Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque, Coco Framboise and Great Canadian Burlesque present:

Toronto ON – The Summer gets hotter with the 5th Annual Toronto Burlesque Festival, July 19th to 22nd, 2012!

For Year 5, we celebrate the best of burlesque! We boast four hot nights of scintillating striptease, variety and live music branching from across Canada and beyond. We invite the top names in international burlesque entertainment to our stage. Some of our featured performers this year include the first Canadian to win the title of “Queen of Burlesque,” (2010) Roxi Dlite, 2005 “Queen of Burlesque,” Michelle L’amour (Chicago), Vancouver’s Burlesque Queen Burgundy Brixx, the astounding Kristina Nekyia (Hollywood), boylesque sensation Jett Adore (Chicago), world-renowned Master of Ceremonies, Armitage Shanks (Seattle) and more!

This year, we are thrilled to host our first Canadian Legend, Ms. Judith Stein. Originally from Woodbridge ON, Ms. Stein's career spanned 17 years and took her all over the world. She retired to Nelson BC, was rediscovered by the neo-burlesque community in Vancouver, then went on to perform for the Las Vegas Burlesque Hall of Fame to critical acclaim. Affectionately referred to as "The Canadian Beaver" in the west, this will be her first appearance and performance in Toronto in many years.

Events include:

Thursday, July 19 - Our exclusive Meet and Greet Teaser at Toronto’s hotspot, The Gladstone Hotel. We take over the hotel all evening and crown the night with our Headliners and Producers Showcase in The Ballroom.

Friday, July 20 - Our first ever International Strip Search Competition also held at The Gladstone Hotel. Who will win the title of Best International Newcomer and Best Canadian Newcomer? Our contest is for the best 16 artists we could find who have been performing less than two years. Top secret After Party plans will be announced shortly!

Saturday, July 21 - This is the night no one wants to miss! Our annual Burlesque Ball at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club features our headlining acts and the cream of the crop of Toronto’s burlesque talent. Start the night browsing in our Tease ‘n Twirl Marketplace on the second floor balcony then be prepared for a show that has to be seen to be believed!

Sunday, July 22 - New this year, our Sunday Show will include Closing Ceremonies. Among some of the most innovative and beautiful burlesque acts in the world, we will also showcase Legends of Burlesque and present community awards. This is also the evening where we will find out who has been inducted into the Canadian Burlesque Hall of Fame for 2012! This event is also at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club.

Throughout the Festival, we will be holding workshops at our prestigious Burlesque University. Performers and audience members alike learn from our Headliners and Legends, allowing valuable personal experience with the top stars in the industry.

For more information about our upcoming Festival including frequent updates and announcements about headliners, events and sponsors please join our Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/torontoburlesquefestival