Sequins and Glitter and Feathers — Oh My! Ohio Burlesque Fest Dazzles

• Crystal Swarovski

The Beachland Ballroom was packed to the walls Saturday night for the 2nd Annual Ohio Burlesque Festival. Nearly thirty performers from across the country — and Italy — took the stage during the three-and-a-half hour show, with acts ranging from Twiggy Stardust’s campy Batman routine, to Elizabeth Couteau’s coy girlie act, to Fantasie D’Light’s Marilyn Monroe-cum-50s housewife schtick, to Jezzibel’s heavy metal routine replete with fake blood and showers of sparks, to Bianca Dupree’s acrobatic pole routine.

Highlights included a spider-themed routine by Italy’s Miss Satine, and Crystal Swarovski’s metamorphosis from a black-cloaked Darth Vader-like figure into a lithe, angular blonde bombshell. Headliner Go-Go Amy of New York’s Pretty Things Peepshow closed the evening with an elegant display of dance-based burlesque.

The festival’s organizer, Cleveland-based burlesque artist Bella Sin, hopes to expand the event to two nights next year.

• Bella Sin

• Go-Go Amy

• Miss Satine

This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2012.