Performer applications are now live for the Windy City Burlesque Festival! Interested performers and troupes have until February 1, 2010 to get their materials in. For more information, please contact us at info@windycityburlesquefest.com

The Windy City Burlesque Festival
presented by Belmont Burlesque Revue and Vaudezilla Productions

April 15-18, 2010
The Windy City Burlesque Festival
Greenhouse Theatre
2257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago IL 60614

April 2010 - The Second City becomes the First City of American Burlesque!

Chicago, the birthplace of American Burlesque, will play host to the first-ever Windy City Burlesque Festival. Blending old traditions with a new attitude, this festival will shine a spotlight on some of the finest burlesque performers throughout the country. Come and join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and showcase the future of this Grand Old Art!

We have a jam-packed weekend of sexy, sparkly fun planned. On April 15, be a part from the start as we roll out the red carpet to welcome our performers to Chicago with our Opening Night Party.

Then, get ready for more burlesque than you can twirl a tassel at! Greenhouse Theatre plays host to three stages of dazzling performances over two nights on April 16 and 17. Fans! Feathers! Tassels! Pasties! Rhinestones! We’ve got it all, and we’ve got it from all over the United States.

Finally, you can get a peek behind the curtain and learn how we do what we do. On April 17 and 18, some of our performers will be hosting classes and workshops where you can learn everything from making pasties to picking a stage name to dancing with a long, feather boa!

The Windy City Burlesque Fest...come back to where it all began!

Applications Coming January 1, 2010

For more info, visit http://www.windycityburlesquefest.com

Belmont Burlesque is proud to announce a brand new night of burlesque entertainment at the Playground Theater! In addition to our regular Revue, we will be offering up a new series of themed burlesque shows on the third Saturday of every month! This is our way of working with more of Chicago's extremely talented burlesque community while having some fun with new ideas and acts. Each month will feature a new theme and a brand new slate of Belmont Burlesque cast members and special guests.

September 19th - Around the World in 80 Dames! The Belmont Burlesque Revue kicks off its new series of themed burlesque shows with an evening of performances that will take you around the world and back again. Belmont Burlesque Presents... Around the World in 80 Dames features some of Chicago's finest burlesque with an international flair, including performances by Coo d'Twat, Natasha Minsk, Violet Vogue, Danielle Meijer, Pearl Pistol and the Belmont Bombshells. Hosted by Jacques Dans La Nuit with magic by The Amazing Tomas.

October 17th - The Sass Menagerie! Lions and tigers and babes, oh my! Come see our lovely ladies walk on the wild side as they channel their inner burlesque beast in an alluring evening of striptease and more! Featuring the talents of Coo d'Twat, Donna Touch, Red Hot Annie, Lula Houp-Garou, Bonny Babs, Chee Chee Claquette, Violet Vogue and the Belmont Bombshells. Hosted by Chris Biddle with songs by Jimmy Innuendo.

November 21st - Belles Kitchen! Our burlesque beauties get busy cooking up some delicious treats for all your senses to enjoy. Tasty tease provided by the lovely Teddy Bare, Chee Chee Claquette, Natasha Minsk, Wham Bam Pam, Viva La Muerte, Red Hot Annie, Pearl Pistol, Salome Slaughter, Violet Vogue and the Belmont Bombshells. Hosted by Jack Midnight with magic by The Amazing Tomas.

For more information about upcoming Belmont Burlesque Presents shows and guests, be sure to check back online at our official website!

Ever wish you could take a little of a Belmont Burlesque show home with you? Now you can strut your stuff just like a Belmont Bombshell with our handmade pasties! Perfect for the seasoned burlesque performer, bachelorette or Valentine's Day gifts or a sparkly surprise in the bedroom. Give your nipples something to sing about!

Hand crafted with love, care and attention to detail by our very own Lady Annabelle, our pasties are re-useable and will last you for many frolics in the bedroom and beyond. All pasties are backed with canvas and cupped to curve with your breast for a comfortable fit. Each pair comes with a bottle of pasty glue (liquid latex) for application. They can also be applied with double sided wig tape, eyelash glue or spirit gum (not included).

Check out our new Etsy shop and get yourself something sparkly for your boobies, or the boobies of someone you know - The Belmont Burlesque Etsy Shop!

This Valentine’s Day, skip the gifts, skip the cards and avoid red roses at all costs. Celebrate the seedier side of passion on that luckiest of lucky days, Friday, February 13th as Belmont Burlesque presents the perfect remedy for those unlucky in love (or lucky enough to be single) – the Broken Hearts Burlesque Ball!

The entertainment for the evening skips the saccharine and gets straight to the bawdy business of bump and grind. DJ Joe Black of Midnight Spookshow will be spinning between performances by the best of Chicago burlesque. An assortment far sweeter than your average box of Whitman’s chocolates, featured performers include Pearl Pistol, Red Hot Annie, Backdoor Aly of Varietease Cabaret, boylesque sensation Hot Toddy, Dizzy Lizzy Delicious, The Honey Buns, The Amazing Tomas and the Belmont Bombshells.

Embrace your inner burlesque demon and show up dressed to thrill. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress in festive black, red or burlesque inspired costumes, with cash prizes for the best dressed in attendance.

Shine up those stilettos, lace up your corset and grab some glitter for good measure. The night of sexy fun takes place on Friday, February 13th at the Abbey Pub (3420 W. Grace). Doors open at 8pm, burlesque performances begin at 9pm and run throughout the evening. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance at the Abbey Pub website.

As winter creeps along and temperatures drop, the Bombshells get extra frisky in response. Why, they're so bubbly and bouncy that the extra hotness has frothed over to create TWO imminent opportunities to see the Belmont Burlesque Revue!

"But Bombshells," you cry plaintively, in a justifiably sleepy tone, "Winter is for hibernation and Midnight is so LATE! Can't you do a show at, oh, say, 10 PM?"

Oh yes we can, our somnolent supporters! Friday, January 16th and Saturday, January 17th, see us at a SPECIAL TIME AND LOCATION--10 PM at the Gorilla Tango Theatre (1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., just steps away from the Blue Line stop at Western and Milwaukee).

We'll be joined on Friday night by Dan Telfer, providing the ha-has, and on Saturday night by rockin' teaser Viva La Muerte and funnyman Bryan Bowden. Plus, as always, your hammered host, Jack Midnight, the lovable Second Cousin Joe, the fabulous Belmont Bombshells, and the mystifying magic of the Amazing Tomas.

Details for both shows are below. Oh! Oh! We hope you'll go!

THE BELMONT BURLESQUE REVUE AT GORILLA TANGO!

WHEN: Friday, January 16th and Saturday, January 17th at 10 PM

WHERE: Gorilla Tango Theatre, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.

HOW MUCH?: $15--a steal!

IS THERE PARKING?: Street parking is available. But there's a bar at the theater, and you might want a drink or three. If so, hop the Blue Line train to the Western stop and booze it up!

CAN I BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE? Yes, and we encourage you to do so! Visit the Gorilla Tango website to purchase tickets online.

We can't wait to see you at one show or t'other (or BOTH, you crazy loons!). Until then, we're shimmying like mad to get ready. See you soon!

Thursdays at the Abbey Pub! Bombshells and B1g T1me! The Belmont Bombshells will be performing live every Thursday in July beginning July 10th for a two-month residency in the main music room at Abbey Pub. The opening band starts around 9, and we go on around 10, followed by our headlining act of the evening, B1g T1me! B1GT1ME's "Your Very Own Wild Years" @ ABBEY PUB 3420 W. Grace, Chicago THURSDAYS IN JULY & AUGUST! with Belmont Burlesque 9:00 show sharp!!! $8 COVER 21+ opening bands: THURSDAY, JULY 10TH BLACK BEAR COMBO http://www.blackbearcombo.com THURSDAY, JULY 17TH NICK GAGE'S SPRINKLER SYSTEM THURSDAY, JULY 24TH CLUB FOR HEROES THURSDAY, JULY 31ST THE DELAFIELDS http://www.thedelafields.com

Hello fans of the bump and grind!

It's time for an all new Belmont Burlesque Cocktail Hour! Join Jack Midnight, Naughty Natanya and Paris Green as they sip Martinis this month and chat with The Honey Buns and discuss this month's burlesque inspiration, Nina Simone. Plus comedy by Jared Logan, music by the Flat Mountain Girls and much more!

Grab yourself a drink and take a listen!

Hello fans of the bump and grind!

It's time for an all new Belmont Burlesque Cocktail Hour! Join Jack Midnight, Naughty Natanya and Paris Green as they make Zombies this month and chat with Jared Logan before he heads off to pursue his stand up dreams in the Big Apple. Plus comedy by Sean Flannery, music by the Al Day Trio and much more!

Grab yourself a drink and take a listen!

Hello fans of the bump and grind!

We have an exciting new Belmont Burlesque feature for you! The Revue has entered the world of podcasting! Join Jack Midnight, Naughty Natanya and Second Cousin Joe for a round or two of cocktails as they talk about burlesque, music and comedy. We've also got an interview with boylesque sensation La JohnJoseph!

Grab yourself a drink and take a listen!

Paris Green is featured with several other national burlesque performers on today's Candy Pitch topic "The Why Files" discussing their motivation behind performing burlesque. Head over to The Candy Pitch and check out what they have to say!

For Belmont Burlesque fans in Grand Rapids, MI - Naughty Natanya and Titi Touché will be appearing at the Raggidy Carnivale 3rd Annual Masquerade Ball at Sazerac Lounge (1418 Plainfield - Grand Rapids, MI) this Saturday, February 2nd. The event benefits the Grand Rapids Roller Girls and is sponsored by our favorite brewmeisters, New Holland Brewing. Tickets are $8. Check 'em out, enjoy some tasty New Holland beer!

This month, the Belmont Burlesque Revue is delighted to be sharing our stage with boylesque wunderkind and international cabaret sensation, La JohnJoseph!

Named "Gender Provacateur" by the Village Voice, La JohnJoseph is one of New York's finest boylesque artists. He has appeared at the New York Burlesque Festival and performs regularly with groups like Sugar Shack Burlesque, Weimer New York, Sweet and Nasty Burlesque, Kitty Nights, MAN-a-tease and Tigger's Coney Island Boylesque Revue. La John Joseph is also the only man to have ever won the Miss Galapagazonga Burlesque Contest, a crown and title of which he is quite proud.

In addition to his boylesque pursuits, La JohnJoseph is a founding member of the Dada vaudeville cabaret troupe BOYFRIENDROBOTIQUE and the art and style 'zine P.S. I LOVE YOU.

Get your tickets now and get a taste of boylesque!

The Belmont Bombshells will be making an appearance at AIDSCARE's annual fundraiser, "Fat Saturday Ball," on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Architectural Artifacts (4325 N. Ravenswood). This carnival infused evening begins with a cocktail reception with passed hors d' oeuvres and Bacardi specialty bars. The silent auction will alternatively transport partygoers to the whimsical shopping districts of Venice, Rio and New Orleans. The evening continues with a heavy buffet, open bars, continuous tantalizing entertainment, dessert bars and music to dance the night away. VIP and regular tickets are available by calling 773-359-0174. About AIDSCARE Chicago This Chicago nonprofit organization was established in 1992 to provide housing and care for homeless children, families, and adults living with HIV/AIDS. AIDSCARE provides housing and social services to offer people a better quality of life and believe that housing is healthcare for those impacted by HIV/AIDS. For more information visit www.aidscarechicago.org

Our Gorilla Chase is the Candy Pitch Video of the Week! Grab a banana and check it out!

Hello fans of the bump and grind! Can't wait until our monthly Revue to get your fill of your favorite Belmont Burlesque cast members? Check out our galleries for pics of the Bombshells, Jack Midnight, Joe, Tomas and our guests. We'll be updating them every Tuesday with brand new photos of all your favs, plus we'll be raiding our archives for classic shots from days past. Check back each week for new pictures!

Would you like to be able to watch a little of this...



...whenever you like?

Now you can! There's an easy way to keep up with all your favorite Belmont Burlesque videos. Subscribe to the new Belmont Burlesque TV channel at YouTube and be treated to new videos each week from current BBR shows and our favorite moments from classic Belmont Burlesque Revues of our past four years.

Signing up is simple. Visit our page at YouTube and hit "Subscribe" - when new videos are posted, you'll be notified. It's as easy as that!

Join us today!

Hello fans of the bump and grind! For one night only our very own Titi Touche, will be performing Lola van Ella and the Alley Cat Revue in St. Louis, Missouri! Catch the T-N-Teaser this Saturday night, November 10th, at 10pm at Rue 13 (1311 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO). Singing, dancing, trapeze and silks, belly dancing, acrobatics, comedy, and general sass talking. There is something for everyone at the Alley Cat Revue! General admission is $10. Doors open at 7pm - stop by and enjoy Rue 13's excellent food and booze... and of course, the lovely Titi Touche!

Our own Man of the Hour, Jack Midnight, has been featured over at The Candy Pitch in their weekly highlight of burlesque performers, The Candy Gram. Check it out and get to know a little more about Jack!

The Belmont Burlesque Revue welcomes a new Bombshell to the cast! Kitten Kaboodle, who has graced our stage in the past as a special guest, will now be joining the Revue as a regular member of our cast. We're absolutely delighted to have her as our newest Bombshell and can't wait for you to see her bump and grind with the rest of our lovely ladies each and every month at the Playground Theater. Welcome aboard, Kitten!

Beginning with our May 26th, 2007 Revue at the Playground Theater, we will be using Brown Paper Tickets for advance ticket sales. If you would like to purchase tickets in advance for any of our 2007 shows, please visit our new reserve tickets page to place your order.

Tickets will still be available for purchase at the box office on the night of the performance.

Individual tracks from Jack Midnight's CD, Daddy Like, Music To Get Lucky To are now available for purchase from Snocap. Buy a track and get lucky!

Our dear friend The Amazing Tomas was profiled in today's Chicago Tribune as one of five local must-see magicians in their very aptly named article, "Wizards of Odd". We *heart* Tomas and we hope you do too. Go check out what he and his contemporaries have to say about makin' magic.

Want to find out more about Tomas? Head on over to his MySpace page and check out all the mayhem and mystery that is the Amazing Tomas.

Belmont Burlesque director and producer Paris Green recently sat down and talked burlesque with her alma mater's newspaper, The Daily Northwestern. Not a NU student? No worries. The Daily is  archived online.  Check out what Paris had to say about our favorite subject along with reigning reality TV show burlesque queen, Michelle L'Amour.

Claire de Lune and Naughty Natanya delighted a sold out crowd at Chicago's Metro theater on April 7th when they performed as part of the opening act for the Dresden Dolls. The Dolls are a post-punk cabaret band with a strong burlesque sensibility, currently touring to support their new album, "Yes, Virginia."