The International Nerdlesque Festival 2025
Schedule
Fri, 12 Sep, 2025 at 08:00 pm to Sat, 13 Sep, 2025 at 07:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Atlas Performing Arts Center | Washington, DC
Advertisement
🔞(18+ EVENT - NO EXCEPTIONS)🔞FROM THE TEAM THAT BROUGHT YOU DC BRAULESQUE AND THE NERDVANA EXPERIENCE
From lightsabers to lingerie, The International Nerdlesque Festival (TINF) returns in 2025 for its most immersive and ambitious year yet—bringing its signature blend of fandom, glitter, and body-positive performance to the nation’s capital.
Taking place Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the landmark Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St NE), this two-night extravaganza invites audiences into a universe where the grown and sexy meet the geeky and fabulous.
With an all-star lineup of burlesque royalty, TINF 2025 will feature headlining performances from Sweetpea (MN) and Fem Appeal (NY)—plus standout acts by Aquarius Moon (DC), Jacqueline Boxx (MD), Sally Stardust (RVA/DC), and Xena Zeitgeist (LA). The creative team includes Maki Roll, Kimono Jones, Aquarius Moon, and Diva Darling, all respected visionaries in burlesque, nightlife, and immersive entertainment.
✨ABOUT THE FESTIVAL✨
Originally founded in 2014 in New York City, the International Nerdlesque Festival was the first burlesque festival in the world to spotlight nerdlesque—a performance genre where pop culture, fandom, and striptease collide. From Star Wars tributes to anime-inspired acts, this genre revels in the power of fantasy, nostalgia, and queer creativity.
After more than a decade of showcasing talent from around the world, the festival now expands to Washington, DC, a hub for political power—and increasingly, for progressive performance and subversive nightlife.
✨WHAT TO EXPECT✨
👾Two nights of mind-blowing burlesque, drag, and variety acts
👾Immersive performances that mash up cosplay, comedy, and culture
👾A curated vendor marketplace of handmade goods, nerdcore merch, and indie brands
👾Workshops and meetups for aspiring performers and curious fans
👾Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities to support one of the most inclusive festivals in the country
🔞Ages 18+ (Adults Only)🔞
Content Warnings: Frequently occuring use of swearing, flashing lights, and explicit music. Frequently occuring refrences and depictions of sexual content. Regularly occurring use of weapons. Mild references and depictions of drug use, violence, grief, and smoking.
✨THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Central Gaming Corps LLC, Collectors Corner, OHIOH Enterprises, Rigatoni's Murder Mystery
🏳️🌈PLEASE NOTE: This is a safe environment for queer and trans folks, as well as minorities. Abusive speech and/or behavior toward patrons or performers will lead to immediate removal from the venue without a refund. Please be excellent to each other.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🍋🟩ABOUT CITRUS MINT PRODUCTIONS LLC : Citrus Mint Productions LLC was founded in 2021 by nerdy entrepreneur Maki Mongold aka Maki Roll. We are committed to creating immersive, inspired experiences for the imaginative, inquisitive and adventurous . We reimagine nightlife through various mediums, looking to elevate, challenge and subvert pop culture for the grown and sexy nerd.
🎞️ABOUT ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Originally built in 1938, the Atlas was one of four movie theaters on H Street NE. For 30 years, the iconic movie house was a second home for film lovers throughout the H Street Corridor. The Atlas was reborn in 2006 as a community-based organization that boasts a 59,000 square-foot performing arts center with four performance spaces, dance studios, offices, back-of-house facilities and an expansive lobby with a bar.
The Atlas Performing Arts Center provides spaces for artists to create music, theatre and dance to entertain and engage audiences in exploring the ideas and issues of our time. We nurture an environment that welcomes artists representing our diverse community. We invest in partnerships and programs that reflect the best of the arts and our humanity.
✨FAQS✨
✨WHAT IS NERDLESQUE? Nerdlesque is the art of undressing your favorite pop culture character or concept. It’s like Marvel’s “What If..?” but make it sexy and serve it with beer!
✨ACCESSIBILITY: Atlas Performing Arts Center is a fully accessible venue with provisions for patrons and performers with mobility disabilities, vision impairment, and/or hearing loss. Please visit their website for more information.
✨COVID-19 SAFETY: Atlas does not require proof of vaccination, however we ask that you exercise caution when engaging the space. Please do not come if you feel sick. We encourage masks, and will have some on site for those who want them.
✨ATTIRE: Come in full cosplay, geek chic, or somewhere in between. Let your freak flag fly or keep it incognito in your secret identity, either way your secret is safe with us! Note: City State tends to get very warm in the summer months. Please dress cooly!
✨TIPS: Please by all means shower us with money! Tipping can be done by throwing money on stage or through virtual tipping links.
✨REFUNDS: All show tickets are non-refundable.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE,Washington D.C., Washington, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
