The Vancouver’s International Burlesque Festival kicks off this evening at the Rickshaw Theatre. Sad Mag‘s issue three cover star, Crystal Precious, is the festival’s President and one of the many talented performers slated to take the stage this weekend. Stopping for a moment in the busy week before the launch, Crystal answered some of our questions about the 2010 festival and the resurgence of all things Burlesque.

Sad Mag: Tell me about how the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival got started. Were you involved at that time?

Crystal Precious: Basically Screaming Chicken wanted to do this type of festival and came to me and we made it work—a collaboration to get all the troupes together. We are all volunteer run, non-profit, [and] our community [came] together to showcase.

SM: You’ve been on hiatus from the Board for a couple of years—what has changed in that time for the Festival? What’s new?

CP: The biggest and best change for this year is the fact that the entire festival is at one location, The Rickshaw Theatre. Instead have having all the venues all around the city and having the troupes produce, perform, and promote their own show, all they have to do is come down to the Theatre and be fabulous.

SM: Makes it easier for the crowd and festival goers, too!

CP: Yeah!

SM: Burlesque has become phenomenally popular among general audiences in Vancouver in the past few years. To what would you attribute its resurgence, and its success in Vancouver?

CP: There was need, obviously. [Giggle]. People are into it and there is something for everyone—[from] classic to weird performance art.

SM: Yeah sexual or humorous. I love it. Vancouver seems very supportive of the Burlesque community.

CP: Vancouver has been a huge support for us.

SM: You guys are saucy bitches with talent. To quote RuPaul, “Creativity, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.” What do you hope audiences will take away from the shows and workshops at the Festival this year?

CP: The main thing is that I want the audience to view Burlesque as a medium not a genre. For someone to say “oh yeah, I have seen burlesque before,” is like me saying I have seen music. Burlesque has different genres, like music has jazz, rock, et cetera.

SM: The Festival is less than a week away. What are you doing now to prepare?

CP: Well the festival is pretty much all ready. I am mostly getting ready for guests at my house. Cleaning and things like that.

Crystal Precious and Sweet Soul Burlesque perform their showcase on Friday at 11pm. RSVP on Facebook. Sad Mag will be present to support this amazing talent and give away lots of copies of issue three!