Local burlesque performer, producer, and educator Cherry Cheeks has been working hard behind the curtain to bring together an all-BIPOC show that will soon be hitting the stage. The Shade Burlesque Festival will take place Thursday, September 25 to Saturday, September 27 at the McPherson Playhouse.
“All of our headliners are going to be teaching workshops and [taking] part [in] the speaker series, as well,” says Cheeks. “Think TED Talks but sparkly.”
The huge task of pulling together performers, workshops, speakers, and everything else behind the scenes is in the brilliant minds and hands of a community that always steps up. That roster includes Khushi, Holly Shirt, Cece A Blossom, Atrevida Love, Hazel Nuez, Scarlet Hummingbird, Axelangelo, Chai Tease, Kitty Zhang, and Sylvester Stalletto, all of whom have been working tirelessly alongside Cheeks to make the event possible.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of many other people taking on specific pieces,” says Cheeks.
And that includes the community of volunteers who help the event run smoothly, ensuring that the workshops, speakers, and shows are offered to anyone who is wanting to take part, coming together to uplift those who are marginalized and often ignored.
“We can’t have that heaviness without [the] celebration because we deserve to celebrate, and we still deserve to be happy,” says Cheeks.
The concept of fostering resilience and uplifting community, especially now, is important to Cheeks. These threads weave through Shade Speaks, which is kicking off the festival with domestic and international speakers, sharing necessary conversations.
“[We’re] really focused on uplifting our past and where we’ve been and moving into where we are today with performance,” says Cheeks.
Cheeks was drawn to the art form 11 years ago by the idea of burlesque as something that can become contagious and can further provoke creativity and imagination for acts.
“Before I saw it live, my vision was more bluesy, kind of classic feather boa style… When I saw my first show in 2014, I was blown away by how diverse the performers could be,” says Cheeks.
Cheeks knows that an art form that can be both political and beautiful is needed in the community.
“I feel like in the last few years, especially since the pandemic, one of the things that I see for myself is consistency, to show up, be adaptable,” says Cheeks.
Since changes in stages have been a hot topic with the closure of the Victoria Event Centre and the recent announcement of the Metro closure, there has been uncertainty in where to perform and how to reach audiences in the city. Still, Cheeks is looking forward to the future.
“On one hand I am optimistic, because, historically, every time there is a recession [or] changing political views around what we do, we’ve gone underground, many times, but thrive,” says Cheeks.
For more information or to buy tickets, volunteer, or donate, visit shadeburlesquefestival.ca.