Queen City Burlesque Expo Returns for Its 7th Season with “Step Into Your Power”

Three-Night Celebration Brings International Performers to the Kootenays, April 11–13

CASTLEGAR/TRAIL/SALMO, BC — The Queen City Burlesque Expo is back, and this year it’s going silver. Now in its seventh season, the landmark Kootenay burlesque event returns April 11–13 with a three-night run across Castlegar, Trail, and Salmo under the theme Step Into Your Power — a celebration of diversity, personal strength, and fearless self-expression.

Headlining this year’s Expo is the internationally acclaimed Jessabelle Thunder, joined by Canadian icons Bettina May and Jezebel Express, alongside performers from around the world converging on the region for one extraordinary weekend. Want to join in on the fun?
Character-driven workshops covering movement, modelling, and personal discovery will be offered at Bailey Theatre on Saturday, April 11th, at $25 each and open to everyone.

Show Schedule:
Friday, April 11 — Castle Theatre, Castlegar | 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 12 — Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail | 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 13 — Salmo Hotel Pub & Grill, Salmo | 12:00 PM

Tickets range from $17 to $45 (CAD) and are available now at queencityburlesque.ca.

“The Kootenays deserve world-class live art, and for seven years the Queen City Burlesque Expo has delivered exactly that. This season’s theme, Step Into Your Power, is an invitation to everyone in our community to show up, be seen, and celebrate what makes us distinct. We have an extraordinary lineup, and I cannot wait to share it.” Venessa Loubert, Founder and Artistic Director, Queen City Burlesque Expo

Trail business manager at Copper Magnolia, Dana Gould, echoes that sentiment: “The Expo is great for Trail and its surrounding area. It’s a fun crowd, presenting phenomenal showcases, and the influx of tourism during an otherwise quiet time of the year is a great reason to go out and support the show.”

Now in its seventh year, the Queen City Burlesque Expo has established itself as one of the Kootenays’ most distinctive live arts events, drawing audiences and performers from across Canada and beyond. The Expo is produced by Trail Arts Council along with its Founder and Artistic Director, a four-time Top 5 Canadian Burlesque Producer.

The weekend is sponsored by Trail & District Arts Council, ReDi Grants, Columbia Basin Trust, British Columbia Arts Council, Government of Canada, South Kootenay, and BC Live Performance Network.

For tickets and full event details, visit queencityburlesque.ca.