Bashar Sawalha is a dedicated creator, writer, illustrator, animator, art director, producer, and a whole lot more. Holding a Bachelor’s of Media Arts and Animation from the Illinois Institute of the Arts In Chicago, Bashar has also attended specialty classes in Story boarding and concept art at Gnomon Workshop (Hollywood) and The Academy of Art (San Francisco). Bashar cut his teeth in production and in the directing of animated advertising in Montreal. Bashar was involved in the growth of the art gallery CTRLLAB and with Shower Curtain Advertising where he developed a new media placement product line in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Bashar has been the head of Collaboratory Productions and Fresh Meat Publishing and is involved in the creation, production and distribution of trans-media Entertainment properties and handling branding, marketing and advertising solutions for clients around the world. Bashar is the proud creator of Inquest of Missing Time, an avant-garde comic and YouTube channel of horror and comedy that aims to sharpen the perspective on the impelling drama of human existence. Bashar is also the inventor of PercoTop, the first portable non-spill water pipe. Bashar has enjoyed working his magic on The ABC Double D’s of Burlesque and taking this project to the next level.
A Vancouver burlesque all star, April O’Peel has been awarded “Most Comedic” overall for her performance at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas NV. Listed as one of the top ten Canadian burlesque performers, April conceptualized and produces the yearly burlesque showcases Burlesque Long Form and Burlesque Duos. April O’Peel is one of the founders of the ongoing revue, Gastown Cabaret where she performs monthly. April is a key member of The Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society having taught burlesque classes, performed, and held office with the board of directors for almost a decade. April is also a feature performer with Canada’s Most Popular Burlesque show, Kitty Nights West. April holds awards for “Comedic and Satirical Brilliance” from the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival where she has performed consecutively since 2008. Choreography credits include SHINE: a burlesque musical and Greece Does Grease. Other notable appearances include the Vancouver Fringe Festival, The Accordion Noir Festival, Whistler Pride and Yuk Yuks Vancouver.
 |
| Photo by Frankie Panky |
