Stage Door News
Stage Door News
One of the world’s most esteemed events of its kind, the Toronto Burlesque Festival is pleased to announce the line-up for its 9th annual festival. Combining inventive striptease with variety acts, the 9th annual Toronto Burlesque Festival will be an unprecedented experience of splendour, innovation, seduction and five-alarm allure!
2016 programming:
• Thursday, July 28th – Nickel Brook Brewery presents: Welcome to the Neighbourhood – at Revival Bar (783 College St), Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm to 10pm, Tickets - $25-$40.
Together with sponsor Nickel Brook Brewing, the Toronto Burlesque Festival is thrilled to present a sizzling night of classic-style striptease and song. Featuring the glitterati of local and international burlesque superstars and hosted by the big city kitty herself, Laura Desiree (Toronto), this opening night bash is not to be missed. Starring headliners Dirty Martini (NYC), Ray Gunn (Chicago), feature performer Knox Harter (Toronto), internationally acclaimed aerialists Leo & Teo (NYC) and many more.
•Friday, July 29th – Mixed Nuts – at Virgin Mobile MOD Club (722 College St), Doors at 8:30pm, Show 9:30pm to 11:30pm, Tickets - $30-$60. Special VIP and group packages available.
An innovative night of “alterna-tease,” this new show will have audiences roaring in laughter and revelling in the creativity of world class performers. Unique, edgy and experimental, Mixed Nuts stars: headliner Jett Adore of The Stage Door Johnnies (Chicago); feature performers Regina Dentata (Toronto); and number 23 of the top 50 most influential people in burlesque in 2015 according to “21st Century Burlesque,” Rubyyy Jones (UK). Hosted by Toronto’s own “Ladybear Extraordinaire,” Fay Slift and late night tunes by DJ Orange Pekoe.
•July 30th - The Glam-A-Ganza – at Virgin Mobile MOD Club (722 College St), Doors at 6pm, Show 7pm to 9pm, Tickets - $30-$60. Special VIP and group packages available.
• Saturday evening starts with a diamond dreamscape of decadence featuring headliners Medianoche (NYC) and Bazuka Joe & Ray Gunn of The Stage Door Johnnies (Chicago). Also starring Obskyura (Toronto), Jacqueline Hyde (Seattle), Sassy von Stradler (Minneapolis), Coco Framboise (Toronto) and so many more! Hosted by SMB (Toronto).
•Saturday, July 30th – Stars of the Screen – at Virgin Mobile MOD Club (722 College St), Doors at 10pm, Show 10:30pm to 12:30am, Tickets - $30-$60. Special VIP and group packages available.
Don’t miss Toronto Burlesque Festival’s brand new Saturday late night star-studded spectacular! A showcase of the newest trend in burlesque – pop-culture themed performance featuring iconic stars of film and television. Featuring headliners Dirty Martini (NYC), Jett Adore (Chicago) and hosted by Toronto’s own Laura Desiree and SMB. This show is bursting at the seams with features by Sudbury Burlesque, Toronto treasures Dr. Orifice, Zilly Lilly, Charlie Quinn and many more… Late night after party with amazing tunes by Johnny B. Goode.
• Sunday, July 31st – Rebel Yell – at Revival Bar (783 College St), Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm to 11pm, Tickets - $25-$40.
This rock and roll shakedown is the last hurrah of the festival. The full tilt, farewell evening will have audiences on their feet, loudly cheering on the leading edge of neo-burlesque. Witness the future of burlesque with host, Sassy Ray and starring headliners Medianoche (NYC) and Bazuka Joe (Chicago), feature performers Dahlia Fatale (Chicago), Rubyyy Jones (London), Pastel Supernova (Toronto), Tanya Cheex (Toronto) and more!
The Toronto Burlesque Festival also hosts a full schedule of day time workshops for all levels at “Burlesque University,” for guests who want to try their hand at the art of the tease and also for performers to enhance their art, grow and be inspired.
For 2016, the Toronto Burlesque Festival is thrilled to welcome a new sponsor, Nickel Brook Brewery. Passionate, dedicated to quality and refreshingly local, they are a perfect partner for the festival. Also new and notable, 2016 marks first year the festival has welcomed more male headlining performers than female, with Chicago’s The Stage Door Johnnies (Jett Adore, Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe) joining audience favourites from New York City, Dirty Martini and Medianoche. All headlining acts have regularly co-starred in Dita Von Teese’s touring show, Strip Strip Hooray and have garnered many international awards including the prestigious Miss Exotic World title, New Orleans Queen of Burlesque title, the Crystal Corset award, Artist of the Year, and 1st Runner-up, King of Burlesque, Best Group, Best Duo and Most Innovative – all from the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
Alongside international headliners, the Toronto Burlesque Festival continues to showcase the finest local performers who, year after year, raise the bar with their talent and professionalism. The festival is pleased to welcome over 60 performers from all over Canada, the USA and Europe.
ABOUT THE HEADLINERS:
The “definition of burlesque,” Miss Dirty Martini is one of the most celebrated personalities in the world of the new burlesque. Miss Martini has spearheaded the new burlesque revolution in New York City and all over the world with her over the top physique and classical dance training, bringing vintage glamour into the 21st century. She has been photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, starred in the film On Tour (winner Best Director at Cannes 2010), and was voted number one burlesque performer in the world by her fans for four consecutive years. A favourite of original burlesque performers of the 1940’s and 1950’s, Miss Martini has become an underground celebrity and favourite headliner nationally and all over the world.
Described by the New York Times as “pure sexy”, Medianoche has been a staple in the New York City burlesque scene since 2008. Born and raised in southern Spain, this lady aptly dubbed “Sin in an Hourglass,” brings strong traces of tango and flamenco dance to her unique flavor of tease. Medianoche was featured for three years running in 21st Century Burlesque‘s list of Top 50 Burlesque Performers worldwide. Medianoche has dazzled Canada with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and charmed audiences as far away as St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Stage Door Johnnies have stripteased their way across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Japan, headlining burlesque festivals, teaching workshops, and touring full stage shows. Other credits include opening for a one-night only cabaret show with Liza Minnelli & Alan Cumming. In 21st Century Burlesque Magazine, Ray, Bazuka and Jett have individually been among the Top 50 most influential performers and as a troupe, were in the Top 10 performers in the world two years in a row. Unique and theatrical, the ‘Johnnies’ re-imagine the classic conventions of Bettie Page and Gypsy Rose Lee and create a genuine male counterpart with a strong base in dance, theatre and acrobatics.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:
The Toronto Burlesque Festival is produced by a dynamic trio of local ladies:
SAUCI CALLA HORRA, Founder and Executive Producer, has been performing since 2002, making her one of the trailblazers of the neo-burlesque revival. Also the founder of The Toronto Burlesque and Vaudeville Alliance, she’s often quoted by media for her role in the development of the Canadian burlesque scene. Sauci is the producer of Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque, “Outlaw Strippers since 1998” – one of the world’s longest running burlesque troupes.
COCO FRAMBOISE, Executive Director of Programming, has been involved with the Festival since its inception. She is the Headmistress of “Burlesque University” and is also the founder of The Coco Framboise School of Burlesque – now in its 11th year - offering the most extensive curriculum in Canada.
In 2014 and 2015, she was honoured to be published on 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s world list as one of the Top 50 Burlesque Industry Figures.
AVA NOIR, Executive Director of Sponsorship and Communications, has been performing since 2008 and producing burlesque since 2011. She is the co-founder of Two Dames Productions, the team behind “Tease on the Seas” and the neo-burlesque community’s most successful franchise, “Kitty Nights.”
Web: www.torontoburlesquefestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontoburlesquefestival
Twitter: @TOBurlesqueFest
Photo: Miss Dirty Martini.
2016-06-30
Toronto: The 9th Annual Toronto Burlesque Festival runs July 28-31