The Raleigh School of Burlesque

OG Raleigh burlesque performer Purrrl Van Dammit teaching Stripping 101 to a new generation of students at The Showroom in Garner, NC (2023).
This is lineage. This is technique. This is knowledge passed hand-to-hand, heel-to-floor, body-to-body.

You bring the curiosity. Rachel brings the experience.

With nearly two decades in burlesque, Rachel Riot’s private lessons focus on helping performers make confident, informed creative choices.

$50/hour. Limited availability.

Email [email protected] to book.

Confidence, creativity, and a little bit of magic—that's what you'll find in every class with Mona Loverly.

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Mona has been dancing since she was five years old and captivating audiences since she was eighteen. As a burlesque performer, singer, go-go dancer, and special effects makeup artist, she brings a unique blend of movement, artistry, and theatrical flair to everything she does.

Whether you're learning the art of bump and grind, creating dramatic special effects makeup, or dancing with Isis wings, Mona encourages every student to embrace their creativity, build confidence, and have fun along the way.

Follow Mona on Instagram:

CASTING GUEST TALENT: FALL RECITALS

As our Shimmy Seminar students prepare for their debut, we’re casting guest talent to round out two upcoming recitals:

• Thursday, September 10
• Thursday, November 12

We’re seeking emcees, kittens, alumni guest performers, and both local and visiting talent who want to be part of a supportive, high-vibe show environment.

Recitals are audience-forward, community-rich, and often deliver stronger payouts than people expect — because these crowds show up big for our students.

Apply now at
www.raleighburlesque.com

POV: backstage at a burlesque show — bodies everywhere, costumes flying, music bleeding through the walls. 😅✨
Chaotic? Yes. Functional? Somehow.
There’s no magic without a little mayhem.

Applying to festivals can feel like throwing your application into a black hole.

What makes one performer stand out over another? What catches an adjudicator’s attention? What should you do after you get accepted?

Joona Bae is pulling back the curtain with honest, practical advice from her own experience performing at more than 40 festivals around the world.

This isn’t theory—it’s the information she wishes every performer knew.

Confessions of a Festival Darling
Thursday, August 13
8:00–9:00 PM ET
Virtual | Open to performers worldwide
$25

Register at raleighburlesque.com → Classes

Tomorrow!

Join us for a cozy, free Burlesque Movie Night as we watch Play Me Burlesque together at Cell Block #9.

Sunday, August 2
6:00–9:00 PM
Raleigh, NC

We’ll have popcorn, you’re welcome to BYOB, we’re 420-friendly, and pajamas are absolutely encouraged. Feel free to bring a craft project, costume work, or some admin if you’d like to work while the movie plays—or just kick back and enjoy the film with friends.

This event is free, but please RSVP by texting me or emailing [email protected] so I can send you the address.

Hope to see some of you tomorrow!

A little sugar. A little spice. And one fierce inner panther. 🐝✨

Abellona Bee discovered burlesque after graduating from the Raleigh School of Burlesque in 2025, and she’s been blossoming ever since. What began as a journey outside her comfort zone quickly became a powerful outlet for confidence, creativity, and self-expression. Her performances blend sweetness with sass, proving that the most unforgettable performers know exactly when to purr… and when to roar.

Catch Abellona Bee at Girl Crush: An All-Pink Sapphic Celebration on Friday, July 31 at 8:00 PM at Cannonball Music Hall in Raleigh! Join us for an evening of incredible burlesque celebrating women, q***r joy, and unapologetic confidence. Even better, 50% of all raffle proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

Help us give this rising star a warm welcome to the Girl Crush stage! 💖

bee

Every performer reaches a point where self-editing stops being effective. That’s when experienced, outside feedback matters most.

Private Act Feedback Sessions with Miss Rachel Riot offer a structured, supportive space to examine your act with fresh eyes and professional insight. These sessions are designed to help you refine—not reinvent—unless that’s what your act truly needs.

Useful for:
• Acts that feel stagnant or overworked
• Tightening structure and sharpening focus
• Improving flow, timing, and reveal placement
• Clarifying intention and audience takeaway
• Strengthening an act before rebooking or competition

$25 for a 30-minute private session
In person or on Zoom

To schedule, email [email protected]

Bold. Brilliant. Unapologetically original. 👑

Hailing from Durham, NC, Clint Torris is a drag king and burlesque artist who’s been turning heads for the past six years with performances that challenge expectations and celebrate authenticity. As a disabled artist, Clint is passionate about making drag more accessible while pushing the boundaries of gender expression through unforgettable performances. He’s also the creator of King of Kings, a delightfully sacrilegious drag king competition, and co-producer of Sapphic Spectacular at Durham’s local le***an bar.

Don’t miss Clint Torris at Girl Crush: An All-Pink Sapphic Celebration on Friday, July 31 at 8:00 PM at Cannonball Music Hall in Raleigh! Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating women, q***r joy, drag, and burlesque—all while supporting a great cause. 50% of all raffle proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

And if you can’t get enough, you can catch Clint next at Cloak & Dagger Cabaret in Greensboro on August 7!

Give Clint some love in the comments! 💖