2025 HEADLINERS & feature performers
qween quan
Our next Headliner isn’t just a vision of glamour, they are Burlesque Royalty! Known far and wide as the Princess of Tease, they’ve captivated audiences with their sultry moves, undeniable stage presence, and an artistry that leaves jaws on the floor.
But don’t let the tiara fool you, this performer is as fierce as they are fabulous! They’ve conquered the stage and claimed the title of Burlesque Brawl Champion, proving that their talent is as unstoppable as their allure. And as if that weren’t enough, they’ve also been crowned the #1 Most Influential Burlesque Performer of 2025!
They are the Venusian creator of queer content and the Nonbinary fine winery of New Orleans. This Festival Darling is a total swoonfest with moves that cut through silk. Expect the unexpected and then expect BIGGER as this performer knows how to make an extra large impression. Open your hearts and your wallets for the fan dancing black swan of the swamp, it's the one and only Qween Quan!
Eros sea
Born in Brazil and raised in Costa Rica, this BIPOC powerhouse is bringing his artistry and sensuality to the stage! A classically trained dancer who has traveled the world performing with prestigious dance companies, he has called New Orleans home for over 20 years. With multiple national and international awards and nominations for his choreography, he continues to leave his mark on the industry.
Your God of Love, your God of Sexiness, putting the X in EXTRA, Eros Sea has dazzled audiences across the U.S. and beyond as a celebrated Boylesque performer and an advocate for performers with disabilities, being disabled himself. His extensive resume includes appearances at top festivals such as the New Orleans Nerdlesque Festival, Midwest Nerdlesque Festival, Oklahoma City Weirdlesque Festival, the Savannah Burlesque Festival, and many more. A decorated titleholder, he has earned accolades including Golden Legends Challenge Championship 2019 award winner, Best in Burlesque 2024 (SDBF), and overall winner of the Golden Variety Challenge Championship (formerly Burlypicks) 2021.
As the co-founder of Scorpio Boys Entertainment, New Orleans’ premier all-male Boylesque troupe, Eros brings sizzling performances to venues across the city. Beyond the stage, he is a dedicated mentor, teacher, and producer, helping shape the next generation of performers. With a double major in theatre and architecture and recognition as one of AGMA’s top ten artists in the nation, Eros Sea is the perfect blend of brains, body, and brilliance.
raphael de la getto
Raphael De La Getto got his burlesque start in 2015 at the Midnight Martini Burlesque Booty School in Denver, Colorado. He has performed in multiple festivals across the United States and internationally, including several virtual appearances.
Raphael has competed multiple times in the Golden Legends Championship Challenge, where he won the Evil Regal Judge’s Choice Award and Golden Hustler in 2018. He also competed at the 2019 ABurlyQ Festival, earning 2nd place in the Best Boylesque category, and was crowned Best in Boylesque at the 2021 Croatian Burlesque Festival. He was a selected headliner for the 2020 Utah Burlesque Festival and a featured performer for the 2020 Itty Bitty Burlesque Festival before the world shut down.
In addition to performing, Raphael has produced his own shows under the 5280 Glittertainment brand in Denver, Colorado, including the 2021 Rocky Mountain Burlypicks Regional Competition.
When not under the bright lights of the stage, Raphael trades tassels for takedowns, having been a well-traveled and highly decorated independent professional wrestler for over 19 years.
These days, he is rarely seen on burlesque stages, but when he is, it's always a spectacular sight. That’s what makes him the Halley’s Comet of burlesque
daft hunk
Get ready to meet the Man of Mystery himself… Daft Hunk!
A true enigma wrapped in charm and charisma, Daft Hunk commands the stage with effortless allure. His journey of seduction and artistic wit began right here in Nelson, where he honed his craft alongside local luminaries like Scarlet Mary Rose, Vesper Valentine, and LeeLee La Belle.
It wasn’t long before the spotlight beckoned, and Daft Hunk answered with style, confidence, and a signature strut that leaves audiences begging for more. With a blend of playful tease and undeniable stage presence, he’s become a force to be reckoned with, bringing sharp wit, smooth moves, and an irresistible magnetism to every performance.
But when he’s not perfecting his craft on stage, Daft Hunk is sculpting masterpieces—quite literally! A renowned ice, sand and wood sculptor, his breathtaking creations have earned national recognition, even landing him a spot on two seasons of Canada’s Race Against the Tide. Whether he’s chiseling away at ice or melting hearts on stage, one thing is certain—Daft Hunk is a true artist in every sense of the word.
So get ready, because this mysterious marvel is about to carve out a moment you won’t soon forget!
Poseidon Davenport
Introducing one of this year's Feature Performers,
prepare to be swept away by the unstoppable force that is Poseidon Davenport!
A commanding presence in the world of burlesque, Poseidon is known for their powerful performances, magnetic charisma, and an undeniable ability to captivate audiences from the very first step onto the stage.
Like the ocean itself, both calm and tempestuous, alluring and untamed—Poseidon seamlessly blends strength, grace, and raw sensuality into every performance. Whether they’re luring you in with slow, hypnotic movements or leaving you breathless with an electrifying explosion of energy, one thing is certain: when Poseidon takes the stage, resistance is futile.
A true force of nature, Poseidon Davenport is set to make waves at the Kootenay Burlesque Festival , get ready for a performance that will leave you drenched in delight!
maverick
We are thrilled to announce our last Feature Performer for 2025, Maverick!
Maverick is a Queer, Trans masculine, non-binary performance artist who found their niche in the world of Burlesque in 2021.
They perform with the Vancouver Burlesque Company, and has taken their Trans activist art to festivals, stages and floor shows in the UK, Canada, and the States. In 2023 they won the VIBF Diamonds in the Buff “Floor F*cker” award and competed in their first Burlesque competition in Las Vegas as a member of the House of Sea, winning Best Neo Burlesque.
They're not a boy, they're not a girl, they’re an experience. And this June, you get to experience them LIVE in Nelson, BC!
lady Sapphire Noir
We are beyond thrilled to announce that the one and only Lady Sapphire Noir is returning to the Kootenay Burlesque Festival, this time as our Invited Guest of Honor!
Lady Sapphire Noir, the sultry dark jewel of burlesque, is an LA based, multi award winning burlesque singer, dancer and published pinup model. She is known for her big sexy sultry voice, her entertaining nerdlesque acts and her signature color royal blue. Her performance style include singing, humor, pop culture characters, but also has a classic old Hollywood style.
She has graced the stages across the US & Canada including the esteemed Burlesque Hall of Fame. She has headlined the Kootenay Burlesque Festival and the inaugural North Star Nerdlesque Festival. Her titles and awards include: 2025 Silver Tusk Video Star Award, 2024 Silver Tusk Awards for Nerdlesque Nobility, The Reigning Miss Pin Up Perfection, 2023 Master of Munchies Mile High Burlesque Festivals, 2020 Burlypicks Solid Gold Master of Nerdlesque World Champion, 2020 Burlypicks Canada Solid Gold Master of Singing and Master of Nerdlesque, International Burlypicks Master of Singing 2016 World Champion, California Regional Burlypicks Master of Singing 2016, 2017 Best Hybrid at the Great Burlesque Expo, 2017 Thursday Audience's Choice and Most Original at Texas Burlesque Festival.
She has been published in several pinup magazines and books including Chocolate Cheesecake Vol 1 and a pinup deck of cards called the LA Burlesque Deck. She is also featured in the films: “Pineapples and Pasties: A Burlesque Documentary, and also featured in “Learning To Be Naked - Healing Through Burlesque” The unique voice of this sparkling dark jewel siren seduces and captivates audiences internationally for 12 years.