Victoria’s first all‑BIPOC burlesque event, the Shade festival launched in 2019Victoria’s first all‑BIPOC burlesque event launched in 2019, and is now a vibrant, international, multi‑day celebration of artistry, resilience, and storytelling through performance. The Shade Burlesque Festival, produced by House of Cheek, hits the McPherson Playhouse stage Sept. 25 to 27, bringing authentic BIPOC stories through bold, innovative and evocative performances. The festival goal is to uplift the BIPOC legacy through art, celebration, and education, bringing authentic BIPOC stories to local stages via performances that are bold, innovative and evocative. Mx Pucks A’Plenty (Seattle), Joy Rider (Montreal), Ka’ena (Hawaii), and Coco Rose (Atlanta) headline the 2025 festival. The showcase is a high-energy evening celebrating diversity in burlesque and drag while the competition serves up a crown-worthy celebration uplifting melanated trailblazers through performance, style and storytelling.