On January 8, 2011, The Swedish Housewife presents a special evening of song, dance, film and literature, in honor of the 100th birthday of Seattle’s homegrown striptease sensation, the one and only Gypsy Rose Lee.
The Seattle Burlesque community and its supporters will honor Gypsy and the many artistic contributions she made to society with an evening of celebration and fundraising for an organization that keeps the tradition of Burlesque past and present alive: The Burlesque Hall of Fame, located in Las Vegas, NV.
Hosted by Miss Astrid, with performances by two-time Miss Exotic World title winner Catherine D’Lish, Legend of Burlesque Joan Arline, Lily Verlaine, Nick Garrison, Miss Inga Ingenue and The Swedish Housewife, a reading from American Rose by actress Sarah Rundinoff, a video presentation created for this event by Deirdre Timmons, director of A Wink and a Smile with the support of American Rose author Karen Abbott.
In honor of Gypsy’s Centennial, The Swedish Housewife and the Burlesque Hall of Fame invite you to join us in toasting the unique life and legacy of America’s most celebrated Burlesque Icon. Born Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle, Washington on January 8, 1911, Gypsy Rose Lee was an entertainer, author and playwright of significant renown—even before her 1957 memoir, Gypsy, made her the American stage (and screen’s) most beloved stripteaser.
We are very honored that Dixie Evans, “The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque” and Founder of The Burlesque Hall of Fame will be joining us, along with BHoF Executive Director, Laura Herbert. This is your opportunity to meet them in person and hear their plans and future goals for the Museum.
30 years after her death, Gypsy remains a beloved Broadway favorite. In fact, the musical’s 2008 production earned numerous awards, including coveted Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Patti LuPone (Mama Rose), Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Boyd Gaines (Herbie). However, not every star’s story gets told—much less becomes fodder for a best-selling, beloved memoir, Broadway musical or Hollywood film. And, while there is, was and always will be only ONE Gypsy Rose, there are countless entertainers who graced the stages of America’s “burly houses”—women who led similarly wild, colorful and dramatic lives; the stories and memorabilia from which are in grave danger of being lost to the ages.
In partnership with Random House, publishers of American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare- The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee, the forthcoming biography by best-selling author Karen Abbott (Sin in the Second City), The Burlesque Hall of Fame is proud to announce a series of very special fundraising events, celebrating burlesque’s brightest, most successful “crossover” star. It is our hope that, in paying tribute to the life and times of this beloved icon, fans will be moved to support the Hall of Fame’s mission to collect, preserve and promote the unique history and heritage of American Burlesque.
Partners:
Random House, Inc. is the U.S. division of Random House, the world’s largest trade-book publisher, and is owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s foremost media companies. The reach of Random House is global, with Random House publishing companies in nineteen countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, U.S., and Venezuela. Through Random House International, the books published by the imprints of Random House, Inc. are sold in virtually every country in the world.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to establish a permanent, first-rate tourist attraction and research/exhibition space for our unique collection, in hopes of inspiring, educating and entertaining the public and fostering an appreciation for the unique history and heritage of American Burlesque; including but not limited to the art, artifacts and personal histories of the art’s biggest names and brightest stars.