If you have yet to catch one of Vancouver’s infamous burlesque acts, now’s the time. Today, the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival kicks off ten days of theatrical productions, live music, comedy and sketch shows, karaoke, pole- and belly-dancing, fashion shows, circus performances and magic acts, and vaudeville variety shows.

Now in its fourth year, the festival has grown considerably from its humble beginnings back in 2006, and has since attracted sellout crowds, expanded to various locations around town, and added international guests and performance troupes to its roster.

“There’s probably 200 [performers] in town now. It’s really exploded the last few years,” festival rep Shanti Brett aka Shaboobie Boobarella tells the Straight over the phone. “It’s so popular here [because] I think Vancouver’s a very creative town. There’s a lot of innovation going on and a lot of show business.”

“It’s diverse and it’s creative,” Brett says when describing the appeal of burlesque. “It can go to anywhere from vintage to gothic, to rockabilly to disco; you can do anything. Everyone makes their own character, does their own choreography; it’s a very individual expression. It’s also anti-mainstream perceptions of sexuality and body shape and that’s quite important to a lot of people.”

Despite its success, the festival remains accessible. Workshops—spanning style and beauty basics, burlesque aerobics and dance classes, striptease how-tos, history lessons, and a prop and costume stitch ”˜n’ bitch—are fit for both novice and expert burlesque performers. And events such as tonight’s (May 1) martini party and a last hurrah “hangover brunch” on May 10 give fans the chance to meet and mingle with festival performers, organizers, and volunteers.

The wide-ranging calendar of events offers something for everyone.

Those feeling uninspired might find their muse at Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School on Sunday May 3. The drawing class–cabaret hybrid combines crayons and watercolours with sexy models, provocative costumes and poses, music, and cocktails.

For performers having trouble coming up with a stage name, the Developing and Deepening Burlesque Persona workshop on May 10 with instructor Miss Rosie Bitts might prove worthwhile.

Purists will get a kick out of Saturday’s (May 2) Pink Flamingo Burlesque show, a throwback to the good ol’ days of the craft and featuring a live band playing vintage jazz covers and cabaret numbers.

The Rio will be showing a mockumentary with documentary double-bill on burlesque troupes next Wednesday (May 6).

The festival concludes with a gala and awards ceremony on May 9 recognizing contributions to the Vancouver burlesque community, which thrives throughout the year with events like Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society's ongoing burlesque classes and the weekly Kitty Nights at the Biltmore Cabaret.

For ticket information and a full schedule of events, visit the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Web site.