Breast Defense: Glamour Girls For Early Detection was a partnership between The Burlesque Hall of Fame and Keep A Breast, uniting top artists, performers and pinup models to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Casting for Breast Defense began in June 2007, during Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, the longest-running event of its kind and the world’s premier gathering of burlesque performers and enthusiasts. From June 8-10, over 40 women had their ‘assets’ immortalized for the cause–including such legendary “vintage vixens” as Tempest Storm, Tura Satana, BC survivor Kitten Natividad, Dixie Evans and many of today’s top neo-burlesque starlets, inlcuding Miss Exotic Worlds Immodesty Blaize (2007), Julie Atlas Muz (2006), Michelle L’amour (2005), Erochica Bamboo (2003) and Stephanie Blake (1997 & 1998).
Following the casting, each mold was given to a different artist to customize–with the first round of finished casts debuting in October 2007, as part of The Gallery at Screen Arts contribution to a citywide art walk in St. Augustine, honoring national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The collection was then displayed at Downtown Las Vegas’ Fallout Gallery, May 23-June 28, in conjunction with the city’s First Fridays art walk. All exhibitions are open to the public, with the casts set to be auctioned online in late 2008, with proceeds split between the Burlesque Hall of Fame and Keep A Breast’s youth education programs.
Among the amazing artists participating in this project include: Pilar Alvarez, Attaboy, Shawn Barber, Gary Baseman, Megan Besmirched, Tim Biskup, Chase, Sas Christian, Molly Crabapple, Joshua Ellingson, Sarah Emerson, Scott Ewalt, PJ Fidler, Mark George, Mike Giant, Kim Gordon, Derek Hess, Greg Hildebrandt, David LaChapelle, Ronnie Land, Charlene Lanzel, Tonya Lee, George Long, Elizabeth McGrath, Jerry Misko, Mark Mothersbaugh, Krysztof Nemeth, Mitch O’Connell, Annie Owens, Iggy Pop, Sara Ray, Mr. Reusch, Tony Rodrigues, KRK Ryden, Kenny Scharf, Gabriel Shaffer, Amy Sol, Nicole Steen, Kat von D, Casey Weldon, Sue Zola and more.
About Keep A Breast
The Keep A Breast Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts, we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being.
About the Burlesque Hall of Fame
The Burlesque Hall of Fame, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to inspire, educate and entertain the public, fostering an appreciation for and understanding of the unique history and heritage of vintage Burlesque–including but not limited to the art, artifacts and personal histories of its biggest names and brightest stars.
In 2006, the Burlesque Hall of Fame relocated from Helendale, California to Las Vegas, Nevada–in hopes of establishing a permanent, first-rate tourist attraction and research/exhibition space for our one-of-a-kind collection.