The Burlesque Hall of Fame will once again join museums nationwide in offering free admission to our nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families this summer at part of the Blue Star Museums program. The 2021 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 6.

“The burlesque world has always had a special relationship with the US military,” says Executive Director Dustin M. Wax. “Burlesque performers like Gypsy Rose Lee, Ann Corio, Mae West, and Sherry Britton travelled the world with the USO, posed for pinups, led book drives for overseas service members, and of course entertained troops in theaters and clubs around the country. We are proud to continue that special relationship and to share that history with today’s generation of men and women serving in the armed forces.”

The free admission program is available for those currently-serving in the United States Military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide. More information about Blue Star Museums and a list of participating museums can be found at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.