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Mitzi, the Los Angeles exotic dancer who wowed the...

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Mitzi, the Los Angeles exotic dancer who wowed the crowds at a local pub with her innovative use of ping pong balls, a flute and cigarettes, will stand trial Jan. 12 on a charge of committing an indecent act.

Michelle Pradia, 22, who dances under the name of Mitzi Dupree, pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance in Kamloops Provincial Court Friday.

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The charge was laid Wednesday after RCMP officers watched what patrons have called an 'incredible' act at the Bar-K tavern.

Bar-K owner Ronald Thompson hired the stripper two week ago to boost business during the slack daytime hours. She certainly did that.

Patrons packed the house daily to see Ms. Pradia -- utilizing parts of her anatomy other than her mouth or hands -- perform stunts such as play the flute, smoke a cigarette and pop ping pong balls into the audience.

She continued to perform after she was charged, but stopped using 'props,' said Thompson. Her two-week contract expired Friday.

Thompson said Ms. Pradia was upset with all the publicity about her act and with the charge laid against her.

'She's not a drinker, she doesn't do drugs,' he said. 'All she does is dance and shoot ping pong balls and send half her money home to her mother who has cerebral palsy.'

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Kate Lynch, owner of the Choice Entertainment booking agency in Vancouver which handles Ms. Pradia's engagements, agreed there had been an apparent miscarriage of justice.

'She's straight as a string,' she said. 'She's like a nun herself, but her show is something different.'

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