For the second year running, The Milan Burlesque Award comes alive this weekend with 20 international artists selected to perform and compete at the prestigious event. We can’t wait…
Italian Burlesque: Milan Burlesque Award
Last year’s event crowned UK burlesque performers Kitty Bang Bang as ‘Best Performer’ and Anna Fur Laxis as ‘First Runner Up.’ The event also unveiled Trixee Sparkle as ‘Most Comic.’
The line-up includes variety acts this year such as Abigail Collins and London juggler extraordinaire Mat Hemman. The Burlesque School of Milan will be producing workshops throughout the weekend and alongside this year’s competition and New York burlesque legend, Angie Pontani will be performing.
As a Milan Burlesque Award exclusive, a special selection of scenes from the independent Canadian movie The Burlesque Assassins by director Jonathon Joffe. The movie stars Burlexe’s very own Kiki Kaboom and looks fantastic from the photos we’ve seen.
We asked some burlesque performers who are attending this year why they’re heading to Milan…
Aurora Galore, London, UK
(Image from Tigz Rice)
Aurora Galore said, “I’ve not seen the festival or done it before but I am really excited about it.
“I love the Italian audience and the energy that it brings. I am really looking forward to seeing Angie Pontani, I can’t wait for that!”
Fräulein Frauke, Stockholm, Sweden
(Image from John Paul Bichard)
Fräulein Frauke said, “This is my first time at the Milan Burlesque Awards. I read about it last year and it looked like a really cool and creative event with great acts!
“I have never been in Italy to see live burlesque but the scene seems to be absolutely blooming! Lots of great events – both festivals and regular clubs with top acts and great aesthetics. I have my eye on a few Italian performers for upcoming shows at our club Fräulein Frauke Presents.
“When we are over we will be doing some shoots, I am going with my husband, photographer John Paul Bichard and we have a shoot planned with the beautiful Xarah Von Den Vielenregen. Also just to enjoy the city in springtime and hopefully get new burlesque friends.
“Oh, it will be so interesting to see all the performers there! A few of them I know a little bit, but have never seen live, like Luna Rosa and Xarah so that will be fun. Also the Finnish Troupe Itty Bitty Tease Cabaret, who I have seen a few times and they are great!”
Miss Glory Pearl, London, UK
(Image from Miss Glory Pearl)
Miss Glory Pearl said, “I was at the festival last year and it was so much fun I wanted to come this year as well.
“The Italians love beauty and style and their burlesque reflects this so I was a bit nervous the first time I performed here because I prat about making a fool of myself but they just loved me – don’t think they’d seen anything quite like it before!
“Whilst in Milan I plan to eat ice cream, see the cathedral, corpse (have a photo taken of me playing dead somewhere unsuitable), catch up with old friends, make some new ones and do my very best to give a great performance.
“I can’t wait to see Natsumi Scarlett again. I will give her a big hug!”
Burlesque Festival Audience
Italy and UK based audience members Steve and Poppy Adlem attended the festival last year and will be at Saturday’s show.They told us about their experiences and favourite burlesque performers.
“The audience were in awe of the girls and many had seen nothing like this before. There were a few of us hardened burlesque followers but most people were new to burlesque and were mesmerised by its beauty and style and its diversity from classic to comedy.
“All in all it was a good weekend and introduced Milan to the depths of burlesque. This year, the event is to be held in a theatre so I think it will be much easier from an audience point of view.
“Luna Rosa, is our very favourite exotic dancer, she has such presence and is very erotic….
“Other favourites have different skills and talents. Good friend Natsumi Scarlet from Amsterdam, Cherie Adorable and Olivia Rouge from Finland and the very funny Koko la Douce from Hamburg.”
Burlexe wishes all the very best to everyone taking part and to the folks at Les Vedettes who are organising the event. We can’t think of a better way spending our weekend than in the sun, in Italy surrounded by beautiful people. In short… we’re jealous!
Burlexe is a sensational London burlesque show inspired by the women who created the genre and perform the art. It fuses burlesque performance with storytelling, dancing with acting.
Find out more about our unique burlesque show and join our mailing list.
(Main image from Milano)
