ABSFest – Burlesque & Sideshow Festival

Event Date

May 22-24, 2020

Event Location

Asheville, NC

Call Us

(828) 232-2980

Email Us

futureoftradition@gmail.com

What is ABSFest?

ABSFest is known for embodying the true spirit of Vaudeville and nurturing creativity and empowerment.

ABSFest is proud to offer Burlesque, Circus and Business Workshops! Train with artists from around the country in the ABSfest Sexy Seminary in stagecraft, circus arts, fire performance, burlesque and more. Open to all levels! Dive on in.

Clyf Hangar

BLATINO Fire! He will leave you at the edge of your seat!

Stray Cat Sideshow

Traveling circus sideshow based out of Charlotte, NC

Charming Disaster

French new wave cinema, 19th-century forensic photography, existentialism, spiritualism, patent medicine, bad decisions, famous criminals, occult science, carnival arts, firearms, train travel, ferry boats, reincarnation, urban decay.

Mab Just Mab

DC’s Own Sideshow Girl

Madame Onça

Festival Producer, International Instructor, Entertainer, Artist & Author

Tik-Tok

Tribal, Alluring, Suspensful

Carmel Clavin

International Performer, Impresaria, Vaudevillian

Nadira

Owner of Seven Cities Dance Studio and the Producer of The East Coast Classic

Caza Blanca

The Vivacious Thespian of Burlesque

Violet Gray

Standup comic, social justice worrier, wearer of black, transer of gender and eater of hot things.

James Taylor

“The World’s Foremost Authority on Sideshow”

Miss Brawling Beauty

The Mistress of Moxie

Talloolah Love

Burlesque Performer & Producer

Sako Tumi

Poi-spinner, specializing in fire and LED light-up Poi

Awalim Dance Company

Orientale Tribal Style

Dana Beaufait

Veil Poi, Hula Fusion, Theatrical Dance, Ritual Tribal Dance, Cosplay & Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

May Hemmer

The ‘Cocoa Barbie’

Jo’Rie Tigerlily

Poised to rip your face off in the sexiest way possible, The Ferocious Flower, Jo’Rie Tigerlily

ABSFest Burlesque & Sideshow Festival

Days

Hours

Mins

Seconds

Fri May 22

Sat May 23

Sun May 24

14th Annual ABSFest Kickoff Show

Grey Eagle Music Hall
185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

7pm VIP Doors
7:30pm Gen Adm Doors open
8-10:30pm Burlesque Murder Mystery with all LIVE MUSIC played by NYC’s epic goth folk duo Charming Disaster.

ABSFest’s Big Night – Saturday Spectacular

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

7pm VIP Doors
7:30pm Gen Adm Doors open
8:00-10:30pm Saturday Spectacular, hosted by DC’s sorceress of stand-up, Violet Gray.

14th Annual ABSFest Burlesque Brunch

Grey Eagle Music Hall
185 Clingman Ave, Asheville NC 28801

12pm Doors Open
1pm Burlesque, Comedy, Music and more, hosted by that Troubadour in a Teacup, Carmel Clavin, and that rascally Vaudevillian, Mark Slomski.

12:30-2pm Intro to Poi and Voi

12:30-2pm Songwriting Workshop

2-3:30pm Burlesque at it's Best

2-3:30pm FREE Community Discussion

Intro to Poi and Voi, with Sako Tumi and Dana Beaufait

Come sample the beautiful and meditative arts of Poi and Voi, also known as Veilpoi! Dana Beaufait is the ORIGINAL creator of Veilpoi and has taught this stage-worthy skill in the US and Japan to flow artists, bellydancers, variety performers and folks just looking for something new and fun! Sako Tumi is a career artist and adept Poi-spinner, specializing in fire and LED light-up Poi. Together they will offer an overview of basic technique with each prop, and some more in-depth tricks for the willing. Both Poi and Voi will be available for loan and purchase at the class.

Songwriting Workshop with Charming Disaster

The goal of this course is to teach performers how to utilize their most powerful asset, their face! Whether you’re a classic teaser, a clown, nerd, or more, you will learn fun methods to warm up your face and tell the story you intend to tell. We will cover some storytelling techniques as well as theories on expression and act development. Through these methods, you will get the most from your performance by connecting fully to your audience.

Burlesque at its Best: When it all Goes Wrong with May Hemmer

Making Our Events Accessible to Disabled & Recovering Artists with Brawling Beauty and Tik Tok

FREE Community Discussion
Are you ready to ask the uncomfortable questions? To hear the voices of your diverse community of artists? Be the change you want to see; join us for this FREE panel discussion exploring the experiences of marginalized people in performance. Learn about how it is for People of Color, LGBTQ+ and more.

Asheville is beautiful and the people are great. You gathered a fantastic array of performers of all stripes to teach and perform with originality and “can-do” spirit, in the wonderful, professional theater.

Princess Farhana

The classes are a great entry point for audience members and people in the business to have a very up close experience with artists and their craft.

Jim Julien, Asheville Fringe Festival

Thank you again for inviting me to be part of your fabulous festival. I LOVED it!

Jo ‘Boobs’ Weldon, New York, NY

You have a really good connection with what Vaudeville is. Also, the city is just so special and I think it really adds to the feel of the festival.

Michelle L’amour, Chicago IL

This is seriously one of my favorite festivals. I cannot begin to tell you how laid back but professional this show is. The venues are a delight, though you will want to bring a hand fan because it IS summer in the south. Top notch entertainment, and top notch management make for a truly unique and delightful experience both to be a part of, and to watch!