Last year marked the inaugural Houston Burlesque Festival, the first of its kind in Houston. The event drew more than 1,000 fans to the House of Blues. This year’s event expands beyond performances to include burlesque classes and merchandise. The Friday night kickoff party features Missy Lisa, Midnight Joy, Pelvis Costello, Lady Jae, Tifa Tittlywinks, Minxie Mimeux, Ginger Valentine and DJ Felipe Galvan. Veronica Orso Flores, a.k.a. Miss Vhaven, is hosting the festivities that evening and is also co-producing the festival,along with Shana Lira of Atomic Bombshell Magazine, Lady Jae of Houston Burlesque Revue and the Ruby Revue.
Orso Flores says, “As a longtime fan and supporter of burlesque in the Bayou City, it is wonderful to host so much talent united on one stage. This art form has so much to offer and is never dull or shy. Stripping is an art, no matter what the critics say.”
Saturday’s lineup includes Alia, Bethany Summersizzle, Renee Holiday, Emma D’Lemma, MaryLynn Mayhem, Shelbelle Shamrock, Incredisizzle, Abby Cadabra, Tifa Tittlywinks, Rosie Rawhide and the Dallasbased group Ruby Revue. Both of the group’s recent Houston shows in January completely sold out.
Headlining Saturday’s show is performer Roxi D’Lite (“The Bad Girl of Burlesque”), who was crowned as last year’s World Champion of Exotic Dance. In 2010, she won the Miss Exotic World title in Las Vegas, one of the youngest performers to do so. warmup comedian Seth Herzog (a.k.a. “The Zog”) is taking on the emcee duties for Saturday.(He’s been known to do a little dancing himself, in a Wonder Woman costume no less.)
9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline. For information, visit facebook.com/houstonburlesquefest. $15 to $100.
Fri., Feb. 20, 9 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 21, 9 p.m., 2015
This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2015.