12th Annual NY Burlesque Festival Kicks Off This Weekend

The New York Burlesque Festival - the largest and most acclaimed festival of its kind in the world - returns to the city this fall for more lavish and wildly entertaining performances than ever. The festival has attracted sold-out crowds since its premiere in 2003 and this September marks the 12th year for the celebrated event. New York City is regarded as one of the biggest burlesque hot beds in the world. Don't miss your chance to take in the Big Apple's top teasers as well as talent from around the globe!

Pontani & Thirsty Girl Productions will serve up four nights and one afternoon of glitter and glamour in Gotham, with more than 120 eye-popping performances from international leading burlesque and variety entertainers at four of NYC's hottest nightclubs. In addition to an abundance of tassels and tail feathers, audiences will also be entertained by live music, international DJs, and variety acts including circus and, of course, boylesque performers! And the action is not limited to the stage. Ticket holders may also peruse products and services during the nightly burlesque bazaar at each venue that will include custom corsets, pasties, hair ornaments, vintage dresses, makeup, lingerie, and pin-up makeovers.

Each night of the festival offers a whole new show with different entertainers. It is a dazzling spectacle that should not be missed and it culminates with the Golden Pastie Awards - the "Oscars of burlesque". Visit www.thenewyorkburlesquefestival.com for details or read below for more about the weekend.

Kick off the weekend and whet your appetite for more at The Teaser Party on Thursday, September 25 at The Bell House. Hosted by NYC nightlife legend The World Famous *BOB*, the Teaser Party features more than 25 performers like Red Hot Annie (Chicago), Anna Evans (NYC), Di' Lovely (San Diego), Tinke Bell (Helsinki), Darlinda Just Darlinda (NYC) and more. DJ Momotaro will be spinning swinging sounds from the 50's and 60's for a perfect post show dance party! The Bell House also offers the perfect setting for multiple vendors. Be prepared to shop for clothes and accoutrements with Tatyana, Rebel Angel, Glorious Pasties, Dangerrrous Designs and more!

The next stop is freaky Friday for the notoriously wild Premiere Party on Friday, September 26 at Brooklyn Bowl. Join our super duo, Albert Cadabra and Shelly the Singing Siren Watson, as they host the show with more than 25 performers including Maxie Millions (Phoenix), Audrey Deluxe (Los Angeles), Elle Dorado (New Orleans), Nasty Canasta (NYC), Mena Domina (New Mexico), Dolores Daquiri (Australia) and more. The show will also feature a live set by band Corn Mo and .357 Lover, an aerial performance from Aero Trapeze (NYC), and music by DJ Fresh Prince of Darkness.

Break out the family jewels for The Saturday Spectacular on September 27 as the festival takes over B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in the heart of Times Square. The crème de la crème of contemporary burlesque will titillate the audience as a parade of headliners grace the stage for this dazzling evening hosted by "king of comedy" Mr. Murray Hill. The show will include performances from The Brian Newman Quintet (NYC), Angie Pontani (NYC), Imogen Kelly (Australia), Michelle L'amour (Chicago), Albadoro Gala (Italy), Mr. Gorgeous (NYC), The Devilettes (San Francisco), Kelly Ann Doll (Australia), Tigger! (NYC) and many more! Plus, ticket holders get to boogie down next to their favorite burlesque kings and queens at the exclusive after-party at neighboring Lucille's. Dance master DJ Bill Coleman will spin vinyl to keep the party going all night long.

Experience burlesque by daylight at the all new Burlesque Bazaar on Sunday September 28, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the sprawling Royal Palms Shuffle Board Club. Enjoy craft cocktails, a game of shuffle board, live music, a live pin-up photo shoot and more while shopping. More than a dozen vendors will offer a variety of wares including official New York Burlesque Festival merchandise, retro-style dresses from Tatyana Clothing, impeccable vintage from Wildfell Hall, world-class pasties and g-strings from Glorious Pasties. Patrons can even get a three-dimensional statue of themselves from Fredini's Scan-A-Rama, a massage from the Brooklyn Living Room Spa or a history lesson at Burly-Q Nell's pop-up Burlesque Museum chronicling the history of burlesque in the Big Apple!

The festival goes out with one big glittery bang on Sunday night, as we bring the "Oscars of burlesque" to NYC with The Golden Pastie Awards. Part awards ceremony and part stage show, the event will be hosted by NYC's own Bastard Keith with sidekick and all-star announcer Scott Rayow. Expect lots of hi-jinx, high kicks and more than 20 performances, from stars like Miss Vampfire (Italy), Iris Le'Mour (Texas), Minnie Tonka (NYC), Lou Henry Hoover (Seattle), and Burgundy Brixx (Canada)! Between performances, winners are presented with people's choice awards and giant golden pasties for esteemed categories like The Khaleesi Award for the performer most likely to "rule the seven kingdoms" and The Hot Buns Award for the performer with a "positively perfect posterior". Expect glamorous evening gowns, paparazzi insanity, red carpet realness, and outrageous acceptance speeches as the festival pops one last pastie at The Highline Ballroom.