Gear up for a show you'll never forget. The Australian Burlesque Festival is heading back out on the road, and this year it's bigger and brighter than ever before.
"It really is the best of the best," says burlesque performer The Diamond Dahlia. "A lot of amazing international performers that we don't really get out here for any other events. The audience gets to see some of the best performances of the world up on stage and we have some really cool venues across Australia. It's kind of a burlesque lover's dream."
The strip-tease star says Australia's burlesque scene has put itself on the world map.
"Because we came to the scene a lot later in the rebirth of burlesque in the '90s, we've established a mix and mash of everything that's going on in the world. I think we're only beginning to be noticed as a good scene. We've had quite a few international performers come down the last couple of years and 2012 Queen of Burlesque was an Australian performer named Imogen Kelly. I think everyone is realising what Australia has to offer and what we've been hiding down here underneath the world."
Rosy RabbitShe describes the art form as a way of expressing who you are in a sassy, in-your-face way.
"It's taking the best elements of yourself and chucking it on stage and not being afraid to be bold out. It's all about confidence. Obviously you're not going to get up on stage if you're not comfortable with your body. It's about having a gimmick and having something to offer."
Captain KiddThe Diamond Dahlia discovered burlesque at the age of 18 and said it was the glitz and glamour that appealed the most to her.
"It turned into this thing that I'm happy to spend thousands of dollars on creating a masterpiece that I can take to an audience. I get to go on stage dressed as a princess or an absolute goddess or whatever you can dream up in your head. We get to travel around and I've seen the world and I've performed with some amazing people. Seeing the world and doing what I love, who could ask for more?"
Banbury CrossThe Australian Burlesque Festival Dates
Thu Jun 6 — Baby Bombshells @ Prince Bandroom (Melbourne)
Fri Jun 7 — Empress Erotique @ Thornbury Theatre (Melbourne)
Sat Jun 8 — The Big Tease @ The Regal Ballroom (Melbourne)
Sun Jun 9 — Nouvelle Royale @ Red Bennies (Melbourne)
Wed Jun 12 — Her Majesty's Theatre (Ballarat)
Wed Jun 12 — Launceston Country Club
Thu Jun 13 — Wrest Point Casino (Hobart)
Thu Jun 13 — Nexus Cabaret (Adelaide)
Fri Jun 14 — The Tivoli (Brisbane)
Sat Jun 15 — Darwin Entertainment Centre
Wed Jun 19 — Lizotte's Restaurant (Lambton)
Thu Jun 20 — The Abbey (Canberra)
Fri Jun 21 — Nouvelle Royale @ The Standard (Sydney)
Sat Jun 22 — The Metro Theatre (Sydney)
