Have you ever wondered what goes on inside Montreal's Cafe Cleopatra (Cafe Cleopatre), the legendary "gentleman's club" with the lit-up naked-lady sign near the corner of boulevard Saint-Laurent and rue Sainte-Catherine Est? It's the last vestige of the city's former red-light district but what is it like in there now. Fun? Weird? Obscene?
When the Empire decides to strip back, not even a Stormtrooper's armour is safe. Montreal is set to host a Star Wars-themed burlesque parody where the Force is not only strong but scandalously exposed.
Bagel Burlesque Expo is shimmying back into Montreal this month and shedding beauty stereotypes along with lingerie. On April 21 and 22, you can catch an eclectic lineup of artists representing all forms of neoburlesque, a performance style that combines striptease with elements of comedy, horror and pop culture.
The 21st Century Burlesque Magazine released its list of the top 50 burlesque performers in the world at the end of December and a local artist made it to the podium. Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière now holds the second position in the prestigious ranking.
Montreal is about to get its Moulin Rouge on at the Burlesque Festival at Club Soda on October 15. The festival will be all about sensuality, tease, empowerment, education and after-parties showered with cocktails. Not to mention the naughty musical performances, champagne glasses galore and tassels and tail feathers for days.