BY BTL STAFF
As the Michigan Burlesque Festival celebrates four years of award-winning burlesque performance, the Hastings Street Ballroom/Tangent Gallery features an award-winning cast of performers on Sept. 16-17 at 7 p.m. The star-studded lineup will include two of the 21st Century Burlesque Magazine's Top 50 Burlesque Performers: Chicago's Ray Gunn and New York's Dangrrr Doll. Also headlining will be Grand Rapids' 13-piece burlesque and musical group, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. Joining them is a cast of more than 50 performers including Italian burlesque performer, Nada Von Darling, and returning emcee Foxy Tann. The festival will include a variety of vaudeville performances, fire performances, acrobatics, comedy, and live music. Tickets are available for $25 online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2591747.
"This festival always provides diverse entertainment and never-ending laughter. This year may be our strongest lineup yet," said festival co-producer Mabel Syrup.
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to specific civil rights organizations.
"The festival has decided to donate to the ACLU and Black Lives Matter because it is an issue that is important to our society in order to evolve and grow," Syrup said. "We want to help spread the voice for those in Michigan who are ready to see change in the world, and who are tired of seeing inequalities and racial profiling in our communities."
The show doesn't stop with this year's headliners. Local vendors will sell their unique handmade merchandise and a variety of good eats. Pre-show entertainment features performances by the mesmerizing Jadeybug from Sunshine Fire Entertainment, incomparable circus art by The Striped Circus, and an appearance by Detroit's favorite anti-clown, Satori Circus.
Saturday afternoon workshops will be offered with some of the festival performers including Tassel Twirling with Foxy Tann at 1 p.m., Costume Aesthetics with professional costumer Dangrrr Doll at 2:15 p.m., and Fabulous is a State of Mind with Foxy Tann at 3:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the Hastings Street Ballroom/Tangent Gallery.
The Michigan Burlesque Festival is produced by Mabel Syrup and Valencia Starling of Fancy Pants Arts & Entertainment. For more information, visit www.michiganburlesquefestival.com www.facebook.com/MichiganBurlesqueFestival.
