She discovered burlesque and the titillation of performing femininity though Chicago-based Gurlesque Burlesque with the Sissy Butch Brothers. It started one night with an email to one of the producers of the show, offering help with set up and tear down in return for entry to the show. The email provided her phone number and said that if they didn’t call her to say they didn’t want her help, she would just show up. Show up she did, and the surprised producers put her to work. She helped to stage manage that show, and performed in every one after, including the final historic show at The Vic Theater, along with Margret Cho. This series of burlesque shows resulted in a documentary called Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival (2011).
Tamale performed in nearly every Burlesque show in Chicago for the better part of a decade, including Gurlesque Burlesque, Bikes and Burlesque, Plan 9 Burlesque, Gorilla Tango, Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Original Tease Burlesque, Red Hot Burlesque, Belmont Burlesque Revue, Vaudzilla, Ties and Tassels, and so many more. During that time, she was featured in numerous burlesque festivals, including the Chicago Burlesque Festival. During this time, she was invited to host and perform for the Dresden Dolls and at the Metro.
A staple in the Chicago queer community, Tamale was gaining in popularity and was invited to go on tour with a select group of Chicago gender performers, quickly becoming a producer with the troupe and returning to Europe many times. The The Windy City Blenders was created to team up with a fledgling drag troupe in Ireland to create a powerhouse show at The Sugar Club. The show combined seasoned Chicago performers with talented newbies, Irelands very first drag king troupe,-the Shamcocks. It was an incredible success, selling out and drawing people from other countries.