Saturday

Host: Lillian Bustle

Lillian Bustle is a Burlesque performer, producer, public speaker, and gleeful loudmouth about body positivity. Her TEDx talk, Stripping Away Negative Body Image, has been shared across the globe, and she hopes to inspire people of all shapes, sizes, and genders to celebrate in their own skin. She’s placed in the international 21st Century Burlesque top 50, and has dazzled stages across North America from Austin to Anchorage. 

Performing Burlesque since 2012, she currently co-produces BOUNCE HOUSE: A Burlesque Celebration of Body Abundance! with Abby Fantastic. Their jubilant shows have featured across the tri-state area, and they recently sold out the Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center in Dec 2024!  Lillian believes that drag and burlesque are for every body, and her mission is to help us all redefine the word "beautiful." 

*FEATURE PERFORMER* Marie La'Pearl

Marie La’Pearl derives from the Island of Enchantment where the tropical rainforest is magical and the coquí frogs sing under the starry sky. This Latina known as the Crown Jewel of Puerto Rico always brings the heat with her Caribbean moves and flair. She gives the right amount of sexy, sensual, and sensational with her ability to leave viewers wanting more. Marie puts the ass in sass and brings just enough sazón to sprinkle on stage with just a shake of her hips. 

*FEATURE PERFORMER* Phoebe Nyx

Phoebe Nyx is Charlotte's resident Amazon with a soulful contralto and a wicked sense of humor. On the stage, you’ll frequently see her with Elphaba, her lime green, rhinestoned ukulele, belting out a range of music from Tin Pan Alley standards to classic rock to parodies, femceeing the evening, or dancing to her heart's content all over the southeast, including the House of Blues!  This Chartreuse Chanteuse is a redheaded bombshell with legs for days, published pinup, Ms All American Pin-Up 2019, Heavy Rebel Weekender's Wiggle Room Princess 2020, and winner of the Slow Burn at Discordia Days Burlesque Festival.

In addition to her time performing for the burlesque audience, Phoebe is an avid costumer, cosplayer, character performer, folk singer, classically-trained cellist, RenFaire cast member, vintage enthusiast, pin-up, and all-around geek.

Scarlet Starlet

With a wink, a whirl, and a whole lot of tease, Scarlet Starlet, "The Twirling Temptress," knows how to keep an audience on their toes. Whether she’s twirling tassels, hoops, fans, or a variety of other flow props,  she delivers an irresistible mix of charm, skill, and stage presence. Based in Richmond, VA, she has dazzled at festivals nationwide including The New York Burlesque Festival, Show Me Burlesque Festival, and The Texas Burlesque Festival, and has earned titles like Best Act, Most Classic, Most Wicked, and Best Variety Act. As a dedicated burlesque instructor at RVA Swing, producer of Burlesque Right Meow, and co-creator of the RVA Burlesque Festival, Scarlet is passionate about growing the local burlesque scene in the Richmond area.  

Sweet Madness

Sweet Madness is the electrifying duo of Sweet Dee, your showgirl on the go, and Mr. Mad Maxim, an up and coming performer in the world of burlesque. Sweet Dee, with over 35 years of dance experience and a burlesque career that began in 2010, has captivated audiences across the globe with her grace, glamour, and award-winning performances. Now based in Maine, she owns Pink Parlor Studios and is the director Blush and Bashful Burlesque Collective.

Her partner, Mad Maxim, burst onto the burlesque scene in 2024, quickly making his mark with his high-energy performances and magnetic stage presence. Together, they are Sweet Madness, a double trouble duo known for their chemistry, thrilling acts, and unforgettable performances. From festivals to shows, Sweet Madness is a powerhouse pair that leaves audiences mesmerized! 

Murphy Lawless

Clawing their way out of the James River and into your nightmares, Murphy Lawless is a horror obsessed creator who has worked in burlesque, comedy, and podcasting. They are currently host of the podcast Queerdo Babes from the Horror Pod-o-rama and one of the co-hosts of Beautiful Disasters, giving ample space for their film and fear fixations to take flight both on and off stage. 

Murphy is returning to performing after a slight hiatus and metamorphosis to refocus their goals, but they remain a performer whose masquerade of humanity begs the question; will you be seduced to pleasure or to be eaten?

Ava Cado

It's an Ava Cado! The quirky little fruit, who loves puns, and is here to guac your world. She’s spread herself across 11 states and five countries, showing off her ripe chair-flipping skills and flavorful performances. Starting her burlesque career in 2021, she’s known for her unique take on burlesque with a balance of nerdlesque with Clair acro.. She loves to be spread, she's bankrupting millennials, she’s gonna make sure you avo-nice time wherever she goes.

Isabel Astrum

Isabel Astrum, Coastal Virginia’s Tutor of Tease is sunshine and sin personified. Born and bred by the sea she has a smile that ensnares and a sway that only the lunar tides could understand. This pint-sized Puerto Rican is a performer, producer, and educator with Nocte Covina Burlesque and the Norfolk Academy of Tease, and lead bibliophile of the Hampton Roads Chapter of Bare Book Club. 

Isabel has been performing in the DMV area and beyond since 2015, and has participated in festivals such as the Richmond Burlesque Festival (2022-24), Teaser Festival (2023), Land of the Sky Burlesque Festival (2023), and Fatlesque Festival (2024-25). As a producer and educator Isabel believes in inclusivity and safe spaces for performers of all identities and abilities, and works hard to establish a community of equality in every avenue of her burlesque career. 

Dissociating On The Dancefloor

This tremendous trans trio – Lio Letizia, Sid Vixen, and Jasper Kinetic – forged their heartwarming bond on and offstage as part of Vermont’s Green Mountain Cabaret Sugar Shakers. In 2023, they combined their astronomical talents and throbbing neurodivergencies to form the most anxious boy band you’ve never seen. Slick dance moves aren’t the only thing they’re serving: get ready to laugh and cry when you see them shake it out to numbers depicting mental health struggles, playful masculinity, and the power of friendship and self-love. 

*FEATURE PERFORMER* Android Allure

Glamorous, enticing, and, to put it quite simply, delicious! A devastating beauty with a vicious gaze, Android Allure is a dynamic and divine being that will bring you to your knees. 

They are the 2022 title holder Grandmaster Funk at What the Funk Fest, and in 2023, they won 1st Runner-up for Best Debut at the Burlesque Hall of Fame. Their work has been featured at the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle International Dance Festival, Seattle Gay Pride Festival, and Nordstrom.

A leader and legend in Seattle’s kiki ballroom scene, Android Allure is a mother, father, and auntie to their community. They challenge their kids to remember that trophies mean nothing. It’s about creating a moment, making a statement, and being memorable.

Combining their passion for ballroom culture and glamour, Android serves something severe, leaving you tantalizing for more.

Salem Sirene

NawFuck, Virginia’s own flirty feral fatale is the QUEER AF love child of Morticia Addams & Kesha. A part time pizza enthusiast, full time feminist nightmare we would hate to be on the other end of one of her hexes. A fierce champion for fat vanity she blends her natural elegance with a fierce intensity on stage thus creating the utmost seductive experience. The winner of the coveted “Hairography Master” award in 2016, the 2018 “Virgo” Award winner for excellence in coherence at the Discordia Days Burlesque Festival & headlining The Chrysler Museum of Art's 2019 Art Out Loud Exposed series opener she takes pride in her work on and off stage. As an instructor of the art of classic burlesque at The Academy of Tease, she loves teaching the art of burlesque to her students with fervor. Being one half of the dynamic Production duo for Nocte Covina Burlesque she strives to promote burlesque as the beautiful art form that it is. She's the Spellbinding Bitch of Burlesque, Salem Sirene! 

Bert Shaffer

His name is Bert Shaffer, but your dad just calls him baby! Bert is a Richmond, Virginia based burlesque and drag performer who’s been bouncing his booty across stages across the US and internationally since 2017.

Doris Night

Doris Night is known as Arkansas own tattooed temptress. Starting her burlesque and producing career in 2011 she’s helped bring burlesque to a larger audience in central Arkansas. She co-founded the foul play cabaret, Arkansas longest running classic burlesque troupe and produces their biggest-monthly show at the joint theater. She is also half of award winning duo Tease Supreme, who in 2023 performed at the most prestigious competitions in burlesque, the burlesque hall of fame. Doris is a two time award winner as a solo performer, her first award was getting third place in the Kansas City nerdlesque festival in 2018 then she won most classic at the 2023 Oregon burlesque festival. She’s also known for her costuming, making some of the greatest performers shine even brighter with sew very dangerous lingerie. Doris strives to continue to bring her own interpretation of classic burlesque to the lovely fans of burlesque 

Venessa Chevelle

Venessa Chevelle has been taking the DMV area for a wild ride since first twirling her tassels in September of 2014, now almost 8 years later the tassels are still twirling. She's been in numerous shows in the DMV are as well as a few hot spots up and down the east coast. In March of 2019 she made her festival debut at Jeezy's Juke Joint in Chicago, Illinois, followed by the Discordia Days Burlesque Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina and The Nashville Burlesque Festival in Nashville, Tennessee . Having the art of the tease under her belt, she decided to take on the task of producing as well as hosting, making her debut in both at Venessa Chevelle Presents Afrotease, Virginia's longest running showcase for performers of color in 2016. She's been featured in a write up in The Washington Post, and also in the mini documentary " Reclaiming Burlesque, One Tassel at a Time '' by VCU graduate student Mykala Daniel. She’s been a speaker at The University of Toronto and was voted in the top three Best Black Experiences in Richmond, Virginia. She's a proud Richmond native and is not afraid to show her beloved city what she's made of. Hailed as " The Powerhouse of Virginia '' and " The Heart of Richmond Burlesque", her shimmy is bountiful and her smile is electric, she will leave you wanting more! No wonder she's a whole lot more than you bargained for!

Valentina

Valentina, the Bella Ballerina of Burlesque, is a classically trained ballet dancer who traded pink tights for poppin' pasties. She blends technique with sensuality and shapes; and from the tips of her toes to the whips of her hair, her passion and power are hypnotic. Valentina can be found performing up and down the east coast (and thensome!) and teaching ballet and in the DC area.

Ellie Quinn

From Richmond, VA, Ellie Quinn brings a delightful fusion of sensuality and pop culture to the stage, earning her the title of the Duchess of Dork. Whether she's donning iconic costumes from beloved fandoms or incorporating witty references into her routines, Ellie's acts are a celebration of the geeky and glamorous, known to tickle and tease your funny bone. She has graced stages across the US and internationally, notably Montreal, Toronto, Lake Como, Geneva, Panama, and London. Her sharp and sexy wit has earned her Producer's Choice at 2018 Discordia Days Burlesque Festival and Most Comedic at 2022 Land of the Sky Burlesque Festival. Ellie is a proud ambassador for embracing one's uniqueness and breaking free from societal norms. She encourages self-expression and celebrates the beauty of embracing one's passions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. That is a huge motivator in her creating the RVA Burlesque Festival with Scarlet Starlet in 2020. Full of saccharine, silliness, and singularity, you'll want to catch a peek at this geek!

Miss Monroe

Miss Monroe aka Ashley Morgan Monroe has always been a performer and started taking tap at age 3. Born in the Bay, formed in Brooklyn, she now lives in Denver. At 5’2 she is a petite powerhouse that doesn’t limit herself or her students/clients potential. Pilates Instructor by day burlesque artist by night she currently teaches out of her home and believes every BODY can do burlesque because burlesque is for everyone. This January 2025, after 20 years in burlesque, she took home her first solo festival title, winning First Place as Weirdo Supreme at OKC's Weirdlesque Festival.

Miss Leo Dymond

Miss Leo Dymond has delved into the captivating world of burlesque, where she has honed her skills in the sensual art form. With her unique blend of grace, confidence, and a spazz of twerk, she has enchanted audiences with her mesmerizing performances.

*FEATURE PERFORMER* Nami Flare

Nami Flare is a graceful seductress who lures people in through her embodiment. With her dance background being rooted in African Diasporic you'll often see her using music such as disco, funk, and afro jazz to embellish her movements. Nami brings burlesque to the forefront to take audiences on a journey that explores sensuality, identity, and self-awareness. Ms. Flare was crowned Mx. Ebony Burlesque Atlanta 2024 and continues the legacy of melanated performers who came before her. She is bold, vivacious, and full of luxury. Coming to us all the way from Miami the sacral charmer who needs no armour.