Variety is the spice of life for Flamingos Live owners Wayne Rogers and James Hingston.
The business partners bought the legendary Lambton venue formerly known as Lizottes almost a year ago and have been careful not to ruffle too many feathers as they slowly make it their own.
Rogers is the first to admit it's been a delicate and, at times, frustrating balancing act. But he's proud of the diverse range of live entertainment Flamingos offers Newcastle audiences.
On Thursday night, for example, The Australian Burlesque Festival's The Big Tease Soirée will take over the stage.
On Friday night it's the Robbie & Kylie The Ultimate Experience, on Saturday it's Neverending 80s versus 90s, and on Sunday The Grunge Show.
And in the coming months Flamingos will host the likes of Daniel Champagne (October 12), Gord Bamford (October 17), Bachelor Girl (October 30), 1927 (November 21), The Italian Tenors (November 27), Barry Morgan (November 28), The Beatnix (December 1) and Bob Evans (December 5).
On November 1 it will be a year since Rogers and Hingston took over ownership of the venue from Brian Lizotte. And while the name has changed, Rogers says, that's the only thing that has.
"We still have great music, great food, a friendly atmosphere ... what else do you need? It's funny, some people question the name change while other people are really embracing it and turning up with flamingo shirts and flamingos sticking out of their ears," he said.
"I just say to people, it's just a name. Nothing else has changed. We were only allowed to use the name Lizotte's for 12 months.
"But I understand the confusion - we were going to change the name and do the new website all in the one go, at the same time, but it hasn't worked out that way, which has been a little frustrating."
He's hopeful the new website will go live soon, marking the official end of what he calls "the transition period".
On Thursday night New Orleans burlesque performer Aria Delanoche is headlining a cast of 12 in The Big Tease Soirée, which is hosted by Dolores Daiquiri who has been entertaining audiences for more than two decades.
"I love the variety in burlesque. It can be whatever you want it to be," she told the Newcastle Herald.
"You can have the pretty showgirl classic number with all the feathers and rhinestones, you can have something that's quite dark and unique and based in narrative or theatre, it can be comical, it can push boundaries.
"The beauty of burlesque is that it's all encompassing. So many artists offer so many different things - we're all responsible for our own choreography - so there's something for everyone."
Tickets to The Australian Burlesque Festival's The Big Tease Soirée are on sale now at lizotte's.com.au.
