Shake Your Tits, it’s Burlesque Month

Lady Hoops, performing as part of the Acme Burlesque show during Burlesque Month. Photo by Daniel Coyle.

Last week kicked off Montreal Burlesque Month, a series of burlesque-themed readings, art shows, performances, workshops and social events celebrating dirty dancing and retro fashion in the lead-up to the annual Montreal Burlesque Festival. Here’s a rundown on what to expect.

Tonight, Monday Sept. 10, get glitzed up and head to Dinner and a Movie, with a screening of Behind the Burly Q in the beautiful Rialto Theatre. The documentary waxes nostalgic about burlesque’s long and glamourous history, and the Rialto will be serving a three-course meal while you watch. 5732 Parc, 6 p.m., $45

Saturday, Sept. 15, catch Naked Girls Reading. The title says it all, folks. It’s some naked girls, reading. 227 Notre-Dame W., 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., price T.B.A.

The festival has programmed more dinner theatre for Sunday, Sept. 16, when you can catch a burlesque show and eat supper while channeling the jazz age. Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill, 1254 McKay, dinner at 7:30 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m., $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Covering all the bases, Burlesque Month is also hosting a burlesque-themed fashion show, featuring designers Jay Manuel, Nevik and Lise Charmel, among others, with part of the proceeds going to BBAM Gallery. Sept. 19, 227 Notre-Dame W., 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., $15

Workshops
The festival is offering several workshops and classes, for dancers and those who just want to channel burlesque style.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, Nancy Kotik has a dating and etiquette workshop, to help bring out your inner ladies and gentlemen. 227 Notre-Dame W., 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $25

The next night, Sept. 14, there will be a three-hour vintage hair and makeup workshop, in which Catherine Deschamps shows participants how to get an authentic burlesque look (the answer? Hairspray). 227 Notre-Dame W., 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., $90

If you’re a dancer, or want to be one, head to the festival’s Burlesque-Oriental workshop. Al Jamila Nella Malak will teach participants sensual eastern-inspired moves to add flair to cabaret and burlesque performances. Sept. 22, 227 Notre-Dame W., 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., $10

A second workshop, entitled “The Art of the Tease: The Gaze, the Glove and the Get-Down,” caters to beginners. Award-winning grands dames of burlesque Miss BonBon Bombay and The Lady Josephine will show newbies how to leave ‘em wanting more. Sept. 23, 227 Notre-Dame W., 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., $40

Montreal Burlesque Festival
The month closes out with the Montreal Burlesque festival, which runs from Sept. 27 to 29 at Club Soda, with three straight nights of titillating performances, plus a special super-sexy midnight show. Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent), 8 p.m., $44.50 per show or $112 for a weekend pass. ■

Burlesque Month runs until the end of September. Check the program for details.

Cult MTL was on hand to catch one of the many shows lined up for Burlesque Month. Check out Daniel Coyle’s photos of Acme Burlesque sexing it up at the MainLine.
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