The International Nerdlesque Festival

From lightsabers to lingerie, The International Nerdlesque Festival (TINF) returns in 2025 for its most immersive and ambitious year yet—bringing its signature blend of fandom, glitter, and body-positive performance to the nation’s capital.

Taking place Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the landmark Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St NE), this two-night extravaganza invites audiences into a universe where the grown and sexy meet the geeky and fabulous.

With an all-star lineup of burlesque royalty, TINF 2025 will feature headlining performances from Sweetpea (MN) and Fem Appeal (NY)—plus standout acts by Aquarius Moon (DC), Jacqueline Boxx (MD), Sally Stardust (RVA/DC), and Xena Zeitgeist (LA). The creative team includes Maki Roll, Kimono Jones, Aquarius Moon, and Diva Darling, all respected visionaries in burlesque, nightlife, and immersive entertainment.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Originally founded in 2014 in New York City, the International Nerdlesque Festival was the first burlesque festival in the world to spotlight nerdlesque—a performance genre where pop culture, fandom, and striptease collide. From Star Wars tributes to anime-inspired acts, this genre revels in the power of fantasy, nostalgia, and queer creativity.

After more than a decade of showcasing talent from around the world, the festival now expands to Washington, DC, a hub for political power—and increasingly, for progressive performance and subversive nightlife.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Two nights of mind-blowing burlesque, drag, and variety acts
• Immersive performances that mash up cosplay, comedy, and culture
• A curated vendor marketplace of handmade goods, nerdcore merch, and indie brands
• Workshops and meetups for aspiring performers and curious fans
• Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities to support one of the most inclusive festivals in the country

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

Energy Flow: Mastering the Stationary Sizzle with Jacqueline Boxx– 11AM-12PM

Commanding an audience’s attention doesn’t have to mean constantly moving about a stage! Whether you want to keep the drama going even during the quietest parts of your act or you need to plan for spectacular stationary sizzle due to mobility restrictions, it’s all about mastering that Energy Flow. When you’re doing nerdlesque, being in command of your stillness gives you a broader range of tools for embodying your character. Learn the five elements Jacqueline uses to make the absolute most of center stage by practicing and performing a brief, fully accessible piece of choreography that includes adapting these elements to your own performance style. Students should dress comfortably for movement.

Freaky Face!: Virgin Vogue for Nerdlesque & Cosplay with Aquarius Moon- 12:15PM-1:15PM

Bring the ballroom to the burlesque stage! This workshop takes inspiration from the Virgin Vogue ball categories—Face, Runway, and Vogue Femme—and translates those core techniques into tools for cosplay and nerdlesque performance. Learn how to serve face with expressive character work, command the stage with unapologetic walks and poses, and infuse your peels with the drama of vogue femme performance with The Golden Goddess of Burlesque Aquarius Moon. Whether you’re new to the stage or a seasoned showstopper, this class will help you step fully into your nerdy persona, take up space, and slay your performance with confidence and flair.

Shapeshifting 101 with Xena Zeitgeist-1:30PM-2:30PM

Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer looking to add some new tricks to your arsenal or you just want to learn how to look like a different person every day for fun, Professional Shapeshifter Xena Zeit-Geist is thrilled to be your guide into the art of transforming your look. In this hour-long workshop, we will cover topics such as: Contouring to transform your bone structure, how makeup placement can make you look like an entirely different person, the importance of color palettes, and we’ll get into some small details that make huge differences (freckles, color contacts, fake piercings, different brow techniques, etc.), & more!

Attendees are not *required* to bring anything but are highly encouraged to bring the following: 1. Something to take notes with, 2. a mirror, 3. any makeup you want to practice, 4. Makeup wipes in case you make mistakes and want to try again. 🙂

There will be some quick makeup demos, and you should feel free to follow along!

GOAL: For newcomers & seasoned pros alike to leave this workshop with practical skills and an overall better understanding of how to use makeup to transform their appearance

Super Sexy Propwork with Sweetpea- 2:45-3:45PM

Sweetpea, the multi-award-winning burlesque icon and lifelong dancer, brings her 20+ years of burlesque, erotic arts, and geek culture passion to this dynamic workshop. Known for routines that weave fantasy with sensuality, she’ll guide you in transforming your cosplay/nerdlesque props—fans, swords, boas, or your own special items—into tools of captivating tease. Students are encouraged to bring their special props to class to personalize their experience, especially for developing nerdlesque characters. Learn to integrate props into your act with sexy storytelling that aligns with your character, makes sense with the story, flows seamlessly, and resolves in a satisfying full-circle arc.

We’ll kick off with a quick warm-up to sync your body with your prop, then explore techniques for handling, posing, and moving in ways that feel authentic to your cosplay—think seductive fan reveals for a mystical vibe, bold sword flourishes for a warrior’s intensity, or playful boa twirls that loop back to your act’s opening. You’ll unlock the magic of making props an extension of your story and sensuality, ensuring they enhance your narrative without overshadowing or confusing it, and create transitions that tie your routine together from start to finish.

Ages 18+ (Adults Only)

Content Warnings: Frequently occurring use of swearing, flashing lights, and explicit music. Frequently occurring references and depictions of sexual content. Regularly occurring use of weapons. Mild references and depictions of drug use, violence, grief, and smoking.