Tell us a bit more about you and what you do.
I am a DC-Metro based performance artist, nightlife host and producer of many things, including The International Nerdlesque Festival. I got my creative start in the local modeling and cosplay community in 2008, where I organized and participated in meetups at conventions and outside of them. I became known for my costumes, which I’d make completely by hand. Through that, I was eventually introduced to Nerdlesque – a subgenre of burlesque that focuses on pop culture, academia, and genre focused performance. I had no idea that there was a whole world of burlesque outside of that until I started going to local shows at Red Palace. I did my first performance in 2011 as a zombie cheerleader for a Zombie Pinup Calendar I was in (don’t look it up; no footage exists, thankfully). In 2013, I produced my first show at Fantom Comics in DC: a Walking Dead tribute show called “Bump & Grimes”. I was really into zombies back then. From there, I never looked back!
Maki Roll & Hauntessa DC Braulesque Promo by HeadOverHeart
When did the Nerdlesque fest start?
The International Nerdlesque Festival was founded in 2014 by Epic Win Burlesque, Rawr, and D20 Burlesque in New York City. It is the first and longest running festival dedicated specifically to nerdy burlesque, nightlife, and arts. Back then, most burlesque festivals focused on classic and neo burlesque. Nerdlesque was still budding and, in many spaces, not considered for mainstream shows. The International Nerdlesque Festival aimed to subvert the modern gaze of burlesque even further by creating a space where nerdy burlesque was celebrated and uplifted.
TINF 2025 Night 2 by Tansura T Photography
What made you put it together?
The festival was given to me in 2021 by Lefty Lucy, after acquiring it in its growing years. At first I did not want to accept, because I wasn’t sure if I could run a full festival by myself. Turns out, I couldn’t! But I was lucky enough to develop a small team of multidisciplinary artists, dreamers and go-getters to help me bring the festival back after the pandemic. Because DC is the place I started my journey as a creative artist, I wanted to bring the festival here. So much art and culture is hidden underneath the politics and suits here. We started slowly by producing a monthly nerdlesque show called DC Braulesque and DC Brau Brewery. As we gained our audience and established connections within the DC-Metro area, we partnered with Flying V Theater to bring The Nerdvana Experience to Silver Spring, Maryland. TNE ran for two years as a precursor to the festival coming back in full. Finally, in 2025 we brought The International Nerdlesque Festival to Washington, DC at Atlas Performing Arts Center. This year we are thrilled to partner with Dance Place to further our reach in DC and beyond.
Qu’in De La Noche
Do you feel like there is an intersect of Burlesque, Alt, and Nerd culture?
There is absolutely an intersection of burlesque, alternative lifestyle and nerd culture. Each and every one of us on this team is living proof of that. At the core of all of these spaces is the want and need for radical acceptance. Not only of yourself, but of others. Comic Cons and conventions are a product of DIY punk spaces. Neo burlesque similarly follows the same basic practices of organizing. You’re as likely to see someone dressed as Luffy moshing or crowd surfing at a rock show as you are posing for photos at Comic Con, or entertaining on a nerdlesque stage. Furthermore, pop culture in itself is ingrained in all of us to some degree. It is inevitable that the streams cross, and I love discovering the many ways that they do.
The Official La Reina
What’s some cool things we can look forward to for this years Nerdlesque festival?
There are SO many awesome things to look forward to. First of all; OUR HEADLINERS AND FEATURES! We have an all-star lineup of the nerdiest burlesque royalty. TINF 2026 will include headlining performances from Top 50 Most Influential Burlesque Star La Reina (NO) and Silver Tusk Award Winner Red Rum (IL)—plus featuring performances from Silver Kitsune (IL), Qu’in De La Noche (CA), and TNA Wrestling/TROMA star Monique Dupree (MD).
Not to mention the shows are stacked with over 30 of the world’s most innovative nerdlesque performers from around the world. There are workshops going on Saturday and Sunday at Dance Place, led by our headliners and features, where you can learn the ins and outs of burlesque and nerdlesque.
Future fest plans?
It is our goal to eventually take the festival on the road, and internationally. We love DC as our home base because there are so many surrounding cities and states that are hubs for nerd culture and cutting edge arts. We want to make a return to New York as well!
Maki Roll by Maze Studio
What’s something you’d like to tell the PB community?
The International Nerdlesque Festival is a budding gem of the DC-Metro area, and we’re just revving up with what we have in store. If you’re in DC this weekend, or if you’re looking for a dope side quest to end your summer, come check us out.
Tickets are still on sale. You can still buy tickets on our website and on the Dance Place website. www.bit.ly/tinf2026
Don’t be afraid to make cool art with your friends. Don’t be afraid to make cringe art. Do it afraid. Do it raw.
