About Us
Burlesque Buffet began by accident! Founder, Dee Lightfull, thought she was applying to be in a show, and it turns out the venue wanted a show produced. With some encouragement from her co-producer, collaborator, and life partner, Don Manuel Presents, Burlesque Buffet was born! In 2024, we decided we're going to keep doing this thing we love, and we became an LLC.
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We call ourselves Burlesque Buffet, because our shows are a smorgasbord of burlesque. You never know what you’re going to get! When a dancer asks us what act to bring or if our show has a theme, we tell them to bring the act that makes them happiest to perform. We’re all about creating joy…for our performers, our audiences, our venues and partners, and ourselves!
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Burlesque Buffet is deeply dedicated to fostering a warm and welcoming environment that champions the principles of safety, enthusiastic consent, enjoyment, and inclusivity for all. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a space where respect and tolerance are not just encouraged but are foundational to the experience of every performer, guest, and staff member. To this end, we take a strong stance against all forms of unsolicited behavior and discrimination. This includes, but is not limited to, sexism, racism, transphobia, body shaming, homophobia, slut shaming, and any other form of bigotry. Our goal is to create a space where everyone feels valued, safe, and free to express themselves without fear of judgment or harm. We Love This Guide to Anti-Racism in Burlesque: Shedding Layers with Shimmy LaRoux
Giving
We believe that strong communities create better futures for everyone. That’s why we prioritize giving back locally—because we see firsthand the impact our contributions make in the places where we live and work. By supporting local organizations and initiatives, we help strengthen the foundation of our community, fostering growth, resilience, and opportunity for those who need it most. Giving locally isn’t just about philanthropy; it’s about investing in the well-being of our neighbors. Together, we can create a more vibrant, connected, and empowered community for everyone.
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We currently support:
Land Acknowledgement
Syracuse, NY:
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which Syracuse is located is the traditional territory of the Onondaga Nation, members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The Onondaga people are the keepers of the Central Fire and have cared for this land for countless generations. We honor their enduring presence and stewardship and recognize the ongoing responsibilities we share in protecting and respecting this land.
Ithaca, NY:
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which Ithaca is located is the traditional territory of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga Nation), members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We honor their ancestral and ongoing connection to this land and water and commit to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice in this region.
These acknowledgements are a call to action to learn about and support the Indigenous communities past, present, and future.