Previous Board Members 2010-2011
2010-2011 Board of Directors
Crystal Precious - President
Crystal Precious is honoured and thrilled to once again be serving as elected President of the VIBF Board of Directors. Widely recognized as one of the key frontrunners of the Canadian burlesque revival, Crystal's background in theatre, dance and sex-positive femme-nism led her to Vancouver's burgeoning neo-burlesque stage in 2002. Since then she has since evolved into the world's first burlesque/hiphop MC... mixing ghetto-fabulous glamour with fresh quips, razor-sharp rhymes, locally grown beats and a touch of tongue-in-cheek tease.
Along with her critically acclaimed Sweet Soul Burlesque troupe, Crystal co-founded the VIBF in 2006 as the first ever annual Canadian burlesque festival. She also co-owned and managed the infamous West Coast underground cabaret, Dollhouse Studios, from 2006 to 2010. Aside from writing and performing, she teaches university seminars on the effects of the neo-burlesque movement on both pop-culture and grass-roots arts communities. Her first recording project, Striphop, is due for release in July 2011.
Burgundy Brixx - Vice President
Originally a part of the New York City burlesque scene, Burgundy is honored to be a part of the Vancouver burlesque community. She is the proud producer of Vancouver's longest running weekly burlesque show, Kitty Nights. She has had the honor of performing in the international burlesque festivals, Teasorama and The New York Burlesque Festival as well as the VIBF, and was the very first burlesque artist to perform in Vancouver's long-running dance series, Dances For a Small Stage.
Prior to her burlesque career, Burgundy worked as a professional singer, dancer, and actress touring the world with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (starring The Rockettes) and Norwegian Cruise Lines. She has performed in critically acclaimed regional theatre and musical theatre productions across the USA, as well as in Atlantic City for Trump Plaza Casinos. In New York City, she also worked as a volunteer for Actor's Equity Association. Burgundy also teaches classic burlesque at The School Of Tease.
Burgundy Brixx.com
kittynights.com
Roxette Starr - Treasurer
Roxette Starr is one of the newer performers to the scene. She started out as fan, and has grown into a contributing member of the Vancouver burlesque community. Roxette has also recently started producing burlesque performances. With several shows under her shimmy belt, she now has a regular show, Bantering Brassieres.
Although Roxette is new to the world of arts and producing, she has quickly developed her talents in these areas. She is ready to work hard and hopefully bring some fresh ideas. Roxette is super excited to be a part of this year's board of directors and can't wait for the Festival!
Madame Mae I - Secretary
Madame Mae I is a born and raised Vancouverite with numerous years of experience in dance, theatre, and performance art. As a burlesque performer, she has had the privilege of performing in out of town festivals in Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.
Mae can usually can be found performing for various events in Vancouver or creating "Burly-Q Benefit" shows that raise money for various womens organizations. Madame Mae I brings with her a community minded spirit, years of experience within non-profits, and love and enthusiasm for both burlesque and the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.
David "DK" Kerr - Member-at-Large
DK is thrilled to be back for the Sixth Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. Having been only involved in the Burlesque Community for the past two years he has marveled in its growth from a small but established and devoted base into a major part of Vancouver’s lifestyle. He’s putting on his shades to get ready for what the future holds.
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.
The Purrrfessor - Member-at-Large
The Purrrfessor comes to Vancouver from Boston via New York City, where he gained vast experience in the performing arts, as well as graphic design and commercial advertising. A singer, musician, actor, playwright and producer, he is also host of the longest-running weekly burlesque show in Vancouver history, KITTY NIGHTS, voted BEST OF THE CITY by the WEST ENDER Newspaper. The Purrrfessor brings solid theatrical production skills and promotional expertise to the 2011 Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.
The Purrrfessor handles both the advertising sales and graphic design of the VIBF Festival Guide, the VIBF web site, coordinates the Festival merchandise tables and the VIP Tables, and many other tasks. Over the two years of his contribution to the VIBF, he is excited to see the Festival grow into a modern, professional, world-class entertainment event, benefiting the entire Vancouver burlesque community.