Who are we?

The Burlesque Hall of Fame (BHoF) is more than a museum, it is a living tribute to the raucous, ribald hybrid of music, comedy, theatre, and dance known as burlesque. From the art’s scandalous 19th century roots to the golden age of mid-century American striptease, the modern-day “neo-burlesque” revival and beyond, The Burlesque Hall of Fame celebrates the depth and breadth of the burlesque entertainment experience.

Our collection

The BHoF archive began as the personal collection of Exotic Dancers League founder Jennie Lee, The Bazoom Girl. Recognizing burlesque as a unique and meaningful art form worthy of preservation, Jennie began amassing costumes, photos, and other memorabilia from her fellow performers in the 1950s. Her collection rapidly expanded to include items from such world-famous striptease artists as Gypsy Rose Lee, Sally Rand, Ann Corio, and Lili St. Cyr.

Jennie dreamed of creating a community of retired performers, funded in part by a burlesque academy and Hall of Fame, and began planning what would become Exotic World in Helendale, CA. Following Jennie’s untimely death in 1990, Dixie Evans took up the mantle, expanding and exhibiting the collection and becoming a beacon for the burgeoning neo-burlesque movement.

Today, the museum has over 4,000 pieces in its collection, including a vast archive of promotional photos from hundreds of performers, representing multiple generations; costumes and accessories including shoes, gloves, tophats, pasties, and boas; scrapbooks, ledgers, and date books from performers both world-famous and little-known; Gypsy Rose Lee’s travelling trunk; Sally Rand’s original, ivory-handled fans; Dita Von Teese’s bathtub; and theater marquees announcing such legends as Lili St. Cyr, Winnie Garrett, Evelyn West, and more.

And the collection continues to grow. BHoF is actively pursuing new material, filling in gaps in its holdings and documenting the present revival as it unfolds.

Visiting the museum

Located at 1025 S Main St #110, Las Vegas, NV 89101 in the Las Vegas Arts, BHoF’s exhibition space offers a permanent display of photos, vintage posters, costumes, and other material documenting the history of burlesque in America, alongside an evolving roster of temporary exhibits highlighting specific themes from historical and contemporary burlesque. Visitors will also find a selection of t-shirts, postcards, and other souvenirs at the museum’s gift counter.

The Burlesque Hall of Fame Reunion Weekend

The Burlesque Hall of Fame’s annual Reunion Weekend and Miss Exotic World competition is the world’s biggest, most prestigious international burlesque event: four days and nights of live entertainment and wild, immersive activities, including nightly performances and pre-/after-parties, a weekend-long Burlesque Bazaar, Master Classes taught by burlesque Legends, the Barecats Bowling tournament, Texas Tease ’Em poker, a traveling Pinup Photo Safari, pool parties, and more sexy, spangled fun than you can twirl a tassel at!

The 63rd Annual Reunion Weekend and 30th Miss Exotic World competition will be held at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, June 4-7, 2020. Information and tickets (when released) are available at BhofWeekend.com

Contact Us

Dustin M. Wax is the Executive Director (dustin@burlesquehall.com) and Jaye MacAskill is the Board Chair (jaye@burlesquehall.com)