AUSTIN – The Texas Burlesque Festival (TXBF) announced today the formation of Texas Burlesque Productions, a Texas nonprofit corporation that “celebrates the renaissance of all performances burlesque, cabaret and vaudeville in nature.”

According to a statement by TXBF on the establishment of Texas Burlesque Productions, the new nonprofit will have “an emphasis on the diverse and eclectic nature of the art form and it’s performers and strives to foster a supportive community among those performers in Texas and across the United States and the World  through networking, educational and professional performance opportunities.”

“This festival has always been a labor of love,” said director Lynn Raridon, “with an emphasis on providing the best experience possible for performers and audience alike.”

“TXBF has always functioned like a nonprofit, with a core board of non-paid directors and volunteers, using all funds and proceeds of each festival to produce the next year’s event,” Raridon added. “We figured it was time to make it official.”

Along with the formation of the nonprofit organization, TXBF has also announced the dates of the 2020 edition of the festival, which is returning to The Rollins Theatre at The Long Center, Friday and Saturday April 24-25, 2020.

In its announcement, TXBF described the Rollins Theater as “intimate, without a bad seat in the house, allowing a much more up close and personal experience for audience and performers alike.”

“With only 210 seats, it is sure to be a sell out,” TXBF added.

The featured performers at this year’s festival include “Legendary and Grand Beaver of Canadian Burlesque” Judith Stein and current reigning New Orleans Queen of Burlesque Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere. Los Angeles’ “Cuban Missile Crisis” Tito Benito will emcee on Friday and perform on Saturday.

TXBF will also feature the return of Chicago’s Bazuka Joe, Austin’s Coco Lectric and her Muses and World Famous *BOB*, who will emcee on Saturday night.

The festival will feature competitions covering several categories: Best Soloist (“King or Queen of TXBF”), Best Ensemble (includes duets/trios any number with more than one performer), Most Original, Best Costume and Best Tease Factor.

“Since its inception, the Texas Burlesque Festival has been an unprecedented success, busting at the seams with amazing Burlesque, Vaudeville and Cabaret performers from all over the nation and abroad, representing the most diverse array of performers,” TXBF said in its statement. “Get ready for some real Texas hospitality!”

For additional information, visit TexasBurlesqueFest.com, contact Raridon at texasburlesquefest@gmail.com, or call/text 512-461-2355.

Burlesque photo by Darcy Delia from Pexels