THE annual Grand Exhibition – an international burlesque benefit – takes place this year on Saturday, October 26 at Centre For The Book. The first Grand Exhibition event took place in Cape Town in 2015 and has raised more than R111 000 for Rape Crisis so far.
The event promises to be a celebration of beauty, femininity and colour as more than 40 burlesque dancers take to the stage in all their feathered finery. The Grand Exhibition will showcase Cape Town’s top burlesque talent, from seasoned professional solo performers to dazzling troupe numbers from Cape Town’s longest standing burlesque companies.
Enjoy browsing the bespoke burlesque market before the show, be mesmerised by a spectacular burlesque show and live music, then kick off your shoes and dance until midnight as DJ Deryn Bolt treats you to a sound sensation that will have your toes tapping.
The Grand Exhibition was conceptualised by Tenille Lindeque, aka Lady Magnolia (pictured at the top of this article), a Cape Town-based burlesque performer, teacher, choreographer and producer with a passion for uniting the burlesque community for a good cause. Funds raised from the event will again be donated to Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust. Tenille also hosts the Cape Town leg of World Belly Dance Day, which has raised more than R160 000 for charity over the last 10 years.
Tickets for The Grand Exhibition are R200 online only. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 8pm. Centre For The Book is at 62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town.
PHOTO CREDIT: RUBY RED DOOR
Why we chose Rape Crisis as our beneficiary
“In this climate of gender based violence, it is easy to feel hopeless and helpless. The Grand Exhibition is our way of doing something constructive. I personally know far too many survivors of sexual abuse and assault.
“Many women live in constant fear of attack and I believe that burlesque is the ideal medium for women to take back their power and autonomy over their bodies. As burlesque dancers, we celebrate the beauty and strength of our bodies and our sexuality and I feel that it is our duty to try to extend that celebration beyond our immediate community.” – Lady Magnolia, Founder of The Grand Exhibition.
