Meet The 2027 Selection Committee
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Scarlet Delirium is thee Raven Goddess and official Panty Auntie of Burlesque — a Being so molten, she’ll have you seeing red and losing your head. While this Kwakiutl Indigi-Babe originally hails from the land of the HeadHunters, her signature saunter and slow burn style has taken her to stages and festivals across North America since 2010. Not just a solo supernova, Scarlet plays well with others — she’s a sought after duo partner, host, and a founding member of Virago Nation — Turtle Island’s first all Indigenous Burlesque Collective.
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Lacia Majora is a non binary, queer performer and debaucherous sapphic nightmare. With an oral fixation and a hunger for shenanigans they live to spread the joy of gay panic all over the land. Born and raised in Toronto and humping many iconic stages throughout the country since 2013, they’re now committed to successfully turning the whole province of Nova Scotia into bottoms.
This black cat girlfriend with a golden retriever personality is getting busy this year being a Co-producer and debauchery instigator at Kissing Cousins Productions and getting you hot for teacher at Rouge Studio Halifax.
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A captivating performer at the forefront of Halifax's entertainment scene, it's Mike Hunt. A seasoned member of Halifax Drag Kings, Mike defies gender norms with every mesmerising performance. Producer, host, Artist Extraordinaire. Whether serenading with smooth vocals or dazzling with his moves, Mike leaves audiences spellbound and craving more. He is the first ever Drag King to place on The Coast Best Of: Drag Performer, winning Bronze. Experience the magic firsthand and let Mike Hunt transport you to a world of unbridled passion and artistry.
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Known for captivating audiences with her infectious high energy, Cat has made waves on stages worldwide from Vancouver to Seattle, New Orleans to the Netherlands! In 2023 she claimed a title as second runner up at the Panama Burlesque Festival and most recently was a featured performer in the 2025 Movers, Shakers & Innovators showcase at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
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Tomboy Selleck delivers Chippendale inspired “Magical Michael” meets Full-Monty-Python performances. He believes that his visibility as a trans masc performer is integral to securing trans rights in his home province. I mean, who could hate someone so cute? A member of Calgary’s “Alberta Beefcakes” boylesque troupe and winner of “Rodeo Clown” at the 2025 Alberta Burlesque Rodeo, Tomboy is proficient. (Even if he doesn’t know what that means.) Let’s hear it for the boy! It’s your himbo for hire, Tomboy Selleck!
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Worker bee by day, and a bag of seduction by night, Beef Pattie is a black mixed with black with a splash of sass performer, who gives viewers an experience no one wants to miss but only a few can handle. Part masc, part fem, full fool, Pattie loves to add a little comedic flare and genderfuck essence anytime they hit the stage. The newest member of the Neo Novas, Beef Pattie continues to leave audience members of all kinds, in awe. Reminding you that amazing things come in big packages and Pattie is bursting at the seams. Your boyfriend, girlfriend and sweeties in between are hungry for Beef Pattie.
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The Lady Corbeau (she/her) is an award winning Burlesque Performer and Producer residing in Halifax / Kjipuktuk. She is known for her sold out productions, notably "Clue: A Murderlesque Mystery” featured in the Halifax Fringe Festival. She has performed on stages all across Canada and in NYC. She has been featured at festivals such as the New York Burlesque Fest, Atlantic Burlesque Fest, Bagel Burlesque Fest, Vancouver Burlesque Fest, Capital Burlesque Expo, the Imperial Burlesque Competition where she won 2nd runner up in 2025 and 2nd runner up at The Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival
Blurring the lines between classic showgirl and comedic pop culture references, she is always bringing sexy and strange to each stage she finds herself on. She has been performing live Burlesque since 2017, and her other works have been published in magazines and art books worldwide since 2006.
Who is the Selection Committee?
The Selection Committee comprises members from our cooperative and community representatives. The entire board chooses this group to create an experienced, informed, and diverse team. This team represents and comprehends the Festival's objectives, ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive selection process.
What does an adjudicator do?
Adjudicators observe and evaluate every performance, receiving only the participant's stage name, a brief biography, the title and description of the act, notes, and a video link. Adjudicators will not have access to any personal information of the applicants, including real names, email addresses, personal links, location or nationality, or any declarations of identity. They work in isolation, ensuring that each adjudicator's scoring sheet remains unseen by others.
How are applications scored?
Four areas of consideration include:
Overall Artistic Expression
Costume & Styling
Movement & Musicality
Entertainment Value & Stage Presence
These general areas have descriptions that detail and define what we assess in a submission.
The criterion will be scored on a scale from 1 to 5.
The numbers are defined as:
1 - This area is not yet festival-ready
2 - This needs workshopping
3 - This is in average shape/almost festival-ready
4 - This is consistent and well performed and festival-ready
5 - This is “blow me out of the water” festival ready
How involved is the ABF Board of Directors in the act selection process?
Performer selections are handled through a structured, confidential process led by the Performer Subcommittee and Selection Committee.
Board and committee members who apply to perform step back from the final curation process.
Adjudicators review and score submissions independently, and all data stays confidential.
Once scoring is complete, only non-applicant members of the Performer Subcommittee and a DEI reviewer ensure the final lineup reflects ABF’s values of inclusion, diversity, and community representation.
This approach keeps the process fair, safe, and transparent, protecting both applicants and adjudicators from any outside influence.
How do you protect adjudicators and applicants?
ABF recognizes that our community is close-knit and that evaluating peers can come with social pressure.
To protect everyone involved, adjudicator scores are identified only by code (for example, “Adjudicator A,” “Adjudicator B”) in all reports, and names are never shared.
Access to adjudication data is limited to a small group of non-applicant committee members to maintain confidentiality, and board or committee members who apply to perform do not have access to any identifying information at any point in the process.
This creates a fair and safe environment where adjudicators can be honest, applicants are treated equally (including board members who apply), and everyone can trust that the process is handled with care.