About Us
7th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival
The VIBF is the premiere burlesque event held annually in Vancouver. The next festival is scheduled for May 3-5, 2012. Full details for the festival will be announced in March 2012.
2011-2012 Board of Directors
Roxette Starr - President
Roxette Starr is absolutely honored to be back on the Board of Directors for the 7th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. She hopes to help continue the growth of the festival and maintain its awesomeness. This year is sure to be killer.
This fine young lady started out as fan, and has grown into a contributing member of the Vancouver burlesque community. Roxette is not only on the board but she also performs and produces. Her shows include Bantering Brassieres and several fundraisers. She also created The Vancouver Burlesque Calendar. As if that wasn't enough she's been known to do sound, lighting and stage management for shows too. This genuine and talented gal is bound to bring loads of glitter to this year's festival.
David "DK" Kerr - Vice President
DK is just crazy enough to come back for a third term on the VIBFA Board of Directors. Having seen the Festival through a year of reuniting at the Rickshaw Theatre and a year of refining at the Vogue Theatre, he is now looking forward to a year of raising the roof. Along with a crop of mainly all new reprobates, this year’s Board is primed to build on the success of its forebears and razzle-dazzle you!
DK has been involved in the Vancouver Festival scene for 20 years and is currently Production Manager for the Vancouver International Children's Festival and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival as well as the Site Manager for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Valery Vyntage - Treasurer
Valery Vyntage is overjoyed to be a part of the festival again this year after performing at the last 2 festivals and volunteering for the past 3, she felt it was time to step up and give back to the community in a more substantial way this year. Self described as a Sex Positive Feminist with ties to the local Fetish, Pan Sexual and Naturalist communities, Valery's foray in to the world of Burlesque over the last 3 years as a performer and producer has been nothing short of life changing for her personally. Valery has an interesting and colorful background growing up the daughter of an entertainer in London, England and says she comes by her fishnets honestly.
A competitive highland dancer in her native England, she also acted in a number of movies and commercials and studied dance at the world famous Corona School of Dance for a few years before emigrating to Canada. Valery pursued Theatre Arts and Fashion Design in school, has worn many different professional hats, and her greatest accomplishment is being a proud mom to a seventeen year old son.
Sparkle Plenty - Secretary
Sparkle Plenty's love for Vancouver and its eclectic arts scene makes it an honour and a privilege to be sitting on the 7th Annual VIBF Board of Directors. Sparkle Plenty is an active member and big-mouthed blogger for Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and has been seen in various productions singing, stripping and surprising audiences all around Vancouver. She is thrilled to contribute to one of Vancouver's most dazzling festivals in a more meaningful way.
April O'Peel - Member-at-Large
This busty and lusty Burlesque Stripsation had her 4 year Burlesque-a-versary this past May. A Vancouver fan favorite, this pervy and curvy cutie has been called “a sheer comical and dancing talent on display,” “hilarious,” “full of sass,” and “in your face!” Choreographer and feature dancer for both The Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and The Razzle Tassel Tease Show, April has won awards for comedic Burlesque performance and is an Ovation award nominee.
O’Peelin’ April has also twice been seen competing at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in the Best Group category. April looks forward to working hard, nourishing community and prioritizing communication and accountability during her time with this year's VIBF Board of Directors.
Blue Morris - Member-at-Large
Blue Morris is a guitar player, burlesque producer, and highly respected guitar teacher.
Blue has been a major force in bringing live music back to burlesque in Vancouver. With a deep appreciation for the old "bump & grind" music that was played live in the 1950s and 1960s, he has made it his goal to bring back that raw, live element to burlesque today.
Blue is a co-founder and producer of Pink Flamingo Burlesque, which combines a live band with some of the most talented burlesque performers in the city. Blue also now produces his own live-music burlesque shows including the sold-out "Beatles Burlesque" and "Dirty Dancing Burlesque" shows.
He has performed with numerous other rock, blues, jazz, and burlesque groups at venues in and around Vancouver, including the River Rock Casino, The Vancouver Jazz Festival, The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, The Maple Ridge Jazz Festival, and countless clubs in the city.
Michael Cooper - Member-at-Large
Cooper is excited to be a part of the seventh annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. He draws from his 10 years of experience in technical theatre. He hopes that he can bring some fresh ideas and his pick up truck to help grow the festival. Mike also brings dance experience to the board. He can usually be found 'behind the rail' at the Massey Theatre dancing along to all your favorite musicals.
Here's to another amazing year!