In their words:
“The Toronto Burlesque Festival is an exciting four-day whirlwind of bump ‘n grind! Our Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of burlesque and variety entertainment. Each of our four performances features outstanding acts from Toronto locals, burlesque and variety artists from across Canada, and many international headlining acts that have earned top accolades in the Burlesque world!”
With the theme ‘Tassels Without Borders’; the line-up for the festival this year really is fantastic! Some of the headliners include Michelle L’amour, Kitten Deville, Jo Weldon, Amber Ray, Kellita, and not one, but THREE of the recent Burlesque Hall of Fame winners! Roxy D’Lite won First Runner Up in the main Reigning Queen category; Gigi and Pop took the Best Variety title, and Hot Toddy stormed to victory in the Boylesque group; and all three acts will be performing at the festival.
And so, as a fun little lead-up as the festival gets ready to commence – we asked a few of the headliners about how much they were looking forward to the events…
Roxi D’Lite
“In just its second year the Toronto Burlesque Festival has become the premier event in Canada and it is quickly becoming one of the top events in North America. This is largely in part to the hard work of passionate Toronto performers like Tanya Cheex and Sauci Calla Horra (from Skin Tight Outta Sight) and Coco Framboise.
I love the Toronto Burlesque Festival because it highlights the best of what Canadian burlesque offers while showcasing some of the best American performers as well. Just one look at the amount of kilometres some performers are traveling is an indication of how big the festival is becoming. We even have a couple Parisians on the card. The only thing we’re missing is our U.K. contingent!
The burlesque scene in Toronto is reflective of the city itself – diverse and growing at an alarming pace. My favourite thing about the festival is the range and scope of shows everyone will see. There’s everything from the shocking-underground performances to the gorgeous grand spectacles. I debuted my Runaway Bride show last year. Torontonians expect the best and I want to make sure my fellow Canadians get their monies worth, so I’ve upgraded one of my most popular shows for this event. I can’t wait to shake it with all of my fellow Canadian and International friends!”
Michelle L’Amour
“I’m very much looking forward to performing in Toronto. They put on a great festival last year and I was really proud of how well they did doing their first festival! This year, I will be premiering a new act and then also doing my signature balloon act. So excited!”
“I love the burlesque performers in Toronto and am thrilled to see their scene getting bigger and juicier. I’ve been at events with my friends in Skin Tight Outta Sight since Exotic World was in the desert!I’m very excited to be bringing my class on ‘The Choreography of Events’ to Toronto! It’s a class about how to use choreography to combine dance moves and pantomime events to make the most of a piece of music. It’s a unique workshop where people get on their feet and and bust more than a move. The students are always genius in this class!”
“The TBF is going to be great! I have known Sauci and Tanya for years and their excitement and contribution to the community has been Immense!
The Canadian scenes so are talented and are flourishing…
Toronto seems to have a pretty decent sized and busy scene.
Just this year Roxi Delite and Melody Mangor placing in MEW pageants, Vancouver starting a burlesque fest and a plethora of individually beautiful performers making it out to all the festivals has been such a rich addition to the community. I can wait to see everyone again and it will be an honor to perform! Toronto and/or BUST!”
NOT ONLY can you enjoy some first class burlesque each night, but the Burlesque University is holding classes on Saturday and Sunday – read all about them here and see which ones you fancy! 21:CP would happily do them all!