Toronto Burlesque Festival

Start: Thursday, October 3, 2024 7:00PM
End: Sunday, October 6, 2024 3:00PM

Bringing together the diverse talents of over 50 of North America’s premier burlesque, drag, and cabaret artists, The Toronto Burlesque Festival returns October 3-6, 2024 under the neon palms of the legendary El Mocambo with four sultry showcases of glamour, humour, and high-caliber performances rooted in messages of diversity, inclusivity and body-positivity. Founded in 2008 as a grassroots festival and furloughed by the pandemic, Toronto Burlesque Festival returns as an artist-led, non-profit organization. Opening night festivities on October 3 kick-off with a VIP cocktail reception featuring the Michael Shand Trio and photography retrospective of the festival’s history followed by four days of world class performances. Burlesque Legend, Ka’ena (Hawaii), a traditional Polynesian dancer who began her burlesque career as a teenager in the 1950s, will be headlining, leading a dance workshop, and doing a talk-back at the closing high-tea brunch matinee on October 6. The Toronto Burlesque Festival’s headliners include: dance/roller skate duo Kozmic Joy featuring 3x Burlesque Hall of Fame winner Joy Rider and 4-time world-champion roller skater/Cirque du Soleil movement artist Kozmic Skater; reigning burlesque queen of the NYC Noire Pageant Chola Magnolia; and hometown hero Zyra Lee Vanity, Queen of the Panama Burlesque Festival and 3x Top 50 burlesque performers in the world (21st Century Burlesque Magazine). Audiences can shine up their rhinestones and get ready for LIFT OFF at www.torontoburlesquefestival.ca