Program
20.–22.03.2026
– 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
Bertie Monroe
Freshly born, barely behaved, and already breaking hearts. This newly hatched drag king is a cheeky chappy with English charm, roguish good looks, and a wink that should come with a warning label. Put your hands together (and maybe your knickers on tighter) for BERTIE MONROE!
Calum Robshaw
He’s been clowning around the globe and enchanting every circus company in sight… Now, somehow, he’s been expelled from the tents. What’s that all about, you might ask. Come in and find out!
Coco Charnelle
Bienvenue and Welcome, Miss Coco Charnelle from France. Yes, she’s a showgirl! Yes, she’s a feminist! Oui, she’s fabulous!!! Coco will bring the fun, the glitter and the manifestation of freedom to our stage, unapologetically! Don’t miss her at the Mainz Burlesque Festival.
cookie Deluxe
This cookie never crumbles. She takes you on a deep dive, darlings — to a place we wouldn’t dare talking about, we don’t hashtag, and we definitely don’t share it on Instagram… An unvarnished truth will be served extra hot and deluxe by COOKIE DELUXE.
cryptid kid
Bring a pair of safety goggles to a Burlesque Show? Heck yes! Straight from Chicago — they‘re electrifying, unshakable and absolutely indestructible! Get ready for attitude, spikes, and punk rock sass.
Jade Orlys
The world is a garden and Jade Orlys is a very special, ever-blooming flower. This precious jewel is shaped by the magic of Creole roots. Free and impertinent as the trade winds, this artist scatters the golden pollen with radiance and a creative fire. There may be no visible thorns, yet there might be a charm with a wicked spice. Are you ready to enter the garden?
Kats
MEOW – These two kitten combine sensual dancing with acrobatics, and they will leave you absolutely STUNNED. We present: KATS. They bring their love for dancing, powerful poses and purrfect Entertainment together to create unforgettable moments.
Kiki Beguin
Do you know that feeling when your whole body is quivering and trembling, caused by a wave of pure excitement? KIKI BEGUIN is bringing these good vibrations from France to you. She‘s gonna mesmerize you with her mystical feather dance, bringing the Long forgotten spirits back to life. The most beautiful hen in Paris is on the way to the MAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL.
Nana nuit
The name is NANA and the night is her playground. Lean in and let her whisper in your ear „I‘m more than you could ever handle!“ Nana is proof that glamour is alive in every woman who doesn’t hide but shines
Petula Goldfever
We know that y‘all need a vacation! PETULA GOLDFEVER is ready to take you to the wildest places, in the wildest ways possible. They call her „the Queen of Burlesque Gadgets“. Her creativity has no limits.Fasten your seatbelts, it‘s gonna be a bumpy ride — in the best way possible.
Rina Bambina
Hips Hips Hooray! Rina Bambina is a vintage photo model traveling the globe since 2011. She also holds a PhD in Psychology, and she‘s been reading our minds all along.
Now, she finally grants our wishes by stepping into the spotlight at the Mainz Burlesque Festival.
The moment we‘ve all been waiting for!
Sandy Sure
The Burly Queen of Wales!!!
She’ll be kicking things off in style with a one-of-a-kind act at our Friday Night Extravaganza.
Stormy’s Starlets
Strega Sin Bon
The modern WITCH of sensual movement. She’s weaving a dancing spell and draws you in with curiosity and playfulness.YOU ARE INVITED INTO HER MAGIC WORLD.
Feel the magic with STREGA SIN BON from Sweden at the MAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL.
The Treatures
„Whoever plays God must bear the consequences.“ This trio from Berlin is both — daring, mysterious and funny as hell! We present THE TREATURES!
Beware, they might be hungry!
Zizi buffet
A spark of color, a hint of chaos, and a wave of warm femme energy. Our next performer is keeping things playful, pink, and provocative.
Not-so-straight from Sweden, give it up for ZIZI BUFFET!
Host & Stage Kitten
Willi Gundheiss
Your HOST (and maybe husband) for the night is WILLI GUNDHEISS .
He hosts.
He sings.
He educates.
And he‘s dangerously good-looking!
Kristina bellissima
The purrrfect duo for the stage. No burlesque festival can run smoothly without the hard working Stagekitten.
This job is no joke, and we are more than happy to present KRISTINA BELLISSIMA and LILITH LAVENDER on our stage.
Lilith Lavender
The purrrfect duo for the stage. No burlesque festival can run smoothly without the hard working Stagekitten.
This job is no joke, and we are more than happy to present KRISTINA BELLISSIMA and LILITH LAVENDER on our stage.
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
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.
Odette
Odette is a contemporary witness and experienced dancer from Mainz!
She embodies the legacy of the „Schönheitstanz“. Traveling Europe with her group and as a solo artist from the 1950s on, she has seen it all.
Meet Odette at our special MEET & GREET on Saturday, where she‘ll share her stories and secrets with you.
Don‘t miss the chance to talk to this icon of Burlesque. In her 90s now, but she remembers every detail of her career.
… And if you pay attention, you might even see some of her original showgirl spirit on the festival stage.
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
Batty Mcbeth
BATTY MCBETH takes the stage.
Her roots are in Rumania, and her name might sound a little… well… batty, but don‘t frown! Her performance will quench your thirst for the unexpected.
And she probably won‘t bite… probably.
Betty L’amour
The DutchA$$ of burlesque. Miss Betty L’Amour is well known as the sultry sensation from the Dutch nation.She can sway, she can stomp, she can moooove.
She will own the stage AND your hearts!
DEMONS RISING
From the twisted depths of the universe, a demon queen just awakened… just in time for the MAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL. Emerging from a deep black hole, mother brought two little fighting demons to come along and play.
From Sweden, yet of this world!
THE DJERRY CAN
Are you ready for some crazy burlesque that will make you hot and cold at the same time? Will make you both blush and shiver? THE DJERRY CAN performs dance like she performs life — like a wild, sparkling fire. This madcap performer invites us into her world with explosive cocktails of burlesque acrobatics moves. Here, we proudly support gender equality: everyone has the right to exhaust themselves equally with
Ember Remember
A name you‘ll never forget. EMBER REMEMBER is your favorite non-binary angel and also a local princess of Mainz.
With esprit, poise and impeccable body control, this drag artist will leave you breathless.
Hurricane irina
Since she was a little child, HURRICANE IRINA has been fascinated with the opulent world of the Berlin cabaret of the 1900s. Growing up behind the Iron Curtain, this vision seemed, however, unattainable. But Irina was determined! She took the artistic world by storm and she has been performing all over for more than a decade now. With all her hard work, she‘s now able to share her visions of the cabaret with you, and she’ll take you to a dreamy place somewhere between the early silverscreen glamour and the lascivious nightlife of the Weimar era. Hold on tight!
Juli eMai
Pain and passion go hand in hand ⛓️ JULIE MAI will prove that to you with a staggering performance in silver chains. Each moment is a flirt with danger. Every move satisfies the cravings for something that’s forbidden. This artist won’t stop until her body melts with the chains.
Kittie & Purry Mooncat
When the Princess wants a man, but only a tiny plumber appears, a Power-up is the only solution. But is PURRY up to the task? After the magic mushroom transformation, KITTIE develops a desire that will catche us off guard completely. Meet an unleashed princess feeling herself in a fast-paced nostalgic RetroGame fantasy
Lava Pussy
We don’t want to get banned, so you better read the NAME that‘s on the photo.
Who says that rhinestones and horror don’t go together?! This artist brings the truth, the beauty and the mess to Mainz.
Lila Chupa-Hoops
She travels the world with her hula-hoop act, but in Mainz, she will show you some of her new toys.
LILA CHUPA-HOOPS draws her inspiration from the classy showgirls of the vintage Hollywood movies and she‘s only one step away from the circus top!
Lilith Lavender
LILITH LAVENDER is more than a delicate flower. She has a message for you, literally.
Witness her fun and entertaining and important performance at the
MAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL.
Marcel
It‘s the kid your grandmother warned you about MARCEL — from the universe to Mainz, we‘re happy to have our favorite firecracker back on the stage. Celebrate LOVE and KINDNESS with us at the MAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL.
Miss H. Arlot
MISS H. ARLOT is not a snack but a whole a$$ meal! The Brazilian bombshell is coming to Mainz to make you giggle, gag and …moo?!
Get ready to be served the best burger of your life!
The Dia Show
Welcome to THE DIA SHOW. Dia brings a vision for art, fashion and entertainment to life. If the art deco Avantgarde of the 1920s and Hollywood had a child, it would be Dia. Burlesque is about creating a fantasy and about bringing joy to everyone. Dia has THAT charm and wants to connect people with love. But remember, kids: Vintage Style, Not Vintage mind!!!
Twen Peeks
Welcome to Germany, Miss TWEN PEEKS. She has been rockin‘ to the Memphis Blues and rollin‘ to New Orleans jazz for more than 10 years!
She’s danced her way from the bartops of Coyote Ugly (yes, like in the movie) to the grandest stages of Europe as well as from one end of the Mississippi River to the other.
As a passionate and outspoken activist, advocate and serious butt-kicker, she’s been known to break hearts and stomp curbs with equal enthusiasm.
Violet Duff
Known as „Glasgow’s Vaudeville Vixen“, VIOLET DUFF will blow you away with her vocals. It’s jazz. It’s Rock’n’Roll. It’s soul.Violet can do it all!
We are so excited to have her back at theMAINZ BURLESQUE FESTIVAL
Host & Stage Kitten
Willi Gundheiss
Your HOST (and maybe husband) for the night is WILLI GUNDHEISS .
He hosts.
He sings.
He educates.
And he‘s dangerously good-looking!
Kristina bellissima
The purrrfect duo for the stage. No burlesque festival can run smoothly without the hard working Stagekitten.
This job is no joke, and we are more than happy to present KRISTINA BELLISSIMA and LILITH LAVENDER on our stage.
Lilith Lavender
The purrrfect duo for the stage. No burlesque festival can run smoothly without the hard working Stagekitten.
This job is no joke, and we are more than happy to present KRISTINA BELLISSIMA and LILITH LAVENDER on our stage.
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.
- what participants need to bring – Comfortable clothing
A shout out to our partners:
Credits go to:
