A new downtown Montreal burlesque show dances between risque and funny.

Montreal Burlesque is cooking up something fresh. The Bagel Burlesque Expo is back this month with a lineup that combines hot striptease, hilarious humor and a full spread of body positivity, proving once and for all that diversity is the spice of nightlife.

Neo-burlesque, the genre at the core of EXPO, reimagines the art of attraction by infusing classic striptease with elements of theater, comedy and pop culture.

You might see vaudeville meets vaudeville horror. Style celebrates more than physical beauty, but it's more than that. It's also about storytelling, spectacle and poking fun at societal norms.

Bagel Burlesque Expo hosts Le Studio TD from April 26-27, bringing provocative poses and playful contortions to downtown Montreal. For two nights, the stage will light up with international stars and local favorites who will redefine the art of comedy.

Headliner Mekaw Kotobuki from Kyoto, Japan, impresses with his flirtatious, fierce moves and expressive impudence. Montreal's Mina Minou dazzles with her electric stage presence, captivating audiences with her humor and charm. The event will also feature other talent from across North America and beyond, including local dynamo Baron Von Stick and Edmonton native Bo Cripp.

Mic duties on Friday will be handled by the witty duo Sugarpuss & MC25POP (Cherry Typhoon), ensuring the pace matches the talent.

Featuring Belle Jumelles and Zaddy the Cat from Toronto and King Leo Mane from Seattle. On Saturday, hosts Uma and Selma Gahd will be joined by mystical Aquarius Moon (Washington, DC), All The Way Mae (Vancouver) and sophisticated duo Chanel De Mai and Vicomte Harbourg (Paris) with sharp humor.

A seat at this performance will set you back $51 for a night of fun, or $83 for twice as much daring entertainment. If you want the full VIP experience, it ranges from $72 for a single gala dinner to $125 for a full two-night affair.

Those inspired to shake themselves up can get a piece of the action with workshops on burlesque speed dating and stage persona-building led by renowned MC25POP and Mekaw Kotobuki. Sessions are $35 each, or $65 for both, and are available Saturday mornings at Le Studio TD if you're serious about your stamina.

Come for the innovation, stay for the artist, and leave with a new appreciation for what a night out in Montreal can be.

The cover image of this article is used for illustrative purposes only.