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

Just more than 1 Week until the Festival!!!

Dearest friends and fans of the Vancouver Burlesque Community:

The festival is upon us! There’s barely a week before the beginning of the 4th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival! It begins on Friday, May 1st and unrolls into 11 whole days teeming with workshops, a fabulous menagerie of shows, striptease, singing, comedy, vaudeville, side show circus brilliance, a movie screening, fashion show, bazaar, murder mystery, networking and lecture! The best of Vancouver’s Burlesque community is celebrated and out in its utmost glittery, glamorous, creative best!

This year, we are fortunate to have visiting performers such as the legendary Jo ‘Boobs’ Weldon (NYC), Red Hot Annie (Chicago), MC Vincent Drambuie (Seattle), Ginger Snapz (Seattle), Inga Ingenue (Seattle) Scarlett James (Montreal), Malaika Millions (Los Angeles), Delilah Burlesque (San Francisco) and Canada’s own neo-burlesque pioneers Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque (Toronto).

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.

More information regarding the lush and overflowing VIBF Festival Calendar, Performers and Box Office can be found by:
· Visit the Festival Website (http://www.vanburlesquefest.com/) - Check the site frequently for the latest listings and up-to-date details!
· Visit Clubzone.com (http://www.clubzone.com/me/vibfa2009) to read more about the events and purchase your tickets online!
· Look for VIBF Events all over Facebook! Check the VIBFA Facebook Group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20678775596) & the Burlesque Vancouver Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2294229520&ref=ts)
· Visit an Official VIBF Ticket Vendor to buy tickets and pick up a VIBF Festival Guide (Planet Claire Fashions, Scout, Zulu Records, Virgin Mary’s & East Vanity Parlour)
· Pick up a VIBF Festival Guide found in the following neighbourhoods: New Westminster, Commercial Drive, Main street, West 4th, Downtown & Gastown
· Come to our big pre-festival publicity blitz this Saturday, April 25th to have a VIBF Festival Guide handed to you personally! (see details below)

VIBF Pre-Festival Publicity Blitz! Saturday, April 25th @ 11am
What’s happening? The Burlesque "Family Portrait" & Party-Gras Promotional Bus Tour of the City! Imagine fabulously outfitted burlesque performers ascending the Vancouver Art Gallery steps (Georgia Street Side) en masse for a group photo op. What a marvelous spectacle! Come check out the fun! Then, fasten your seatbelts because we’re sparkly, we’re on wheels, and we have Festival Guides! Watch out for the VIBF rolling into a neigbourhood near you. A huge party bus full of costumed volunteer performers will roam the main strips of Vancouver - Robson, Granville, Main, Commercial, and wherever else we have time to turn up, blanketing the city with Festival Guides and sending a wave of sass over the entire city. Grab a guide and meet some of the gorgeous lovelies who will be performing in the Festival. Starts at Vancouver Art Gallery and goes ALL OVER THE CITY!

Get Involved!
More volunteers are still needed—help behind the scenes and get an opportunity to play behind the scenes! A big volunteer orientation is happening this Sunday, April 26 from 2 to 4pm. Please email volunteer@vanburlesquefest.com to RSVP and get more details.

Bright Eyes Ahead!
The 5th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival in 2010

We are already thinking about next year! Tentative festival dates are April 30, 2010 to May 9th, 2010. 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 meeting will be on Thursday, June 18, 2009. Location and time to be announced!

We are thrilled to see you all very soon at various events of the VIBF taking place all over the Lower Mainland.

We thank you for your support! Questions may be directed to info@vanburlesquefest.com.

With enthusiastic tassel twirls and spine-tingling shimmy shakes,
Yours sincerely,
The VIBFA Board of Directors 2008 to 2009

VIBF 2009 Festival Guide

Hello! It's almost festival time!

Hello Burlesque Lovers,Can you believe it?!? We're less than one month away to the kick-off of the 4th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, May 1st to May 10th. That’s 11 whole days of fabulous productions and workshops to tickle your fancy and knock your sequin loving socks off!
The VIBF Calendar of Events will be up on our website http://www.vanburlesquefest.com/ VERY soon, followed closely by the distribution of the Official Festival Guide! A follow-up announcement will be sent out when that information is live. For now, keep your eyes pealed for some big publicity stunts leading up to the Festival!

Burlesque Fabulousness and the Terminal City Roller Girls!
The opening bout of TCRG’s 3rd season happens this weekend. Roller Girl Fans and Burlesque Lovers are called to unite in fabulousness and show up in costume and burlesque themed attire at the big bout. Let’s get this city warmed up!
What: TGRG Season 3 – Bout 1
Where: Kerrisdale Arena, 5670 East Boulevard
When: Saturday, April 11th, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pmWebsite: http://www.terminalcityrollergirls.com/

Burlesque "Family Portrait"
Imagine fabulously outfitted burlesque performers ascending the Vancouver Art Gallery steps en masse for a group photo op. What a spectacular spectacle! Come check out the fun!
What: A unique photo opportunity and publicity stunt for Burlesquers and the VIBF.
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery - Robson Side
When: Saturday April 25th, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

VIBF Promotional Tour - Hosted by Party Gras Bus
We’re sparkly, we’re on wheels, and we have Festival Guides! Watch out for the VIBF rolling into a neigbourhood near you. Don’t forget to grab a guide and meet some of the gorgeous lovelies who will be performing in the Festival.
What: A huge party bus full of costumed volunteer performers will roam the main strips of Vancouver - Robson, Granville, Main, Commercial, and wherever else we have time to turn up, blanketing the city with Festival Guides and sending a wave of sass over the entire city.
Where: Starts at Vancouver Art Gallery (Robson Side) and goes ALL OVER THE CITY!
When: Bus embarks at 12:00 PM. Tour Ends at 6:00 PM or sooner if we give out all the Festival Guides!
Website: http://www.partygrasbus.com/

Here’s hoping to see you out at the Promotional Events and at the Festival!
We’ll be in touch again will more details on show times and ticketing before you know it!

Yours in tassel twirling glory,

The VIBFA Board of Directors

VIBF VOLUNTEER Update

Hi to all out there in VIBF Land,

We're pleased to introduce our volunteer organizers for this year's festival.

Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Boucher
VIBFA Board Sponsor: Joanne "VaVa Vunderbust" Lennerton

Please direct your questions or messages on all matters related to Volunteering to:
volunteer@vanburlesquefest.com

We'd like to thank all those who have already sent in an application to volunteer this year! You can expect to be contacted personally as a follow-up and to confirm your availability during the festival.

For those still interested in volunteering, we need you! Many hands will make light work and a even more fantastic festival. Please fill out the Volunteer Application Form to help us gather and organize your information.

Thanks so much!

Festival Calendar - Coming Soon

Hello Burlesque Lovers,

Just a quick note to say that the VIBF Calendar of Events will be up on the website VERY soon!!!

We're less than one month away to the May 1st kick-off, and there will be many fabulous productions and workshops to tickle your fancy.

Keep your eyes pealed for some big publicity stunts leading up to the Festival too! More to come on that...

Yours in tassle twirling glory,

The VIBFA Board of Directors