What the Funk?! is the BIPOC Burlesque Fest You’re Craving
“You want the FUNK?! We got the FUNK!”—Rebecca Mm Davis
“Representation matters and this festival continues to raise the bar for visibility of BIPOC performers across the world.” So sayeth the press release for What the Funk?!, the PNW’s first entirely BIPOC burlesque extravaganza. Every year we’re treated to a celebration of funk, beauty, brains, brawn, and Black/Brown Joy with three nights of funky entertainment.
Burlesque has a deep history here in the Northwest, thanks to liquor laws, red light districts, and a cultural love of performing arts. It’s never been a genre for only one body type, skin color, music, or culture. Indeed, it’s an art form that’s not just for teasing; it’s for telling stories and for expressing the entire range of human emotion with the artists’ utilization of their own bodies and movements. It’s a beautiful mix of empowerment and consenting vulnerability to tell a story—or just cut loose on stage!—one doesn’t always observe in other arts.
“I can’t believe we’re celebrating five years of this festival,” said Mx. Pucks A’Plenty, founder and co-producer. “What started as a two-night show over at a little bar in Belltown has become a cultural event of the season each year. It’s hard not to get emotional about it. People are flying in from all over the country to visit Seattle to not only be a part of it, but to experience our labor of love.”
Enough gushing; we could go on about burlesque all day, particularly for What the Funk?! and the sheer euphoria it creates for performers and audiences. What you need to know is that it’s happening August 22-24, 2024, at The Triple Door.
Grand Master Funks from 2022, 2023, and 2021 / Courtesy of What the Funk?!
For the show’s FIFTH anniversary, we’ll be treated to a bevy of acts and events:
40 + burlesque performers of color from all over the country and Canada.
Headliners include: Miss AuroraBoobrealis (NYC) | Lou Lou la Duchess de Rière (Canada) | Lady Lola LeStrange (TX) | Miss Catwings (HI)
Three Pacific Northwest feature performers: Oroki (SEA) | Papaya Magic Cabaret (OLY) | Sandria Dore (PDX) |
Opening Night (August 22) welcomes Seattle's own The Chancellors for a night of LIVE funk music accompanying all performances!
Workshops offered by some of our headliners and feature performers at the Theatre of Puget Sound on Saturday, August 24.
The Step Down Performances of our Grand Master Funk 2023, Desire d'Amour.
The Grand Master Funk 2024 Competition on the last night of the fest (Saturday), with the crowning of our Grand Master Funk 2024.
Special guest burlesque legend Shawna The Black Venus!
Emcees: Shimmy LaRoux, RedBone, and Rebecca Mm Davis
