Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Association Annual General Meeting!

Hello dear wonderful burlesque fans and friends, did you miss us?  I hope so because we have come back to firstly

Thank You!

This year's festival was a marvellous success, a 10 day extravaganza:  an intense and amazing celebration that would have not happened without our fabulous performers, sponsors, producers, volunteers, festival staff, press, international guest and wonderful wonderful audience!  The Vancouver Burlesque community sends immense gratitude for your continued support.

Also, we would like to invite you to:

Be A Part of the 5th Annual VIBF In 2010!

The 5th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival will be from April 30, 2010 to May 9th, 2010 so start marking those dates down in your calendar beautiful burlesque folk!

For the local community: the VIBF happens purely out of community volunteer efforts and we are keen to grow and evolve.  Without your participation, experience and enthusiasm, we are unable to produce this festival.   Therefore, you are warmly invited to VIBFA Annual General Meeting where we will do a year in review and most importantly, vote in a new Board of Directors.  This is the meeting to be at if you are keen on being a part of next year’s festival.  We are extremely keen to expand the number experienced and enthusiastic personnel for both the board and the committee personnel.  Please RSVP to info@vanburlesquefest.com with subject line: VIBFA AGM RSVP. The AGM will be on Thursday, June 18, 2009--more details available with the RSVP.

Thank you so much for your time and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Don't forget that Vancouver is home to an incredible burlesque community so there are shows happening all year; for more details, join the facebook group Burlesque Vancouver.

VIBF Red Carpet Gala!

photo by Philip Tong

Holy hip-shimmies!

It's already day 8 of our festival and we are just revving ourselves up for 3 amazing shows tonight:  The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, The Taboo Revue Burlesque Variety Show and The Crystal Cabaret!

But let us not forget the shining beacon, the climatic peak of the festival:  The VIBF Red Carpet Gala, coming to you Saturday, May 9th at Pat's Pub.  Join the performers and sashay down the red carpet from 8pm to 9pm...then settle down in your seats for equal parts performances from out-of-town guests and racous, glamourous and glittery awards presentations to honour and celebrate the luminaries of the Vancouver Burlesque community.

It's not-to-be-missed.

Our Out-of-Town Guest Performers for the evening include:

Minnie Tonka (New York)

Kellita of Hot Pink Feathers (San Francisco) 

Delilah (San Francisco) 

Looking forward to seeing you there in all our finery! 

xoxo :)

Out-of-Towner Spotlight #3: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue!

The Cheesecake Burlesque

 Revue is bringing their award-winning show from Victoria, BC to entertain YOU! These girls keep audiences coming back for more! More laughs, more tease and more body confidence.

 The Cheesecakes are multiple award winners who have shimmied across stages in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Berlin, Seattle and Victoria to name a few. Wit

h influences from cult classics like Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Broadway favourites like Guys and Dolls they create

 imaginative roller coasters like their original acts: Cheesecakes In Space and Elvis in the Village! These girls know how to put on the modern day

 show-stopper! The performers are as individual as the stars on the walk of fame – cute, geeky, rock 'n' roll, classic, and elegant - audiences can’t help but have a favourite or two or three

! The Cheesecakes are known for their high energy acts, over-the-top costumes, stand out performers, comedic timi

ng, seductiveness and girl-next door accessibility.

As always, our show will entertain and include you! Make sure you dress your 

best and be ready to participate – there will be CONTESTS AND PRIZES!!!!

The Cheesecakes will be

 sharing their venue with the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society who will be presenting their notoriously well loved and

always hotly anticipated Taboo Revue Burlesque Variety Show!

Special ticket price available for both shows, make it a sizzling and sumptuous Friday Night!

Don't Forget: Cinema Burlesque!

Cinema Burlesque

featuring

Tumbling After

(Mockumentary)

 by Bryan Skinner, Victoria (runtime 43 minutes)

&

A Wink & A Smile 

(Documentary) 

by Deirdre Timmons, Seattle (runtime 91 minutes)

Both playing tonight at the Rio Theatre!

A rare chance to see both movies screened, get your tickets here!

The Art of Bump & Grind

That's right darlings, just when you thought it could not get any better we bring you a traveling bump & grind art show that appears at various festival events...

TART ARTS presents at the Vancouver Int. Burlesque Festival

THE ART of  BUMP & GRIND 

Group Art Show

Featuring fabulous burlesque paintings,prints and photography by international and local artists.

PILAR ALVAREZ

LISA BRAWN

SUNNY BUICK

MOLLY CRABAPPLE

KIRSTEN EASTHOPE

ROD FILBRANDT

CYNTHIA FRENETTE

SHIMONA HENRY

JAMES LLOYD

MEGZ MAJEWSKI

NICOLE STEEN

HEATHER WATTS

SHEENA WEBER

Friday  MAY 1 @ Banquet of Broads -Russian Hall (600 Campbell-Strathcona)

Wed.    MAY 6 @ Cinema Burlesque - RIO Theatre (1660 E. Broadway)

Thurs.  MAY 7  @ Tease for Two!  -RIO THEATRE (1660 E. Broadway)

Sat.      MAY 9 @ Red Carpet Gala- Pat's Pub (403 E. Hastings)

Tart Gallery Online!

http://www.thetartgallery.com/bumpandgrind.html

Out-Of-Towner Spotlight #2: East Coast Meets the West Coast in Strummin' & Strippin'

SHREDDING CHORDS AND SHEDDING CLOTHES!

It’s Strummin’ and Strippin’ 2009: a burlesque and rockabilly road show featuring The Alistair Christl Band and Tanya Cheex and Sauci Calla Horra of Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque.

 

We are so fortunate to be able to include the Vancouver show as part of the VIBF!  This show is traveling from Toronto to Vancouver this year and has already received acclaim in both Winnipeg & Regina.

 

Alistair Christl is an acclaimed foot-stompin' rockabilly act on his third Canadian tour.  Blazing through roots folk, country classics, and his own compositions, Alistair's set is one that brings a new energy to old great music. Finger style guitar playing in the style of Chet Atkins with a raw vocal style (complete with yodeling and screaming), his vintage tone and upbeat act brings a lotta “oomph” to any venue. He will be joined by Regina rocker, Brian Templeton on upright bass and Jack Diamond on drums. 

 

Tanya Cheex (pictured in red) and Sauci Calla Horra (pictured with gorilla) are Feature Performers from Toronto’s premier burlesque troupe, Skin Tight Outta Sight. Their clever, sexy routines are internationally acclaimed, and have been performed in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and more. Together, girls and band promise a night of music and performance that you won’t soon forget. Promoted and sponsored by Doubletime Productions, this is a show you won’t want to miss!

These acclaimed pioneers in the North American Burlesque Revival will be joined by local performers Rita Star, Violet Femme, April O'Peel, Cookie Coquette, Voracious V and more....

 

It’s a rare opportunity for West Coast burlesque aficionados to be able to enjoy some of Canada’s most well known and celebrated burlesque performers—not to be missed!

Monday Madness Feature

 

Dear Vancouver Burlesque adoring audience and glamourous fashionistas:   have we got a Monday night for you!  Sashay and shimmy your fannies in the Downtown direction to attend two incredible events:

Burlesque the Catwalk Fashion Show & Bazaar

Granville Street won’t know what hit it!  Equal parts fashion show (complete with gorgeous local performers modeling sexy burlesque-inspired fashions), cabaret (yes there will be striptease performances) and bazaar (so you can purchase so of the delectable wares you see touted)!

Featured local Burlesque and Pin Up inspired designers include the amazing:

Flaming Angels Boutique, Sweet Soul Designs, Lace Embrace Atelier, Melody Mangler Custom Designs, Pin Me Up Designs (By Darla DeVine), Polished Beauty, Melons & Sweet Cheeks Lingerie and last, but certainly not least, The Trunk Show by Misty Greer. 

Vendors of the glittery bazaar include all of the above and Queen Bee, widely known Vancouver-based purveyor of all things uniquely glamorous with particularly exceptional burlesque flavouring!

At $5 a ticket, this is not an event to be missed—come dressed your best or at least leave much improved and attend…

The Evil Bastard KARAOKE Experience Burlesque Fest

Fancy Dress Party!

Karaoke?  Yes indeed!

Though the Evil Bastard Karaoke Experience happens every Monday night, the Fancy Dress Party edition is a well-loved festival tradition!  This not-to-be-missed night is hosted by Evil Bastard, notorious, cheeky amazing host and boylesque extraordinaire!  Saunter down newly decorated from the fashion show and join us at Pat’s Pub for a very fun, super-relaxed, star-spangled singing from wide repertoire of  songs (thousands) supplemented by cheap drinks.  

Day Two of the 4th Annual VIBF

Darling friends, community and burlesque lovers:

How is the festival going so far?

It's going amazing, it's going fantastic and

 it's busier than bunnies bumpin' uglies!

In two nights of shows we have had full and even

 PACKED houses! Two sold out shows!

The action is amazing and I encourage you to get in on it. 

More posts will follow soon featuring details about featured productions by Skin Tight Outta Tight Rebel Burlesque visiting from Toronto and The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue visiting from Victoria!

In the meantime, actions speak far louder than words and I encourage you to visit one of our most treasured community photographers, Voodoo Bill who is covering events every day and posting them quick as possible for your viewing pleasure.

Shimmies, winks & joyful bumps and grinds until we see you next!

Out-Of-Towner Spotlight #1: Chicago's Red Hot Annie

Welcome to a new feature to the VanBurlesque Blog:  the Out-of-Towner Spotlight!  This is a feature intended to warmly draw attention to the variety of visiting guests we will have at the 4th Annual VIBF!  We are so fortunate to have guests from all over Canada, the United States and even the UK!

We have a sizzlin' hot performer to introduce you to in the augural edition of this spotlight:  Red Hot Annie who hails from Chicago, Illinois!

There once was a vendor named Annie,

who owned her own hot dog comp-anny,

 Now the carts down the tubes so she shows off her boobs,

                                             and a significant part of her fanny!

Red Hot Annie is in town performing at two productions produced by Vancouver's own illustrious Diamond Minx:  

• The Diamond Mine Goes Global 

Diamond Mine goes global for the VIBF with an all star lineup featuring Red Hot Annie from Chicago (she sure do make the wieners boil!), Scarlett James from Montreal (recently returned from her glittering appearance at Viva Las Vegas!), and home town girl Lydia De Carllo (who just got back from a triumphant Australian tour!) 

• Presented with Girls On Top, The Crystal Cabaret 
  

If you're looking for an EXPERIENCE, don't miss the Crystal Cabaret - happening in a historic supper club newly renovated into a retro-modern lounge with a full cabaret show featuring incredible costumes, choreography, and spectacular special guests.  ...and this is an experience you can feel good about too, as proceeds from the show are being donated to women's charities!  

 

Georgia Straight & Fabulous VIBF Prize Package

Make sure you visit the Georgia Straight Contest Page for a chance to win a FABULOUS prize package that allows you to get dressed to arrive at the VIBF Red Carpet Gala in style...and then get dressed up again and have glamourous portraits of yourself taken!

• 2 tickets to the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival's Red Carpet Gala on May 9, 2009
• A Pin Up photoshoot with Pin Up Perfection's Shimona Henry (Value $350)
• Garters and Stockings from Lace Embrace Atelier
• $150 Gift Certificate to Banshee Clothing
• Dress-up accessories from Carol's Costume Corner & 15% coupon
• A pair of Diamond Minx's Nippy Tips pasties

VIBF Invades the Media

On the eve of the opening night of the 4th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, there is evidence that excitement levels for the approaching avalanche of glamour, glitter and glory is at an all time high.

How can it not be?

After all, Since 2006, burlesque artists and aficionados from around the globe have alighted upon Vancouver’s annual burlesque festival to enjoy a variety of decadent entertainment. The festival offers sumptuous burlesque performances, live music, vaudeville, workshops with industry professionals, bazaars, artworks, fashion shows, networking events and even a murder-mystery! Held in various locations across Vancouver, the festival is the world’s longest consecutive-day burlesque gathering and has something to tickle everyone’s fancy.

Please take a sneak a peek at the coverage we are getting--be guaranteed that there is more to come!

• Crystal Precious & Burgundy Brixx do a sassy video promo about Tease For Two by “Mykro Douglas” of POP’T CULTURE

• Teddy Smooth, host of the weekly Cabaradio show on CiTR is doing a two part series:  An Inside Look Behind The Scenes of the 4th Annual Burlesque Festival in Vancouver 

• The Vancouver Sun's Peter Birnie does an Entertainment Section Feature Article (Wednesday, April 29): Take it off, eh? Erotic art shows off some skin at Burlesque Fest - Putting the tease back in strip

We've also got related articles out this week:  Shimona Henry, Pin Up Perfection photographer extraordinaire and Joanie Gyoza, burlesque top banana & super organised lady, talk about burlesque, body image and empowerment in the Vancouver Sun & Georgia Straight respectively.

Happy reading!

Cinema Burlesque

Calling all movie buffs and burlesque afficionados!  This is an evening where your twin passions are married:  Bryan Skinner & The Rio Theatre present Cinema Burlesque!

It features two movies:

A mockumentary about a burlesque dance troupe Tumbling After from Victoria, BC and . . . .

A feature length documentary A Wink and a Smile from Seattle, Washington. 

A Wink and a Smile is a film that exposes more than the human body by putting gender, power, sexuality and social identity under the glittery spotlight, as it follows the lives of ten "ordinary" women who do something extraordinary - learn the art burlesque dancing and striptease.  It has been widely screened and enthusiastically received all over the US. Bitch Magazine does a full review and extensive interview as well, have a glimpse!

See a full summary of the evening and purchase tickets by clicking here!

See you at the movies!

Vancouver Has Never Seen the Likes Of Us! Saturday, April 25

Dozens of Damsels in Dis-Dress Adorn the Steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery!!!

to command attention for

The 4^th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival

May 1^st – May 10^th, 2009

On Saturday, April 25^th a chorus line of luscious lads and ladies descended upon the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery and created a sensation. Each and every one of them a self-styled art piece unto themselves – where better to gather and display carefully crafted costumes and voluptuous physiques

The spirit of the Vancouver Burlesque community is vividly reinforced by such a large turnout. There were representatives from several different troupes, as well as a slew of sassy solo performers. These are dolls (and a handful of guys) that rarely see each other by the light of day… but there they were in all their finery at 11 am in the heart of the city. Now that’s dedication! Not since the Pride Parade has there been such a turnout of feathers, sequins and eyelashes of falsity for the public’s viewing pleasure.

Those in attendance included: Joanie Gyoza, Misty Knight, Diamond Minx, VaVa Vunderbust, Shaboobie Boobarella, Valentina Virago, Melody Mangler, Norm Elmore, The Smarty Panties, Crystal Precious, Cherry on Top, Cara Milk, Rita Star, Lola Frost, Lola Lockehart, Teddy Smooth, Johnny Bongo, Blue Morris, Farrah Moans, KT Couture, Lydia De Carllo, Burgundy Brixx, Doug the Purrfessor, Sarah Sparks, Jenny Magenta, Bon Bon Bombay, Duncan Teabags, Madame May I, April O’Peel, Maggie Pie, Precious Metal, Nicky Nine Doors, YumYum Doll, Voracious V, Lalita LaCoeur and Sassy Mittens!

After that they embarked on a Party Gras Bus Tour of the city to spread the word to the masses!  Here are more sneak peeks at last weekend's capers for you!

 

 

Thank you to our wonderful photographers Frank Roberts, Philip Tong & Voodoo Bill!

Just Two More Sleeps!

That’s right esteemed burlesque friends, lovers and fellow performers of all glittery stripes!  It’s only two precious sleeps until the full 10 days of burlesque extravagance descends upon us!  Brace yourself:  it’s the world’s longest multi-day, multi-disciplinary Burlesque festival, it’s bigger and better than ever after 4 years and it’s going to be phenomenal!

Check here very frequently from this moment onwards as it will be frequently updated with show information, performer highlights and photographs as the festival rolls on.  This will be the pulse of the festival, your place to get intimate peeks of what is going on!

For advanced tickets, please go directly to http://www.clubzone.com/me/vibfa2009 or our Official Ticket Vendors as tickets are going swiftly.

For the first night of the festival, come share a celebratory opening toast to the festival at the VIBF Martini Party!   El Barrio will be hosting the free event (http://www.vanburlesquefest.com/prod_OMP.html): the Pink Flamingo Burlesque will be keeping the fresh tunes going before we move en masse the few blocks over to Banquet of Broads—The Second Helping, the first explosive show (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=65256882970&ref=ts) of the festival!

All event details are on the website www.vanburlesquefest.com.

 

In sequin spangled excitement and luscious anticipation,

Joanie Gyoza on behalf of

The VIBFA Board of Directors