Rollicking vaudevillian hounds, with wanderlust for dusty asphalt and glittering lights, are headed to Grand Rapids. The interlopers that comprise the Yard Dogs Road Show posses a gaggle of talents that echoes the vibrance and mystery that once toured the Wild West in the late 1800s gone modern.

Eddy Joe Cotton, co-founder cum spokesman (who aptly named the traveling troupe), explained that the show is, "always a bit experimental, always inspired by the past ... some burlesque, some vaudeville, some cabaret."

The group features an eight to nine piece band, playing original music with enchanting tunes simultaneously reminiscent of vintage sounds mashed with electrified guitars gone marching band cirque-chic. It's a supremely collaborative effort where no one reigns king or queen.

"Everyone tells their own story. A lot of different eras get represented [resulting from the] different layers of people's personalities," said Cotton, a self described "straw boss."

The core founding group has persisted through the decade-long history of the Yard Dogs Road Show. The current lineup features Broadway Fredrique or "Freddy," Flecher Fleudujon, Lily Rose Love and a trio of gals called Black and Blue Burlesque.

Cotton describes the dancing girls as "more cabaret and more conceptual," featuring Shenandoah Sassafras, Terri Lynn Sage and Julianna.

Despite the rough and tumble sound of the Yard Dogs, the burlesque dances feature lavish costumes with satiny shines and glinting rhinestones along with miles of ruffles and crowns of buoyant feathers. High kicking, fan dancing and singing in front of vintage hued sets complete with clouds, rainbows and more, these women add vivacity and accomplished charm.

Additionally, Tobias the Mystic Man provides sideshow style antics.

"Mostly a sword swallower, he also plays percussion and plays his contraption he built," Cotton said.

While disavowing the word and connotations of "magic," Cotton explained that, "he is way more out there. He's a pretty psychedelic guy."

The current national tour features "a bunch of new acts," including a miniature carousel the troupe built.

"We design most all of our costumes and props, [which] fit in the bay of the bus," Cotton said. The bus is a vintage Greyhound bus they call home for most of the year.

"If there is anything that can humble you, it's the road," Cotton said.

When the Yard Dog Road Show breezes through Anywhere USA, the "hobo" performance group strives to work with local talent.

"A big reason we do what we do is because we want to work with people and be inspired and inspire local performers," Cotton said. "Part of our project is that we are not motivated by competition ... it hasn't been about being a big shot, but about creating community."

Their newly released EP is available at the show, or via yarddogsroadshow.com. Also, a full-length documentary is in the works, detailing the last ten years of the Yard Dogs Road Show and the back story to boot.