I deeply admire and idolize him for his lessons. I’m always grateful for the beautiful gift of tango that he shares with me. It’s something I cherish every day!" - Nicolette says.
Stay connected with Sinister Sisters:
Official Instagram: Stay updated with their latest performances and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Sinister Sisters – @sinisterxsisters
Facebook Page: Connect with the community and get event announcements. Sinister Sisters Burlesque & Circus – facebook.com/sinisterXsisters
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