Leavenworth busting out with hip-hop video

It's not your parents' Leavenworth anymore.

A new tourism-promotion music video for the Central Washington town, best known for its faux Bavarian buildings and folksy fun, takes a tongue-in-cheek look at Leavenworth. It features dancing women in very skimpy dirndls, a mischievous nutcracker mascot called Woody Goomsba, and a pulsating soundtrack.

"Woody knows how to show you a good time," chant the four hip-thrusting ladies. They prance through the three-minute hip-hop video that's interspersed with shots of Leavenworth outdoors fun — biking, rafting, hiking, skiing — and traditional attractions such as street festivals and mini-golf. And Woody, the 18-inch-tall wooden nutcracker who is Leavenworth's official tourism mascot, pops up all over the video, grinning and flirting with the bare-midriff dancers and clutching a beer stein.

Called "Gitcha Goomsba Up," the video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=unQz4kFJ2Tg) was put out through the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

"We quietly put it on YouTube on Friday," said Nancy Smith, the chamber of commerce's executive director, explaining the video spoof is aimed at a young, social-media crowd — not the people who normally would be lured by Leavenworth's traditional marketing and image. "We haven't even sent any press releases out. But people have found it," Smith said Monday.

Some viewers who found it don't like it, deeming it too risqué. "We've received feedback from some guests that found it not to be depicting the Leavenworth they know and love," said Smith.

"It is different," acknowledged Smith, but added others love the video (which was made by Wenatchee's Howell at the Moon Productions). Online comments by viewers range from "this is degrading" to "awesome."

Just don't expect to see the midriff-baring dancers if you're headed to Leavenworth's ornate Christmas Lighting Festival on the next two weekends. "It's too chilly for them," said Smith.

Kristin Jackson: kjackson@seattletimes.com