Program
23.-25.04.2027
– 2 world-class Burlesque Shows
– A glamorous Festival-Market
– Workshops & Talks
Friday from 5 pm
Festival – Market
Foyer, Alte Lokhalle
Stroll over the festival market in the foyer of Alte Lokhalle Mainz before the shows. Next to the festival’s merchandise stand you’ll find Burlesque accessoires, vintage and dance clothing, souvenirs of Mainz and so much more. Weingut Stenner treats you with their finest wines and bubblies, Pausenkult(ur) catering serves fingerfood and local specialties.
Friday 5.30 – 7.00 pm
Meet & Greet with Neil Nez Kendall
Lounge, Imperial Mainz
Neil Nez Kendall
There are SO MANY reasons why Neil Kendall is our special guest. He is an award-winning British photographer and a major figure in the international burlesque scene.
He is globally recognized for his collaborations with renowned burlesque icons such as Dita Von Teese, who calls him a genuine talent.
A true legend, he has been accompanying and documenting the burlesque world for decades.
Neil has plenty of stories to share, and he does it so captivating, charming and entertaining.
As part of an exclusive meet & greet, you will have the opportunity to meet special guest Neil Nez Kendall – an award-winning photographer and renowned burlesque legend – in person. Neil will offer insights into his work, share exciting behind-the-scenes stories, and answer your questions. This is a unique opportunity to experience one of the most influential figures in the burlesque scene up close. Afterwards, Neil will be available for selfies.
Book your spot now!
Doors open at 7 pm
Show starts at 8 pm
Friday Night Extravaganza – Burlesque-Show
Saal, Alte Lokhalle
Host & Stage Kitten
from 11 pm
Aftershow-Party
Saal, Imperial Mainz
Saturday from 3.30 pm
Festival – Market
Foyer, Alte Lokhalle
Stroll over the festival market in the foyer of Alte Lokhalle Mainz before the shows. Next to the festival’s merchandise stand you’ll find Burlesque accessoires, vintage and dance clothing, souvenirs of Mainz and so much more. Weingut Stenner treats you with their finest wines and bubblies, Pausenkult(ur) catering serves fingerfood and local specialties.
A legendary afternoon
Lounge, Imperial Mainz
4 – 5.30 pm
Glitter, Glamour & Social criticism
Our special guest Neil is not only an award-winning photographer and a burlesque legend, but also a passionate burlesque historian. With wit, charm, and great entertainment value, he guides us through the history of burlesque and delights us with personal anecdotes he shares from his own experience.
Book your spot now!
6 – 7 pm
Meet & Greet with Odette
At the exclusive meet & greet, you have the special opportunity to meet contemporary witness and dancer Odette from Mainz in person. In powerful words and moving memories, she speaks about the era of beauty dance and offers authentic insights into her life. Afterwards, an autograph session is scheduled.
Doors open 7 pm
Show starts at 8 pm
Saturday Night Extravaganza – Burlesque-Show
Saal, Alte Lokhalle
Host & Stage Kitten
from 11 pm
Aftershow-Party
Saal, Alte Lokhalle Mainz
Sonntag 10.30 – 15.45 Uhr
Workshops
All bodies, all gender, all levels – everybody is welcome.
10.30 – 11.30
PinUp Poses
Petula Goldfever
Want to master the subtle art of striking a pose that highlights your curves and your smile?Learn the iconic poses of pre-WWII American pin-ups with Petula Goldfever!
In this workshop, we’ll cover it all: facial expressions, standing, seated, lying down, leaning, stretching poses – with killer smiles – and of course, the big question: what on earth do you do with your arms? We’ll take inspiration from famous vintage photos and illustrations, and link the poses together in a simple choreography you can recreate at home – or during a photoshoot!
Open to all levels, this workshop doesn’t require any specific physical fitness. That said, you’ll soon discover that every pose takes a surprising amount of core strength—your abs will thank you.
Come dressed in your favorite pin-up outfit: swing dress with petticoat, leopard vamp playsuit… anything goes—except pencil skirts, which are not ideal for full range of motion. I wouldn’t recommend stockings (shame to ruin a pair on a training). Make sure your outfit allows you to lift your arms freely, and bring a cushion for your knees if needed. And of course, don’t forget your boldest, most fabulous lipstick !
11.45 – 12.45
Floor F*ckery
Miss H. Arlot
Let’s make love to the floor! In this workshop you will learn a fun floor choreo and fundamentals to make your floor work pop! Through floor movements fluid like lava you will learn how to get out of your head in into your body.
No prior knowledge required. Kneepads and socks or heels are recommended, but not mandatory.
13.00 – 14.30
Your inner Burlesque Acrobat
Djerry Can
Burlesque is not only played out in the eyes, but also in the way we inhabit our bodies. Moving, feeling, exploring new sensations is already a form of emancipation. Here, we are not looking for perfect bodies or performance, we are looking for living, free and expressive bodies, to feel sexy in our minds by feeling free in our bodies.
Ddjerry’s 90 minute workshop, “Your Inner Burlesque Acrobat,” is a time to reconnect with your body in a different way and discover new ways of moving, whatever your level: to better understand flexibility, mobility and your own way of interpreting a choreography.
On the programme:
- Tips for developing flexibility and mobility, with a conscious warm-up to better understand your body and how certain muscles work.
- Learning simple acro-dance movements that are accessible to everyone.
- Creating a short choreography, with several difficulty options to progress at your own pace.
- Bonus: dancing the choreography with different emotions to enrich your expressiveness and tell a spontaneous story.
You will also leave with a daily routine to do at home, designed to develop your mobility and assert your own way of moving.
A workshop open to everyone, regardless of your level, to let your inner burlesque acrobat speak.
14.45 -15.45
Introduktion to Clowning
Calum Robshow
A 1 hour workshop exploring the fundamentals of Clowning. Open to all levels. Led by award winning and international Clown Calum Robshaw. A series of games and exercises designed to encourage play, vulnerability and impulsive joy.
- â what participants need to bring – Comfortable clothing
A shout out to our partners:
Credits go to:
