Welcome to the Montreal Burlesque Festival
Burlesque, what is it?
Burlesque today is the revival and updating of the traditional burlesque performance. Though based on the
traditional Burlesque art, the new form encompasses a wider range of performance styles; Burlesque acts
can be anything from classic striptease to modern dance to theatrical mini-dramas to comedic mayhem. As
with the earlier feeling, Burlesque is more focused on the "tease" in "striptease" than the "strip"
New Burlesque tends to put the emphasis on style and tend to be sexy rather than sexual, often involving
humor. Burlesque gals perform for fun and spend lots of money on costumes, rehearsal, and props.
Performers will often strip down to pasties and g-strings.
Burlesque as a sensation was brought to America from Britain in the late 1860s by Lydia Thompson and her
British Blondes, a troupe who spoofed traditional theatrical productions and featured ladies performing
men's roles, in costumes considered revealing for the time period. Since that time it has assimilated
vaudeville, minstrel shows, striptease, comedy and cabaret to evolve into the follies of the twenties and
thirties to the girlie shows of the 40s and 50s, which eventually gave way to the modern strip club.
Burlesque, in its various forms, is a unique traditional American Folk Art.
Today's Burlesque revival has found homes throughout the United States and the world, the largest
communities located on the East and West Coasts. On the East Coast, New York City boasts the largest
community, Pacific Northwest, the Burlesque scene is centered in Seattle, in California, the largest
communities reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, home of the largest monthly burlesque and variety show
(the Hubba Hubba Revue), and Los Angeles. There are also thriving Burlesque scenes in Canada with
Scarlett James, Monde Ose Entertainment, Team Burlesque, and in the UK, and Japan.
A Little History
This is a fabulous evening with Music girls and lots of fun! This is a cabaret night in the spirit
of the 30s 40s and 50s where ladies in the audience have as much fun as the girls on stage!
We are reviving the art of the tease in Montreal with all the glamour and the dazzle you need
to dream for the next century to come.
We encourage all performers nationally, and internationally, to participate in this event. This is
about revival of Burlesque in Montreal, and give our city a entertaining show, a memorable evening.
This time we are going to crown the best performers, for charms, the quality of her costume,
her energy and her skills to entice for the first time in Montreal!