About
Experience the captivating magic of the Colorado Burlesque Festival (CBF) presented by Multipass, a spectacular celebration of the art form set against the backdrop of Denver's enchanting landscape. Taking place from July 10th to July 12th, 2025, CBF Weekend promises three unforgettable showcases.
Highlighting both local talent and visiting artists, CBF pays homage to the rich tradition of American live theater with its electrifying performances. Our commitment is clear: to curate progressive, inclusive, and mindful burlesque events that resonate with performers and audiences alike.
CBF offers a dazzling array of attractions, including top-notch burlesque acts, lively networking gatherings, and educational workshops led by industry experts. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer, there's something for everyone in the world of burlesque.
Join us in celebrating the seductive allure of live theater at the Colorado Burlesque Festival, where performers and aficionados come together for three sensational days of entertainment.
Exciting News!
This Year CBF has an incredible Presenting sponsor….
MultiPass!
We are delighted to have Multipass, a Denver-based ticketing innovator, as the presenting sponsor for the Colorado Burlesque Festival! Local to our vibrant city, Multipass is dedicated to enhancing every event with their user-friendly platform, ensuring a seamless and spirited experience from the first click to the final curtain call. By fostering a local community of event enthusiasts, Multipass not only connects us to great entertainment but also strengthens our communal ties. Join us for an unforgettable celebration, where local charm meets spectacular entertainment, made possible by partnering with Multipass!
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided
Musette Mischief
ReelWorks event center
TBA
THURSDAY JULY 10TH, 2025
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Our opening show features nonstop entertainment including burlesque, drag, aerial, circus acts, pole dancers, comedy, and more! This show provides unique and thrilling amusement that will have everyone on the edge of their seats!
Emcee | TBA
Headliner | Banbury Cross
Features |Mr. Valdez
Dress Theme | Beach Party
FRIDAY JULY 11TH, 2025
VIP SHOWCASE
This special night pays tribute to the humorous, bawdy, and provocative history of burlesque. From classic to neo and everything in between, this will be a magical evening filled with many of burlesque's brightest stars.
Emcee : TBA
Headliner : Willy LaQueue
Features :Polka Dottie & La Dame Derrière
Dress Theme | Heros vs. Villians Cosplay
SATURDAY JULY 12, 2025
cbf SPECTACULAR
Step right up to the main event as performers from around the world bump, grind, and shimmy their way into your hearts. This is a night you will never forget!
Emcee : TBA
Headliner : Goddess Briq House
Features :Queerly Femmetastic
Dress Theme | Past & Furture Glam
“ONE OF THE SEXIEST THINGS TO DO IN DENVER ”
CBF 2025 headliners
Willy Laqueue
Willy LaQueue is a dashing dandy and sultry stripper starlet twinkling in the Windy City.He's been working as a dancer, educator, and choreographer for almost 3 decades, venturing into burlesque in 2012, and he has twirled across stages and bar floors in the US, Canada, and Europe. In 2024 Willy performed in the Movers, Shakers, & Innovators Showcase at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and he has been named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Burlesque Performers in the World by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine. Previously, Willy has been an opening act for musicians Lizzo and Sandra Bernhard, appeared in the Showtime Network’s comedy series “Work In Progress,” and performed at the historic Stonewall Inn in NYC. Willy’s
production house, Maison LaQueue, produces the debaucherous immersive cabaret spectacle DELIRIUM and the raucous musical phenomenon the Naughty Little Madrigal at the Newport Theater. He's a flamboyant fop who shimmies in the spaces between drag, burlesque, anddance theatre.
He's light in his loafers, a dear friend of Dorothy, and the Limpest Wrist in Burlesque!
Goddess briq house
As seen in 21st Century Burlesque Magazine's 2020, 21, 22, and 23 Top 50 Most Iconic Burlesque Industry Figures of the World list, Autostraddle ‘s 23 Black Queer & Trans Femmes to Follow as well as: BlkTouch, The House of Knyle, Seattle Times, Time Magazine and the cover of The Stranger Seattle.
Erotic Entrepreneur, Intuitive, Professional Dominant, Intimacy Consultant, Master of Ceremonies, and Burlesque Goddess Briq House is the founder and owner of Briq House Entertainment. Under this umbrella she produces:
*All Black/Brown Burlesque Revues
*Inclusive Sex Educational Events for youth and adults
*Adult Lifestyle socials and retreats
*Spiritual Gatherings/Ceremonies
*De-escalation Workshops
*Team Building Workshops
*Creative Space Activations
*Erotic Performance and Visual Art, including Films
*Kink Based Anti Racism Trainings
Goddess Briq House is a master facilitator, public speaker, and consultant. Workshops/Talks including but not limited to Sexual Healing through Movement, Body Love, Kinks/Fetishes for Beginners, BDSM for Survivors, Black/Brown Sex Work History, and Sexual Attitude Reassessment Training. Her monthly Burlesque production (co produced with Sin de la Rosa) The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq is the longest running monthly all BIPOC Burlesque Revue in the PNW.
Her quarterly event - Quink Social Club: A kink friendly social exclusively for People of Color is the longest running all BIPOC kink/sex educational event in the PNW.
As a proud Black Woman/God, Briq’s mission is to harness the power of her bright light to stimulate and educate the masses to work towards a mutual goal of liberation.
To keep up with and support her latest love projects, like her new inclusive Bikini Barista stand, please go to www.msbriqhouse.com and follow @GoddessBriqHouse on all social media platforms, including Onlyf@n$ 😉
Banbury Cross
Banbury Cross is an intercontinental headline artist hailing from the U.K by way of Berlin and the Bay Area.
Known worldwide as the “Body” with the single most iconic champagne sprays and fan dance techniques in the industry; proven by consistently being highly sought after on cabaret, and burlesque stages, as well as within the Varieté, dinner show and circus across the world.
Banbury has been the embodiment of neo-classic Burlesque since 2008 and a modern legend in her own right.
“All the rage of the rockies” — the denver post
CBF 2025 legends
gail Winns
local Colorado legend(1935-2024)
Gail Winns "The Original Twister," was a burlesque performer and emcee in the 1950's and 1960's. After getting her start as a stripteaser in Calumet City, she moved to Denver at the age of 25, where she transitioned into singing and emceeing. About her career, Gail says “I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved being in the business.” Gail is a living legend of burlesque and resides in Colorado.
Gail will always be a legend to CBF and we will continue to honor her memory!
Shawna the black venus
living legend
Shawna, known as the “Black Venus,” started her burlesque career in 1972. She took a dare from a friend at an “amateur night” contest and won! That was the beginning of her professional dancing career. Inspiration came from headliners she was lucky to work with, including Leigh Sharon, Tempest Storm, Terry Starr and Gina Bon Bon just to name a few. Shawna appeared in Guam, Puerto Rico and became famous throughout the East Coast and Mid-West in the 70s and 80s. The Ponderosa Sun Club in Roselawn, Indiana was infamous for holding the Miss Nude America and several other Burlesque contests. Shawna was asked to participate at the Ponderosa Sun Club in her booking agent's all-nude wedding as a bridesmaid!! Cheri Magazine filmed and published the entire event. Shawna was well known for her “country Western” and spectacular “fire show” in which she twirled tassels with fire!
Shawna has been featured in the book, Legends of Burlesque: Then and Now presented by Legends Gina Bon Bon and Julie Mist.
Shawna now works in healthcare for well-known clients.
Although she formally retired from dancing in 1994, she has since returned to burlesque and has participated in:
The walk of fame at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2018, 2019 & 2023. She has also performed in 2024.
Was the 2022 BurlyCon Legend of Honor.
In 2023 she was invited by BurlyCares to perform in Las Vegas, NV at Timeless: a Celebration of Variety Entertainment Legends (her first time performing in 29 years) and also had the honor of performing at Legends & Icons, an all Black Burlesque Revue produced by Twirlisha Devine in Indianapolis, IN (the first time she has ever shared a stage with other Black performers).
Since getting back into the bump and grind of it, now in her 70s, Shawna doesn’t look like she’s ready to stop dancing anytime soon.
In 2024 she headlined at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival in Vancouver, Canada, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in Las Vegas, NV, Legends & Icon’s in Indianapolis, IN, What The Funk?! Festival in Seattle, WA and is at the Hawaiʻi Burlesque Festival in Honolulu, HI. In 2025 she is scheduled to headline at The Land of The Sky Burlesque Festival in Asheville, NC and the Colorado Burlesque Festival in Denver, CO.