The Atlantic Burlesque Festival (ABF), hosted by the Atlantic Burlesque Cooperative celebrates the diversity, creativity, sensuality, and sexual freedom inherent in the art of burlesque. Our festival is a place where glitter, glamour, and grace converge, and we invite you to be part of this mesmerizing experience while fostering a loving and inclusive environment. 

Anti-Oppression and Discrimination 

ABF welcomes and celebrates people of all gender, races and abilities, with emphasis on ensuring our events are inclusive to 2SLGBTQ+, IBPOC community, people living with a disability. We strive to create an environment that allows for thoughtful discussion and political engagement through the art of burlesque while uplifting and supporting marginalized and historically marginalized communities. 

Any form or act of discrimination that isolates, stereotypes or mocks and mimics a community, a person, or performer is not tolerated. This includes racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, fatphobia, and ageism seen through:

• Music and/or Act concepts submitted by performers.

• Host and Vendor Applications from individuals with a history of discriminatory behaviours. 

• Interactions with festival attendees,performers, volunteers, and staff.

This stance and our policies are in effect at all ABF and ABF affiliated events and spaces, including but not limited to backstage, lobby space, social events and after parties.  As well, bullying, harassment or disparagement, racism, sexism, gender targeted hate speech will not be tolerated on ABF social media platforms.

Consent
In all interactions in all ABF spaces, consent is essential. Attendees, performers, and volunteers must respect all persons who want to engage or disengage in any form of interaction. Failure to do so may impact a person's ability to participate in programming. We ask permission before photographing people and ensure you have their consent if you wish to share images on social media. If you post something without consent and are asked to remove it, we ask that you do so immediately.  ABF also acknowledges  that consent is evolving and while someone may have consented at one point, they are welcome and encouraged to withdraw their consent at any point and we can support that process accordingly. .

Backstage access

The backstage area is restricted to performers and the production team only. Performers should feel safe to prepare as they need to without feeling uncomfortable or on display. Our art involves various states of exposure and undress, we want it to feel secure and limit it to only those necessary.  If a performer needs a support person with them that person, the support person must be granted permission by our production team and will be identified in advance to other performers. 

Masks are Respected and Celebrated: While not mandatory, we respect individual choices. We recognize and respect individual decisions regarding masking and ask that all festival-goers show the same respect. We will have disposable masks available should you want one at any time over the weekend. Should anything change, we will follow the provincial health guidelines.

Safety at the Forefront with the Atlantic Burlesque Cooperative (ABC):

The ABC is dedicated to ensuring a safe, respectful, and enjoyable festival experience for everyone. This includes implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bullying, discrimination or harassment. We are committed to creating a space free from behaviour that reinforces social structures of domination related to any personal attributes.

Expectations and Responsibilities

From Participants: 

• No inappropriate or non-consensual physical contact;

• No unwelcome sexual advances;

• No abusive language or conduct.

From Us:

• We strive  to listen to concerns, strive for a non-discriminatory environment, remain open for communication, and continuously engage with and be accountable to our community.

Reporting Concerns:

If you encounter any issues, please feel comfortable to report them to ABC Board members or designated festival staff. We also have an anonymous form available here if you do not feel comfortable speaking to a board member. 

We aim to follow through on all complaints in a timely manner and to pursue due diligence in investigating accusations. We believes survivors and reserves the right to ask participants who have violated our code of conduct to vacate the premises immediately upon incident.

If we are unable to address the incident in our scope we will arrange for mediation or involve law enforcement as per the complainant at their request.

By entering our events as a participant or as an audience member you are agreeing to abide by our policies and contribute to a respectful, safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for all.

Together, let's make the Atlantic Burlesque Festival a spectacular, empowering and uplifting event. We look forward to celebrating the artistry of burlesque with you in a space where respect, kindness, and well-being are paramount 💗