It’s time, once again, for the biggest burlesque event to hit the Big Apple: the 11th Annual New York Burlesque Festival. The whole thing kicks off this Thursday, September 26 and organizers Angie Pontani and Jen Gapay (of Thirsty Girl Productions) always put on an unforgettable show. This festival is not only the longest running annual burlesque festival, but it has become one of the festivals that other producers look to for inspiration.

Every sub-genre of burlesque is represented: boylesque, neo-burlesque, nerdlesque, etc. Just one gander at this year’s lineup is enough to make your head (or tassels) spin. There are performers from nearly every corner of the planet: the UK, Sweden, Italy, Australia, even Russia! Basically, if you want to witness what is going on with burlesque in 2013, look no further. It’s all represented at this world-class festival.

We interviewed Jen last year in honor of their 10th anniversary and I encourage you all to check out that interview, especially if you are event producers yourself. Jen has an impressive track record of festival organization including The Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle, the Siren Music Festival at Coney Island, The Glamour Ball on Fire Island, The New York Boylesque Festival which is now in its 2nd year and The Coney Island Talent Show, now in its fourth year. She was also the Associate Producer of the documentary, Last Summer at Coney Island, which aired on PBS in May 2011.

Co-producer Angie Pontani is no slouch herself. She’s a world-class burlesque performer that The New Yorker calls, “first rate, the perfect centerpiece!” She was crowned the “Queen of Burlesque, Miss Exotic World” in 2008. She’s also the producer behind the 2010 Burlesque Hall of Fame’s The Titans of Tease: 53rd Annual Striptease Reunion Showcase and the Saturday Night Competition. She was co-creator of the off-Broadway hit, This is Burlesque and produces the on-going U.S. tour, Burlesque-A-Pades, starring the “#1 Burlesque Attraction in the Nation”(AOL.com), The World Famous Pontani Sisters. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s produced a series of dance instructional DVD’s: Go-Go Robics I & II, Twist Party (featuring Los Straitjackets) and Go-Go Dance with Angie Pontani. Her celebrity fans include Sting, Anthony Kiedas, Hillary Duff, The Strokes, Adrianna Lima and Hugh Hefner and she’s appeared on the Conan O’Brien Show, Gossip Girl, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, MTV’s The 50 Cent Project, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. What did I tell you? Definitely no slouch!

You can imagine that when you get two incredible talents like Jen and Angie together, great things happen. We are so honored that they’ve chosen to work with us for the last two years of the festival and we encourage all burlesque fans out there to get their full festival passes now, there are literally only a handful left.

As I said, the New York Burlesque Festival is an inspiration to burlesque producers around the country and since the festival started eleven years ago, almost every town in America now hosts their own festival. Here are a few upcoming festivals and fundraisers for festivals that are well worth checking out as well.

Saturday, October 5 I Hollywood Burlesque Festival FUNDRAISER – Hollywood, California   Bobbie Burlesque Presents An All Star Burlesque Showcase featuring some of Hollywood’s greatest burlesque performers! Come see this great show to help raise money for the first ever Hollywood Burlesque Festival happening in Los Angeles December 2013. Starring: Miss Viva Las Vegas 2010: Ruby Champagne, Burlympics Gold Medalist: Pearl Lux, Legend in the Making 2005: Venus DeMille, 1/2 of Best Duo 2008: Jewel of Denial, Burlympics Most Comedic: Tito Bonito, Of The Hula Girls: Judy Luck and Burlympics Bronze Medalist: Victory Variety Hour. With Ruby Besler from The Ruby Besler Show, Nikita Bitch Project, Iza la Vamp, Fishnet Follies and Smexcksy Ziza.

Tuesday, October 8 I Tease Tuesday Halloween Edition! – Atlanta, Georgia   Spice up your Tuesday nights with ten amazing acts for only $10! See some of the best performers in Atlanta and some amazing new up and coming acts as well! Burlesque, singers, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists…you never know what’s gonna pop up in these Tuesday night shows! And don’t worry, the whole show is done before midnight since it’s a school night! You can purchase general admission tickets or if you can’t make it there are donation tickets available if you would like to contribute to the Southern Fried Burlesque Fest!

Thursday, October 10 I Las Vegas Burlesque Festival Thursday Night Showcase – Las Vegas, Nevada   The Las Vegas Burlesque Festival will feature the best in burlesque from the City of Sin and beyond. The burlesque revival is in full swing and the Las Vegas Burlesque Festival is here to tease you and please you as they show you how they burlesque. There will be a little something for everyone. The show will feature classic striptease, neo-burlesque, boylesque and more! Each night of the festival is a different show, so be sure to catch every night of it. The Thursday Night Showcase will be hosted by Sugar Shagmore. Performing authentic striptease and neo-burlesque: April Showers, Kitty Cox, Miz Charlamay, Minouche Von Marabou, Matt Finish, Mia Sangria, Veronica Derriere, Kiki Delco, Anita Brassiere, Nikita Bitch Project, May Blush, Deirdre Von Derriere, Man’s Ruin, Paige Turner, Betty BeWare and General Blackery.