Angie Pontani, New York Burlesque goddess and New York Burlesque Festival co-producer. Photo by Miss T's Pin Ups.
The Ninth Annual New York Burlesque Festival starts today, Sept. 29. By Oct. 2 it will have peeled completely away, and winners of the Golden Pasties awards will have been announced.
Connecticut has welcomed many of the New York-based artists active in the latest burlesque revival scene. The World Famous Pontani Sisters are not just participants but producers of the fest. Albert Cadabra, the magician/MC/freak act which hosted a Pontani Sisters burlesque revue at Café Nine last winter, is on hand, as are familiar, uh, faces well known around these, uh, parts, such as Darlinda Just Darlinda and Connecticut’s own Nikki Le Villain.
Hominess aside, the NYBF is truly an international affair, with burlesque artistes from throughout the country and around the world, from Australia’s Lillian Starr and Imogen Kelly to Japan’s Cherry Typhoon.
Each night of the festival is held at a different location. Hosts include The World Famous Bob (Thursday at the Bell House on 7th Street in Brooklyn), Scotty the Blue Bunny (Friday at the Brooklyn Bowl), the smarmy Murray Hill (Saturday at B.B. King’s on 42nd Street in Manhattan), with Miss Astrid overseeing Sunday’s awards ceremony at the Highline Ballroom on 16th Street, Manhattan). The Brooklyn nights cost a mere ten bucks advance ($15 at the door), while Sat. and Sun. run $25 ($30 at the door). Details here.
