12th NYC Burlesque Festival to Feature Award-Winning Performers

NEW YORK CITY—The 12th annual New York Burlesque Festival, featuring Australia's Imogen Kelly, crowned World Queen of Burlesque 2012, as well as dozens of international and award-winning performers, burlesque classes, a Burlesque Bazaar, and The Golden Pastie Awards, dubbed by sponsors the "Oscars of Burlesque," returns to New York Sept. 25-28. The four-day festival, offering 120 burlesque and variety performances in four venues, has sold out every year since its premiere in 2003. Four-day VIP passes, ensuring a seat at every event, invitations to after-parties, a New York Burlesque Festival commemorative poster and more are available for $120 via Brown Paper Tickets by clicking here or by calling Brown Paper Tickets' 24/7 event concierges at 800-838-3006. “It’s four nights of tassels and tail feathers, glitter and glamour in Gotham,” said Jen Gapay of Thirsty Girl Productions, co-founder of the New York Burlesque Festival. ”The world’s best burlesque performers at four of New York City’s hottest nightclubs is the hottest ticket in town.” The festival's other co-founder, Angie Pontani, will also be performing in Saturday's show. Pontani was once the World Queen of Burlesque, winning the Miss Exotic World 2008 competition, and she will be featured as part of a forthcoming PBS Great Performances series dancing live with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at Lincoln Center. This is scheduled to air on PBS on Oct. 24, 2014. Australia's Imogen Kelly, the World Queen of Burlesque 2012; Burgundy Brixx, named Vancouver, Canada’s Reigning Burlesque Queen by Vancouver Magazine; and Michelle L'Amour, semi-finalist for America's Got Talent, and ranked in the Top 5 of burlesque by 21st Century Burlesque magazine, are just a few of the other stand-out talents at this year’s festival. A nightly Burlesque Bazaar at each venue will include custom corsets, pasties, hair ornaments, vintage dresses, makeup, lingerie, and pin-up makeovers. An afternoon Burlesque Bazaar on Sunday will feature surprise performances, go-go dancers, DJs, shuffleboard and a live pin-up shoot with celebrated burlesque photographer Don Spiro. For a complete list of performers and event details, click here.