The 1st international

German Burlesque Festival

Please to TeaseBump and GrindShimmy and Shake //Burlesque Neo Burlesque QueerlesqueBoylesqueDragDiversity //Aftershowparty Preparty//WalkingactsAwardwinning//

GBF 2025 Videos

by Sascha Lepp

28.8.2025
THE WELCOME TO BURLESQUE
VIP OPENING NIGHT

29.8.2025
THE GRAND SHIMMY & SHAKE AWARD GALA

30.8.2025
WE PLEASE TO TEASE
THE NEWCOMER NIGHT
+ Aftershowparty

All photos from the 2025 festival are now available in our gallery.

Festival Gallery

The Queen of Burlesque

INTERNATIONAL STARGUEST: DITA VON TEESE

Instgrambild von Dita — `Foto: Albert Schweizer`

MEET & GREET

On August 28, we’re kicking off our mega festival with a bang — at the VIP Opening Pre-Party inside Olivia Jones’ dazzling Bunny Burlesque!

DITA will be our international star guest on August 28, appearing as our ✨Guest of Honor (please note: no performance) during the first show block of the night.

We’re beyond proud to offer 30 exclusive MEET & GREET tickets, giving you the rare chance to meet her up close – complete with photos and autographs 📸💋

It’s a true honor to welcome her, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you.
Don’t wait – grab your ticket now and join us for the “Welcome to Burlesque” VIP Opening Night 🎉

Only 30 tickets available!

Book now

The Festival

The 1st International GBF

The German Burlesque Festival (GBF) will take place for the very first time from August 28-30, 2025, in Hamburg. This unique festival of the senses is a gathering for like-minded individuals, enthusiasts, and friends of the burlesque world.
The focus of the festival is to showcase a dazzling and colorful mix of diverse burlesque art forms. Burlesque, boylesque, and drag/travesty performances from around the world are warmly welcomed. The only rule: every show must embody burlesque. From elegant and glamorous to bold, edgy, over-the-top modern and neo-burlesque—(almost) anything goes.
Before the thrilling weekend begins, the official Pre-Party will take place at Olivia Jones’s club, The Bunny Burlesque. Then, after Saturday’s Newcomer Event, performers and guests can come together to celebrate in style at the Aftershow Party.

We are incredibly proud to already have a vibrant lineup of renowned artists from the scene joining us. Among them are Sheila Wolf, one of Germany’s most well-known drag queens; Tara La Luna, co-founder of Berlin’s burlesque scene and head of the agency Heroine Artists; and Setty Mois, the resident host of the famous Bunny Burlesque, Olivia Jones’s burlesque club in Hamburg. Also featured are Lilly Mortes, one internationally recognized names in the burlesque world.

And this is just the beginning! We’re excited to introduce even more artists to you very soon.

For those who want to immerse themselves even deeper into the art of burlesque, a diverse range of workshops will be available. Details coming soon!

We can’t wait to experience this wild, colorful, and glamorous celebration with you. Join us as we honor the incredible art of burlesque
—WE PLEASE TO TEASE!

Burlesque at its best!
Yours truly,

Belle la Donna & the GBF Team

via GIPHY

The Artists

Headliners

Friday, 29 th of August

Pandora Nox

As the first AFAB winner of Drag Race worldwide and the first-ever winner of Drag Race Germany, Pandora Nox has cemented her place as a visionary in the world of drag. Known for her creativity, passion, and unmatched professionalism, she continues to push the boundaries of entertainment, aptivating audiences across the globe
Beyond her groundbreaking drag areer, she is also a talented musician, delivering electrifying performances and original music that showcase her unique voice and artistry.

@pandora nox

Chris Oh!

Chris Oh! is an international Boylesque sensation. Currently Ranked number 1 amongst Europe’s best performers and is currently ranked 4th in the world (2023) on the 21st Century Burlesque top 50. As a two-time winner of the ‚Most Dazzling‘ dancer at the world’s premier Burlesque Competition, The Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas (2018 and 2023), he travels the world amazing audiences with his gender Blurred, rhinestone encrusted and sparkling performances. He challenges gender norms in life and in the art world. Holding and creating spaces for visibility, conversation and acceptance of queer people through art and performance is his pleasure and passion. A former professional dancer trained in Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance, he aims to bring to the stage refinement, emotion and sparkle. His body is his tool, his body will be your pleasure, his mind will be a revelation and his performances have left many rapt in awe and wanting for more.

@Chris Oh!

Foto kostumierte Belle la Donna & The Pink Army – GBF — `Foto: Jan Season`

Belle la Donna & The Pink Army – The Pink Rebel House

Belle la Donna, the burlesque icon with a rocking voice, is taking to the stage with her tour The Pink Rebel House. Together with her extravagant crew, The Pink Army, she will transform the EDELFETTWERKBÜHNE in Hamburg into a confetti house in a class of its own on August 29, 2025. Her show combines 80s, punk and power pop to create a visual spectacle of flashy costumes, wild props and a dose of extravagance.

@belle_la_donna

Setty Mois

Setty Mois is part of the Olivia Jones family, the host and star of „Bunny Burlesque St. Pauli,“ and well-known from various TV formats such as Reeperbahn privat on RTL 2 and The Beauty & The Nerd on Pro 7.
Whether on screen or on stage, her passion for the art of burlesque and the electrifying energy she brings to her performances captivate audiences and make her simply unforgettable.

Get ready to be drawn into a world of seduction through her eroticism, elegance, and charisma! Look forward to this sparkling late-night entertainment.

@settymois

Katerina Sahara

Katerina Sahara is an outstanding burlesque artist, known for her exquisite and mesmerizing performances, combining the elegance of classic burlesque with modern dance elements. With over a decade of experience on stage, Katerina has gained recognition on an international level, performing at prestigious venues around the world. She took part in the show „Dances“ on TV, where she performed in the twerk genre, winning the sympathy of a wide audience. In 2015 and 2016, she received the titles of „Miss Innovation“ and „Best Dancer“ at the burlesque festival.
Katerina is also a fetish and pin-up model, a twerk and burlesque teacher. She was a co-producer of the largest burlesque festival in Russia, and also choreographed for a burlesque theater and produced many shows. Katerina Sahara continues to develop her career, performing at various venues and delighting audiences with her bright and memorable numbers. She has been dedicated to her craft for many years and is
happy to share her art and skills with you!

@KaterinaSahara

Special Guest

Satursday, 30 th of August im NOCHTSPEICHER

ILONA WINTER

Ladies and gentemen, tonight, you’re witnessing something truly special – the return of a woman who helped shape the soul of Burlesque.

Born in Hungary, she came to Germany in 1956 with her father, an opera singer in an operetta theatre in Cologne. At just 15, she took her first steps onto the stage. In the late 1970s. She took her talents to nightclubs, where her unique mix of sensuality, humor, and elegance made her a celebrated Burlesque performer.She lit up the stages of Hamburg’s legendary „Colibri“ and „Safari Club“ on the famous Reeperbahn – becoming part of an unforgettable era of nightlife and showbiz.

After more than 40 years away from the spotlight, she returns to the stage – at the age of 78 – to show us that style, strength, and passion know no age.

Please give a warm welcome to the one and only: Ilona Winter!

© Carlos Kella IMG_Ilona Winter — Foto: Carlos Kella

The Artists

Emcees // Comedians // DJs:

Friday, 29 th of August, EDELFETTWERK

Lilly Mortis

Lilly Mortis is Berlin’s Legendary Cabaret Diva – Icon – Siren – dripping in opulence, wit, and rebellion. Lilly is a singer, compère, comedian, event producer, humanitarian, animal lover, ceaseless source of beauty and inspiration and – nonetheless – so incredibly humble.
This imaginary lovechild of Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Schiaparelli mixes timeless glamour with avant-garde styles and a silky voice with razor-sharp wit.
With THE VELVET CREEPERS, she has established a unique Queer Cabaret in the heart of Berlin serving “Weimar Kabarett on acid” at Ballhaus Berlin.
Lilly Mortis is Cabaret Royalty, gracing the most coveted stages across Europe, leaving behind a trail of glitter and broken hearts. In her „One-Woman-and-her-Demons Show“, she mixes side-splitting comedy and touching songs with fierce social commentary and has set out to enchant, to entertain, to educate and to smash the patriarchy in style.
Also as a screenwriter and dramaturge, she shines the spotlight on queer people and narratives in her movies e.g. “Teaches of Peaches”, which received the Teddy Award.

@lilly_mortis, @thevelvetcreepers

Lilly Mortis dusteres Bild — `Foto: Andrey Kezzyn`

Sheila Wolf

Sheila Wolf is a performance artist and drag queen from Berlin, specializing in travesty and cabaret art, as well as a key figure in New Burlesque. Sheila has performed at all major German and numerous European burlesque festivals. She is the founder of the Vaudeville Variety Revue and the German Boylesque Drag Festival, with a career spanning roles as a performer, model, actress, and host. Since 2004, Sheila has worked as a columnist for the queer culture and lifestyle magazine Queerlesque and wrote for gaymaxx in Berlin from 2012 to 2014.
Her journey into burlesque began in 2006, inspired by The Teaserettes, Germany’s first burlesque-comedy-a-go-go troupe, founded by Sandra Steffl (Sandy Beach), who helped launch Sheila’s stage career. After early collaborations in Berlin’s burlesque scene, Sheila organized three editions of the Queerlesque Festival between 2012 and 2014. In 2012, Sheila starred in a music video for Morten Harket, the lead singer of A-ha, showcasing her artistry and transformation process. The video was awarded at the Transgender Film Festival in Kiel in 2013.
Since 2014, Sheila has been producing the Vaudeville Variety Burlesque Revue, staged at Berlin’s largest theaters, including the Admiralspalast, Tipi am Kanzleramt, and Wintergarten Berlin. She has hosted German burlesque festivals and performed at European festivals and corporate events, both on stage and as a walking act. In May 2019, Sheila launched Germany’s first Boylesque Drag Festival, a two-day event. In 2020, she appeared as a styling expert on The Diva in Me on TVNOW, alongside drag queens Kelly Heelton and Barbie Breakout. Sheila Wolf has become a leading figure in Germany’s burlesque, boylesque, and drag festival scenes.

Projects & Festivals:
Vaudeville Variety Burlesque Revue, Boylesque Drag Festival Berlin, Frankfurt Burlesque Festival, Cologne Burlesque Festival

Links:

@sheilawolf

Vaudeville Variety, Boylesque Festival, Frankfurt Burlesque Festival , Cologne Burlesque Festival

DJ Schwester Polyester
– Hamburg’s Iconic Cult DJ

DJ Schwester Polyester is one of the most striking figures in Hamburg’s club scene. Known for her unconventional style and genre-blending sets – from funk, soul and hip-hop to breakbeats and rock – she has carved out a unique space in the German music landscape.

Her performances are more than just DJ sets; they are full-blown experiences that captivate both musically and visually. As a DJ and event organizer, she plays a key role in shaping Hamburg’s nightlife with her own creative touch. Her passion, energy, and unmistakable flair make her a true original in the scene.

@schwester_polyester

Friday, 29 th of August, EDELFETTWERK

Live music performance outside Edelfettwerk

Gosia Jasinska & Band – Where Dark Allure Meets Musical Magic

Gosia Jasinska

Gosia Jasinska’s sound lives somewhere between smoky blues, Slavic folk, and cinematic indie drama.
Her voice draws you into a world of melancholy beauty, echoing the charm of old vinyl and late-night jazz bars.
For the German Burlesque Festival, she and her band bring a seductive, soulful atmosphere to the stage. With banjo, double bass, guitar and percussion, they weave stories of longing, strength, and elegance.
Wrapped in feathers and mystery, Gosia becomes the soundtrack to moments of grace and sensual power – taking burlesque to a deeper, more haunting place.

@gosia_jasinska

Gosia Jasinska

The Artists

Emcees // Comedians // DJs:

Saturday, 30 th of August, Nochtspecher

Setty Mois

@settymois

Sammy the Scissors

Authenticity and passion: Sammy the Scissors, the fashion designer of Germany’s first burlesque wear label, ‚Redcat 7‘, has made a name for herself by designing numerous impressive stage outfits and creative choreographies for burlesque dancers and acrobats. Although she leaves the undressing to others, as host she conquers the stage with her passion for events and her cheeky and brash manner, taking the audience on a journey. Her authenticity, paired with a touch of comedy brings a breath of fresh air to every performance. She particularly enjoys improvising and interacting curiously with the audience, which makes her presentations an unforgettable experience.

DJ INKAA
// Hitparaden Helga

Multi-talented „INKAA“ aka DJ „Hitparaden Helga“ aka Burlesque Artist „La Rubinia“ will enchant your stay & play some lovely tunes for you.

Seeing „INKAA“ aka „Hitparaden Helga“ perform is always a more than mindblowing and FUN experience. „INKAA“ aka „Hitparaden Helga“ inspires senses. And it’s not just the music, not just the way she`s styled and not just the community of souls that surround her. It’s the unique sphere she creates with her mix of downbeat and slow techno or the oldie but goldie hits, hits, hits – travelling straight from your ear to every corner of your soul.

Just come and spend a wonderful, magical time with her.

Die Kiezgengerin

Anna Genger, a native of St. Pauli, is the founder of Germany’s first museum for historical sex toys. She studied painting in London, lived in New York, and was represented by a Berlin gallery for eight years. After several European tours as a costume designer, she returned to Hamburg in 2018.

She is now a featured performer at KiezLIFE Live, works as a funeral speaker, and is a newcomer on the stand-up comedy scene. Her unique sense of humour is polarizing: it either delights or frustrates, reflecting the highs and lows of St. Pauli and life as woman in 2025.

@annagenger