“Every last person I spoke with was genuine, unique and full of talent, and I immediately felt as though I wanted to bring them back to my hometown for performances. I made a large number of contacts and more than a handful of friends. Everyone was truly inspiring and made me work harder to put together a bigger, better routine for this year! I felt like I was home and did not want the weekend to end.” ~Maria Bella, Baltimore, MD

Twitter: twitter.com/absfest
Facebook: Americana Sideshow & Burlesque Fest
Contact: futureoftradition@gmail.com
Press Only Contact: Onça O’Leary (828) 232-2980

OUR STAFF:

 Producer, Madame Onça is a career entertainer, event producer, internationally touring performer, and internationally published author and artist.

She stages several major festivals annually, as well as myriad other events. Staged in Asheville, NC, her award-winning ABSfest: the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival, is now is in its sixth year of bringing together artists from around the world to perform, study and network.

Onça’s annual festival TribOriginal: Tribal Dance, Music & Culture Camp has been nominated for Best Event, and her dance company Baraka Mundi was nominated likewise for both Best Kept Secret and Best Dance Company. Onça currently travels the country teaching and performing song, dance and sultry antics of Luscious Cabaret & Balkan Ruckus with the Mezmer Society, and with the Accidental Circus, directed by Jester of England, Paolo Garbanzo. She illustrated and co-authored The World Spirit Tarot, an instant classic, which has been translated into Spanish.

It is her stalwart belief is that “The greatest expression of Rebellion is Joy.”www.hardestworkingwomaninshowbusiness.com.

 Assistant Producer- Bitsy Buttons 

Bitsy Buttons has been hooping her way into the hearts and minds of those who have seen her grace the stage for some time now. And Bitsy is no stranger to the burlesque scene, having studied at Boom Boom Basics, she now co-produces the Slomski Cabaret, a traveling live music based vaudeville burlesque show. She also also returned to Boom Boom Basics as a guest instructor, offering a one-of-a-kind MC/Kitten course with her partner, Mark Slomski. Her name may lead you to believe she’s simply cute as a button, but once you’ve seen her perform, you’ll know she’s also got moves that will have you craving much more!

https://www.facebook.com/bitsy.buttons

Rachel Riot- Vending and Sponsorship

Careful, baby, there’s a Riot in town, and that’s Miss Rachel Riot to you. North Carolina born and bred, she’s a honey-sweet gal by day, a fire-hot bombshell by night. Based in Raleigh, NC, she founded the capitol city’s first burlesque troupe in 2008. Miss Riot is the founder of the Wiggle Room at Winston-Salem’s Heavy Rebel Weekender. Rachel Riot has produced and coordinated over 200 events since 2007, from carnivals and theme nights to burlesque shows and talent shows. A five year veteran of the burlesque community, Rachel also teaches pin-up hair and makeup (Bombshell Academy) as well as a four week intensive burlesque workshop (the Shimmy Seminar). For more information visit www.missrachelriot.com