Friends of DMVariety
We're huge fans of these producers and teachers. You should be too.
Producers
These producers -- from Richmond to Baltimore -- know how to put on a good burlesque and variety show. Check 'em out!
Beaver and Buttstuff
Callie Pigeon and Delilah Dentata roll up a few times a year with incredibly niche shows for people with very specific interests.
Their greatest hits include Noble Asses: A Burlesque and Variety Tribute to the Periodic Table and Conspiratease: An Illumi-naughty Burlesque and Sideshow Revue.
Beltway Burlesque
Founded by Ginger Jameson, Beltway Burlesque is the driving force behind Otakon's annual burlesque show.
Burlesque Right Meow
A purveyor of burlesque and variety in Richmond, VA. Along with the regular Pours and Pasties show at Strangeways Brewing, you can find BRM producing themed shows like the aptly named WTF Burlesque or Twisted Tassels: A Metal Burlesque Awakening
DCGS
Formerly known as the DC Gurly Show, DCGS is DC's longest-running queer troupe. Catch them at their quarterly shows at Exiles DC.
Ellie Quinn Presents
The Duchess of Dork, Ellie Quinn, presents nerdlesque and other themed burlesque experiences for fans by fans that will tease and tickle your funny bone.
Eva Mystique Presents
Eva's Menagerie shows, promise creative debauchery, dark decadence, and more, all while attendees enjoy a special menu and craft cocktails.
Gilded Lily
Founded in 2007, Gilded Lily is the longest running troupe in Baltimore. Although some of its members have moved away, they're in town from time to time, and Gilded Lily puts on an incredible show.
Isabelle Epoque Presents
Isabelle Epoque is the producer of the quarterly (and glamorous!) Iconic Cabaret at Crazy Aunt Helen's on Barracks Row, and the long-running H-Street quarterly staple, Pies ‘n’ Pasties at Pie Shop DC, originally founded by Callie Pigeon in 2019.
Jenny Langer
This Blues Hall of Fame member and award-winning songwriter also produces live music burlesque shows. With live blues by Moonshine Society and a rotating cast of performers, Jenny's shows are definitely worth checking out.
Les Folies Derriere
This is Callie Pigeon's production company, and it is french for "buttstuff." You might notice a pattern.
The founder of Pies and Pasties, and originator of the Gift Horse (the best raffle prize) and the Pi Reading Contest (the best audience game), Callie is working on some solo productions for this year and next. Get ready.
Tippetywitchet Productions
London St. Juniper’s Tippitywitchet Productions is a queer-woman-founded and performer-run educational nonprofit. Based in Maryland, and producing across the DMV,
Tippitywitchet is dedicated to preserving traditions of small stage entertainment: burlesque and variety, featuring a spectrum of talented and diverse performers.
Twisted Knickers
Themed burlesque and variety shows produced by Tapitha Kix. Find Tap's shows at Charm City Meadworks and Mulberry's at Hollins Market in Baltimore.
Not Really Burlesque or Variety, Per Se, But Worth A Mention
Elvis' Birthday Fight Club 2023| Delilah and Jim in vaguely choreographed chaos.
[Photo by Stereovision Photography]
Astropop Events
Named one of the "best small theater companies in DC" by DCist, Astro Pop Events is a DC-based group of artists who come together to create unique and off-beat entertainment. Hallmarks of any APE production are subversive content, nudity, irreverence, slapstick, and pretty rad production values.
You may know APE from such masterpieces as Elvis' Birthday Fight Club, America the Game Show. F*ck Yeah!, or Countdown to Yuri's Night.
Classes
Are you wondering whether burlesque is for you? Well, we're so glad you asked.
Essential Tease
Led by seasoned Baltimore-area burlesque performers Ruby Rockafella, Jacqueline Boxx, and Tempete la Coeur, Essential Tease's instruction combines essential burlesque knowledge with mind-body awareness techniques and wellness habits. Weekly step-by-step exercises guide students in turning personal stories into public art. Essential Tease welcomes all gender identities, abilities, ages, sexual preferences, races, religions, AND experience levels.
Honeybee Burlesque Burly-U
Burly "U" is a collaborative, interactive learning, and performance experience hosted by Frederick, MD-based troupe Honeybee Burlesque. In the months between acceptance into Burly U and the graduation performances, students will be mentored by veteran Honeybee Burlesque members as they learn about burlesque, create their own burlesque persona, and perform for the Honeybee audience.
