Nominations are now open for the TBF Coco Framboise Trailblazer Award

Named for Coco Framboise, the festival’s former Creator/Dean of TBF University (2007-2019) and Artistic Director (2014-2019) and a groundbreaking figure in Canadian burlesque, this award celebrates those who have contributed meaningfully through mentorship, innovation, community leadership, advocacy, and artistic excellence.

With a remarkable 20+ year career in burlesque, Coco has been a cherished friend, mentor, and colleague whose influence extends far beyond Toronto. Coco’s influence is deeply felt, especially in creating space for Women of Colour in burlesque and pushing the art form forward with boldness, elegance, and innovation. Her performances captivate audiences and have earned the admiration of peers and fans alike. Coco’s wealth of knowledge and innovative perspective have inspired curiosity and thoughtful engagement, often where it’s least expected.

We recognize that burlesque is made up of a wide tapestry of influences, approaches and styles that have impacted the constellation of current burlesque artists in the city differently, and believe it important for TBF to highlight. When reflecting on Coco’s influence, we have been brought to think of the wide array of artists in the city who have helped shape the trajectory of burlesque, sparkling in our collective memory in their own unique ways. The TBF Coco Framboise Trailblazer Award is to honour their contributions. 

This award will be given yearly to a Toronto burlesque artist (or someone involved in our sphere in another capacity, e.g. photographer, venue owner, costumer, etc.) who has contributed substantially to the art form. Recipients of this award are innovators, leaders, and community builders, and have had a significant impact on the landscape of burlesque in Toronto as we know it today. 

About the Award

The TBF Coco Framboise Trailblazer Award honours a burlesque performer—or someone within the burlesque ecosystem (e.g. costumer, photographer, venue owner etc.)—who has:

  • Been active in Toronto’s burlesque scene for at least 5 years (past or present)

  • Made significant contributions in three or more of the following areas:

    • Mentorship & uplifting others

    • Community-led initiatives

    • Innovation in performance or production

    • Advocacy & representation

    • Public education/outreach

    • Artistic excellence

Nominees may include performers, producers, costume makers, photographers, venue owners, and others whose work supports the burlesque ecosystem.

The 2025 Coco Framboise Trailblazer Award recipient will receive a $1,500 bursary from the festival, VIP weekend passes to TBF 2025, and the award will be presented during our opening night.

Nominations are open July 1-31, 2025.

Award Selection

As this is the first year we are giving out this award, the recipient will be selected by a panel of three esteemed members of the Toronto arts community (acclaimed playwright and performer Yolanda Bonnell; Marjorie Chan, Artistic Director of Theatre Passe Muraille; and Dr. Jill Andrew, educator, writer, and former MPP Toronto-St. Paul’s). They will choose from the top five candidates who receive the most nominations.

Going forward, the previous year’s recipient will select from the top nominations. Nominations will be open for a month and linked to on our website and social media.

Note: Active members of the board/TBF council are ineligible for nomination, as this would be a conflict of interest. 

You may submit via writing, video, or audio. If you require assistance or accessibility support for your nomination, please email us.