The Toledo Show at Harvelle’s

“Dames” (burlesque dancers) work the crowd at Harvelle’s during a routine.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

In front of the small stage at Harvelle’s, dancers perform for the audience while the band plays behind them.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Toledo sings one of his original songs at Harvelle’s.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Bijou Phillips sings a song from the movie “Dark Steets” with the Toldeo Show band at Harvelle’s.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Actress Bijou Phillips joined the band for two songs during the Dec. 7 Toldeo Show performance in Santa Monica. Phillips appears with Toledo in the forthcoming indie film “Dark Streets,” tipped as a soul-infused blues version of “Moulin Rouge.”  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

The line between performers and the crowd blurs during the Toledo Show’s weekly performances.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

The Toldeo Show draws a crowd late at night in Santa Monica.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Toledo sings as one of the dancers hits the stage.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Toledo describes the show’s music, which touches on several genres including jazz and funk, as a “soul cabaret.”  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

The band doesn’t have much room to stretch out at the tiny venue, which sometimes prompts Toledo to take a wireless mic into the crowd during the show.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Dancers mingle with the crowd during a few numbers, fanning out all the way to the back of the bar.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Toldeo and his dancers jump to the bar’s floor directly below the stage during an upbeat number.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Bringing the funk at Harvelle’s.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Toledo Show  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Things get hectic mid-set, but the Toledo Show’s back-up singers don’t seem to mind.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)