Show-Me Burlesque is a 3 day festival dedicated to glitz, glam and fabulous burlesque, boylesque, vaudeville, circus, and variety entertainment from all over the country!

St. Louis has a rich and diverse burlesque and vaudeville history from the brilliant talent of Josephine Baker, to the heyday of Gaslight Square, where The Smothers Brothers, Phyllis Diller and Barbara Streisand got their start, and to Evelyn West and the infamous Stardust and Grand Burlesque theatres where she and many other famous burlesque dancers performed. Show-Me Burlesque is thrilled to bring St. Louis burlesque to its former grandeur with a sexy new makeover.

Today, St. Louis is blessed with an amazing and diverse group of talented entertainers who are performing all kinds of burlesque, from classic, to comedic, to edgy performance art. Lola van Ella, St. Louis’ own burlesque mama and passionate producer, is proud to bring all the elements of her quarterly show, The St. Louis Burlesque Showcase, and expand them to include performers and headliners from all over the country to create Missouri’s first ever burlesque festival. In addition to five different shows, there will also be classes taught by world class burlesque educators at VanElla Studios, St. Louis’ first and only boutique burlesque and vaudeville school. Show-Me Burlesque promises to bring a sexy and exciting weekend of fabulous and exciting entertainment and education to a wide and diverse audience. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of history!

The third annual Show-Me Burlesque Festival will feature 3 entirely unique nights of burlesque and vaudeville entertainment beginning with Thursday, May 17th at St. Louis’ very own burlesque show club, the gorgeous The Jumpin Jupiter! The Jumpin Jupiter has been the premiere performance venue in the city with VanElla Productions’ signature shows there every weekend. This will be a Thursday event not to miss and will feature glamorous performances, a night of music, drinks, dining and dancing in a beautiful venue with a stage built for burlesque! Then, on Friday the 18th, Show-Me will present its most extravagant and elegant show at the historic, gorgeous and spacious Sheldon Concert Hall, one of the loveliest and most acoustically perfect venues in the country! Featuring a live band, gorgeous show girls and boys and classic glamour, this show will truly be a testament to the hey day of St. Louis burlesque.

Show-Me Burlesque couldn’t be more pleased to conclude with a spectacular installment of The Beggar’s Carnivale, one of St. Louis’ most beloved monthly events at one of the coolest venues in town, The Casa Loma Ballroom on May 19th. This show will feature not only burlesque, but sideshow, fire breathers, aerialists, silent comedy and so much more and will include two floors of art, entertainment, music and vendors. This will definitely be a huge party and an amazing show! In addition to all the shows there will also be sexy after parties and soirees, courtesy of VanElla Studios and other local favorite night life hot spots.

Join us for the St. Louis event of the year!

Festival Staff

Lola Van Ella – Executive Producer, performer, instructor and emcee
Sammich the Tramp – Producer, performer

Megan Cahil – Education Director, Administrator, Production Manager

Fiona Flame – Webmistress, performer
Blue Barber – Stage manager

Whiskey Kiss – Marketing, performer

Alessandra Plattner – Performer liaison

Sandi Powell – Vending and backstage coordinatrix

Matthew Prather – Head of Photography

Greta Garter – Show-Me Burlesque Festival Ambassador, performer

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