Tail Feather Productions hosted its annual Retro Reveal decades-themed burlesque event, teleporting audiences back in time at the Arts Court on April 20.
Burlesque and drag headliners included Celesta O’Lee, as well as MCs Critical Miss and Retro Joad. With performances by Stormy Divine, Mia Culpa, Chrissy Bunz, drag king Cyril Cinder, Kopy Cat, Randi Rouge and Ghula Mortisse.
As the Tail Feathers Productions founder, said she was inspired to offer more opportunities for artists in Ottawa after observing a slimmer arts scene in Ottawa post-pandemic.
The Retro Reveal offered time-bending performances showcasing dances themed around each decade in the 20th and 21st century, while also paying homage to burlesque’s overlapping queer energy with drag King Cyril Cinder.
“I really like the idea of doing an annual event,” Divine said. “[The crowd] loves to have hit songs of the decade.”
“It’s just a really fun concept. I wanted to show that burlesque could be really fun and kooky, but also hit the other theme of sexy.”
Critical Miss and Retro Joad, an on-stage team and off-stage spouses, are active members of the burlesque community and hosted Retro Reveal.
“We absolutely love burlesque … [crowd members] that came here tonight are really dying to have a great show. It’s super fun to be putting on all these different time periods and presenting these fabulous performers that Tail Feathers has brought together,” Retro Joad said.
Michelle MacGilliray, a crowd member boa contest participant, said she decided to accompany her girlfriend to Retro Reveal.
“[Burlesque] is really fun to watch. I love the talent and there’s so much queerness as well incorporated. I think in the burlesque community that that’s a huge positive,” MacGillliray said.
Featured image by Anya Swettenham.
