New Orleans Burlesque Festival
Is autumn making you feel a little cheeky? The annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival takes over town September 15-18 at the House of Blues and Harrah’s Casino, both just a short walk from your guest room. Burlesque and the French Quarter have long been bedmates, and Bourbon Street was ripe with shows and clubs from the 1940s-60s. To this day, people still come from around the globe to see the glitz and performances of famed dancers like Evangeline the Oyster Girl.
It’s unsurprising that New Orleans was key in kick starting the burlesque revival of today, taking striptease to an entirely new level. Every autumn, the city proudly hosts the top burlesque festival in the world where leading global entertainers compete for titles and bragging rights.
Now That’s a Show!
Every year since the 2009 inception, the festival gets bigger and better. It began as a sheer competition but now the parties, panels, workshops and showcases often take center stage! It’s so big, two venues are now required to hold it. Some of the most popular events include the Queen of Burlesque Competition, standing-room shows, the Queen’s Ball, and a variety of showcases like the Bad Girls of Burlesque.
Don’t miss the solo acts set to live jazz music, and watch the celebrity judges narrow down the best of the best. Once the queen is crowned, she hosts the massive ball and leads a court of dancers on a whirlwind night of entertainment. Sunday night’s party isn’t to be missed, so be sure to pace yourself.