The Infamous Nina Nightshade: Oregon’s First Lady of Burlesque
Celebrated internationally for her unique blend of grace, cheek, and impeccable costuming, The Infamous Nina Nightshade is a revered figure in the burlesque world, known by many as "Oregon’s First Lady of Burlesque." Her extensive career showcases a remarkable versatility, as she has headlined in Canada, spent a month performing nightly in Edinburgh, and graced the stage at the Burlesque Hall of Fame both as a soloist and in collaborative acts. Mentored by living burlesque legends, Nina continues to be a vibrant force in the industry.
Nina is currently the Legends Archive Coordinator for Burlycon and has earned several notable titles, including Miss Yard Bird 2016 and Bridesmaid of Jake the Alligatorman 2014. Her ability to adapt seamlessly to various performance environments, from nerdlesque to classic burlesque, is a testament to her chameleon-like artistry. Infamous in Portland and beyond as a performer, producer, costumer, and headmistress of the Nightshade Conservatory, The Infamous Nina Nightshade is a bittersweet poison you simply cannot put down
As Bettina May puts it, “Whether onstage, or in front of a camera, all eyes are happily on Miss Nightshade.”
Nina's impressive career includes standout performances at the 2011 Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Movers, Shakers, and Innovators Showcase in Las Vegas, as well as at the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival in 2013, 2014, and 2024, and the inaugural Booklovers Burlesque Festival 2023, and the Pacific Northwest Burlesque Festival 2023. Known for her mix of elegance and humor, she consistently delivers performances that dazzle with her costumes, entrance with her dancer's grace, and reveal why she is known to have “quite a few tricks up her sleeve.”
Her passion for the stage is evident in her continual pursuit of new opportunities, always working on innovative acts, grander costumes, and fresh ways to excite her audiences. Nina's journey began as Nina al Tawhil, a belly dancer and instructor, but she discovered her true calling in burlesque.
Since donning her first pair of pasties at the Glam-o-Rama Girly Show, Nina has performed across the United States, Canada, and Scotland, gracing stages such as Rosehip Revue, Kitty Nights, Prettythings Peepshow, ABSFest, and Hubba Hubba Review. She is also an honorary member of Tight and Nerdy, an all-Weird Al burlesque troupe. Her love for live music has led her to perform with bands like the Stolen Sweets, Curtis Eller's American Circus, Soggy Po Boys, Pink Lady and the John Bennett Band, and Orchestre L’Pow.
In addition to her performance career, Nina is a skilled producer, having organized numerous sold-out theater shows in Salem and Portland under her Bergamot Burlesque banner. She has hosted burlesque legends such as Dee Milo, Toni Elling, Tiffany Carter, Gabriella Maze, Judith Stein, boylesque star Waxie Moon, and International Burlesque Emcee Vincent Drambuie. As a co-producer of Rue Royale Burlesque, she has welcomed headliners like the Stage Door Johnnies, Dirty Martini, Kitten de Ville, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty and Iva Handfull. Her professionalism and organizational skills are widely praised, ensuring that her shows are always a hit.
As Madison Moone eloquently states, "Nina Nightshade is one of Oregon's most revered burlesque performers. Combining her versatile dance abilities with her keen sense for the art form, Miss Nightshade brings an unmatched elegance, charm, and wit to the burlesque stage."
Nina is currently the Legends Archive Coordinator for Burlycon and has earned several notable titles, including Miss Yard Bird 2016 and Bridesmaid of Jake the Alligatorman 2014. Her ability to adapt seamlessly to various performance environments, from nerdlesque to classic burlesque, is a testament to her chameleon-like artistry. Infamous in Portland and beyond as a performer, producer, costumer, and headmistress of the Nightshade Conservatory, The Infamous Nina Nightshade is a bittersweet poison you simply cannot put down
As Bettina May puts it, “Whether onstage, or in front of a camera, all eyes are happily on Miss Nightshade.”
Nina's impressive career includes standout performances at the 2011 Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Movers, Shakers, and Innovators Showcase in Las Vegas, as well as at the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival in 2013, 2014, and 2024, and the inaugural Booklovers Burlesque Festival 2023, and the Pacific Northwest Burlesque Festival 2023. Known for her mix of elegance and humor, she consistently delivers performances that dazzle with her costumes, entrance with her dancer's grace, and reveal why she is known to have “quite a few tricks up her sleeve.”
Her passion for the stage is evident in her continual pursuit of new opportunities, always working on innovative acts, grander costumes, and fresh ways to excite her audiences. Nina's journey began as Nina al Tawhil, a belly dancer and instructor, but she discovered her true calling in burlesque.
Since donning her first pair of pasties at the Glam-o-Rama Girly Show, Nina has performed across the United States, Canada, and Scotland, gracing stages such as Rosehip Revue, Kitty Nights, Prettythings Peepshow, ABSFest, and Hubba Hubba Review. She is also an honorary member of Tight and Nerdy, an all-Weird Al burlesque troupe. Her love for live music has led her to perform with bands like the Stolen Sweets, Curtis Eller's American Circus, Soggy Po Boys, Pink Lady and the John Bennett Band, and Orchestre L’Pow.
In addition to her performance career, Nina is a skilled producer, having organized numerous sold-out theater shows in Salem and Portland under her Bergamot Burlesque banner. She has hosted burlesque legends such as Dee Milo, Toni Elling, Tiffany Carter, Gabriella Maze, Judith Stein, boylesque star Waxie Moon, and International Burlesque Emcee Vincent Drambuie. As a co-producer of Rue Royale Burlesque, she has welcomed headliners like the Stage Door Johnnies, Dirty Martini, Kitten de Ville, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty and Iva Handfull. Her professionalism and organizational skills are widely praised, ensuring that her shows are always a hit.
As Madison Moone eloquently states, "Nina Nightshade is one of Oregon's most revered burlesque performers. Combining her versatile dance abilities with her keen sense for the art form, Miss Nightshade brings an unmatched elegance, charm, and wit to the burlesque stage."
