"Nerdlesque" is what it's called when burlesque dancers draw inspiration from their favorite comic books, video games, movies, books, TV shows, and other forms of pop culture for their performances.

 

Xena has written and produced dozens of large-scale burlesque plays with pop culture themes (also known as "live action fan fiction") for their production company, The Society of Sin, such as their first show, "Arkham ASSylum: A Batman Burlesque Play." They also produced a weekly nerdlesque revue called "Talk Nerdy To Me" for nearly a decade in the French Quarter, but they have since passed the show on to their burlesque protege, Nicki Nicolai, who now runs the show once a month at the Allways Lounge.

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Xena has performed with and produces shows and other nerdy events with several comic cons, in addition to guesting as a cosplayer and emcee at events all over the country. 

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CURRENT MONTHLY NERDLESQUE SHOWS & RPG-INSPIRED EVENTS

 

Currently, they produce two nerdy monthly events in New Orleans (& sometimes beyond!). "Chaotic Good Time" is a select-your-own-adventure burlesque & variety show where guests vote to decide important plot points in the show which effect the story & the performances. This show typically takes place at the Allways Lounge. They also produce "Feys Gone Wild: The Adult Ren Faire" which is an immersive high fantasy event that's more like LARPing in an adult night club in the Feywild where guests receive quests that they complete by interacting with the fey dancers and crew members. It's an event where you can have your future told by a faerie, do a body shot with a barbarian, watch a fire genasi dance with flames, table dance with a tiefling, have the bard write you a song, and more! Visit The Society of Sin's page to see what shows they're producing next and to get your tickets!

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OTHER NERDY TIDBITS

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In 2019 Xena was a guest performer for The International Nerdlesque Festival in NYC, where they had the opportunity to perform their burlesque tribute to Pinhead from Clive Barker's Hellraiser using a historic bed of nails from the Coney Island Sideshow. A few years later, Clive Barker was shown photos and clips of Xena's performance by a friend of a friend, and he took the time to draw them an original art piece and mail it to them.

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In 2018, Xena appeared in Playboy for her burlesque tribute to Princess Leia with a Ziggy Stardust twist—an act which she has dubbed "Rebel Rebel Scum." They have performed this act for Wizard World Comic Con, Pensacon, Viva Dallas's "May the Fourth Be With You" Star Wars Burlesque Weekend, and for The Society of Sin's annual Star Wars burlesque show, "The Mos Eisley Cantina Cabaret."