In this age of social media Instagram is allowing us to follow amazing people from all around the world. These are a few but worthy instagrams to follow for you the burlesque lover! 

Happy Scrolling 
Don't forget to follow us 
@clevelandburlesque
@ohioburlesquefestival
Have an Instagram we should feature? 
send us a message at clevelandburlesque@gmail.com 
Next 20 Shared in December! 

Happy Holidays, The turkey is not even on the table but is now time to get that Christmas list going! This holiday season why not skip the big retailers and Shop Small Business! 
Here is a we little guide on shopping small this holidays season! 

Conventry Village is jingle bell rocking this season with multiple events to offer a treat for every one on your list.  They have two events coming up the first one being
December 10th The Convetry Village Holiday Festival from 12:00PM to 11:00PM
​ Coventry is full of treasures from Big Fun to Tommy's some great places to check out during the village Holiday Festival! 
The second event is a bevy of local handmade vendors from all over on
December 18th The Jingle Bell Shop
This takes place at two locations - The Grog Shop and B Side Liquor Lounge 
11:00AM to 6:00PM  
You can sip and shop local vendors and you are just a few steps away from our Sponsor 
IN THE 216 
With over 100+ local artists the are handmade local to Cleveland and Ohio. 
A few amazing things to mention you need to give from the 216 are-

The Cleveland Flea has a bit of everything your heart will desire, The flea has become a CLE staple for local shopping featuring from vintage to handmade and small batch makers. 
​Something for the whole family in this flea season! 

Eat your Fears!
Local Chocolatier Fear's Confections has the perfect holiday candy for your family and friends or office party secret santa! From Starwars, Harry Potter, Nintendo to delightful buckeyes and gourmet truffles and caramels Fears has everything you need to make this holiday sweeter!  

Retro Rosie 
The newly open vintage inspired clothing store has a bit of everything for the lady on your list that loves vintage inspired clothing. Offering a variety of sizes from S to Plus you are open and ready to meet your holiday needs. Plus they have fantastic workshops there on Sundays from Burlesque to Photography, Vintage hair & Make Up. Retro Rosie has a bit of it all! 

Re/Dress 
One of Cleveland's gems featuring handpicked vintage finds, small designer clothing companies and then some amazing costumer service with private shopping appointments and styling consultations. Nothing like having a full body positive experience so TREAT YO SELF! 

The holidays can be stressful, The Side Quest Bar is a great scape for a bit of (ME) time, Alas while there you can think of the beer lover in your life that enjoys all things nerdy! While you are relaxing with a sonic screw driver grab a certificate for the SQ a great gift for a friend!.

Give the gift of MUSIC! In the waterloo neighborhood there is an amazing little local venue called The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern... :) Yes our home venue! 
Not only do they have This Way Out a vintage/record store that will have something unique for anyone on your list but with a gift certificate you can not only suggest their amazing BRUNCH on Sundays to your family and friends but there is a ton of concerts year around not to mention fantastic burlesque show *wink wink* - You can skip over to Waterloo Arts and check out the exhibit and head down to Blue Arrow or Star Pop and Music Saves to do a little more shopping! 

VISUAL GRAMMAR
One of the sponsors of our shows that vends all about town that you need to find this holiday season is Visual Grammar. Her sunnies are one of the most demanded accessories in Cleveland!
She also has jewelry, hair decorations and more. Fantastic stocking stuffers for the fashionista in your family or the sparkling friend!  

Finally another vendor you need to find, For the final touch - 
Have some one in the office? a hard person to shop for? Sugar Bomb Confections has you covered 
Macaroons are a gift that keeps on giving. Delicious!  

So, There is a few suggestions to where to shop this holiday season. 
We will have another few for you closer to the date, Have a suggestion? 
Send it over clevelandburlesque@gmail.com
Shop Local this Holiday Season! 

TWIRLY WHIRLY BURLY-Q
will take their classic girly show back on the road, performing in Cleveland at
The Beachland Ballroom on November 3 2016! The women of Twirly Whirly Burly-Q bring you a
burlesque extravaganza straight out of the days of old New York. Experience this delightfully
cheeky show, where playful sex-appeal meets extravagant costumes, a celebration of wit,
sensuality, the female form, and good-old-fashioned girl power. Relax, have a cocktail and let
the ladies of Twirly Whirly Burly-Q welcome you into their world of avant-garde theater and
classic New York striptease.

The show is produced by Ula Uberbusen (star of NYC’s Victrola Burlesque and Tainted
Cabaret and producer of the The Mason Dixie Burlesque Tour), Hazel Honeysuckle (star of
The Burlesque Show at the Borgata, producer of The Mason Dixie Burlesque Tour, named in
21st Century Burlesque’s TOP 50 Burlesque Performers for 2015), and Rosie Cheeks (star of
The Burlesque Show at the Borgata)

“Working as a team of strong and talented women means that we empower each other to create
entertaining and thought-provoking theater,” says Ula Uberbusen about producing Twirly Whirly
Burly-Q. Hazel Honeysuckle adds about going on the road, “What I love the most about touring
burlesque shows is the chance we get to bring our art to people who have never seen this kind
of show!” Rosie Cheeks, who is also an actress, says, “It is exciting to be a part of the burlesque
revival because it is a great way to keep live entertainment vibrant and thriving.”
Twirly Whirly Burly-Q welcome local guest 
Cleveland's Burlesque Queen - Bella Sin 
The Sensuously Silly Stripper - Dahlia Deluxe 

FOR SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS
VISIT TWIRLYWHIRLYBURLYQ.COM.
TO FOLLOW THE SHOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CONNECT AT
FACEBOOK.COM/TWIRLYWHIRLYBURLYQ  
TWITTER: @TWIRLYWHIRLYBQ
INSTAGRAM:@TWIRLYWHIRLYBURLYQ

Ezi Rider- Wicked and Wild
Heritage : Cuban
Performance years - 1965 TO 1980
​Known for her "Feather Dance Routine & Magic Act"

a Cuban performer began her career in burlesque in NYC in 1965, as a dancer in the chorus line of  the Latin Fire All-Latin Revue. She has since worked clubs and theaters all over the U.S., Canada and Guam, including a co-starring role in Burlesque USA alongside legendary comedian Red Buttons and singer/dancer Robert Alda (Alan Alda‘s dad) and feature engagements with Minsky’s Follies, the Chicago Playboy Club, and Cabaret Las Vegas. Marinka The Amazon, Ezi Rider, Di Alba, Kitten Natividad and more. ​

Hailing from the border town of Juarez, Chihuahua, MX. Kitten immigrated to the US when she was 9 years old with her family in the 50s when the supreme court recognized that latinos are
suffering inequality and profound discrimination giving them the legal means to fight back while
millions of them are being deported and a dozen bills were being
introduced to preserve segregations against latinos. That gives you an idea of what
atmosphere Kitten and her family were living in. 

In the 1970s Kitten Natividad was told multiple times by her agents that her name was to hard to pronounce and no one would hire her because of it, Kitten was in 20s when she started burlesque and right off the bat she won the tittles "Miss Nude Universe 1970 and 1971" She appeared in Playboy, Russ Myers Movies and was featured in shows world wide.
 
Her hard work and fiery personality allowed her to more ahead in the business fast but that did come with some hardships back stage with racist remarks from other performers, patrons and booking agents going as far as to asking her not to perform to latin music.
Kitten still performed with her latin flavor in every stage. 
She stopped dancing in her 50s but attended Miss Exotic World in 1982,
​Later Performed in Tease-O-Rama and Burlesque Hall Of Fame. 

Kitten now resides in California. 

Images by ​©Olena–Photolena–Sullivan for Burlesque Beat. ( Julie Mist, Lola Foxx, Di Alba, Suzette Fontaine, Gina Bon Bon and Ezi Rider. 

Chairmyn Meow
​Colorado Springs, Co
Cuban/Puerto Rican 
I'm proud to embrace my heritage and diversity. Surprise to many, I learned to speak Spanish first then English. My father and my uncle fled Cuban over 50 years ago on a raft to start their life in the United States. My mother came over as child from PR, and later on in life went into exotic dancing and cabaret work.  I'm grateful for their sacrifice and liberties, I enjoy being born in the U.S.

Name: Vivi Valens
Location: Chicago, IL
Heritage: Mexican American

Born and raised in San Antonio, TX
Vivi Valens now calls the windy city of Chicago her home. She performs with the monthly burlesque collective "Original Tease", entices audiences with the "Kiss Kiss Cabaret", and is a regular peeler at The Drifter, a speakeasy curated by Michelle L'amour. 
A spicy dish leaving you hungry for more, The Tex-Mex Minx,
​Vivi Valens.

Name: Ruby Rounds
Location: Portland, Oregon
Hertitage: Chicana 

Ruby Rounds embodies a marriage of vintage Americana with the aesthetics of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema in her Latin-inspired classic burlesque. Using her background in performing Mexican folk dance, Baile Folklorico, Ruby weaves storytelling with dance to pay homage to the legacy of Latina performers of the mid-century.

Ruby was crowned Princess of the 2016 Heavy Rebel Weekender Music & Burlesque Festival and her cheeky take on classic burlesque won her the title “Most Comedic” at Edmonton Burlesque Festival‘s Burlesque Bunny Competition 2015.

She has graced stages in cities across the country and has showcased in the Oregon Burlesque Festival, Southern Fried Burlesque Fest, Calgary International Burlesque Festival, and ABurlyQ Sideshow and Burlesque Spectacular. Ruby is proud to be performing in The Roux: A Spicy Brown Festival, the first and only burlesque festival featuring a cast of all performers of color

Name: Lola Coquette,
​The Sweetheart of the Southwest
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Heritage: Mexicana, Yaqui y Brazileira

I have been performing the art of the striptease for nearly six years but did not come life until I started traveling out of Arizona a few years back. The irony of performing in a mostly Hispanic state, is that are only a handful of "brown and out" performers representing here. Traveling allowed me to finally see people like me.
I'm not talking "skin" color but people who openly celebrate or may have struggled embracing their culture. Through burlesque and travel I rediscovered a deep appreciation for my heritage and a profound sense of belonging. I also opened my eyes to incredibly amazing non-Hispanic/Latinos who are hungry to learn and embrace our culture. It is why not only do I love performing my "Latin Acts" but also love teaching my workshops; I literally see inclusive of culture blossom before my eyes.

Befriending other Hispana & Latina performers has been a true turning point in my life and career. Sitting down with Legends Kitten Natividad and Marinka, Queen of the Amazon brought me to tears. Other than my lovely Momma, I do not have many matriarch figures in my life, so the admiration and instant connection to these powerhouse ladies that pioneered the industry for us, brought me home on so many levels. And while I fully comprehend you do not have to speak Spanish or Portuguese to be Hispanic or Brazilian (just like we aren't marked by a skin tone) my heart melts instantly when I hear my native tongues back stage, on social media or within an ear shot. So yes, I invite you to chat it up the next time we cross paths!

​Name:  May Hemmer
Location:  New Orleans, LA
Heritage:  Puerto Rican, African American and Cherokee

I've been performing for almost 5 years now and finally coming into myself.  Burlesque has helped me to discover myself and who I am.  My father is Puerto Rican but never spoke much about his family heritage; when his family came over and moved to Texas, they made a decision to move on from whatever was going on.  This included not really telling me a lot about my heritage or teaching me the language.

Now that I have a family of my own, I've wanted to be able to know more about my father's side of the family so my children will know.  Burlesque has helped me meet so many wonderful people and meeting other Latin brothers and sisters have helped me push myself more and more.  Not only has this helped me be able to incorporate more of my heritage into my acts....but to discover myself as a performer and person.

Name:  Miss Harvest Moon 
The Sultry Syren of Burlesque
Location: San Fransisco/Brooklyn
Heritage: Mexico City

I've been a burlesque performer since 1997, from San Francisco's Mission District- the latin headquarters of SF. 
I lived in NYC for 13 years 

Name: Perlita Picante (La Hot Perlita)
Location: Olympia, Washington
Origin: Mixed race from Guayaquil, Ecuador. 

The first time I came to the USA was through an exchange student program in 1993. I was 16 years old when I arrived into Seattle, WA. My host family took me on a short road trip and we happened to drive through Olympia – it was then that I had made the decision of making this town my permanent home. Fast forward several years, I met the man who would become my husband and moved to Olympia in 2005. I discovered Burlesque after a few years of training with a local Belly Dance troupe. I had already been fascinated by Las Gatitas de Porcel, Iris and Lourdes Chacon since I was a kid -but seeing the Academy of Burlesques recital made me fall madly in love with this art and I have ran with it eversince; Perlita thus made her debut on November of 2010.

​In late 2011 I co-founded Rock Candy Burlesque in Olympia with 5 other local performers, and
perform regularly in our local scene. However, it was not until I attended the POC Caucus at Burlycon

in 2015, that I realized just how important it is to honor your roots and your heritage. With that
realization came the commitment to at least add one element of my culture, upbringing, and personality whether it is in the form of movement, music, or costuming to each one of my acts. I feel that it is a reflection of who I am as an artist and as an individual, and that through my art I can show my audiencethe beautiful cultural diversity that is available to them, in their own backyard.

Name: Broody Valentino
Location: New York, NY
Heritage: Cuban

As a Cuban performer I always bring the soul and the passion of my culture with me when I step onto the stage. Even if I am performing to a song that is not particularly Latin, the spirit of my people shines through.

​I am greatly influenced by the style, glamour, and the blending of Afro-Cuban Jazz, and the Nightclub sound that was prevalent during the “Golden Age” of the Cuban nightlife scene of the 1930’s and 40’s. With my more classic acts,
​I evoke the memories of those long lost days of bandleaders and extravagant musical numbers.
I also enjoy challenging the concept of machismo, which is such a big part of growing up in a Cuban home.  I believe it is the reason why I find so few Cuban men in the Boylesque scene. Pushing the boundaries of how a good Cuban man is supposed to act is something that is extremely important to me. The spirit of my Cuban Heritage is something I can never escape, nor would I ever want to! As the great Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, who fell madly in love with my country and culture, said “If I get lost, look for me in Cuba.”

Name: Reina Fire
Location: Milwaukee, WI 
Heritage: Guatemalan, Mexican, Cuban and Portuguese 

I started performing in 2013 and feel like I have really found myself- which is hard for most people in their mid 20's to say. I was born and raised in the heart of Chicago and moved to Milwaukee in 2009 for college but decided to stay after graduation. Being Latinx can be hard sometimes, especially when Latinx individuals are typically erased from conversations about race, police brutality and cultural appropriation- and 
although Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the US, it is a wonderful and beautiful city that needs this scene. It needs the all inclusive love that knows no race, color, size, or gender. Honestly, if it wasn't for moving here and meeting the people I have met I might have never started performing. The sense of community here is really alive and being able to bring that community even closer together through expressing my body and heritage on stage makes me feel truly beautiful. The amount of praise I have received from audience members, people who are just starting out and very seasoned performers alike fills me with such an incredible amount of joy that I am getting emotional as I type this. When I was growing up as the chunky brown girl I never thought I would be the center of attention on stage let alone getting naked on one. It might be kind of cheesy to say- but I am really fucking proud of myself. 

​

Name: Tito Bonito
Location: Los Angeles, California
Heritage: Cuban American

Also known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, Tito Bonito has hosted shows, taught burlesque classes, and performed in shows and festivals across the country and internationally. In four years of living in LA, Tito has been named one of LA Weekly's People of 2016, one of Time Out LA's Top Burlesque Performers in LA, and received numerous awards and recognition. In 2013, he created a YouTube web docuseries called "Cuban Missile Series," which chronicles his burlesque life and travels since his move to Los Angeles. In 2015, he taught his Vogue 101 workshop at BurlyCon in Seattle. Currently, Tito hosts and performs around Los Angeles at venues such as Townhouse in Venice, VIP Nightclub in Riverside, and The Globe Theatre in Downtown LA. ​

Name: Lorelei
Location: Toronto, Canada
​Heritage: Chilean 

The exotic, erotic and hypnotic Lorelei, performs old school Bump and Grind with an energetic dose of rock and roll. 
Lorelei started performing in 2013 with the Shimmy Dolls, Chile’s first Burlesque Troupe. After moving to Toronto, she was Semifinalist in the Miss Pinup Canada Pageant 2014. In 2015 she won Master of Tassels at Burlypicks Toronto and was Semifinalist for World Burlesque Games.

Name: Ms. B LaRose
Location: Chicago
​Heritage: Mexican/Filipina

Ms. B LaRose, Glittering Goddess with the Heart of Gold. A dynamic performer that enjoys to wear her heart on her sleeve. Whether creating vulnerable moments, creating excitement, to catching you with a smile, or bringing you into a fantasy that you didn't realize you wanted until you saw it on stage. I enjoy performing. But most of all I enjoy exchanging positivity and excitement for what we love to do with the audience and the performers around us. 

About this time last year, I never thought that the woman I have become would ever come to exist.  Burlesque saved my life. This art allows me to be my full capable confident self one hundred percent, judgement free. Which has helped me shape this muggle life into beautiful chaos. Performing came to fruition during my most vulnerable times in coming out as a queer, brown woman.  I used this an outlet to be proud to have a sexuality and love for everyone that is so wholesome and true to myself.  I drew up courage from the people in my life that have helped me be comfortable in my own skin and sexuality.


​

​Name: Viva Valezz!
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Heritage: Mexican-American 

Everything I am owe to my mom, Irene Varela, and my dearly departed Grandpa Zeke.
Burlesque performer, producer, and instructor, Viva Valezz! has been turning on the Midwest since 2007. Her credits include being voted 2010 “Columbus, Ohio's Favorite Burlesque Performer” by Outlook magazine, taking home a “Golden Pasties” award from the 2010 New York Burlesque Festival where she has performed several years, and her dance troupe, the Velvet Hearts!, has been the only burlesque troupe ever nominated for the “Best of Columbus” in the Best Dance Company category. Her Velvet Hearts! are the only all-queer identified burlesque troupe in the state of Ohio and in Pittsburgh. Her proudest accomplishment is her work as the founder and producer of the FIERCE! International Queer Burlesque Festival - the ONLY queer / LGBT burlesque festival in the world - now going into its fifth year.

Drag Queens (Female Illusionists) have had a long history on the stage long before Rupaul's Drag Race came to the screens of of the world. In the late 1800's Drag Queen as a term is speculated to have come from the dragging of their victorian garb and the queen was at the time a derogatory word used against the LGBTQA Community. 

Brigham Morris Young was known as Madam Pattrini, Accounts to her falsetto was so convincing no one doubted Madam Pattrini. Drag was a popular and acceptable form of theater in London. 

We asked our resident drag historian Lady J Martinez she states - 
"Drag doesn't have a clear "big start" but rather several times that it comes in and out of favor in the mainstream. In the 30s drag became hugely popular for a very short handful of years."

So, It seems that like Rupaul today there was some great names in drag at the time and the biggest is speculated to be ​Julian Eltinge
shown here on this video. He toured simply as "Eltinge" which left his sex unknown and his act included singing, dancing and quick costume changes in a variety of female roles, including a Gibson Girl-like role called "The Sampson Girl".



​

Per Lady J Martinez when she was asked about the transition of drag then to know she states- 

"Drag's transition to where it is today is extraordinarily complicated, but a simple way to sum it up for a short piece like this would be to say that where drag in the 30s came out of vaudeville and burlesque and nightclubs, now drag takes its influences from everything from pop culture,
Las Vegas showgirls and burlesque to underground art, punk aesthetics, and ironic send up's of pop culture that often celebrate the campy aspects of something while also critiquing and satirizing politics. It's so much more complicated than this"- Says Lady J Martinez 

Erica Martinez has over 40+ pageant crowns from her time in the competition circuit, Erica loves old school glamour and as you can tell from the hair to the costume is full fantasy!.

Erica Martinez started Drag In June of 1987, Her drag career started in a small bar called The 1504 Club in Lorain, Ohio. Drag then Vs Now was unique as she says "Many years ago it was much harder to be a drag queen than it is today. Today it is easier for the entertainers because of the resources that are available with today's technology. They are able to go onto YouTube and find make up tips, learn how to do wigs, and costume ideas. It is easier to swap costumes with other entertainers today. Back when I started drag we did not have the technology that we have today. We did not have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other forms of internet media. We had to local Gay Magazine that would advertise for the shows at that time."

She continues to add that she feel what makes a drag queen timeless is staying true to who you are as an entertainer. However, it is important that you stay with today times as far as music, fashion etc. However, I feel that you should never lose the character and the uniqueness that has made you the entertainer that you work so many years to become. At the same time I feel that it is important that you reinvent yourself as time passes, but still maintain the type of drag queen you have worked so hard to become. I consider myself to be the old school glamour drag, but tie in the trends of today to remain timeless as an entertainer.

Ginger Breadhaus started drag December 2014 at a Christmas show, Her favorite time of year.  Her name says it all is a sugary sweet Christmas treat!
As for how drag has changed from then to now? She says "I think drag is always changing! With drag, everything is off limits, the possibilities are endless! But even with all the change, there is still so much tradition and culture that still holds strong today!"

What do you think makes a drag queen timeless?
A timeless drag queen is someone who has a signature look, style and/or way of performance. You need something that someone is going to remember! Also hardworking, confident and commited. If you are not going to care about your drag, why should anyone else!

The Queens Of Weird! 
Gidget Von Addams and Discord Addams have been keeping Akron Weird for some time at The Interbelt Nightclub with their Addams Family Values Show on Wednesday Nights. 
Their esthetic from darker inspirations, club kid culture and at heart they are rockstars. 
Discord Addams has been doing drag for 4 years and has been making a name for her self and her partner Gidget Von Addams.  They have both made appearances in WOW Presents shows on LOGOTV for Transformations with James St James and Couples for Cash. 

Akashia has been seen in Season 1 of The hit Rupaul's Drag Race. The show that is credited to have launched drag to the revived the drag movement. Akashia has been touring about the states representing Rupaul's Legacy and with the episodes re airing the fans are getting familiar with this queen. A lot has changed since Season 1 of Drag Race for Akashia she has involved her love of comics and started cosplaying female characters like Storm among other. 
She is a a regular at shows at Bounce Nightclub, Liquid,
​ Aura Ultra Lounge Cleveland.

This is not all of Cleveland's Drag Scene there is fantastic shows at Bounce, Cocktails, Liquid, Aura, interbelt among other LGBTQA Bars. Why is this showcase so different? 
Since the laws changed in Cleveland there is close to no drag available to 18 to 20 year olds, The only drag for under 18 is at Collage showcases and Pride events. 
Thanks to The Beachland Ballroom and Ohio Burlesque along with Porch Porch Productions we are able to present The 1st Annual Cleveland Drag Showcase. 
ALL AGES SHOW 
Tickets at the door are $10.00 (adv available) with VIP tables quickly going! 
Join us Saturday September 10th at 8:PM Doors - 9:PM Show
*The venue has free parking 
*Food available 

This Show Is Sponsored by 
Deville Rhinestones 
Fear's Confections 
Visual Grammar 
Dare2Care 
The LGBT Center 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK 
​For Tickets On Line 

The Beachland Ballroom hosted the 6th annual International Ohio Burlesque Festival,
70+ performers from all over the world to celebrate 85+ years of burlesque in Ohio. 
The festival celebrated it's 4th award by the City of Cleveland! 
Supported by All Local sponsors and Organizations! 

We will like to say Thank You To our Sponsors and Vendors. 

The Festival was presented by Fear's Confections, Le Femme Mystique Burlesque, Beachland Ballroom, In The 216, Visual Grammar, Pure Romance, Remax Dan Tyson-, Aquage, Zing Anything, Deville Rhinestones, Bossy Girl's Pin Up Joint, Burlesque Bitch, Melt, Yelp Cleveland, Wine by Design Rocky River, Cleveland Scene, Jak Prints, Hyatt Arcade, Naral Ohio, Preterm, AIDS Taskforce Navi Henna, Destination Cleveland, West Side Shuffle and Our Yearly Charity The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. 
Images by Bob Perkoski, Amber Patrick and Kevin Inthavong. 

A Very special thanks to 
Eric Paul Owens, Bryan, Katie, Constantinople, Jeff, Cindy, Mark, Todd G, Melanie, Nathan, Marissa, Emily, Amber, Kinsey, Rubina, Salis, Noella, The Cleveland Burlesque academy students, Le Femme Mystique Burlesque troupe members, Michael and Doc Malloy for the video. The City of Cleveland, Cleveland Scene, Cool Cleveland, Alt Ohio, Fresh Water Cleveland, Dan Tyson and Matthew, Cherry, Red, Mister Sin and most of all our family, fans & friends. 

The burlesque festival is getting closer and the excitement is building. The 6th Annual International Ohio Burlesque Festival is gearing up for a hell of a show and if you have never attended a burlesque festival before, here are some of the biggest reasons for you to come check it out. 

Bringing a beloved character to life is no easy task, but through burlesque, cosplay and theater come alive with a vibrant display of skill and lots of effort. You will never know who you will get on stage but it will be an amazing surprise to see them channeled through a great performer. 

Broadway and burlesque have always has been hand to hand melding to one another, with the earliest example of Gypsy Rose Lee. Burlesque's chorus lines and vaudeville acts made the night a spectacle of true entertainment. This year we are checking out some group acts that are going to make your mind melt and your heart swoon. 

Boylesque! Bring on the men! 
The wonderful thing about festivals is that you get to sample both the male and female form of entertainment, and let us tell you how amazing it is to have the men entertain at the highest caliber. From ballet to belly dance to a good old tease, these gents are ready to entertain you! 

The amount of acrobatic magic that will take place throughout the weekend is unbelievable. 
Are you ready for your hearts to skip a beat?  Hold on tight to your seats.

Big costumes, fantastic lip syncing, and they will bring down the house with death drops and high kicks. Are you ready for some high energy drag comedy?  We are!!! 

,The artistry of vintage burlesque, from the music to the dance, is hypnotic and timeless.  Throughout the weekend we will see amazing performers with grace, style, and fantastic expression of the art form.
Class, sass, and so much beauty!  

"How did they come up with that?" is what you will be asking yourself all weekend.  Fantastic costumes, amazing reveals and peels, along with some amazing messages - not to mention a limitless imagination. 

The list of hosts and comedic acts is long and strong.  You will be walking out with the most satisfying smile on your face during these shows. Our hosts are dynamic, unique, funny, fluid, witty, and a mix of comedic magic . 

We have multi award winning entertainment from all over the world. You will not believe your eyes at the talent gracing the stage on this special weekend. From the United Kingdom, South America, Canada, and all over the USA - we are hosting some of the top names in burlesque to date here in Cleveland.  This is not any other burlesque show - this is THE burlesque show to attend! 
​We will see you there Ohio! 

The LGBT Community Center has been serving The greater Cleveland area for over 40 years and as of this may they announced plans today to construct a new, dynamic and versatile community center in the Gordon Square Arts District of its Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
The expansion is a realization of the Community Center’s goal to solidify Northeast Ohio as a place where LGBTQ people are embraced and celebrated as integral members of the community. The new facility will offer expanded programming and meeting areas totaling almost three times that of the current space. It will be accessible, visible and welcoming to the LGBTQ community and the surrounding neighborhood.  
----------
The partnership including Ohio Burlesque and The LGBT Center for this year will include engaging our community to raise not only donations for daily operations but their match grant for the new facility, to volunteer and share their community vision and community engagement. 
Learn More About The Facility Announcement HERE

This week our festival received a huge honor from The City Of Cleveland.

Is more then just a burlesque show at this point after 6 years, it's been supporting local businesses, charitable organizations, 
tourism and the waterloo arts district. Sponsored by Le Femme Mystique Burlesque 12 year veterans of Burlesque production with The Beachland Ballroom as their permanent home this festival has seen over 300 performers, and thousands 
of audiences from far and wide both international and national. 

Head producer Bella Sin states "Is the largest event in surrounding states of it's kind and for us to be acknowledged in this level is amazing, The support of this city has truly made a difference to us over the years. We are extremely honored"

Co-Producer Bryan Mravec "As someone who started as a patron before becoming a staff member of OBF, I have always been moved by the sense of community that is such a driving force of what we try to accomplish. Whether it's the Burlesque community, the LGBT community, or our local community in need, Bella and the rest of OBF has always been willing to reach out, lend a hand, and strive to do something selfless and awesome, something bigger than just a show. The fact that we have been recognized not just by our community, but our city that we are so proud of is not just a huge honor but a reason to keep working towards bettering ourselves and our production"

This is not the first recognition for the festival :
The Ohio House of Representatives extended a special recognition
​on their 4th annual Celebration in 2014
The Cleveland City Council extended a special recognition on their 2014 festival.
In 2015 their first proclamation was issued by Mayor Frank Jackson. 

The festivalʼs motto this year is “Amplifying Every Voice” which best represents a community that is present and thriving worldwide especially with this year’s charity The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. Over sixty five performers will be included in the three-day festival, which will feature burlesque, vaudeville, sideshow and variety acts.
This year’s festival has received a second proclamation from Mayor Frank Jackson, 
for recognition of its longevity and support of the LGBTQ community.

Fear's Confections - Confection Chaos Friday has been a fun new way to expose costumers to new and delicious creations like ‪The Buzz Puffs‬- they are cream puffs filled with an espresso mousse and topped with a Bourbon cardamom drizzle the best part is they are made with local Troubadour Coffee.
A butter crust tart filled with lemon-lavender custard (featuring Pope's Kitchen lemon Lavender syrup), topped with meringue and lemon-glazed blackberries. 
Cassandra has been open for over a year and has been putting out amazing products along with their well known nerdy chocolates that are a staple for Fear's. 
From Star Wars to Star Trek and Harry Potter with Gaming too! 
Fear's carries multiple signature truffels made with Pope's Kitchen syrups *YUM*

Every Friday Fear's Confection has their Confection Chaos available for sale at their store on 
15208 Madison Ave in Lakewood - Their hours are 11:00AM to 9:00PM Fri/Sat

Sugar Bomb Confections is well known for their macarons and cupcakes, Sugar Bomb is a Cleveland, Ohio based craft candy company making high quality candies and confections. They use the quality ingredients, and expert techniques to make our products the best that we can. From classics, like glass candy and lollipops, to modern creations, like our local bacon toffee, we strive to create the best tasting confections you can find.  
They are a cottage business that currently can be found at area farmer’s markets and various special events. We will also take orders via email or phone.  
Or via http://sugarbomb216.com/​