More than 50 performers from across Texas and the U.S. converge on Dallas this weekend for the inaugural Texas Queerlesque Festival. The event includes two main stage shows and two days of workshops, networking events and vendors.
Networking and education events take place at Sue Ellen’s, 3014 Throckmorton St., and the two showcase events will be held at Viva’s Lounge, a burlesque theater located at 1350 Manufacturing St., Ste. 120.
Producers are Lillith Grey and Milo Cox. Grey has been performing and producing shows in the Dallas area for more than 10 years. She was owner of Gloryhole Productions and a founder of Brain Tease Dallas, Tuesday Tease at Sue Ellen’s and Glitterbomb Denton. Cox is well known as emcee for Glitterbomb Denton and as a Viva’s Lounge bartender. Cox is also a visual artist, printmaker and artistic director of Sundown Collaborate Theatre.
The producers noted that the Texas Queerlesque Festival “aims to be a safer space for our cast, crew, audiences and communities.” And as such,
“Performances or presentations which include cultural appropriation, racism, sexism or other themes of oppression and marginalization will not be allowed. However, cultural exchange and reflection, social critique and artistic explorations of difficult topics are encouraged.”
They added that content warnings will be provided at the beginning of each show, and performers exploring potentially controversial topics will be encouraged to release artist statements about their work.
Performers will include Draconis, Chola Magnolia, Queertini Time, J.D. Hancock, Jeez Loueez and Foxy Blue Orchid, and many more.
The festival began Thursday night with the Unicorn Sparkle Party at Sue Ellen’s, and continues Friday with a private networking happy hour, also at Sue Ellen’s, from 4-6 p.m. The party, free to festival attendees with a wristband, includes drink specials and an appetizer buffet.
The Friday night showcase, Sequins and Sass, begins at 8 p.m. at Viva’s Lounge, and will be followed by after-parties at Viva’s and Sue Ellen’s.
Saturday begins with the Unicorn School, featuring seven workshops, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and private networking parties at Sue Ellen’s from 4-6 p.m. The All That Glitters showcase begins at 8 p.m. at Viva’s lounge and will, again, be followed by after-parties at Viva’s and Sue Ellen’s.
The festival concludes Sunday with a Twerk N Jerk workshop led by Jeez Loueez crom 1-2:30 p.m., and the Wind-Down Party with live music from 2-6 p.m., both at Sue Ellen’s.
Networking and after-parties are free to all festival attendees. Tickets to all workshops and showcases range in price, depending on the event, with package deals available. Attendees to all events must be at least 18 years old and will be required to show a valid U.S. ID card or a valid passport.
At all TXQF events, you are required to show a valid US identification card or a valid passport verifying you are over the age of 18.
For information or to purchase tickets, visit TexasQueerlesqueFestival.com.
WHEN
Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 9 p.m. – Sunday,
July 31, 2016 at 9 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE
Sue Ellen’s, 3014 Throckmorton St.
Viva’s Lounge, 1350 Manufacturing St.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 29, 2016.
Burlesque with a queer twist
