The satirical performance arts brought comedic entertainment and empowerment to the lower classes of American society throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. A mockery of the higher and more socially conservative classes, the vitality of Vaudeville and Burlesque were slowly eclipsed by mid-century morality laws and the advent of modern media. Sideshow harkens back to less commercial carnival days, glorifying human oddity and strange feats of willpower.

The Vaudeville Revival is a huge international movement with festivals around the world, exploring women's empowerment, questioning mainstream paradigms of 'normal', and offering unforgettable, good old fashioned American entertainment to those bold enough to pass thru those striped curtains to the midway beyond...

ABSfest is a Future of Tradition Production. FoT has been a force in shaping and sustaining the arts in Western North Carolina since 1999. Founded as a Center for Folkarts, FoT for many years housed traditional and evolving visual, movement and music artists under one roof. Many long-standing groups in Asheville's nationally known artscene had roots there, particularly in the fire and circus arts, bellydance, African and Latin dance communities.

In 2006, FoT shifted primary focus to event production. The most comprehensive programs are Triboriginal: Tribal Dance, Music and Culture Camp and the Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival, with new projects in the works.
Call 828.232.2980 for information.

ABSfest 2009 was our most amazing year yet! Attendance was epic and the performers were magnificent. A thousand thanks to all of our staff, artists, and sponsors for making this three-day festival possible, keeping Asheville freaky, and making ABSfest a national destination for stupendous burlesque and sideshow artists.

Now that the glare of sequins isn't quite so blinding, plans are already cookin' in the ABSfest kitchen for next year.
Check back in December for updated 2010 applications for performers, vendors, instructors and sponsors.

In the mean time here are some lovely links to photos of the event...
anoldent's photostream on flicker
Asheville Citizen Times
Mountain Xpress