Seattle’s ‘What the Funk?!’ Festival Returns to Prove Joy is a Form of Resistance
Photo courtesy of Kia Puckett.
In an era where arts organizations and cultural non-profits are navigating a daunting economic landscape marked by funding cuts and venue closures, Seattle’s Puckduction is charting a different path. The production company is set to celebrate the 7th anniversary of its flagship event, What the Funk?! An All BIPOC Burlesque Festival next month.
From August 20 to August 22, 2026, the festival will take over the mainstage at The Triple Door, featuring three nights of performances and entirely unique casts each evening.
The festival, conceived in 2018 by founder and co-producer Mx. Pucks A’Plenty, emerged from a simple desire for authentic representation. Frustrated by the rigid criteria of "classic" burlesque that marginalized non-traditional performances, Pucks helped launch a movement that prioritizes Black voices and beyond. Since its debut at The Rendezvous’ Jewelbox Theatre, the festival has grown from a two-night show to a full-scale event that showcases dozens of performers.
Today, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty, along with co-producers Rebecca M. Davis and Stormy Chance, emphasizes that the festival’s endurance is rooted in its mission to treat joy as a vital form of community care.
"The current climate for arts non-profits is incredibly daunting, but Puckduction continues to produce because we treat joy as a vital form of resistance and community care," Mx. Pucks A’Plenty said in a recent press release. "By strictly spotlighting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists in a medium historically dominated by white, traditional narratives, we aren't just putting on a show, we are sustaining a cultural lifeline.”
The 2026 lineup features internationally acclaimed headliners, including Lola LeSoleil, Switch the Boi Wonder, and Chola Magnolia, alongside a robust roster of Pacific Northwest talent. The event also maintains a commitment to accessibility, with ASL interpretation provided for all three nights and the integration of "Fat Friendly Seating" options in partnership with The Triple Door.
Event Details:
What: What the Funk?! An All BIPOC Burlesque Festival
When: Thursday, August 20 – Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: Seating and dinner service begins at 6:30 PM | Show at 7:30 PM (17+)
Where: The Triple Door, 216 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Tickets: $25 for Thursday General Admission; $30 General / $50 Premium for Friday & Saturday. Available at The Triple Door Box Office.
For more information, press passes, or to schedule an interview, please contact Kia Puckett at puckduction@gmail.com
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