Celebrating Ten Years of Queer Burlesque with the Velvet Hearts

I was thrilled to see another local Velvet Hearts performance scheduled. We’ve been supporters of them over the years. Queer burlesque is special. I like the variety in the performances as well as the body positive messaging. You should check out this show Friday evening and take a few moments to read what the founder, […]

Tara, 24, is a Femme, Queer Human #AMPLIFY

Name:  Tara Foran Age: 24 County of Residence: Philadelphia, formerly Allegheny County Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Femme queer.  Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out when I was 17. At the time, I was witnessing a shift in the way the people around me […]

James Street Gastropub Hosts Drag, Burlesque Events This Weekend

This post is part of our social media sponsorship opportunities.  The weekend of August 19-20 brings two funsational events to the Northside of Pittsburgh with good food and libations paired with smoking hot drag and burlesque shows. What more poetic way to show up and support the lives of our neighbors than by supporting queer […]

Luna, 25, is a Poly, Gender fluid, Queer Performance Artist #AMPLIFY

As part of our partnership with FIERCE! International Queer Burlesque, #AMPLIFY will be featuring some of the performers this week. Today, we hear from Luna La Creme who is scheduled to perform at the Friday evening showcase, 7 PM. Tickets still available. Burlesque and queer performing arts are an important part of our community heritage. Name: Luna La […]

EXCLUSIVE: Win Tickets to See FIERCE Queer Burlesque Performancers

Less than a week until the 5th Annual FIERCE! Queer International Burlesque Festival returns to Pittsburgh for four days of fabulous. And we’ve got FREE pairs of tickets to five different performances. Friday Night Showcase at James Street Gastropub 8 PM headlining guest Red Hot Anniefrom Chicago, “Pride” Feature Anja Keister from NYC, and your host Viva Valezz! from […]

International Queer Burlesque Festival Returns to Pittsburgh

The FIERCE! International Queer Burlesque Festival returns home to Pittsburgh for its fifth year of celebrating the fusion of queer identity and the art of burlesque. We had a chance to talk with founder and Pittsburgh resident, Andrea Varela aka Viva Valezz. Note: we are pleased to be the official Social Media Sponsor for this […]

Latinx Perspective on the #AMPLIFY Project

Latinx Western Pennsylvania

Yesterday, we published a terrific #AMPLIFY contribution from Chi Chi who is a 47 year queer Latina living in Pittsburgh. Chi Chi is from Panama, but grew up about a mile from where I grew up – we went to different schools and never met. Until #AMPLIFY. We have plans to meet in person next […]

Burlesque Or Bust! Queer Burlesque Show at James St. Speakeasy 4/29

Queer Burlesque

AMPLIFY is proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming queer burlesque show at the James St Gastropub and Speakeasy.  A few reserved tables are still left; General Admission is $7 at the door. Plenty of parking both on the street and in nearby surface lots. The show will start at 10 PM so don’t […]

James Street Gastropub Brings Queer Entertainment to #PghNorthside

James Street Gastropub

The James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy has been a welcome addition to the Northside, bringing live jazz and so much more to the Deutschtown neighborhood. The food is pretty good, the beer options plentiful, and it always seems to be bustling with live music options. We’ve watched venues come and go in that space so […]

Viva Valezz is a Queer Burlesque Performer Parenting a GenderFluid Child

Allegheny County Lesbian

  Name: Viva Valezz! (aka Dre’) Age: 49 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns:  female How do you describe your identity? I am an old school lesbian… You can call me dyke if you’re my age. We earned that.  You can also call me gay or queer.  I’m also half-Mexican, so I also identify as Mexican-American. And… I’m a mom. […]