Surprisingly Useful AI Article Enhancements
Brisbane’s Bombshell Burlesque Academy has unveiled a busy stretch of programming for the second half of 2026, with a new term of classes, guest workshops, a burlesque competition and a series of portrait experience days all on the calendar.
The Paddington-based academy, which operates from its studio at 4/219 Given Terrace, is preparing to launch its Term 5 class schedule from mid-July, alongside a string of events running through to late September.
Term 5 Classes Kick Off In Mid-July
The academy’s Term 5 timetable spans six days a week, with classes covering styles ranging from classic burlesque and neo burlesque through to chair dance, feather fan work and chiffonography.
Saturday classes include Splits, Golden Age Follies, Classic Glamour and Beginner Neo Burlesque. Monday sessions cover Showgirl Feather Fans, Chair Dance and an intermediate-level class called Party Grrrls. Tuesday offers Lady Marmalade, 80’s Rock Chair Dance and Beginner Classic Burlesque, while Wednesday features Slow Burn Chiffonography.
Thursday programming includes Vocal Vamp: Caught on Film!, 1960’s Soft Gal GoGo and Sad Gal Strip. Friday rounds out the weekly schedule with Neo Showgirl Burlesque at the intermediate level.
An online act development course called The Catbird Seat is also available for students who cannot attend in person.
Several classes are already running low on spots, with Chair Dance, Party Grrrls, Lady Marmalade, 80’s Rock Chair Dance and Slow Burn Chiffonography all showing limited availability.
The Bombshell’s Ball To Showcase New Graduates
On Saturday 11 July, the academy will host The Bombshell’s Ball at Arcana’s Empress Theatre in Moorooka, with two shows scheduled at 5pm and 8pm.
The event is designed as a showcase for graduating students from the academy’s Term 4 intake, who will perform their debut acts alongside working professionals.
Performers on the bill include graduates Ceci Sugar, Cali Carmine, Cleo DeFleur, Honey Buttons, Venus Luxuria and Lara Lime, alongside established performers Vera Thorne and Clara Cupcakes.
Early bird general admission tickets are priced at $30 plus booking fee, rising to $40 plus booking fee at final release. The event is recommended for audiences aged 18 and over, and contains adult themes and implied nudity.
Guest Workshops From Maple Rose And Kitty Obsidian
The academy has added two guest workshop sessions to its calendar, featuring visiting performers Maple Rose and Kitty Obsidian.
Maple Rose, a fan dancer known for her lyrical style of feather fan performance, will lead a beginner and all-levels workshop on Sunday 26 July from 3pm to 4:30pm. The session covers wrist conditioning, shoulder work, fan tricks and technique, as well as fan design and construction. Attendees are required to bring their own pair of feather fans.
On Sunday 9 August, Kitty Obsidian will visit the academy for a pair of workshops. Kitty, a Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi trans performer, holds titles including Mx First Nation Australia 2025, MEADES Burlesque Performer of the Year 2025 and Trans Person of the Year 2024, and appears at number 33 on the 21st Century Top 50 Most Influential Burlesque Artists list.
Kitty’s first session, Slow, Baby, Slow!, runs from 1pm to 2:30pm and focuses on anticipation, tension and slow seduction in performance. The second session, K!nk In Performance, runs from 3pm to 4:30pm and covers the ethics, legality, safety and history of kink on stage.
Each workshop is priced at $60, with a 10 per cent discount available when both are booked in a single transaction. Both sessions are open to all levels, experience and gender expressions.
Mx Burlesque Queensland Grand Final Returns In August
The Queensland state final of the Mx Burlesque competition is scheduled for Saturday 8 August, with tickets now on sale.
The event, billed as Australia’s largest burlesque competition, will see state finalists compete for the title of Mx Burlesque QLD 2026. Doors open at 6pm, the show begins at 7pm and is expected to wrap by 10:20pm.
The performance will be Auslan interpreted. Attendees requiring a clear view of the Auslan interpreter are asked to email The Princess Theatre or the producer at events@bombshellburlesque.com.au to arrange suitable seating.
The event is restricted to those aged 18 and over and contains adult themes, implied nudity, strobe lighting and haze effects.
Portrait Experience Days Offer Pinup Photography Sessions
Two portrait experience days are also on the academy’s schedule.
Colour Me Blue, set for Sunday 19 July, is a vintage-styled portrait session built around a blue heart set with soft lighting. The academy notes only three spots remain for the session.
A second experience day called Lustre is planned for Sunday 27 September. Described as drawing on old Vegas glamour and vintage showgirl aesthetics, the session features photographer Caitlin of KTB behind the lens, with posing and styling support from Lila Luxx and Lenore Lenore.
Book Club Meets Bedazzling
The academy also runs Hot Readers, a book club that combines romance fiction discussion with rhinestone crafting sessions.
The next session is scheduled for 5 July, with two books on the reading list: Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles and Starside by Alex Aster. The club is hosted by Vivian Valmont and supplies all rhinestones and materials for attendees to decorate their book covers during the session.
Accessibility And Inclusion Initiatives
The Bombshell Burlesque Academy offers complimentary beginner burlesque courses for new students, or complimentary private lessons for established soloists, to people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and/or BIPOC.
Those interested in accessing a complimentary place can email contact@bombshellacademy.com.au.
The academy also operates an online merch store stocking tanks, hoodies, tees, crop tops, duffle bags and tote bags, with a 10 per cent discount available using the code CREATE10.
