Zyra Lee Vanity
Sunday February 16, 5:00p-6:00p
Traplesque
$25
Known as Toronto’s Urban Desire and Canada’s traplesque seductress, Zyra often uses elements of classic costuming and classic movement against urban trap music to create dynamic, edgy and fun neo acts. Dancing to trap music is all about attitude, saying “FU!” to respectability politics, unapologetically living, confidence and having fun! In this class, Zyra will teach you how to own all of that as well as do the burlesque basics (such as bumping and grinding), but to trap music! This class is choreography based and is designed to help you bring out your inner bad and bougie traplesque goddess. Learn how to move comfortably to trap music while still teasing!
Bring a bottle of water & comfortable clothing!
Tuesday February 18, 8:15p-9:15p
Whining: Mixing Caribbean Dance and Burlesque
$25
Zyra Lee Vanity has been mixing elements of Afro-Caribbean dance styles into her neo and classic burlesque numbers for the past 5 years. Her blend of styles has gained her international recognition & awards. Inspired by her Jamaican heritage, Zyra has mastered the art of whining while teasing. In this 101 workshop learn how to whine and grind, jump & wave and other Caribbean dance styles. Zyra will teach you the basics of various Caribbean dance moves and then show you how to work them smoothly into burlesque routines.
This class is designed for those with limited dance experience and involves beginner level choreography. Bring heels & a bottle of water!
Bio:
Zyra Lee Vanity, also known as Toronto’s Urban Desire, is a multi award winning international burlesque entertainer based in Toronto, Canada. She’s performed at several festivals and cons throughout Canada, Central America and the USA, including the Las Vegas Burlesque Festival, Anime North, The New York Burlesque and Montreal Comic Con. In 2018 she won Belle of the Ball at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival and Best Burlesque at the Arizona Burlesque Festival. In 2019 she was crowned Panama Queen of Burlesque at the Panama Burlesque Festival, was a featured performer at the Capital Burlesque Expo and headlined the Winnipeg Burlesque Festival.
Zyra Lee Vanity was also voted as one of the top 10 burlesque figures in Canada via 21 Century Burlesque Magazine. She is known for both high energy as well as smooth, sharp & sensual burlesque routines. Her acts captivate and enchant crowds through her choice of various dance & movement styles as well as unique & beautiful costuming. Zyra Lee Vanity is also known for mixing Afro Caribbean culture with vintage burlesque glamour. A master of nerdlesque, classic and neoburlesque Zyra proves herself to be versatile in the art of tease.
She’s opened for notable burlesque figures such as Dita Von Teese at Northbound Leathers 25th Anniversary Show, and was a production collaborator for the 2018 Toronto Burlesque Festival. She’s been featured on Playboy Radio, Sex City Radio and was a keynote speaker at Catalyst Con West. She is also a member of Toronto’s Les Femmes Fatales Women of Colour Burlesque Troupe and the founder of Lee Vanity Productions, a production company focused on hiring and producing burlesque shows for queer performers of colour.