Community Policies

Isle of Tease Community Policies

The Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival (ITBF) is committed to showcasing burlesque that is intersectionality representative of the community on our festival’s stages; the purpose of this policy is to act as a guide to help ensure the reflection of this diversity and inclusion. 

This document includes the following policies and protocols

  • Territory Acknowledgement
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Application Fee Waivers and Videos
  • Honouring Space for Representation
  • Accessibility
  • Safer Spaces
  • Covid-19 Policy
  • Community Acknowledgements

Territory Acknowledgement 

The Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival wishes to acknowledge that our festival will be taking place on the unceded, unsurrendered, traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations. We also recognize, given that we are choosing to represent Vancouver Island, that our core communities exist on the territory of additional Coast Salish nations, on Nuu-chah-nulth territories, and on Kwakwaka’wakw territories. We recognize that our work occurs on their lands. We endeavor to promote the dismantling of sexualization of Indigenous Peoples, in particular, Indigenous women and folks who identify within the 2SLGBTQQIAAP+ (2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, Agender, Pansexual) spectrum. 

We will follow local protocol by asking an Elder or Knowledge Keeper from one of the local nations to offer a Welcome at our events with an honorarium provided when appropriate. When inviting a local Elder or Knowledge Keeper is not appropriate or possible, our host will offer a proper and genuine acknowledgement at the beginning of an event. We recognize that, while acknowledging territory is an important component of following local protocol and reconciliation, we must live these acknowledgements through our everyday actions, and be mindful of Indigenous representation in all aspects, both within and outside of this festival. 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Isle of Tease strives to curate space in our showcases and workshops for marginalized and underrepresented performers. These performers include but are not limited to: 

  • Performers of colour 
  • Indigenous performers 
  • Large bodied performers 
  • Performers with disabilities 
  • Neurodivergent performers
  • Performers belonging to the 2SLGBTQQIAAP+ community 
  • Performers over the age of 40 
  • Low-income performers 

We will also ensure we have space for new performers (meaning they have been performing for two years or less at the time of the festival). 

The curation of performers in ITBF, including our headliners, will be chosen to represent the rich diversity of bodies and identities who are defining burlesque in our communities today. This will be achieved by ensuring our adjudication panel and Leadership team is made up of people who belong to intersectional identities as listed previously. 

Application Fee Waivers and Videos 

We will have an exclusive one-week period where application fees will be waived for performers who self-identify in the categories described previously. 

If a performer is unable to obtain performance video footage of an act, we will accept rehearsal videos provided the video clearly shows all components of the performance. 

Honouring Space for Representation 

Our application process will have space for performers from marginalized and underrepresented groups to self-identify in the categories described previously, which are included to assist our organizers with both current and future curation and data for accountability to the community policies. 

We will have a minimum of two performance slots throughout the festival for performers who are considered to be new performers, who had their burlesque debut no earlier than February 21, 2023. The Production Team will make the final curation based on the recommendations of the adjudication panel, taking applicants’ identities and full applications into account. 

Accessibility 

The Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival strives to provide venues that are wheelchair accessible and accessible in diverse ways to performers and audience members wherever possible. ITBF works to expand accessibility for individuals with diverse types of disabilities and neurodivergence. All events will have basic accessibility notes and a link to an in-depth Accessibility Guide included in the event information. An Accessibility Guide specific to each venue will be available on our website for individuals to stay informed of what to expect as an audience member or performer.  

The following will be available throughout the festival and ITBF events:

  • Masks and sanitizer
  • Free earplugs
  • Strobe lights will not be used. In the case of non-strobe flashing lights in an act, trigger warnings will be provided beforehand
  • Content awareness/trigger warnings will be provided before any act which requires one
  • Identifiable Safer Space Liaisons will be available throughout the festival for assistance
  • A quiet room is available during the showcases with access to fidget toys, blankets, and grounding materials
  • ITBF accepts sponsored tickets purchased by community members who would like to offer tickets to individuals who may not be able to attend otherwise.

If an individual requires assistance beyond what is already provided or noted above or in the Accessibility Guides, they can connect with one of the ITBF producers at info@isleoftease.com.

Safer Spaces 

The Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment in which all participants of our events feel comfortable and free from harassment*. 

We promote and celebrate a diverse and inclusive burlesque community, to encourage that at the Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival, we will not tolerate: 

  • Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, ageism, xenophobia, colourism, anti-semetism, and all other forms of discrimination 
  • Physical, verbal, emotional, or mental abuse 
  • Bullying 
  • Sexual harassment, inappropriate or unwelcome comments and behaviours 
  • Disruptive or disrespectful behaviour 
  • Appropriation of culture, ability, body types, or identities
  • Causing a participant or attendee to feel distressed or unsafe 

The following guidelines will help ensure a safer space: 

  • Respect peoples’ physical and emotional boundaries. 
  • Get enthusiastic consent first. Use coherent verbal communication to express your desires before touching anyone. 
  • Be responsible for your actions, and aware that they may have an effect on others regardless of original intent. 

If an issue arises with a participant or attendee before the festival, the Isle of Tease staff will be available to hear these concerns and find a solution that is in the best interests of the community and the event being a safer space. Should an issue arise with a participant or attendee during the festival, staff will be available to mediate on-site and attempt to find a solution. Staff reserves the right to ask any attendees who are violating the safer space policy to change or address their behaviour or language, or leave the event if needed, without refund of ticket purchased. 

By purchasing a ticket, or participating in any of the events hosted by The Isle of Tease Burlesque Festival, you agree to conduct yourself in a respectful manner as outlined in our Safer Spaces Policy. 

(*Definition of Harassment: Harassment means any conduct that is known, or reasonably to be known, to cause offense or humiliation, and may include persistent unwanted attention, and deliberate infringement of personal space.)

Covid-19 Policy

ITBF will follow any provincial health regulations in place at the time. This can change at any time. The following regulations are currently in place for ITBF:

  • The festival does not require vaccination from performers, staff, or volunteers.  
  • All performers, staff, and volunteers are encouraged to do a Covid Test within 24 hours of their first appearance in the festival.
    • “appearance” includes the meet n greet, performance, workshops, etc
  • Masks are not mandatory, but are encouraged backstage and in public areas. 
  • Masks, sanitizer, and rapid tests will be available in the backstage areas. Masks and sanitizer will also be available in the lobby.
  • Performers, staff, and volunteers are to not attend the festival or its events if they are sick. In this case, performers will be offered a performance slot for the following year’s showcase.

Community Acknowledgements 

This policy is a living document which will be reviewed on a regular basis, and we welcome input from our community members. 

We would like to acknowledge and thank the following performers for their contributions which led to the creation of this policy: Aurora Noire, Cherry Cheeks, Hazel Nuez, Kinker Belle, Scarlett Hummingbird, Marius Faerius, Gala Vega, and Tanille Geib. This policy is reviewed and updated annually by the Diversity Coordinator and Co-Producer, Cherry Cheeks. We would also like to thank Ruthe Ordare, past Artistic Director of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (VIBF), for undertaking the diversity and inclusion work for VIBF and sharing it with us to assist in the creation of our own policy. 

Last reviewed and revised: August 2024