Lucent Dossier at the Edison

Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque members -- including actors, dancers, acrobats and at least one contortionist -- circulated through the Edison’s vast post-industrial basement space in character as the night began Wednesday. Star nervously flitted about with her suitcase as if she’d become lost in the growing crowd. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 9:18 AM PT

Mexico-born Antonio Gomez-Rubio, 30, said he “just got back into the country” and that he “wanted to see Lucent in this new place.” (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

One of the Edison’s “green fairies” on Lucent Dossier nights, Gwendolyne Lahti serves absinthe from a cart. “We serve it the traditional way,” she said. The 25-year-old schoolteacher by day said the Edison offers up “shots” of absinthe (usually Le Tournament) “with water and sugar.” Other options from the absinthe cart include lemon, pomegranate and pineapple-infused specialty absinthe cocktails. Shots go for $6, cocktails $16. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Sherri Wheatherly, 36, is a belly dancing specialist who sometimes performs with Lucent Dossier. “I first saw them a few years ago,” she said. Wheatherly has danced at events all over California, including at the official Grammy Awards after party earlier this year. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier dancers “Sunny” and “Angel” perform a routine to Massive Attack’s 1998 song “Teardrop” on the Edison’s main stage at one of a series of weekly performances at the downtown bar this past summer. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

West Hollywood resident Klementine Mellin attended Lucent Dossier at the Edison with her boyfriend. The Bulgarian-born beauty got out her best 1920s-inspired dress for the event, which coincided with her 24th birthday. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Many audience members came dressed in turn-of-the-century inspired garb, including this satin bustle and corset outfit. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lisa Tufano, 26, and Jessica Latti, 22, came to the Edison to celebrate Latti’s 22nd birthday. “My dress is so 1920s,” Latti proudly proclaimed. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Towering over the crowd on stilts, this chimney sweep swept people. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

These sisters, Koa and Nif from Milwaukee, made their own ensembles, and wore them to the Edison Wednesday. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier member “Candy” (“I don’t have a last name,” she insisted) gave out cotton candy from her candy-encrusted bosom to attendees all evening long. “Take your medicine!” she cheerily said in a high-pitched voice to anyone willing to partake in the sweet stuff as they entered the basement club. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier performances are a favorite of photographers wielding everything from cellphone cameras to video gear. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

The Lucent Dossier member climbed the walls of the Edison using pipes and other elements of the former boiler room turned bar. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

A doctor’s dying patient contorts herself on what looks to be an autopsy table in a scene that holds the audience’s attention. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Lucent Dossier (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)