Meet Bunny Bee | Owner of La Burla Bee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bunny Bee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bunny, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Within the first year of my career in burlesque in 2009, I knew if I was ever given an opportunity to open my own Cabaret, I would do it. In fact, I said this several times over the years to peers in Burlesque. The opportunity came up and a proposal was made to me in 2021 on an a space available, and I decided it was time. As an Entrepreneur for the last 20 years, I was ready to take on the challenge.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Bio: Bunny Bee, is known as the glamorous blonde, and Owner of the First and Only Full-Time Cabaret in Colorado Springs, La Burla Bee, has made guest appearances as a Headliner and a Feature, with appearances in over 30 different Burlesque Festivals, and countless venues around the world, making her a worldwide known International Burlesque Performer. Bunny Bee has been on the Board of the Burlesque Hall of Fame “BHoF” in Las Vegas since 2014 and became Chair of the Board in 2021; now known as Immediate Past Chair as her term just ended, still sitting on the Board. Bunny Bee has been recognized with many accolades within the Burlesque community, as well as locally. She has been recognized locally by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak region as one of thirty-one artists locally featured in their arts month, the first Burlesque performer since its inception, as well as voted Best Artist in Colorado Springs 2022, by the Best of Colorado Springs Indy: the first Burlesque performer ever. Bunny Bee is also well known in the modeling industry and has won prestigious notoriety as a model. She has broad experience within the industry and has worked with many different and well-known photographers, companies, promotional, a variety of different bikini companies as well as Playboy.

As in any industry, you have to work hard to be recognized, and it is no different in the art of Burlesque. There have been challenges and rewards, sadness and happiness, joy and success, just like there is in any art form, or any career. I’m a go getter personality in everything that I do, I’m competitive, and with that, I challenge myself with goals I’d like to achieve and go after them. I knew to be successful I needed to network and perform in as many places as I could to be recognized, both locally, nationally, and Internationally. There are Burlesque Festivals around the world, and after applying to these festivals, I began to perform across the globe. I could not have done this without mentors locally to legends of Burlesque, and those now present in the world of Burlesque that have taught me for my success as a performer. I have met some of the best friends that I have today in Burlesque, that would be by my side in a heartbeat if needed. What I have learned, is that you control your destiny, the good and the bad, the failures and successes. And for those situations that can be out of your control, you have the choice to choose how you accept them and what you do with them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well – I would first take them to Colorado Springs’ First & Only Full-Time Cabaret. We truly pride ourself on our all-inclusive representation at La Burla Bee, supporting our LGBTQIA+ community, with our motto being just BEE you! Not only are we known as a Cabaret, we are also known for our Italian Restaurant with my family recipes made in house from scratch, to our nightlife. We offer a 3-Level Experience with our Italian Restaurant in our Vaudeville Room, our Cabaret, to our Nightclub in the Beehive.

Downtown Colorado Springs, where we are located is seeing large economic growth and more people living in the area. With that, more diverse restaurants and bars are opening. We believe in supporting each other in downtown Colorado Springs as Restaurant and Bar owners. I would definitely take a guest to Icons, featuring a Staff of Professional Singers providing Live Performances at All Times, as well as a premier gay bar. Bloom Ultra Lounge is absolutely beautiful, with there motto being “To create an environment where people can express their whole selves, be surrounded by like-minded individuals, and positively impact, disrupt and support the hospitality industry.” Other downtown favorites, are 503W, Springs Orleans, and Colorado Mountain Brewery.

There is no denying that Colorado Springs is one of America’s most beautiful cities, from Garden of the Gods to the beauty of Pikes Peak, a tour of our beautiful scenery is a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In 2008, I began going out with friends to a ladies night out class, where we drank lots of wine and learned to bump and grind. I began performing burlesque in 2009, and took classes from many in the burlesque scene, from Foxy Tann, Ray Gunn, to the enchanting Miss Indigo Blue who became a mentor and then later won Miss Exotic World in 2011.

Website: https://www.laburlabee.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laburlabee/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelaburlabee?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laburlabee

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-burla-bee-colorado-springs-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laburlabee