Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival

Asheville Bellydance by Claire Dima ABSFest Pre Party at Royal Peasantry

2011-05-20T12:25:00.000-04:00

The Bellydancing community in Asheville is awesome. See lots at ABSFest.

Paolo Garbanzo speaks on Asheville's Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Fest

2011-05-20T12:23:00.000-04:00

Make sure you come join us for ABSFest!

ABSFest - A view from the LaZoom bus in Asheville

2011-05-20T12:15:00.000-04:00

Another quick fun video for you to enjoy. Thanks to La Zoom for all of your support of ABSFest.

Why is it important that ABSFest happen in downtown Asheville?

2011-05-20T12:11:00.000-04:00

Asheville is very important to the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival. Coming June 3rd - 5th!

Video and more info: ABSFest FAQ - coming to Asheville June 3 - 5

2011-05-20T12:07:00.000-04:00

ABSFest is coming to Asheville June 3rd - 5th, 2011. See Sideshow Burlesque for more info.

Calling Volunteers for ABSfest Asheville June 3-5, 2011

2011-05-06T22:34:00.000-04:00

Two versions, you pick your fave:

The 2011 5th annual ABSfest: Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival is now seeking volunteers for the 3-day event in June, and the pre-Fest Shenanigans!

Libations & Feasting Coordinator & Kittens - Solicit goodies for our glorious Friday night Opening Ceremonies & coordinate the sexy talent to get those delicacies to the people; pow!
Sirens of the Silent Auction - Gather the goodies and make the gorgeous baskets that ABSfest raffles and auctions every year to make this event possible.
Street Urchins - The posse hanging our gorgeous posters around town and distributing festival fliers and postcards.
Sponsorship - To reach our mind-blowing potential, a multi-level event such as this needs Sponsors. Paid program ads, VIP Sponsorship Packages, in-kind ad trade, and donations of product all want finding and scooping up to make this the best event yet.

Volunteers doing 7 hours or more receive Free Access to three days of ABSfest shows, and one workshop with our headliners!
Volunteers doing 14 hours get All Access Everything, including the full slew of workshops!
Contact us at www.sideshowburlesque.org
828 232 2980

Onça O'Leary
www.hardestworkingwomaninshowbusiness.com
"The Greatest Form of Rebellion is Joy."

The 5th annual ABSfest: Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival
in Asheville, NC
June 3-5, 2011

ABSfest seeks sassy volunteers!

ABSfest is back for another year of local color and international talent.
To make this grassroots, three-day festival, as incredible, inspiring, and far-reaching as possible, we need volunteers! We need charming people willing to dress up for a fun cause, pour wine and serve appetizers. We need folks who love the arts willing to compile goodies and make pretty gift baskets for our annual raffle. ABSfest loves folks with the vigor to travel the town, hanging posters and handing out fliers. And every DIY festival needs fans willing to seek out sponsorships, advertisers, and generous donors to help keep the event going!

Volunteers doing 7 hours or more receive Free Access to three days of ABSfest shows, and one workshop with our headliners!
Volunteers doing 14 hours get All Access Everything, including the full slew of workshops!
Contact us at www.sideshowburlesque.org
828 232 2980

June 3-5, 2011 - ABSfest - The 5th Annual Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival

2011-04-17T23:09:00.000-04:00

International Stars, Princess Farhana, Armitage Shanks and Paolo Garbanzo, Will Headline.

ABSfest is now in its fifth year of celebrating the Vaudeville Revival.

Since the festival debut, over 2000 people have reveled in the company of our suede, satin, and sparkle, our chicken feathered starlets and our fish-eyed zombie boys. Nominated for Best Show in the Mountain Xpress Readers Choice Awards, the allure of ABSfest has attracted renowned circus and burlesque artists from across the USA, as well as Germany, Scotland and last year's surprise jewel, Tokyo. We promise fashion, contortion, trapeze, and tease! ABSfest offers three days of inspiration, education, shopping, and entertainment that no lover of the performing arts can bear to miss.

In a world now brimming with Burlesque Festivals, from Vegas to Amsterdam, ABSfest is known for embodying the true spirit of Vaudeville, offering a fantastic opportunity for driven artists to network, and for a community that nurtures raw, boundary-pushing, creativity. The festival is one of several annual productions of Future of Tradition, a seminal force in the underground Asheville arts community since 1999. Executive Producer Lauren 'Onca' O'Leary also tours the nation teaching and performing dance, music and stagecraft with the Mezmer Society and the Accidental Circus.

In addition to juried artists from TX, DC, Chicago and more, our 2011 Festival Headliners:

PRINCESS FARHANA
For thirteen years a soloist with the notorious Neo-Burlesque Revival group 'The Velvet Hammer', Princess Farhana has also performed extensively across Europe, the States, and the Arab world, toured with Margaret Cho in 'The Sensuous Woman', performed in music videos for Ricky Martin, Madonna and others, been the subject of a documentary, "Underbelly" which featured footage of ABSfest 2007, and has an extensive line of instructional dance and burlesque dvds.Princess Farhana headlined the FIRST EVER ABSfest here in Asheville. She's since become an international dance star and an icon of the subcultural silver screen. Her Majesty is gracing Asheville once again with her epic force of personality and scintillating skills for ABSfest's fabulous fifth anniversary.

www.princessfarhana.com

ARMITAGE SHANKS

Armitage Shanks travels the world sharing his incredible voice and rogue-ish stage presence. Productions of his work are running off-Broadway, and as founder of Seattle's subcultural performance legend Circus Contraption, he is a forefather of the internationally rampant Neo-Vaudeville Revival. www.myspace.com/armitagephineasshanks
"Armitage Shanks has a voice like honey-coated gravel. A Victorian Music Hall barker (with) just the right tone...a sinister and louche presence, who put some sex in the air." Seattle's The Stranger

PAOLO GARBANZO

For a second year, International Jester Competition winner (the only American to ever win) and the 2008 Fool of Muncaster Castle of England, the youngest juggler ever to win a Lifetime Achievement Award, and a former Karamazov Brother, world-famous juggler Paolo Garbanzo will dominate the Orange Peel stage with his masterful skills for another wild and wonderful ABSfest. www.garbanzojuggling.com

Drink deeply of these international masters, with both workshopsand dazzling, technical performances during the festival. They will be joined by talent from the world over in this juried extravaganza dedicated to Vaudeville, the People's Entertainment!

DETAILS: 5th Annual Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival (ABSfest)

When: June 3-5, 2011

Friday Night Red Carpet Gala: The theater bus pulls up, the glittering artists disembark, tumbling along the Red Carpet in a swirl of laughter, and the party starts. This is just the beginning of a three-run of debauchery and high art... a teaser, if you will. The Opening Ceremonies are followed by awards, performance, live music and more.

$15.00. 9pm. Bebe Theatre, Commerce Street, Asheville.

Saturday Night Spectacular: The newly expanded Orange Peel gives the festival more footage for festivity, as the hottest show of the year explodes within its walls. Phenomenal talent, a Burlesque Bazaar, and the sidewalk sideshow will be followed by live music and an afterparty. This is the show to never, ever miss in Asheville.

$25.00. 8-11 pm. The Orange Peel on Biltmore Avenue, Asheville. Afterparty at 11pm $5.

Saturday & Sunday Burlesque, Circus and Arts BusinessWorkshops in the ABSfest Seminary ~ $20 each or 5 for $90. 10-5pm. New Studio of Dance, Commerce Street, Asheville. Train with Farhana, Paolo, and artists from around the country in stagecraft, circus arts, fire performance, burlesque and more.

The now annual Sunday Sideshow Brunch: An idyllic cure for the post-ABS Fest hangover; 1/2 price food, drinks and more entertainment with DC's Cheeky Monkey Sideshow. 11-2pm. Arcade Asheville, 130 College Street, Asheville. $5.

This years event also has drawn talent agents and festival producers from throughout the Southeast and beyond, scoping talent and soaking up Asheville's unique flavor!

All tickets & reservation or more information: www.sideshowburlesque.org

Saturday Night Spectacular Tickets Available at www.theorangepeel.net or through the box office.

Contact: absfest2010@gmail.com

Asheville's ABSfest seeks Volunteers for the Sassy Squad!

2011-04-04T09:57:00.000-04:00

5th Annual ABSfest: Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival
Asheville, NC June 3-5
www.sideshowburlesque.org

Join the red hot legion of volunteers helping to make this year's international,
three-day festival even better than ever before.

You know ABSfest as a creatively explosive party, 2 days of arts workshops, a memorable shopping experience in the Bizarre Bazaar, and 3 days of performance showcasing Circus Arts and Burlesque artists from all over the US and beyond, all while entertaining over 600 people. Our goal is to optimize the festival experience for all of our performers, staff, volunteers and the fair city of Asheville, Paris of the South.
But we can't do it without many helping hands.

Volunteers sought for Sassy Squad~
Artist hospitality development.
Gathering sponsorships and donations.
Stream teams and social media support.
Festival Decor.
VIP hosts/hostesses.
...and more!

Contact Madame Onca at absfest2011@gmail.com to get involved in one of our development areas. In exchange for your time, we can offer an unforgettable experience in one of Asheville's truly unique events, show tickets, and more. Keep Asheville Freaky!

Full List of Performers for Asheville's Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival 2011

2011-04-01T09:09:00.000-04:00

Paolo Garbanzo, VA, www.garbanzojuggling.com. He's really & Truly the Official Jester of England's Muncaster Castle!

Armitage Shanks, OR, www.facebook.com/thecarnypreacher. ABSfest headliner & Godfather of Neo-Vaudeville!

Princess Farhana of Hollywood, CA, www.princessfarhana.com. Her Majesty reigns supreme over ABSfest's 5th anniversary.

The Slomski Brothers, VA, www.slomskibrothers.com. Richmond's hilarious musical comedic Vauedville duo.

Betty Ballyhoo & Eric Odditorium of The Invisible Man Corporation, TX, www.theinvisiblemancorporation.wordpress.com. True sideshow freaks hail from, Austin, TX.

Ickybod Crankin, TN, www.reverbnation.com/ickybodcrankin. Saturday Spectacular Afterparty band!

Lola van Ella, Sturdy Gurlesque and Sammich the Clown of Show-Me Burlesque, MO, www.showmeburlesque.com. They sing, dance, mime, eat fire - they are sparkling stars of St. Louis's scintillating burlesque festival!

Talloolah Love, GA, www.talloolah.com. ABSfest's own bombshell blond.

Queen April & Theatre de Fetishe, NC, www.queen-april.com. ABSfest's house lady of fetish.

Cheeky Monkey Sideshow, DC, www.cheekymonkeysideshow.com. Stars of the Sunday Sideshow Brunch showcase!

Sidetracked Productions, PA, www.sidetracked.biz. Comedy tandem story-tellers and ringleaders of the red Carpet Opening Gala!

Deanna Danger, VA, www.deannadanger.com. Classic tease by the starlet from Virigina!

Shadhavar Bellydance, TN, www.facebook.com/shadhavarbellydance. Technical, sensual, undead dancing.

Dolly Dee, SC, www.dollydee.com. Founder of Bizarro Burlesque Productions.

Jennifer Teeter, GA, http://jenniferteeter.com. Adorable ukulele songs!

Selia D’katzmeow, NC, http://seliadkatzmeow.wordpress.com. That rawkin' lil girl from the dirty-dirty!

Pearl Pistol, IL, www.pearlpistol.com. All the way from Chicago, with a taste the original Rebelles!

Little Luna, MD, www.gildedlilyburlesque.com/bios/view/2/little-luna. A sexy little shapeshifter...

Ula Uberbusen, TN, www.salomecabaret.com. Sexuality, hilarity and high culture in one little kitty.

Bombs Away Cabaret, NC, www.myspace.com/bombsawaycabaret. The thinking person's burlesque.

Hot Toddies Flaming Cabaret, GA, www.fireonthemidway.com. Red hot aerials.

Katherine Lashe, GA, www.katherinelashe.com. A Syren of the South, and the clever girl behind the behind.

Bianca DuPree, MD, www.biancadupree.net. Artistic polesque from an ABSfest charmer.

Shelli Nock of Tribal Circus, TX, www.facebook.com/people/Shelli-Nock/1367029072. Acrobatic hottie on high.

AlternaCirque, SC, www.alternacirque.com. Amazing neo-circus from just down the hill.

Imperial Opa Circus, GA, www.theimperialopa.com. Theatrical entertainment to the enth power.

Fonda Lingue, GA, www.fondalingue.com. The award-winning boylesque girl with something EXTRA.

Amberry Jam/Kiki Maroon, TX, www.facebook.com/amberry.jam. Hilariously unsexy burlesque.

Lula Liscious of Panty Raid, http://www.myspace.com/lulalicious. One of the original stars of ABSfest and of whole the SouthEastern BQ revival!

Forty Fingers & A Missing Tooth, NC, www.fortyfingersjuggling.com. Local juggling darlings run amuck through the 1980s.

Madison J. Cripps & Jim Julien, NC, www.facebook.com/people/Madison-J-Cripps/501687046. Interactive puppet-mongerers.

Larry Volz, www.larry-volz.com. This steampunk mentalist secretly plans to saw Princess Farhana in half!

The Mezmer Society, NC, www.mezmersociety.com. Luscious Cabaret & Balkan Ruckus.

ABSfest 2011 Sponsorship Opportunities

2011-03-28T17:25:00.002-04:00

The 5th annual ABSfest: Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival www.sideshowburlesque.org

To sponsor ABSfest 2011, email our event team at absfest2011@gmail.com.
Be a part of Asheville's biggest and most venerable Vaudeville event. ABSfest will be June 3-5th this year, held in venues throughout eclectic downtown Asheville, NC. ABSfest and the Burlesque Arts are growing in popularity on an international scale! ABSfest has inspired and entertained over 2000 people, and were voted one of the best "Live Show of 2009: Dance" in the 2009 Mountain Xpress readers poll. 2010 saw stars from Scotland and Tokyo, and yet more international stars will grace the stage this year.

All of our sponsors receive a generous presence on the event website, and stage mention, in addition to the amenities listed below. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the women- and health-positive Neo-Burlesque movement!

Workshop Sponsors make our ABSfest Seminary programming possible:
We offer two full days of women- and health-positive classes with international artists with a sassy focus on education, fun, and empowerment for all. Classes climax in each attendee receiving a certificate of Vaudeville Divinity.

$125 brings Sponsors both a quarter page ad in the 3-day weekend Event Program & a banner on the ABSfest website, as well as thanks in the ABSfest Seminary Class Guide.
$200 brings Sponsors a half page ad in the program, 2 tickets to the big Orange Peel show, & a banner on the ABSfest website, as well as thanks in the ABSfest Seminary Class Guide.

LaZoom Party Bus Sponsors $325. The always memorable Kick-Off for the festival is the Artist Tour of Asheville. We fill the purple LaZoom vaudeville bus with pin-up stars and circus folk, bring a band, bring the wine, and take them on a spin through town. Once everyone is good and bubbly, we deposit the stars on the Red Carpet for the Paparazzi walk into the Opening Ceremonies. The Party Bus Sponsor gets two VIP seats on the artist-only bus ride, a wine toast by the whole cast, promotion in the Festival Program as a Major Sponsor, the undying gratitude of all of our artists, and two tickets for the Friday Spectacular with special attention by our VIP Hostess.

Vaudeville Lovers Sponsorship is $450 and offers our Sponsor a full page ad in the program, a banner on the ABSfest website, thanks in the ABSfest Seminary Class Guide, open attendance to all Seminary classes, two seats on the artist-only Friday night Party Bus AND two tickets to all three ticketed shows: Friday Opening Gala, the Saturday Spectacular, The Sideshow Brunch, stage mention a Major Sponsor, and special attention all weekend long by our squad of VIP Hostesses. Our favorite package.

Also:

We do accept donations of food, product, and gift certificates for our Artist Hospitality team and our raffle committee. Have other ideas? Talk to us! We're proud to have joined the 'Local is the New Black' movement in Asheville. ABSfest is both an international event, and a reflection of our unique community's perspective on these arts. We want every aspect of the festival to reflect our progressive, utterly Asheville sensibilities.

Thank you all for helping keep Asheville freaky, and allowing that special quality to draw visitors from around the globe!

--

Onça O'Leary
www.hardestworkingwomaninshowbusiness.com
"The Greatest Form of Rebellion is Joy."

Vendor List for the 2011 Asheville ABS Fest Event in June

2011-03-25T16:39:00.000-04:00

Stephanie Farley    La Coco Rouge
Accessories. Mini top hats, cocktail hats, fascinators, headdresses, feather collars and armbands, lace masques, etc. 4044097828. 1114 Leah Ln SE Atlanta GA 30316
lacocorouge@gmail.com    www.LaCocoRouge.com

Jennifer Belgard    Diamond*Star*Halo
Unique jewelry and accessories for the unusual. 6784277396. 324 Elmira Place NE Atlanta GA 30307
belgardjennifer@yahoo.com    www.diamondstarhalo.com

Alexis Gault    Lush Life Originals
Handmade clothing. 8282797101. 21 Mountain Terrace Asheville NC 28806
alexis@lushlifeoriginals.com    www.lushlifeoriginals.com

Jason Thomas    Red Rocket Farm
Artwork, t-shirts, animation 4045185448. 208 Ridgeland Ave NE Decatur GA 30030
jason@redrocketfarm.com    www.redrocketfarm.com

Lord Montague Jacques Fromage/aka/Rick Starets STEAMPUNKFUNK BIZARRE
Steampunk fashion accessories of the utmost quality! Hand made top hats; leather aviator caps; lace and leather gloves; high-end designer jewelry, bangles, etc; "see through" (skeletal) Victorian-look pocket watches; of course goggles and other fashion accessories of an imminent nature. Airship piracy has its rewards... and we sell them! 9089384508. P.O. Box 38 Titusville, New Jersey 08560
montague@steampunkfunk.com    www.steampunkfunk.com

emily gerson VisualGrammar216
Miniature hats, jewelry and accessories all made myself and vintage items as well. 2163104586. 1018b kenilworth ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
oh.emmy.gee@gmail.com    facebook.com/VisualGrammar216

Jennifer Murphy Organic Armor
Sculpted costumes and accessories. 8283670203. 95 Blue Ridge Ave Asheville, North Carolina 28806 jennifer@organicarmor.com    www.organicarmor.com

Kimberly Wolff The Eyes Have It & Auralynne
We specialize in 100% handmade wearable art. I (The Eyes Have It) make jeweled false eyelashes, bindis, earrings and jeweled tattoos. Auralynne (my niece) makes flower and feather fascinators, feather earrings, hairsticks, lace chokers, pasties and more. We have been successful vending at such venues as Rakkasah East, Tribalcon, Bellypalooza and Southern Fried Burlesquefest. 8286440428. 704A Ranger Road, Murphy North Carolina 28906
"theeyeshaveit@brmemc.net"    http://www.etsy.com/shop/theeyeshaveit and http://www.etsy.com/shop/auralynne

Tracy Thornton Victoria Velvet
Feather corset costumes, hair pieces and accessories. 7042671713. 3724 High Gables W Cumming, Georgia 30041
tracy@victoriavelvet.com www.victoiavelvet.com

Meghan Thomson Art by Meghan Thomson
Independent Artist of acrylic paintings. Including small scale canvas paintings and hand-painted pendants.    3365495523. 3903 Walker Avenue Greensboro, North Carolina 27403
mnoblekc@yahoo.com http://madebymegt.multiply.com"

The Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival in Asheville North Carolina

2011-02-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

We are proud to announce the 5th annual Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival in Asheville NC. Check out Sideshow Burlesque for more information.

5th Annual Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival - 5 Years in Asheville! June 3-5, 2011

2011-02-07T18:08:00.000-05:00

International Stars, Princess Farhana, Armitage Shanks and Paolo Garbanzo, Headline.

ABSfest is now in its fifth year of celebrating the Vaudeville Revival. Since the festival debut, over 2000 people have reveled in the company of our suede, satin, and sparkle, our chicken feathered starlets and our fish-eyed zombie boys. Nominated for Best Show in the Mountain Xpress Readers Choice Awards, the allure of ABSfest has attracted renowned circus and burlesque artists from across the USA, as well as Germany, Scotland and last year's surprise jewel, Tokyo. We promise fashion, contortion, trapeze, and tease! ABSfest offers three days of inspiration, education, shopping, and entertainment that no lover of the performing arts can bear to miss.

In a world now brimming with Burlesque Festivals, from Vegas to Amsterdam, ABSfest is known for embodying the true spirit of Vaudeville, offering a fantastic opportunity for driven artists to network, and for a community that nurtures raw, boundary-pushing, creativity. The festival is one of several annual productions of Future of Tradition, a seminal force in the underground Asheville arts community since 1999. Executive Producer Lauren Onca O'Leary also tours the nation teaching and performing dance, music and stagecraft with the Mezmer Society and the Accidental Circus.

2011 Festival Headliners:

PRINCESS FARHANA
For thirteen years a soloist with the notorious Neo-Burlesque Revival group 'The Velvet Hammer', Princess Farhana has also performed extensively across Europe, the States, and the Arab world, toured with Margaret Cho in 'The Sensuous Woman', performed in music videos for Ricky Martin, Madonna and others, been the subject of a documentary, "Underbelly" which featured footage of ABSfest 2007, and has an extensive line of instructional dance and burlesque dvds. Princess Farhana headlined the FIRST EVER ABSfest here in Asheville. She's since become an international dance star and an icon of the subcultural silver screen. Her Majesty is gracing Asheville once again with her epic force of personality and scintillating skills for ABSfest's fabulous fifth anniversary.

ARMITAGE SHANKS
Armitage Shanks travels the world sharing his incredible voice and rogue-ish stage presence. Productions of his work are running off-Broadway, and as founder of Seattle's subcultural performance legend Circus Contraption, he is a forefather of the internationally rampant Neo-Vaudeville Revival. www.myspace.com/armitagephineasshanks
"Armitage Shanks has a voice like honey-coated gravel. A Victorian Music Hall barker (with) just the right tone...a sinister and louche presence, who put some sex in the air." Seattle's The Stranger

PAOLO GARBANZO
Flying in from Europe for a second year, International Jester Competition winner (the only American to ever win) and the 2008 Fool of Muncaster Castle of England, the youngest juggler ever to win a Lifetime Achievement Award, and a former Karamazov Brother, world-famous juggler and sideshow godling Paolo Garbanzo will dominate the Orange Peel stage with his masterful skills for another wild and wonderful ABSfest. (www.garbanzojuggling.com )

Drink deeply of these international masters, with both workshops and dazzling, technical performances during the festival. They will be joined by talent from the world over in this juried extravaganza dedicated to Vaudeville, the People's Entertainment!

DETAILS: 5th Annual Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival (ABSfest)

When: June 3-5, 2011

Friday Night Red Carpet Gala: The theater bus pulls up, the glittering artists disembark, tumbling along the Red Carpet in a swirl of laughter, and the party starts. This is just the beginning of a three-run of debauchery and high art... a teaser, if you will. The Opening Ceremonies are followed by awards, performance, live music and more.

$15.00. 9pm. Afterparty at 11pm $5.

Saturday Night Spectacular: The newly expanded Orange Peel gives the festival more footage for festivity, as the hottest show of the year explodes within its walls. Phenomenal talent, a Burlesque Bazaar, and the sidewalk sideshow will be followed by live music and an afterparty. This is the show to never, ever miss in Asheville.

$25.00. 8-11 pm. The Orange Peel on Biltmore Avenue, Asheville. Afterparty at 11pm $5.

Saturday & Sunday Burlesque, Circus and Arts Business Workshops in the ABSfest Seminary ~ $20 each or 5 for $90. 10-5pm. Movement & Learning Center above FBFC, 90 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville. Train with Farhana, Paolo, and artists from around the country in stagecraft, circus arts, fire performance, burlesque and more.

The now annual Sunday Sideshow Brunch: An idyllic cure for the post-ABS Fest hangover; food, drinks and more entertainment.

Info tba

All tickets & reservation or more information: www.sideshowburlesque.org

Saturday Night Spectacular Tickets Available at www.theorangepeel.net or through the box office.

Contact: LaMadameOnca@gmail.com
Press only Contact: Onca O'Leary (828) 232-2980