The concept of performers and impresarios James and Camille Habacker, the venue first opened in 1999 when the
neo-burlesque scene of New York was in its infancy, becoming the first venue built specifically to showcase the work of a new collective and designed to nurture emerging talent. The shows consist of
performance artists,
dancers,
drag queens, vaudeville, variety and sideshow acts, often performing outrageous, messy and lewd routines. The Habackers encourage performers to push themselves to try out new work without fear of censorship. while
The New York Times advises the meek "to stay on the mezzanine", where "audience members on the stage level have been known to be licked, tickled and mocked". Writing in an August, 2000 edition of
the Voice, the author
Jackie Collins hailed the Slipper Room as "Heaven!", adding "It's a snazzy Orchard Street hangout where
Hello, Dali!—a surreal tribute to the art of transsexualism—had us cheering on all fours. As the trannies tarted themselves up backstage,
Amanda Lepore and Sophia Lamar performed deadpan magic tricks in panties; Tina Sparkles pushed her sequinned titties into an audience member's face in a vivid tribute to the
Lion King,
Candis Cayne climaxed Le Jazz Hot in a way skimpier ensemble than
Julie Andrews could ever manage; and Gloria Wholesome shed her boa while dedicating Different Drum to
George W. Bush (though Bush is generally this crowd's goal genital). The switcharoo finale had our female host, *BOB*, stripping behind a screen to reveal a huge prosthetic schlong, then declaring, "In the future, there is no gender!" ==Controversies, legal issues and reformation of cabaret laws==