The 5th Annual New York Boylesque Festival

Although we all know latex couture is usually sexy, more often than not we are talking about how to wiggle into it, how to accessorize one wardrobe piece with another. But there is lots to be said for the sexiness of taking clothes off, if one uses style and grace, as one would in the art of burlesque. Familiar as we all are with women performing this dying art, don’t be surprised to learn there are men out there taking off their clothes in this most alluring of ways. And lots of men will be doing just that at the 5^th annual New York Boylesque Festival next month.

Champion of the arts as we are, great fans of naked folk, Dawnamatrix is honor bound to relate the details of the shows coming to both NYC’s House of YES and the city’s Gramercy Theatre, on 6/10 and 6/11 respectively. Produced by Thirsty Girl & Daniel Nardicio, this two day “testicle festival” as it is called in the Boylesque press, features performers from Japan, Canada, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland and New Orleans. Hosts are the world famous BOB (for Friday) and “New York City’s Honky Soul Mama” Sweetie (on Saturday).

The names here read like a who’s who of male-burlesque and are sure to showcase some wild costume design…stuff surely be slipped out of, peeled off, ripped asunder in no time. Performers across both nights include Broody Valentino, James and the Giant Pasty Lucky Charming, and The GlaMonster, Boys’ Night: An All-Male Cirquelesque Revue, The Great Dubini, UmAShaAdow and Ray Valenz.

Surely burlesque is not as popular as it once was. Even Dita Von Teese (no stranger to fetish clothing and latex outfits) arguably the modern day champion of the art, has given up her tassels and retired from performing burlesque. But to see a two day event of sexy dancing/stripping-and from men no less-well, if you are in NYC you must run to catch New York Boylesque Festival.

For tickets and info go to: www.boylesquefestival.com