The New York Burlesque Festival

Michelle L'Amour

Hometown: Chicago

Dubbed "the ass that goes pow," the tiny, sexy dreamboat Michelle L'amour is Chicago's best-known purveyor of classic burlesque. You'll likely catch the Miss Exotic World 2005, who got into the art of tease by accident, performing something edgy, cheeky (get it?) and fun, but also raw and sexual. "I like that I can do epic and teary-eyed pieces like my tribute to Sally Rand," says Michelle, "and also fuck an entire audience with a baby oil drenched Joan Jett rocker."

Website: http://michellelamour.com

Burlesque Festival appearance: Sept. 20's "Saturday Spectacular" at Le Poisson Rouge

Next NYC performance (after Fest): If you can't catch her festival performance, grab tix to the Friday, Sept. 20 shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. "This is Burlesque" show at Corio. She's also teaching workshop at the New York School of Burlesque on Sept. 20, 2-3:30 p.m..  The focus will be on striptease walks, transitions and boa work.