Amourous Ava
​Queen of the New Zealand Burlesque Festival 2019

Amourous Ava pushes the creative boundaries of burlesque, exploring the strange, the beautiful, the comedic, and occasionally the absurd. A performer with expansive range who utterly embodies every fibre of each of her wild, endearing, theatrical, imaginative and kooky characters. 
Amourous Ava, a character described as “Part wolf, part grrl and part naked,” brings out the audience's inner freak with her hypnotic dance routine. – Theatreview
Amorous Ava is a creative force who surprises and enthrals with her wit, humour and artistic flair. Whether depicting an evangelical priest, a B-Grade movie monster or even a dolphin, Ava redefines the scope of burlesque and always leaves you wondering what’s next.’– Fanciforia Foxglove, 2015 NZ Supreme Grand Tease Champion
The clashing cultures were perhaps no better symbolised when one pantless dancer started twerking metres from Helen Clark, but this slightly awkward, kitschy juxtaposition was a symbol for how the festival can meld all facets of life. – The New Zealand Herald 'Pride Gala's odd highlights' 5/2/2018
Electrifying – Adam Baines, photographer
Since 2011 Amourous Ava has romped gleefully across stages large and small throughout New Zealand and worldwide, including international festivals in Australia, Canada and Italy. An Auckland-based performer, her moves are as filthy as some of the local dive bars she has performed in. She is the reigning New Zealand Burlesque Festival Highness of Hustle, won the Best Costume crown at the Taormina Burlesque Festival 2018 in Sicily, was voted 'Most Innovative' in the New Zealand Burlesque Festival Golden Garter Awards 2014 and 2015, awarded 'Favourite Costume' in 2015 and 2017, and the International Recognition Award in 2018. Among other accolades, she was awarded ‘Most Terrifying’ at Grand Tease 2016, of which she is perversely proud. She is also the founding editor of Pastie Politics, a journal that explores the intersection of burlesque and feminism.
Picture
Photo: Peter Jennings
 Awards/recognition:
Queen of the New Zealand Burlesque Festival 2019
Winner ‘Most Innovative’ –  Golden Garter Awards 2019 
The Highness of Hustle NZBF 2018
International Recognition (Judges choice) – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2018
Finalist ‘Most Innovative’ – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2018
Winner ‘Favourite Costume’ (Half and Half / St James Infirmary Blues) – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2017
Finalist ‘Most Innovative’ – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2017
Most Terrifying – Grand Tease Final 2016
Show Stopper – Grand Tease Final 2016
Winner ‘Most Innovative’ – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2015
Winner ‘Favourite Costume’ (The Dark Act) – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2015 
Finalist ‘Favourite Striptease Act’  (She-Creature) – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2015
Winner ‘Most Innovative’ – NZBF Golden Garter Awards 2014 
Finalist ‘Favourite Routine’ (Teenwolf) – Golden Garter Awards 2013
Runner-up Baby Bombshells competition – Australian Burlesque Festival 2013
Sponsor’s choice – Miss Burlesque New Zealand 2013
Runner up, Miss Classic 2013
International Burlesque Festival Appearances:
New Zealand Burlesque Festival 2019 – Queen and King Competition
Taormina Burlesque Festival, Sicily, Italy 2018
​Como Lake Burlesque Festival, Italy 2018 
New Zealand Burlesque Festival 2018 – Opening Night
​Montreal Burlesque Festival 2017
Australian Burlesque Festival – Tropical Tease Newcastle 2017
New Zealand Burlesque Festival – Ending HIV King and Queen of the Festival 2017
New Zealand Burlesque Festival – The Promenade 2015
Australian Burlesque Festival – The Big Tease Sydney 2015
New Zealand Burlesque Festival – The Promenade 2014
Australian Burlesque Festival – Nouvelle Royalle 2014
Australian Burlesque Festival – Baby Bombshells Melbourne 2013 ​

Notable Appearances:
The Big Burlesque Blowout, Auckland City Limits, Classique/Erotique, The Menagerie, Grandiose Burlesque, Speakeasy Burlesque, Maison de Tease, and many more...