World’s Top Burlesque Performers Featured at Florida’s First International Burlesque Festival
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (PRWEB) August 15, 2014 -- The first runner-up to the Queen of Burlesque for 4 years running, Ophelia Flame, and 2013's King of Burlesque, Ray Gunn, will be featured at the Florida Burlesque Festival, Sept. 5-6, at the historic Cinema Paradiso. Several of Burlesque Magazine’s “Top 50” performers will be showcased, along with comedians, vaudeville acts and Las Vegas personality Blanche DeBris, creating an atmosphere that captures the glamour and the excitement of the Golden Age of Burlesque. Tickets to the Florida Burlesque Festival are $30 for General Admission and $50.00 for VIP at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/763764 or by calling Brown Paper Tickets’ 24/7 event concierges at 1-800-838-3006.
“I am bringing the best of the international burlesque community into my back yard to play,” said Bambi La Fleur, producer of the Florida Burlesque Festival and an award-winning burlesque performer. “My goal with the festival is to show young and old what made Florida famous in the Golden Age of Burlesque.”
The 40s and 50s are considered bulesque’s Golden Age, when performers and pin-up girls like Bettie Page, Dixie Evans, Big Fannie Annie, Dusty Summers and Bunny Yeager performed there often, with some making the sunshine state their home. The Florida Burlesque Festival is curated to showcase today’s best-of-breed performers in a classic setting that re-creates the look and feel of another era. The Cinema Paradiso’s art-deco style with its plush, blue velvet seating and vintage theatrical ambiance will host comedians, vaudeville acts and staples of burlesque entertainment reminiscent of burlesque’s golden age, making the Florida Burlesque Festival a modern burlesque event with a classic feel and a retro vibe.
Headliners include award-winning performer, Ophelia Flame, 1st runner-up for Queen of Burlesque four years running at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and Ray Gunn, crowned the 2013 King of Burlesque at the same international competition. Other performers ranked as the “Top 50 World Burlesque Performers” by 21st Century Burlesque magazine include Germany’s Dixie Dinamite and her troupe, boylesque sensation Bazuka Joe, The Schlep Sisters, Minnie Tonka, and Darlinda Just Darlinda. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the entire weekend will be the celebrated hostess of the world famous Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Blanche DeBris.
The festival is also dedicated to the legendary pin-up model and photographer Bunny Yeager, who passed away on May 25, 2014. Bunny is probably best known for her photos of Bettie Page, particularly her photos for Playboy magazine. Her work also appeared in Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Pageant and Redbook. Bunny was a close friend to Bambi LaFleur and therefore Bambi is dedicating this spectacular weekend to her memory.
More information can be found at http://www.floridaburlesquefestival.com, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-Burlesque-Festival/257263634423522.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: High-resolution photos are available. If you would like to interview Ophelia Flame, Ray Gunn or Bambi La Fleur by phone, or if you’d like any of the performers to appear in full costume, in-studio, call Bambi La Fleur at 305-720-6466. Ophelia, Ray or Bambi will teach your reporter or blogger some stage moves in the art and style of burlesque Sept. 1 or 2 as a way to obtain your own unique angle for covering The Florida International Burlesque Festival.
More About the Headliners:
Opehlia Flame: Known as "The Burning Sensation," Ophelia Flame is a pioneer of the Minneapolis neo-burlesque scene, a founder of Lili's Burlesque Revue, and a mover and shaker in the world of burlesque. With her trademark red hair and elegant dance style, this fiery ecdysiast is known for her sexy-smart performances, ranging from classic to comedic. Ophelia has performed across the U.S. and is an internationally recognized burlesque performer. She has been selected as a top contender eight times at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas and holds the title of Reigning Queen of Burlesque, 1st runner-up for four years running. Ophelia has been nominated one of the top 50 burlesque performers in the world by 21st Century Burlesque magazine, and received a Golden Pastie Award for "Most Fabulous and Fitting Stage Name" from the New York Burlesque Festival. Ophelia is honored to be an instructor and recently, a member of the board of directors at Burlycon Seattle, the nation's premier conference for burlesque artists. Ophelia has also been featured in The Burlesque Handbook by Jo "Boobs" Weldon, Marie Claire magazine, and numerous other publications. As a respected producer in the Twin Cities since 2004, Ms. Flame creates memorable shows and special events. She has been teaching burlesque since 2005 and is founder of Minnesota's first school of burlesque, The Playful Peacock Showgirl Academy. Ophelia is a founder of The Best of Midwest Burlesk, the region's first festival of its kind, producer of the Twin Cities branch of the international phenomenon Dr. Sketchy's and the wildly successful, Minneapolis Burlesque Festival.
Ray Gunn: Ray Gunn was crowned the “2013 King of Burlesque" at the Burlesque Hall of Fame and has headlined at burlesque festivals and shows across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand with his smoldering, sexy, and frequently avant garde solo acts. Trained in contemporary dance, acrobatics, capoeira and pole dancing, Ray creates imaginative works of strip-tease art that show off his athletic ability and inspired choreography. Ray served on the creative team of Beggar’s Carnivale in St. Louis and recently was a featured presenter at Burlycon in Seattle. He is quickly becoming known for his large menu of insightful burlesque and dance workshops. He is also a key member of The Stage Door Johnnies. Based in Chicago, The Stage Door Johnnies are the only all-male burlesque group of its kind. They give the audience a rare glimpse at a masculine twist on the historic art of striptease and have individually and collectively earned numerous local and world titles including: “Best Group” 2011, “Artists of the Year 2010” by the Burlesque Innovation Guild and named in the Top 10 performers in the world by 21st Century Burlesque magazine two years in a row.
About Brown Paper Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com) provides easy, reliable online event registration and ticketing with the lowest fee, the highest level of service, and the largest commitment to roller derby and to social responsibility in the ticketing industry. The Not-Just-For-Profit ticketing company donates 5 percent of the profits from every ticket sold, pays employees to work 40 hours each year for the cause of their choice, and employs a team of experts in roller derby to give free assistance, and to help the sport grow and thrive.
Barb Morgen, Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com, +1 206 883-9093, [email protected]
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