Thu 8/13-Sat 8/15 @ 8PM
There is no annual event in Cleveland quite like the Ohio Burlesque Fest, which will be filling the Beachland Ballroom with color, sparkle and pizzazz for three days.
It grew out of a modest one-evening event in 2011, hosted by performer/producer Bella Sin, who had founded a burlesque ensemble called Le Femme Mystique (now called Cleveland Burlesque, it’s the area’s longest running burlesque troupe.) She brought in a few regional performers to augment the local artists for a show that featured just over a dozen acts.
How things have changed! By 2013, the festival had expanded to two nights and by 2015, it was three, with performers converging for the weekend from across the country. The 14th annual festival (it skipped a couple of pandemic years) features more than 60 artists across the three days event, warming up with the Rock & Roll Opening on Thursday August 13; getting into high gear with the All Stars Showcase on Friday August 14, and ending in an explosion of rhinestones and attitude on Saturday August 15 with the Gala Spectacular.
Anyone who has been to one of her shows (which include bi-monthly shows at the Beachland throughout the year) know that Bella places a high value on diversity. You will see performers of all sizes, races and genders, including drag artists, and acts of all types, from classic burlesque to Hollywood glamour, comedic and goofy to elegant and sophisticated, even dark, horror-type acts. You might see performers tap dance, perform gymnastics, hang from hoops or ribbons or dance classical ballet on pointe. Intricate layered costumes, props and even movable set pieces are part of many acts. I recall an act who rose from a sarcophagus and stripped out of her mummy wrappings, shedding talcum powder dust; another who powerfully enacted domestic abuse.
Thursday will feature two familiar acts at the top of the bill. The feature is Poundcake, who has performed on the Beachland stage many times. And rising up to her first headlining slot is Lola Loveletter, a relatively new performer. Those who regularly attend Cleveland Burlesque’s shows have watched her grow into a remarkable performer.
Friday’s All Star Showcase offers Omaha, Nebraska’s Lilly EnVogue as the feature act and THREE headliners: Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Rita D’LaVane, Chicago’s Miss Nyxon (the current reigning duchess of Viva Las Vegas) and Cleveland’s Burlesque Queen Bella Sin herself.
Saturday’s Gala Spectacular will feature Chicago’s Bob’Beyonce, and headliners Raven Rose from Arkansas, the current Miss Viva Las Vegas Queen, and Washington D.C.’s Aquarius Moon, the current Sin City Burlesque Queen. (Those who attended Cleveland Burlesque’s holiday show Tease the Season at Cleveland Public Theatre will remember Raven Rose, who made her Cleveland debut there.)
To get your tickets, go here.