We are thrilled to reveal the lineup for the 55TH ANNUAL BURLESQUE REUNION SHOWCASE! On June 1, 2012 World Famous *BOB* will host a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of legendary stripteasers–including venerated veterans from the ’40s onward, many of whom have shimmied their way across America (and the world’s) finest stages for the better part of the last half-century.

An ode to vintage-style striptease in all its risque glory, the Reunion Showcase has its roots in the annual gatherings of dancers held by EDL (and Burlesque Hall of Fame) founder Jennie Lee, beginning in 1957–a tradition we’re honored to uphold, in the form of a living, breathing, bump-and-grinding testament to burlesque “as it was.”

Scheduled to perform:
Bambi Jones, “The Mona Lisa Girl”
Dee Milo, “The Venus of Dance”
“The Untouchable” Ellion Ness
Gail Winds, “The Original Twister”
Georgette Dante
Gypsy Louise
Haji, co-star of Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Holly Carroll, “The Singing Queen of Burlesque”
Jean Idelle, “The Sepia Sally Rand”
Judith Stein, “That Lady Divine”
Shannon Doah
A duet by Penny  Starrs Sr. & Jr.
Val Valentine, “The Queen of Hearts”
“The Insatiable” Viva La Fever
Wild Cherry, “The Firecracker of Bourbon Street”
… and featuring the 2nd Annual Burlesque Walk of Fame, emceed by Daryl the Sexquire Guy and starring Alexandra the Great 48”; April March, “The First Lady of Burlesque;” Bic Carroll, Di Alba, Eartha Quake III, Gina Bon Bon; Kim Summers; Tai Ping; and Velvet Ice. Special appearances by Miss Exotic World 2002 Kitten DeVille and our 2012 Legend of the Year, plus special surprise guests!

Scheduled to appear (lineup subject to change):
Captain Kidd, Best Boylesque 2011
The Stage Door Johnnies, Best Group 2011
The Chicago Starlets, Best Group 2010
Dirty Martini, Miss Exotic World 2004
The Evil Hate Monkey, Best Boylesque 2010
Foxy Tann & the Wham Bam Thank You Ma’ams, Best Group (tie) & Most Vegas 2006
Julie Atlas Muz, Miss Exotic World 2006
Kalani Kokonuts, Miss Exotic World 2009
Ultra-Vixen Kitten Natividad, Miss Nude Universe 1973 & 1974
Marinka, Queen of the Amazons
Michelle L’amour, Miss Exotic World 2005
Mimi Le Meaux, Most Classic 2010
Roxi D’lite, Miss Exotic World 2010
Tiffany Carter, Miss Nude Universe 1975
Toni Elling, The Duke’s Delight
Violet Eva, Best Debut 2007
…with special appearances by our 2012 Sassy Lassy Honorees.

Weekend passes and individual tickets on sale now. Stay tuned for additional announcements, including a complete list of 2012 Emcees and Honorees and the official BHOF Weekend Schedule of Events.

Scheduled to appear: 
Diamondback Annie (Los Angeles, CA)
Tigger! (New York, NY)
The Cosmic Queen of Burlesque, Camille 2000
Dusty Summers, The Nude Magician
Alotta Boutté (San Francisco, CA)
Angi B. Lovely (Dallas, TX)
Anita Cookie (San Diego, CA)
Audrey DeLuxe (Los Angeles, CA)
Bazuka Joe (Chicago, IL)
Blue Morris (Vancouver, Canada)
Briana Bluebell (Sydney, Australia)
Cherry Typhoon (Japan)
Creamed Stu (Brooklyn, NY)
The Dolls of Doom (Chicago, IL)
Ginger Valentine (Dallas, TX)
Hunter S. Johnson (Vancouver, Canada)
Inga Ingenue (Seattle, WA)
Iva Handfull (Seattle, WA)
Lula Houp-Garou (Dallas, TX)
Melody Mangler (Vancouver, Canada)
Midnite Martini (Denver, CO)
Minnie Tonka (Brooklyn, NY)
Red Hot Annie (Chicago, IL)
Sammich the Tramp and Lola van Ella (St. Louis, MO)
… and special, surprise guests!

Stay tuned for more info or go ahead and book your room, buy your tickets, and prepare to have your mind blown on Thursday, May 31!

BEST DEBUT
April O’Peel (Vancouver, BC)
Banbury Cross (London, UK)
Calamity Chang (New York, NY)
Chicava HoneyChild (Brooklyn, NY)
Cleo Viper (Milano, Italy)
Gin Minsky (Brooklyn, NY)
Kitty Bang Bang (London, UK)
Koko La Douce (Switzerland)
Medianoche (New York, NY)
Mosh (Los Angeles, CA)
Ruby Joule (Austin, Texas)
Tansy (Brooklyn, New York)

BEST BOYLESQUE
Jett Adore (Chicago, IL)
Mr. Gorgeous (New York, NY)
Ray Gunn (Chicago, IL)
Russell Bruner (Portland, OR)

BEST DUO
Lola Frost & Cherry On Top (Vancouver, BC)
Frenchie Kiss & Jett Adore(Chicago, IL)
Jeez Loueez & Ray Gunn (Chicago, IL)

BEST TROUPE
The Peek-A-Boo Revue (Philadelphia, PA)
Babes in Boinkland (Cambridge, MA)
Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society (Vancouver, BC)

MISS EXOTIC WORLD 2012, REIGNING QUEEN OF BURLESQUE
Burgundy Brixx (Vancouver, BC)
Coco Lectric (Austin, TX)
Darlinda Just Darlinda (Brooklyn, NY)
Harvest Moon (Brooklyn, NY)
Imogen Kelly (Sydney, Australia)
LouLou D’vil (Tampere, Finland)
Lux LaCroix (Los Angeles, CA)
Ophelia Flame (Minneapolis, MN)
Perle Noire (New Orleans, LA)
Scarlett James (Montreal, Canada)
Trixie Little (New York, NY)
… and in her farewell performance as the Reigning Queen of Burlesque: MISS INDIGO BLUE (Seattle, WA)

Beginning in 1957, Jennie hosted an annual reunion, complete with awards to celebrate burlesque, uplift it, present it as a legitimate, reputable entertainment form–and show that those in it had a sense of humor about themselves.

And they didn’t only meet once a year. The EDL was as active socially as they were professionally, gathering whenever and wherever  their presence was needed–whether that meant picketing a newspaper or nightclub or putting on high heels and hot pants to bowl a few frames.

That’s right, the EDL participated in team sports! Softball and League Bowling, to be precise. And this year, we once again honor the memory of Jennie and all the amazing ladies of the EDL, by paying tribute to one of their proudest (or weirdest) traditions . . . yes, ladies and gents: it’s a frickin’ BOWLING TOURNAMENT!!!

There will be lots of prizes, rewarding athletic excellence, team spirit, and random silliness: Highest Team Score, Best Dressed, Most Distracting, Most Natural Ball Handler, and more!

So get your team of 4 together, pick a fabulous team theme and team costumes, buff your balls, drink up (the drunker you get the better you’ll bowl, I swear!) and sign up today!

WHAT: Barecats Invitational 2012: A BHOF Bowl-Off!
WHEN: Friday, June 1st, 2012 from 3-5pm (or 2 games)
WHERE: Orleans Bowling Center
WHO: You! 12 Teams of 4 (Teams of 4 only)
HOW MUCH: $60 per team of 4, that’s $15 per person, for 2 games and bowling shoe rental

PARTICIPATING PERFORMERS & EVENTS:

Cinema Burlesque & Social Club featuring MISS INDIGO BLUE!
The Ritz Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
March 30th, 2012

The Playful Peacock Show, A Burlesque Hall of Fame Fundraiser
The Ritz Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
March 31st, 2012

AMAYO & LAST WALTZ presents Burlesque Night “It’s Show Time!” Burlesque Hall of Fame Benefit
Last Waltz
B1F, 2-12-13 Shibuya-ku, Shibuya
Tokyo, Japan
April 6th, 2012

Ruby Revue Burlesque Hall of Fame Benefit
House of Blues
Houston, TX
April 13th, 2012

Brown Girls Burlesque Legends Challenge Honoring Jean Idelle
R Bar (218 Bowery)
New York, NY
April 19th, 2012

Naughty Dallas: A Benefit for the Burlesque Hall of Fame
House of Blues
Dallas, TX
April 19th, 2012

Absinthe Menagerie Burlesque Burlesque Hall of Fame Benefit
Suede Event Center
Loveland, CO
April 21st, 2012

Stripper’s Holiday
Joe’s Bar
Chicago, IL
April 29th, 2012
(Tix available at www.fanfueled.com)

Fringe and Feathers Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends Challenge Fundraiser
Rendezvous Jewel Box Theater
Seattle, WA
May 3rd, 2012

Angelenos A-Go-Go! 
Café Club Fais Do Do
Los Angeles, CA, 90016
May 4th, 2012

Legends Shimmy to Sin City
El Rio
San Francisco, CA
May 4th, 2012

NYC Burlesque Salutes Camille 2000
The Slipper Room
New York, NY
May 10th, 2012

Las Vegas Burlesque Legends & Locals Legends Challenge
Boomers Bar
Las Vegas, NV
May 11th, 2012

Midnight Menagerie Productions Presents: A Burlesque Hall of Fame Fundraiser
Jewelbox Theatre at the Rendezvous
Seattle, WA
May 16, 2012

Rhinestone Follies and Coup de Grace Present A Burlesque Hall of Fame Benefit
Triad Theatre
New York, NY
May 18th, 2012

Detroit Dizzy Dames Legends Challenge
Elizabeth Theatre
Detriot, MI
May 19th, 2012

Off the Clock Burlesque: Martini Entertainment’s Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends Challenge
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Denver, CO
May 19th, 2012

Sunday Funday with Peaks and Pasties: A Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends Fundraiser
Car Wash, Naughty Bake Sale, Drink Specials… AND MORE!
Zodiac Bar & Venue
Colorado Springs, CO
May 20th, 2012

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Frequent Flyer miles donated by Lola Martinet

For more information on the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Legends Challenge, including how you can help “send a superstar to Vegas,” please contact Midnite Martini.

SUPPORT THE LEGENDS CHALLENGE! CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO MAKE A DONATION NOW.

As the curtain rises on the new year, we want to wish everyone out there a happy, healthy 2012! The start of the new year is a time for reflection and anticipation, looking back at the past year and forward to the ones yet to come. Here at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, we do so with relish — after all, 2011 was a banner year for the BHoF, and 2012 is shaping up to be even better!

A year ago today, we were planning our first-ever 100% locally-cast fundraiser, Varietease, produced with Cha Cha Velour and held in the Fiesta Room at the historic El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Research was underway for our first permanent exhibition, “Spectacular, Erotic, and Slightly Shocking: A Timeline of American Burlesque,” chronicling the story of burlesque in America from Lydia Thompson’s arrival in 1868 through the birth of neo-burlesque in the 1990s; and of course, the amazing team of volunteers who make BHOF Weekend happen year after year was already hard at work, planning the 2011 shows.

By all accounts, all three were smashing successes. In fact, from the comments and emails we’ve received, conversations we’ve had, and Facebook/Twitter posts we’ve seen, the 2011 Reunion was one of the best organized, most fun gatherings in the event’s 50+ year history.

For those who missed it, when the last bedazzled brassiere was adroitly cast off, Miss Indigo Blue emerged as 2011’s Reigning Queen of Burlesque — crowning a career of artistry, excellence, and whole-hearted devotion to the burlesque community, as Headmistress of Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque, a leading organizer of the educational and professional development conference, BurlyCon, and a tireless advocate for the Burlesque Hall of Fame. Needless to say, her Royal Blueness took to the role with relish, promptly issuing a string of Royal Edicts to her spangled subjects. (Speaking of which, I hope everyone is wearing their pasties at a jaunty angle now; it’s not just good sense, it’s The Law.)

2011 was also a banner year for the boys, with a record number of awards going to performers of the male persuasion, including The Stage Door Johnnies (Best Group), Captain Kidd (Best Boyleque and Most Dazzling), and Jett Adore, who took home the Most Innovative title. They joined Lou Lou D’Vil (Best Debut) and the Dolls of Doom (Most Comical) as Indigo’s Royal Court, supported by an international, multi-generational cast of hundreds, each of whom contributed something special to the four-day burlesque lovefest.

While the measure of any show’s success lies somewhere between the excellence being presented on stage and the volume of sheer joy generated by the audience, it’s worth noting that 2011 was also the BHoF’s most financially successful Weekender to date. An epic show is a thing of beauty in its own right, but BHoF Weekend is, first and foremost, a fundraiser for our true mission: the preservation and celebration of burlesque and its legacy. The overwhelming success of the 2011 event means the museum will continue to grow–which is great news, because we have BIG PLANS, for the coming year and beyond.

Of course, big plans often necessitate big changes, and one of the biggest changes in the past year was my appointment as Interim Executive Director, replacing Laura Herbert, who took on the role shortly after helping relocate the museum from Helendale, CA to Las Vegas, following the death of Jennie Lee’s widower, Charlie. When the roof started caving in (literally) over the collection and the museum was threatened with closure by San Bernardino County, Laura was a driving force in safeguarding the artifacts and finding a new home for both the museum and the Weekender. In the five years since, she has worked tirelessly — unsalaried — to promote not only the BHoF but the art of burlesque as a whole; presiding over the protection and expansion of our core collection; making BHoF artifacts and archives available to researchers; and enlisting dozens of superstars around the country to help perpetuate the work started by Jennie Lee so many years ago.

Moving forward, we have a lot to live up to — and even more to do. The next steps might not be easy (or quick), but they’re no less essential to maintain the museum’s legacy for generations yet to come: building up and further cataloguing the collection; establishing an operating budget (or better, an endowment) that isn’t wholly dependent on income generated by the Weekender, creating new scholarship and traveling exhibitions, encouraging new research, coordinating volunteers. This is the work I’ve committed to accomplishing, with lots (and lots!) of help from people all around the country and across the globe.

So keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks and months for news of exciting new acquisitions, new exhibitions, and new approaches to fundraising. And hopefully, you’ll be able to see some of it even if you can’t make it to Vegas, as we are working to place small exhibitions at burlesque events nation-wide and beyond.

But remember: we can’t do it without you. If you’re a performer, producer or promoter, please consider donating your flyers, postcards, and posters to our new Flyer Archive. If you believe in what we’re aiming to accomplish, please consider supporting the Burlesque Hall of Fame as a member — and if you’re already a member, please consider lending your skills and talents as a volunteer. Whoever you are, if you’ve got suggestions for how we can do something better (or requests for something you’d like to see from us in years to come), please drop us a line and let us know.

Here we are, then: 2012! Best wishes to all for a stellar new year, filled with all the thrilling opportunities a new beginning brings.

As Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend has grown, so has our commitment to celebrating the women (and men) who made burlesque great. We are proud of our Living Legends—and we need your help to get as many of them as possible to Vegas this year.

We can’t spell “Burlesque” without “U”—so please: help us rock the BHOF WEEKEND LEGENDS CHALLENGE in 2012!

That’s right, we’re challenging members of the international burlesque community to show their love for our Living Legends by helping us raise money to help the museum offset the cost of sending them to BHOF Weekend this June. In today’s difficult financial climate, BHOF has very limited funds—and as such, our ability to cover travel costs for our honored guests has been severely compromised.

By holding a BHOF WEEKEND LEGENDS CHALLENGE BENEFIT, you’re not only personally helping send these superstars to Las Vegas, you’re ensuring the continued success of both BHOF Weekend and the world’s only burlesque museum itself!

Sure, but… what do I get out of it?

–You’ll be listed on our website as one of the official fundraisers.
–We’ll send you resources to help make your event as painless and profitable as possible, as well as help promote your event on Facebook and Twitter.
–For every $500 your event raises, you’ll receive one (1) ticket to a special event honoring our 2012 Titans during the BHOF Weekend.
–The three top fundraisers will be recognized on stage at Friday night’s Titans of Tease Reunion Showcase (“Legends Night”)
–You’ll experience the pride and joy of knowing that your hard work helped make a lot of sexy, spangled people (of all ages) very, very happy!

Help preserve, celebrate and honor the living history of burlesque, and join the Fundraising Challenge.

Okay, I’m in. But first, tell me…

Is there a minimum amount I need to raise?

There’s no minimum, but say “Aim High!” Our suggested goal: $1,000 per event.

Do you have any tips on how to produce a successful benefit?

Yes! Once you have signed up, we will send you a series of suggestions we’ve compiled to help you produce a fantastic benefit.

Is there a cut off for fundraising?

To participate in the 2012 challenge, you must hold your benefit before May 20, 2012 and deliver the proceeds NO LATER THAN by May 27, 2012.

I can’t hold an event – is there still some way I can help?

Yes! This community is known for their creativity, so have at it! Host a Legends Challenge bake sale, car wash, raffle . . . if you can think it up, you can make it happen! And you can always donate directly to the museum or show your support in other ways–for instance: support your local burlesque show, attend a fundraiser, donate your frequent flier miles, or volunteer to help.

How do I sign up?

If you would like to host an official 2012 BHoF Legends Challenge Benefit, please fill out this brief application, or email our 2012 Legends Challenge coordinator, Midnite Martini, at challenge@burlesquehall.com for more information. NOTE: You must have a confirmed date and location before we can promote your event as part of the 2012 Challenge.

Someone has already signed up to do a benefit in my city. Can I still do one?

Yes. The more, the merrier! But please coordinate with the other fundraiser(s) so the dates of your events don’t conflict.

Can I honor a specific Legend?

This has changed a bit from last year. Instead of sponsoring a specific Legend, we are asking participants to do their shows in their preferred Legend’s honor. (Example: Brown Girls Burlesque BHOF Legends Challenge, in honor of Jean Idelle.) Your honored Legend will be invited to attend BHOF weekend, and if they choose to attend, monies raised by the Challenge will be used to defray their travel and accommodation expenses.

You may also dedicate your show in memory of someone who is no longer with us, such as Jennie Lee, Lili St Cyr., Gypsy Rose Lee, or one of the amazing individuals we’ve lost in the past year: Candy Caramello, Diane Naegel, Joan Arline, Julie Vogt, or Lois DeFee).

How will my funds be used?

Please note that LC funds cannot be ear-marked for specific individuals at this time, but rather, all monies raised will be pooled, for fair apportioning based on the total amount raised, number of Legends attending, the cost of their travel, and other variables TBD (financial need, etc.). While we cannot guarantee a specific dollar amount to any one individual at this time, the goal of the Legends Challenge is to raise as much money as possible so that we can fairly and ethically assist as many of our Legends who need financial assistance as possible.

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 out, save your information, and work on it at your own pace. But this year, it’s even shorter, and there’s less to fill out! You can start your application now, just head over to www.bhofapplication.com.

A few things to note:
• You must create an account with your email address in order to use the system. If you created an account in 2011, just use your same info to log in!
• There is no charge to create an account or start filling out an application– but you must pay the application fee prior to submitting your application.
• The deadline to apply is January 23, 2012. We are aiming to notify all applicants of their standing by early March.
• The rules and judging criteria are the same as before, but we’ve clarified them so that (hopefully) most any question you may have can be answered there. If you have any questions specifically about the application itself, please email 2012_AT_bhofapplication_DOT_com.

But that’s not all… there’s even more BIG news, just around the corner. So keep your eyes peeled, here at burlesquehall.com, on our Yahoo group, Facebook page, Twitter–wherever you get your BHOF news–because we have more big announcements coming soon! And don’t forget to mark your calendars and start planning your Vegas trips for May 31-June 3, 2012!