Bump-and-grinding, tassel twirling and shimmying may not be Olympic categories, but they’re far more fun to watch than table tennis and badminton. Chaz Royal’s international festival of burlesque starts today – only in London – pitching exotic dancers and striptease artists from around the globe in fierce battles for the coveted World Burlesque Games crowns.

World Burlesque Games - Secrets in Lace models - Boat

Secrets in Lace model Dina Might (right) is a featured performer at the 2012 World Burlesque Games

Every night from tonight until Sunday, the festival will host multi-act showcases including seven tournaments and two ceremonial galas, featuring some of the world’s best burlesque and boylesque talent, alternating London and UK favourites like Dinah Might and Kiki Kaboom with performers from France, Italy, India, Australia and other faraway lands.

Get ready for a real burlesque marathon as the 2012 World Burlesque Games take over some of the most traditional venues of London’s variety scene with more than 90 different acts, but don’t leave your tickets for the last minute: as with the Olympic games, events are in high demand, with the opening and closing ceremonies already sold out.

The World Burlesque Games are sponsored by vintage-inspired lingerie label Secrets in Lace. See www.londonburlesqueweek.com for tickets, videos and other details.

 

2012 World Burlesque Games Schedule

 

MAY 7: VIP OPENING CEREMONIES (SOLD OUT)
Hosted by Ivy Paige
19:00-23:00, Madame Jojo’s (W1F 0SE)
● Sarina Del Fuego & Dare Astaire (Australia/UK)
● Ginger Blush (UK)
● Kiki Kaboom (UK)
● Shirley Windmill (UK)
● Tabitha Taboo (UK)
● Lady Cheek (UK)
● Betty D’light (UK)

 

MAY 8: TRIPLE CROWN
Hosted by Miss Behave
19:00-23:00, Floridita (W1F 0TN)
● Anna The Hulagan (UK) (Winner)
● Kiki Lovechild (UK) (First Runner-Up)
● Tango Manga (UK) (Second Runner-Up)
● Bunny Pistol (USA)
● Clara Cupcakes (Australia)
● Lexi Sexx (UK)
● Missy Fatale (Australia)
● Siren Santina (USA)

 

MAY 9: TWISTED CROWN
Hosted by Benjamin Louche
19:00-22:30, Madame Jojo’s (W1F 0SE)
● Big Chief Random Chaos (Ireland) (Winner)
● The Monsters Of Schlock (Canada) (First Runner-Up)
● V.J. Spankie (UK) (Second Runner-Up)
● Bambam Blue (UK)
● Bettina Spankenhaus (UK)
● Kitty Ribbons (UK)
● Lottie Kixx (UK)
● Zora Vipera (Switzerland)

 

MAY 10: BRITISH & WORLD MALE CROWN
Hosted by Joe Black
19:00-23:00, Royal Vauxhall Tavern (SE11 5HY)
● British Heart (UK Winner)
● Mister Mistress (UK First Runner-Up)
● Spencer Maybe (UK Second Runner-Up)
● Duke De Milo (UK)
● Hooray Henry (UK)
● Lord Ritz (UK)
● Go-Go Harder (USA) (World Winner)
● Marcos (Spain) (World First Runner-Up)
Smokin’ Mcqueen (USA) (World Second Runner-Up)
● Alan Debevoise (Italy)
● The Great Leo (Belgium)

 

MAY 11: BRITISH NEWBIE CROWN
Hosted by Kiki Kaboom
18:30-21:00, Bush Hall (W12 7LJ)
● Peggy de Lune (London) (Winner)
● Alabama Love (Portsmouth)
● Aurora Starr (Leeds)
● Ebony Silk (Middlesborough)
Elsie Diamond (London)
● Emmanuelle Claire (London)
● Felicity Switch (Newcastle)
● Imogen Hoops (London)
The Late Night Shop Cabaret (London)
● Pinky Deville (Sheffield)
● Raven Six (London)
● Rubyyy Jones (London)
Scarlet Cuffs (London)
● Voodoo Fury (London)

 

MAY 11: WORLD NEWBIE CROWN
Hosted by Ivy Paige
21:45-0:30, Bush Hall (W12 7LJ)
● Tansy (USA) (Winner)
● Bombshelly’s (Netherlands)
● Dot Mitzvah (USA)
● Emma La Luna (India)
● Inès Boom Boom (Italy)
● Jolie Papillon (Italy)
● Mara De Nudee (France)
● Minnie Valentine (France)
● Peggy Sue (Italy)
● Puss-N-Boots (USA)
● Tallulah Gin (Canada)
● Veronique Divine (Portugal)
● Zoe Scarlett (Switzerland)

 

MAY 12: BRITISH FEMALE CROWN
Hosted by Benjamin Louche
18:30-21:00, Bush Hall (W12 7LJ)
● Eliza Delite (Leicester) (Winner)
Bettsie Bon Bon (London) (Second Runner-Up)

● Venus Noir (Bristol) (First Runner-Up)
● Billie Rae (Brighton)
● Chi Chi Revolver (Worthing)
● Coco Deville (Brighton)
● Dinah Might (London)
● Frankii Wilde (Newcastle)
● Fifi Fatale (London)
● Liberty Sweet (London)
● Miss Amarettease (London)
● Suri Sumatra (London)
● Talulah Blue (Leicester)

 

MAY 12: WORLD FEMALE CROWN
Hosted by Benjamin Louche
21:45-0:30, Bush Hall (W12 7LJ)
● Lada Redstar (Germany) (Winner)
● Bonnie Fox (Australia) (First Runner-Up)

● Miss Orchid Mei (USA) (Second Runner-Up, tie)
● Vivi Valentine (France) (Second Runner-Up, tie)

● Cat Aclysmic (USA)
● Cherrie A. Dorable (Finland)
● Harlot Deville (Ireland)
● Honey Cocoa Bordeauxx (USA)
● Marianne Cheesecake (Canada)
● Marlene Von Steenvag (Germany)
● Melitta Honeycup (Hungary)
● Miss Anne Thropy (France)
● Red Hot Annie (USA)

 

MAY 13: VIP CLOSING CEREMONIES (SOLD OUT)
Hosted by Joe Black
19:00-22:30, Madame Jojo’s (W1F 0SE)
Featuring the winners of all eight categories

 

Read a retrospective of memorable moments from the festival in The Week in Cabaret: Burlesque Bonanza.

Who judged the Contests? Find out in A Burlesque Marathon.

 

Photo credits: Marco Fazio for the World Burlesque Games