New York Burlesque Festival at Sony Hall.
Photos by Hailey Hunt
As the spooky season arrived in NYC this year, it was welcomed with the talented, eccentric faces of the city’s burlesque community.
From Oct. 2-4, “underground venues” such as 3 Dollar Bill, Sony Hall, and Le Poisson Rouge had the honor of hosting the 24th Annual New York Burlesque Festival. This is no ordinary festival but one of the largest and longest-running annual events that celebrates the art of burlesque. From the Premiere Party to the Saturday Spectacular, the festival was a multi-day performance filled with glittering gems, flirty feather scarves, and teasing gold tassels!
Each venue featured over ten professional burlesque performers from across the world, even as far as Australia. Each night was a unique collage of diverse acts including live music, comedy, circus arts, storytelling, vintage-inspired costumes, and of course stripteases.
New York Burlesque Festival at 3 Dollar Bill.Photo by Nina Combs 
New York Burlesque Festival returned on Oct. 2-4.
Live performance artist and illustrator Luma Rouge described the art of burlesque as “a mix of humor, of sexiness, of width, and just pure love.” This year’s festival was nothing short of it.
After adjusting the vibrant red feather accenting her hair, she goes back to organizing her paintbrushes in her silver bejeweled clutch. “I’ve been doing this for awhile, and I have to just say, I never get tired of this. It’s always thrilling and I can’t wait,” Rouge said.
Upon being asked what she likes about burlesque, Moxie Mayday, another performer, said, “I can just do a three-minute one-woman show. I can play a million different characters. I never have to – you know – please a specific director.” In her bubblegum pink wig and sequin dress, she added, “It’s freedom. It’s autonomy.”
New York Burlesque Festival returned on Oct. 2-4.Photo by Hailey Hunt 
New York Burlesque Festival at Sony Hall.Photo by Hailey Hunt