Signs of Scott Ewalt by Jo Weldon (Part 1)
Burlesque signs have always rocked my world. As a child, every time I saw a burlesque sign on a lounge I got an illicit thrill, imagining women of impossible repute removing stockings with a knowing wink. I could picture the heavy lashes, the big hair, the chiffon robes. I was mesmerized. As a teenager, I was [...]
BHOF Weekend 2012: Apply NOW!
PLEASE NOTE: AS OF JANUARY 23, WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BHOF WEEKEND 2012. APPLICATIONS FOR 2013 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE FALL. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The application period for the 2012 Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend is now open! Like last year, the online application is designed so that you can sign in and [...]
Dorothy Dorne: A Life in Pictures by Jo Weldon
Last winter I spent some time going through paper archives in the Burlesque Hall of Fame collection in Las Vegas, with the help of Laura Herbert and Brian Newman. I was particularly interested in the sheet music and the notations on it. I intend to share more about the sheet music project later, but I got to [...]
Who’s Who in Burly-Q: Noel Toy
Ed. note: This blogpost originally appeared on Soft Film as as “Noel Toy: Our Lady of Feathers.” It is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the cheesecake tabloid CO-EDS (May 1942). The photos are accompanied by their original captions. U. OF C.’s NOEL TOY NOBODY’S PLAYTHING CHINA GIRL CAN DISH IT OUT Broadway’s most publicized [...]
Performance Archetypes: The Half-and-Half
While I’ve yet to find conclusive proof of its origin, the Half-and-Half—in which a solo performer utilizes clever, vertically divided costuming and skillful choreography to create the illusion of a duet—has long been a staple of classic burlesque performance. Most commonly associated with dichotomous male/female numbers (like Zorita’s racy “Bride & Groom,” top), countless interpretations of the theme [...]
Winners Interviews: Lou Lou D’vil, Best Debut
Finnish beauty, LouLou D’vil looks back on her BHoF 2011 experience… Congratulations LouLou! Did you imagine when you set off from Finland that you would return with a trophy? Thank you! I really didn’t expect to win, not at all! Are you keen to return and compete for Reigning Queen? Do you feel ready to [...]
Winners Interviews: Anna Fur Laxis, 1st Runner Up
First Runner Up, Anna Fur Laxis discusses her BHoF 2011 experience, and one of the most talked about performances of the weekend… Congratulations Anna! Are you happy with the result? Thank you! It was wonderful, and the feedback and responses I have had, both from the live performance and from the video have been incredible! [...]
Recap: Burlesque Reunion Showcase 2011
For more of JD’s Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend coverage, please visit BurlesqueBeat.com. 54th Annual Burlesque Reunion Showcase Orleans Showroom, Las Vegas Friday, June 3, 2011 Every year, I gallop out to Vegas with three rambunctious questions bouncing around in my belly: What new and exciting performers will I get to see for the first [...]
Barbara Yung: Legend of Burlesque 2011
We are thrilled to announce that Barbara Yung will be in attendance at Friday Night’s 54th Annual Burlesque Reunion Showcase to accept the 2011 Legend of Burlesque Award. Renown for her exotic looks, grace, and beauty, Barbara Yung’s long and extraordinary career as a feature performer spanned the early 1940s through the mid-1970s. Still every inch the knockout [...]
Looking Back: Miss Exotic World #1 in the LA Times
Zebras and llamas and topless Santas, oh my! What a find–and what a time to find it; just came across this gem on the Los Angeles Times website and had to share it. We have the original in the BHOF press book, so I will scan and post the accompanying photos as soon as possible… [...]