Glamour, glitz and feathered fun as Burlesque Festival returns

Expect a flurry of feathers and fabulousness next weekend as Galway City’s third Burlesque Festival takes place from Friday, May 18, to Sunday, May 20.

This celebration of the diverse, creative, seductive world of cabaret and burlesque will feature top performers from across the globe.

On Friday night, the focus will be on newcomers with the Rising Star of the West Competition. This will take place in Electric Garden and Theatre on Abbeygate Street and will be hosted by seasoned performer Soup du Jour, who will give a guest performance, as will Shir Madness, who is the festival co-producer. Some of the best and brightest upcoming talent will compete in the event, capturing the creativity and innovation of burlesque with performances ranging from showgirls to avant garde displays and fierce, boundary-pushing work. That’s at 8.30pm and admission is €10/13.

There will be a series of workshops on Saturday at the Town Hall Theatre, geared at people who want to learn new skills or improve a technique.

Burlesque with Fosse Flair and with Alexander the Great will run from 12.30-2pm and costs €15. Vintage Hair with Ruby Noir and DialEmma is from 12.30-4pm at a cost of €40. Floorwork with Arlene Caffrey will run from 2-3.30pm and costs €20. Isis Wings with Bella Agogo is from 3.30-5pm, as is Stage Make-up with Lou Safire. Each costs €15.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.