Burlesque is many things. It is sexy. It is sly. It is seductive. It shines a light on the morals and foibles of modern life and mocks them openly. In Baltimore, burlesque is all of those things, and it is also unabashedly weird, strange, dark, funny, and a little bit twisted. Baltimore’s burlesque and variety stages have always welcomed the different and the avant-garde. Baltimore marvels in the filthy, the strange, the strangely beautiful, and the sometimes questionable, and it makes it its own. The Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival celebrates all.
The festival kicks off with a celebration of the weird and twisted side of Baltimore area’s burlesque and variety scene. Expect to be both titillated and uncomfortable at the same time, in the most delicious way possible.
Special Pre-Show with Hot Todd Lincoln in the Marquee Lounge!
Hosted by: Yolks on You DC producers: Delilah Dentata & Jim Dandy
Headliner: GiGi Holliday from NYC
Featuring: Tapitha Kix, Paolo Garbanzo, Onca O’Leary, Ruby Rockafella
Performers: Miss V, Cherie Sweetbottom, Betty Rumble, Lady Bladie, Curly Bright, Free Espirit, Ruby Spruce, Issa Vybe
Stage kittens: Minuet De Baiser, Charlie Lawless, Maria Bella
Masquerade with us through the eerie ambiance on Saturday night. Don your finest attire and join the sinister mischief makers and the dreamers as we take you on a journey into all that is dark and whimsy. Let us entice you and titillate your senses with bewitching acts of burlesque, belly dance, sideshow, circus, and drag! Stick around after the show for a dance party with DJ Villainess as she spins dark beats and hypnotic rhythms.
Hosted by: Eden
Headliner: Audrey Love from NYC
Featuring: Maria Bella, Naimah, Bearcat Betty, , Phaedra Phox, Caza Blanca, Kit Valentine
Performers: Tempete La Coeur, Luna Levitate, Valentina, Charliecakesss, Meghan Vu , Saymo Saymo, Sitara Sin
Stage kittens: Minuet De Baiser, Charlie Lawless, Tapitha Kix
After the Saturday show, prepare thine selves for some dark beats! As we proceed with the processional after party to mourn and celebrate the events of the earlier evening.
Make sure to bring your best dance shoes or stompy boots as DJ Villainess will be spinning the Macabre (goth/dark dance music) till we shut the venue down. Let’s all celebrate our love for the dark and spooky together.
10AM | Shimmy & Strut w/ Naimah
This fun and sassy workshop is for burlesque performers who want to explore belly dance movement. Spice up your act with thunderous shimmies, ooey gooey undulations, eye-popping isolations, and more.
11AM | Hosting Diverse Audiences w/ Mx. Eden
Burlesque audiences are just as diverse as the world we live in. And it’s a host’s job to make every attendee of every race, gender, and body size feel welcome. In this workshop, we’ll discuss gender-neutral greetings and other inclusive language every host should have in their vocabulary.
12PM | Dance Like a Diva w/ GiGi Holliday
In this class, you’ll be guided through a 2-4 minute routine that covers aspects of a burlesque star performance. From learning choreography that complements your style to mastering the art of costume removal with flair, you’ll acquire the skills and stage presence to captivate any audience.
1PM | Makeup Tips & Tutorial w/ Kit Valentine
Drag Queen Kit Valentine, the current reigning Miss Western Maryland, shows you the art of contouring, brow definition, achieving a dramatic look for the eyes, and more!
2PM | Beyond the Basics: Burlesque Costuming for All Levels w/ Bebe Bardeaux
Learn the art of creating stage-ready costumes that enhance your performance and captivate your audience! From corsets and feathers to rhinestones and appliques, discover how to craft costume “regalia” that tells a story and elevates your burlesque, drag, and other performance art to new heights.
Location: The Patterson
Location: The Patterson
Location: The Patterson
Location: The Patterson
