Rules for Applicants IBC

Imperial Burlesque Canada (IBC) is an international competition open to all burlesque and boylesque artists around the world. As last year, there will be a welcome aboard party on September 18th and a Showcase on September 19th. Competition will take places on SEPTEMBER 20th 2025.

It is your responsibility to travel to your competition or showcase venue in Montreal. IBC will choose 10 artists for friday showcase, 10 artists to compete on saturday for IBC Monarch and 4 small groups (2 artists) for ‘‘Best Duo’’

  • Prize: The winner will be crowned Monarch of Burlesque, title awarded to the best, all categories. Also the IBC winner will receive $400 CAD and Sponsors gifts a value of at least $1000.00, travel included for Step Down act the following year. 1rst and 2nd runner up will recieve $100 CAD each. For ‘‘Best Duo’’, the winner will receive $300 CAD and gifts.

  • Friday Showcase: All performers will recieve 75$ per act.

  • Fees: Payments for application fees must be made in the online application system. Payments made by using another method to pay the application fee will not be accepted. The application fee is 15$ per application. You can apply as much as you can ( If you want to apply with two acts, make sure to reapply for the second one. Do not select 2 purchase). Applications are from February 17th 2025 until February 28th 2025. Application fee will be 20$ from March 1st 2025 until April 6th. The application fees covers administrative costs and the funds needed to organized applications and logistics.

  • Travel: It is understood that all candidates travel to events are at their own expense.

  • Eligibility: The competition is open to all performers (e), burlesque, boylesque, neo or classical. You must be 18 years old at the time of application. All fields in the application form are mandatory unless otherwise stated. Please check the accuracy of your request before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be accepted by the IBC board.

  • Qualification Criteria: The evaluation sheet used during the competition is:

    1- History, originality choreography

    2- Tease and skills

    3- Stage technique and contact with audience (4th wall)

    4- Costume and using props.

  • Act: Applicants can apply with one act per application, make sure the video is a good quality and on a public platforms like youtube ot vimeo and easy acces. The duration of the numbers must not exceed 4:30 min. for competition and a maximum of 5 minutes for Duo and Showcase. If the video you need to submit is longer, you must specify which part to evaluate. Avoid acts that require long set-up time, fire or liquids. You are responsible for all props needed for your performance.

Candidate Tickets

  • Ticket Purchase: To all performers who did apply and not been chosen, there will be a promo code for a reduction on your purchase. A non-transferable pass is offered for the entire weekend. On the other hand the transport is not included.

Thank you all, we look forward to seeing you at the Imperial Burlesque of CanRules for Applicants IBC!