My First BHoF by Lavender Sinclair
Experience a first-time journey through the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, from the Burlesque Bazaar to the Tournament of Tease!
My first day at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend . . .
. . . began on Friday with a wander through the Burlesque Bazaar, where I connected with fellow Pacific Northwest performers and members of the BurlyCon community. Surrounded by glittering costumes and perfectly rhinestoned accoutrements, I felt an immediate sense of belonging. While I love browsing the merchandise, what I treasure most is the opportunity to connect with legends, titleholders, and artists in this industry whom I admire and hope to learn from.
While exploring the Bazaar, Queen Quan encouraged me to check out a unique Italian statement piece creator. To my amazement, I found the perfect piece for my signature act. I was on the fence about purchasing it so, I struck up a conversation with BurlyCon President GiGi Holiday, who was nearby. That conversation led to others joining us to admire this stunning, jewel-encrusted garment. Encouraged by their enthusiasm and my own excitement, I ultimately bought the piece and immediately began imagining returning to the studio to incorporate it into my signature act.
Day one was also dedicated to learning.
Frankie Fictitious’s Costuming 101: The Art of Rhinestoning taught me more than I ever thought possible about rhinestoning. Questions I had carried for years about working with different materials were finally answered. I left with practical knowledge and a renewed appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship that go into creating stage-ready costumes.
The evening concluded with legendary performances from artists who paved the way for generations of burlesque performers. Watching those who shook and shimmied long before me felt both humbling and inspiring. Among the highlights were meeting Jessabelle Thunder.
The Tournament of Tease
The Tournament of Tease was everything people said it would be and more. The show was long, but not once did it lose my attention. The variety of acts reminded me that burlesque is truly an expansive art form capable of taking many forms. Some performers honored traditional burlesque while others leaned fully into comedy, storytelling, and spectacle. Burlesque is and will forever be political.
What struck me most was the diversity represented on stage. There were acts that celebrated cultural traditions and identities that deserve to be seen and celebrated. In a time when diversity and inclusion are increasingly under attack, the Burlesque Hall of Fame placed those stories center stage. Seeing performers of different races, body types, gender identities, and backgrounds reaffirmed my belief that burlesque is, and should remain, an art form for everyone.
Learning to Be Naked Screening
People kept telling me, “You will cry.”
True to the identities I carry and my stubborn nature, I was convinced I would be fine. After all, how emotional could a documentary about getting naked really be?
Then Sunday arrived. As Learning to Be Naked unfolded, I found myself fanning my face, desperately trying to keep the tears gathering in the corners of my eyes from ruining my carefully painted face. “I’m not crying, you’re crying” became my internal mantra.
The documentary is about far more than removing clothing. It is about stripping away the negative narratives we continuously tell ourselves and releasing the beliefs that keep us feeling small. It is about vulnerability, courage, and learning to exist fully in our own skin.
From the performers who created space for BIPOC artists when others claimed they could not “funk up” burlesque to Anna Smith Cakes sharing her story on screen and connecting with Mx. Pucks A’Plenty during the Q&A, the message was clear: our stories matter. We matter.
When performers share their truths, they give others permission to do the same. Learning to Be Naked shows how powerful it can be to bare your soul, not because vulnerability is easy, but because it reminds others that they are not alone.
Because Someone Went First
I am able to perform burlesque today as a queer, nonbinary, femme-presenting dancer because others who look like me came before me and were willing to take that risk. They stepped into the spotlight, told their stories, and created space for people like me to exist.
The empowerment, the glamour, the glitter, the inspiration, and the community are what I will carry with me from my first Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. More than anything, I left with the understanding that burlesque is not simply about what we take off on stage. It is about what we reveal, what we celebrate, and the spaces we create for one another to be fully seen.
