Performer

A prairie girl who relocated to the West Coast (unceded Coast Salish territory), Halena Lou wants to seduce you into feeling all of your feelings. A powerful dancer, sensual performer, and captivating storyteller, Halena combines her soft heart and bold art to leave an impact on every part of you.

After training in dance styles ranging from ballet to bachata, Halena dove into burlesque in 2019 and has made her mark in shows around BC's Lower Mainland in addition to festivals and stages across North America and beyond.

Selected Live Performances

Burlesque:

  • 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)

  • 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 & Sugar L’Estrange Productions (Vancouver, BC)

  • Gayworth Productions (Vancouver, 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:

  • Lolas Entertainment (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:

  • Lolas Entertainment (Vancouver, BC)

  • Pin-Up Posse (Vancouver, BC)

  • Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (Vancouver, BC)

Current Burlesque Solos:

  • Lady Justice act by Halena Lou

    Lady Justice // In this neo 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: blindfold, belt, robe into weighted veil, dress, bra cups. Props: foam sword, brass scales, weighted veil. Music: mix of "...And Justice for All" by Metallica and "Muse" by OCAD.

  • Mink Schmink 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 by adding L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole.

  • Anything That You Ask 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 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 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 by adding "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony.

  • My Boo 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 by adding ‘Ghost’ by Fefe Dobson.

  • Seasons Change 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.

  • Goodbye 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.

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: Lolas Entertainment, 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 2023-current; 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.