Varla Velour

Inspired by the Queens of Burlesque, Varla springs forth from the celluloid of film noir - a femme fatale that will ensnare, enrapture and delight.

In 2016, Varla served as an Artist in Residence at Hotel Chantelle's long-running Room 69 show where she appeared every Friday night. She continues to perform at other downtown haunts like Nurse Bettie, while strutting her stuff in festivals like Ithaca's Empire Burlesque Festival and the NY Burlesque Festival. She also made her European debut performing in London in the summer of 2018. Her classic style and mysterious allure are elevated by obscure vintage rhythms, and the decadence of her costuming.

Her burlesque style is made up of equal parts thumping sex appeal, elegant classicism, and fiery Latin sensibilities. Inspired by her Latin heritage and a legacy of headstrong women, Varla toys with the audience and leaves them asking: does she want to bed me or kill me?