All-Indigenous burlesque collective Virago Nation performs at the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, November 4
Seven artists are on an empowering mission to reclaim Indigenous sexuality from the effects of colonization
SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Moving Theatre
Virago Nation. Photo by Kathryn Knickford
Vancouver Moving Theatre presents Virago Nation: Live, Laugh, #LandBack at the Russian Hall on November 4 at 7:30 pm, as part of this year’s Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival.
Audience members are invited to this breathtaking performance by the badass babes of Virago Nation, Turtle Island’s first all-Indigenous burlesque collective. Equally fit for folks who have seen burlesque before and those who have always wanted to, this is a chance to relish in the rematriation of Indigenous sexuality.
Virago Nation is made up of seven artists who are on a mission to reclaim Indigenous sexuality from the effects of colonization. Through humour, seduction, pop culture, and politics, the collective shows that Indigenous women, femmes, non-binary, and 2-Spirit folks are thriving outside colonial structures—and that they’re designing dynamic, multifaceted sexual identities rooted in their own desires while doing so.
In 2016, a group of burlesque performers found community within their shared Indigeneity. Like most artforms, burlesque was saturated with outdated colonial and patriarchal ideals of sexuality and performance. Since then, Virago Nation has carved a new narrative in the world of burlesque while demonstrating that Indigenous folks can—and should—feel empowered in their sexuality.
Virago Nation. Photo by Kathryn Knickford
Virago Nation consists of Manda Storyer, Monday Blues, RainbowGlitz, Ruthe Ordare, Scarlet Delirium, Shane Sable, and Sparkle Plenty. The performers demonstrate that their bodies are sacred and can be honoured without shame, reminding viewers that heteronormativity is inherently colonial and that queerness is a gift to be celebrated. The artists’ message is consistent, loud, and clear: patriarchal ideologies have no place within their practice.
In 2019, Virago Nation incorporated as the nonprofit Virago Nation Indigenous Arts Society with the goal of reaching more Indigenous communities and finding the good medicine that exists within their bodies. Using storytelling, comedy, and striptease, the collective continues to show that Indigenous sexuality is a powerful, deeply personal experience.
The 22nd annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival takes place from October 31 to November 8, with more than 100 arts and culture events across 40 local venues. View the full lineup here, tickets range from 0 to $33.40. Book your tickets here.
Post sponsored by Vancouver Moving Theatre.
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