Performer

Halena Lou wants to seduce you into feeling all your feelings.

A prairie girl who relocated to the West Coast, Halena’s roots in her community run deep while her branches sway far and wide – from Victoria to Halifax, from Whitehorse to Panama, and from her heart to yours, this international showgirl leaves an impact wherever she goes.

When she’s not drawing you in with her soft heart and bold art, you can also find Halena high-kicking with professional dance cabaret company The Lolas, can can-ing across the continent with burlesque troupe Can Can Classique, or producing shows in Vancouver that profile both the sultry and the silly through her company Halena Lou Presents.

Selected Live Performances

Burlesque:

  • Alberta Burlesque Rodeo (Calgary, AB)

  • Bagel Burlesque Expo (Montreal, QB)

  • Hollywood Burlesque Festival (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (Vancouver, BC)

  • Atlantic Burlesque Festival (Halifax, NS)

  • Panama Burlesque Festival (Panama City, PA)

  • Pacific Northwest Burlesque Festival (Olympia, WA)

  • Babes in the Bush Boolesque (Whitehorse, YT)

  • Pandora’s Box Cabaret (Victoria, BC)

  • Come Sin With Me (Vancouver, BC)

  • Saskatoon International Burlesque Festival (Saskatoon, SK)

  • Winnipeg International Burlesque Festival (Winnipeg, MB)

  • Oregon Burlesque Festival (Portland, OR)

  • April O’Peel Productions (Vancouver, BC)

  • Vancouver Burlesque Company (Vancouver, BC)

  • Ariel Helvetica Productions (Vancouver, BC)

  • Meadow Physical Productions & Sugar Puts On A Show (Vancouver, BC)

  • Bells and Whistles Burlesque (Maple Ridge, BC)

  • Maskquerade Events (Vancouver & Coquitlam, BC)

  • Nuts and Gum (Vancouver, BC)

  • Wild Rumpus Cabaret (Burnaby, BC)

  • Pin-Up Posse (Vancouver, BC)

  • Twisted Tassels Productions (Vancouver, BC)

  • Burning Mullet (Qualicum, BC)

  • Halt Your Hustle (Vancouver, BC)

Dance:

  • The Lolas (Vancouver, BC)

  • Glam Slam Hype Squad (Vancouver, BC)

  • La Maison Lust (Vancouver, BC)

  • Portland Salsa Congress – LFS Dance (Portland, OR)

  • Lucha Libre – LFS Dance (Vancouver, BC)

  • Seattle Latin Dance Festival – Con Dulzura Salsa Ladies Team (Seattle, WA)

  • Seattle Salsa Congress – LFS Dance (Seattle, WA)

  • The Moon Saloon Cabaret (Vancouver, BC)

  • Too Fly Productions (Vancouver, BC)

  • Vancouver International Salsa Bachata Kizomba Festival – LFS Dance (Vancouver, BC)

Go-go:

  • Wild Rumpus Cabaret (Burnaby, BC)

  • Burlesque Bingo (Vancouver, BC)

Hosting:

  • The Lolas (Vancouver, BC)

  • Pin-Up Posse (Vancouver, BC)

  • Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (Vancouver, BC)

Current Burlesque Solos:

  • Lady Justice Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Lady Justice // In this act, I embody Lady Justice to make the audience question their ideas of justice and fairness. I first stumble under the weight of the expectations people place on this icon, then find my confidence through removing and questioning the confining symbols of justice (the blindfold, the sword, the scales, the robe), and I then tear apart and finally reclaim these symbols in a new way in my final pose of the act. Reveals: white belt, white blindfold, white and gold robe into weighted veil, gold bra cups. Props: foam sword, brass scales, weighted veil. Music: mix of "...And Justice for All" by Metallica and "Drums of Death" by FKA Twigs and Koreless. Notable performances: Hollywood, Vancouver, Panama, Atlantic, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg Burlesque Festivals; Pandora's Box Cabaret (Victoria).

  • Mink Schmink Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Mink Schmink // A classic routine, this act is a playful interpretation of the lyrics of Eartha Kitt's iconic and cheeky song. As I remove clothing, I reveal the letters L, O, V, and E on my body, flirting with the line "What have you got if you haven't got love?" Reveals: robe, gloves, garter belt, bra. Music: "Mink Schmink" by Eartha Kitt; option for longer version/ floorshow version by adding "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. Notable performances: Hollywood Burlesque Festival "Starlet" Competition.

  • Seasons Change Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Seasons Change // This lyrical and evocative act is about embracing the change that comes with each new season. Inspired by my prairie roots and love of trees, I embody a tree moving through the seasons: I begin as a leafless tree in spring, turn into summer through a surprise dress change, reveal orange leaves in the fall through hidden feather fans, and become a white winter wonderland, before my final reveal of green bud pasties, showing hope for the new spring again. Reveals: dress, hidden feather fans, bra. Props: feather fans, finger puppet bird. Music: "All The Trees Are Hers" by Hawksley Workman. Notable performances: Alberta Burlesque Rodeo "Best In The West Competition, Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

  • Goodbye Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Goodbye // This is a contemporary and lyrical based number all about saying goodbye. While some loves are meant to last forever, others grow and change and end. This act is dramatic, emotional, and stripped back, as it focuses mainly on floorwork and boa work with minimalistic costuming, honing in on the rawness of the story. Reveals: slip dress, garter belt, bra, boa surprise at the end. Props: boa. Music: "Abstract (Psychopomp)" by Hozier.

  • My Boo Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    My Boo // This comedic act is equal parts romantic and ridiculous. I dress as a ghost, revealing and dancing with flowing layers including a long white cape, skirt, and gloves. I play on the humour of invoking classic burlesque moves while dressed as a ghost. My final reveal is pasties – shown individually via removable bra cups – that spell out first ‘BOO’ and second ‘…BS.’ Reveals: cape, skirt, gloves, bra cups. Music: ‘My Boo’ by Usher and Alicia Keys; option for longer version/ floor show version by adding ‘Ghost’ by Fefe Dobson. Notable performances: Babes in The Bush Boolesque (Whitehorse).

  • Anything That You Ask Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Anything That You Ask // This dark and dramatic act is all about writhing, slinking, and unpeeling. Through contemporary and jazz choreography, this custom black catsuit with bright red lining peels off my body in unexpected pieces, adding an eerie layer to the song lyrics stating "I'll do anything that you ask." I end the act in a black body harness and flame pasties. Reveals: corset, gloves, pant legs, arm sleeves, chest piece. Music: "June Carter" by JMR. ** I also do a Halloween version of this act as a tarantula molting. I add a black glistening spider web crown and perform to the song "Tarantulove" by Hawksley Workman, ending in spider web pasties with (gummy) worms trapped in them which I eat for my finale.**

  • You Lost Me Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    You Lost Me // This act is an emotional journey through the process of giving up on white-collar 'professionalism.' While initially sad and defeated, I reclaim my power through the contemporary and jazz choreography of this piece, culminating in throwing the papers from my briefcase (which have messages of love on them for audience members). Reveals: shoes, blazer, zip-leg pants, button-up shirt, bra. Props: briefcase, papers. Music: "You Lost Me" by Christina Aguilera.

  • Elf For Herself Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Elf for Herself // In this comedic and silly act, I am an elf working hard to make presents in time for Christmas. But after such long work days, I become disillusioned with the exploitation of my labour and decide to get naked instead. I remove my elf work outfit, revealing a green body harness, red lingerie, and green-and-red ribbon pasties, because I am the gift. Reveals: elf hat, belt, elf tunic, bra. Props: gift box, candy. Music: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton; option for longer version/ floor show version by adding "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony.

  • Lonely Boy Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Lonely Boy // In this moody and mysterious act, I bring a good-girl-turned-bad outlaw character to life. Starting with a blazer and briefcase, I pull out a bandana and leave the corporate world behind. Featuring impactful musicality, dark seduction, and high-energy floorwork, this act will make you long for a life on the lam. Reveals: blazer, pants, latex corset, cowboy hat, bandana. Music: “Lonely Boy” by The Avener. Notable performances: Maskquerade Events (Vancouver).

  • Thank You Five Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Thank You Five // This act is all about moody, jazzy, vintage glamour. Featuring a floor-length long-sleeve black velvet tuxedo dress, in this act I invoke classic burlesque, sharp dynamic mvoements, and a whole lot of intrigue to take off everything but my dress until the very last moment when I finally reveal glittering pasties. Featuring surprising musicality and my own brand of cheeky jazz-inspired choreography, this act is playful, unexpected, and highly entertaining to elevate the unique song. Reveals: fascinator, jacket, gloves, ascot, dress. Music: “Take Five” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet; option for longer version/ floor show version by adding “Gimme Gimme Gimme” by Post-Modern Jukebox. Notable performances: Come Sin With Me (Vancouver), Bells & Whistles Burlesque (Maple Ridge).

  • Gold On The Ceiling Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Gold On the Ceiling // Saucy, sparkly, good old-fashioned fun. This act features high-energy jazz and cabaret choreography as a fringe-clad cowboy living my best golden life, and works particularly well in floor shows. Reveals: cowboy hat, gloves, garter belt, bra. Music: "Gold On The Ceiling" by The Black Keys.

  • Do I Wanna Know Burlesque Act by Halena Lou

    Do I Wanna Know // Perfect for floor shows, this act is based on a dark and mysterious persona and is adaptable to different venues and needs. With a base of black thigh-high boots, black latex corset, and long black gloves, with red underbits underneath & red boa, I deliver strong and confident audience interaction. Reveals: latex corset; garter belt; 2 pairs of gloves; bra. Props: red boa; optional suit jacket as well. Music: Arctic Monkeys medley (“R U Mine” and “Do I Wanna Know”). Notable performances: Pussy Whipped Wednesdays (Toronto); Diosa De La Luna Entertainment (Victoria).

Learn more about my rates for performing, teaching, act review & coaching, and act choreography:

Halena Lou 2026 Rates

Training & Certifications

  • RAD Ballet: Grade 8 (Graded) and Intermediate (Vocational) Examinations

  • CDTA Jazz: Intermediate Examination

  • CDTA Tap: Intermediate Examination

  • Artist Development: Pin Up Posse, January 2022 - April 2023; Galen Hooks Method (GHM Classic), May 2018

  • Cabaret, Heels, and Jazz: The Lolas, April 2023 - current; Luminesque Dance Pre-Professional Company, 2018-2019; various teachers and programs, 2017- current.

  • Burlesque: various teachers and programs, including with the Vancouver Burlesque Company, 2019 - current. My in-person solo debut was in December 2021.

  • Latin styles: Con Dulzura Ladies Salsa Team, May - December 2023; LFS Dance Semi-Professional Performance Team, 2019 - 2020 and February -December 2024; various teachers, 2019 - current.

  • Other: sensual floorwork (intermediate/advanced); chair choreography (intermediate).

Digital Projects

𝗠𝗬 𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 is about growing and outgrowing, about knowing you need to leave something behind even if it once brought you comfort.

are you even real? is a short dance film exploring themes of longing, distance, and connection.

Making art while the world is burning is a project using both movement and words to process climate anxiety and move toward meaningful action.

Contact Halena to learn more.