Because of you, the Vermont Burlesque Festival community continues to make a real difference beyond the stage. ❤️ On May 8th 2026, we were honored to present a donation of $1,726 to the University of Vermont Cancer Center following VTBF2026’s Granite City Showcase at the Barre Opera House. Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, performers, sponsors, and supporters: 🎀 $863 will support breast cancer research happening right here in Vermont. 🎀 $863 will go directly toward

H.512 Means Curtains for Ticket Scams in Vermont” — And VTBF Agrees

While she has never stepped onto our stage in Vermont, the Vermont Burlesque Festival likely wouldn’t exist without Madeline Sinclaire (Rene). In 2009, Madeline Sinclair (Rene) introduced me (Cory, aka Luke Warm) to the world of burlesque by taking me to my very first show: The Monday Night Tease in Hollywood. It wasn't long after that I asked Madeline if she thought we could produce a show together. She said yes. We co-produced a sold-out show in Redondo Beach called "BEAUT

BARRE & MONTPELIER, VT — After several turbulent years navigating the post-COVID live events landscape, the Vermont Burlesque Festival (VTBF) is celebrating an unexpected and deeply meaningful milestone: the 2026 Granite City Showcase: Encore! Encore! scheduled for January 23rd at the Barre Opera House has officially sold out one week before the doors open. VTBF faced significant challenges following the pandemic. Attendance fluctuations, rising production costs, increasing

“She’s Only Kind of an Asshole.” The Vermont Burlesque Festival is thrilled to announce that the one and only Franki Markstone is returning for an Encore! Encore! appearance as the official emcee of VTBF2026: The Granite City Showcase on January 23rd, 2026 at the historic Barre Opera House. If you’ve ever seen Franki in action, you already know: She’s bold. She’s hilarious. She’s brilliantly unpredictable. And yes — as Franki herself loves to remind us — she’s only kind o

Burlesque has always courted controversy — and that’s part of its purpose. It dares to question, to educate, to parody, to celebrate, to entertain, to awaken, to reveal. It invites laughter and self-reflection in the same breath. It honors the courage it takes to be seen and the vulnerability it takes to share oneself with an audience.