The 4th Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival

September 13 – 15, 2012

The 4th Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival is open to striptease dancers (men and women), singers, magicians, contortionists, duos, troupes, novelty and other variety acts.

Application Deadlines & Dates: Application Deadline: Sunday, May 27, 2012 at Midnight (Central Time) Notification to All Applicants By: Monday, June 16, 2012 New Orleans Burlesque Festival: September 13-15, 2012 (The NOBF is looking for the best, most talented performers from around the world. Applicants living outside of the U.S.A will be notified first, and possibly before the application deadline in order to allow time to prepare for the trip to the festival.) Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $15 must be received by the application deadline date. To pay by Paypal, send the fee to neworleansburlesque@yahoo.com. Make sure you have this email address correct! Include your performer name in the “notes” field. Applications sent to us without the fee will be discarded. To pay by mail, send a check or money order in US funds (written out to New Orleans Burlesque, LLC) to: New Orleans Burlesque LLC, P.O. Box 791329 New Orleans, LA. 70179-1329 Please include your performer name on the check or money order. Application fee must be received by the deadline date. We will not be responsible for lost mail.

Application Process: Fill out the online application form. We suggest you type out and save all the information requested in a Word document, and copy and past it into the form. Or, you can download the Word document, fill it out, and email the completed application to neworleansburlesque@yahoo.com. OR, you can mail your application to the above address. Please attach no more than 3 low-resolution promotional photos of yourself. We prefer studio and pin-up photos, but all photos will be accepted. Please name your photo file with your stage name! The photo(s) you send will be posted on our website if you are selected to perform. Please be sure you have cleared the rights from the photographer(s) to use the photos to promote your appearance in the festival. We will not be able to credit the photographer on the festival website. Within a couple of days after sending your application, you will receive a confirmation email that it has been received. If selected, we will require more information, hi-res photos, and your music (if you are performing to a recorded track). When this information is requested, it should be sent ASAP! NOTICE: If selected to perform, the New Orleans Burlesque Festival will not cover any of your expenses, but performers will receive an honorarium. In previous years, we have not been able to provide a comp ticket to all showcases, but have been able to provide a comp ticket to one or two showcases. As the festival draws near, we will announce all the performer perks for 2012. If you are notified that you have been selected to perform in the festival, you will respond by accepting (or declining) your spot in the festival. Accepting a spot in the festival is a commitment you must honor. If you accept your spot in the festival, but then back out at any point prior to the festival weekend (for any reason short of hospitalization), you will likely lose your standing with the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, and may not be invited to perform in following New Orleans Burlesque Festivals. The New Orleans Burlesque Festival does not give performers a time restriction for their acts. We are looking for the best acts in burlesque. So if you are accepted into the festival, we will not ask you to cut down your act. Pasties must be worn by all female striptease dancers. To see acts previously accepted into the festival, view performance videos of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 New Orleans Burlesque Festival on www.youtube.com/burlesquefest. If you submit an act utilizing a prop, you are responsible for bringing the prop to New Orleans. The NOBF does not pay for shipping of props. If you do not have the prop for your performance, you risk losing your spot in the festival. If you would like to request the use of one our props, such as a chair or platform, please make a note of it in the application. We are currently not accepting any fire acts. We are cautious of accepting any “messy” acts involving things such as large amounts of water or glitter. If you have an act that requires a fair amount of clean-up, please email us about it before applying. If you are performing to a recorded track with more than one song, you must mix the music down to one track and submit it to us when requested. Be advised that the New Orleans Burlesque Festival will be videotaped and photographed. By submitting this application, you agree to allow your likeness and your performance in the New Orleans Burlesque Festival to be used to promote the festival, for as long as the festival is in existence.

Like last year, the NOBF has a non-compete clause. If you are selected to perform in the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, you agree not to perform in any other shows or events in the New Orleans area, outside of the official NOBF showcases, from Sept. 7 – 17. New Orleans performers agree not to perform from Sept. 12 – 16, excluding private non-publicized events, or if you are cast in a regular weekly show.

Nightly Shows: THE NOBF SHOWCASES fall into two categories, live music and recorded music. There will be two shows accompanied by live jazz music, and three shows of performances with recorded tracks. Among those shows will be our 2nd annual Bad Girls of Burlesque showcase. We are looking for the most talented, tantalizing, kick-ass burlesque dancers. We are seeking real “bad girls” who are beautiful as well as dangerous! (But no fire acts allowed. Sorry!) The QUEEN OF BURLESQUE is the only competition in the festival. Eight dancers will compete. A panel of celebrity judges will select this year's best classic striptease dancer. Ginger Lee Valentine (Queen of Burlesque 2011) will crown this year’s “Queen of Burlesque.” All striptease performers in this competition must dance to the accompaniment of our live six-piece traditional jazz band. Music will be worked out with each individual performer in the competition after they have been selected to perform. You will provide your own musical score, submit song titles (subject to approval), or pick from our song book. If picking from our band’s song book, we can provide music for you to rehearse prior to the festival weekend. You will have at least 15 minutes of rehearsal with the band on the day of the competition. To apply for this category, submit a video of your performance to a live jazz band, a recorded traditional jazz track, or other instrumental music. We are looking for dancers with a lot of personality, dance ability, and who exude glamour and beauty, utilizing elaborate costumes and/or props. The NOBF’s Queens of Burlesque are Perle Noire from New Orleans (2009), Coco Lectric from Austin (2010), and Ginger Valentine from Dallas (2011). TIPS: Each year we receive a multitude of fan dances. We love fan dances. However, you have a much better chance of getting accepted into the fest if you submit something different and original. Only submit a fan dance if it is the best act you have, and it is what you are most skilled doing. For burlesque festivals, it is important to stand out among all the applicants. We are looking for creative and original costuming, routines, and reveals. Great energy and excitement always gets our attention. We also pay close attention to facial expressions. Submit a video where your personality shines through! Submit video that is clear and not shot from too far away. If we cannot see your facial expressions in the video, it will hinder your chances. Good luck!