The Burlesque Hall of Fame

Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, Museum Store Sunday, and Cyber Monday – whew!

Thanksgiving in the USA kicks off the holiday season with a barrage of shopping events. By doing your gift shopping in museum stores like ours, you not only get exclusive items not found anywhere else, you support the museum’s mission as well as contributing to the museum’s local economy.

To sweeten the pot, we’re offering 20% OFF all sales on-site and through our online store at bhof.link/shop from November 24-27. Discount will be applied automatically at the museum; online, use promo code MUSEUMSTORE2023. Thank you so much for choosing museum stores for your holiday shopping!

APPLY NOW TO COMPETE OR PERFORM IN THE 2024 BHoF WEEKENDER!

The 2024 BHoF Weekender application season is now officially open! Apply now to compete in the 34th Annual Tournament of Tease or showcase your act in Movers, Shakers & Innovators.

As in previous years, we will be using the fabulous online application system hosted on TroupeIT. Be sure to read the Rules of Entry and Judging Criteria, then head to troupeIT.com/bhof and get your application started TODAY!

A reminder that all competition categories are now non-gendered; first-time BHoF performers of all genders may apply to compete in Best Debut, and performers who have soloed at the BHoF Weekender before can apply to the M_ Exotic World category. The top title will be gendered according to the wishes of the performer (i.e. Miss/Mr/Ms/Mx Exotic World).

If you applied before, you can use the same login to access the system. If not, sign up for an account today – simply enter your email address and create a password. After you have logged in, the dashboard will guide you and show your progress towards completing your application for submission.

Membership in the Burlesque Hall of Fame is a prerequisite for performance application. If you have not yet joined as a member, you can do so easily at burlesquehall.com/member. Your year-long membership will help our nonprofit museum continue to preserve, share, celebrate and inspire the art of burlesque! (Please note that it can take a couple of hours for new memberships to be registered by the TroupeIt verification system.)

Here are the important deadlines for the application season:

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: Submit your application in full by Friday, December 29, 2023 and your application fee will be discounted to $29.

FINAL DEADLINE for application submission is Monday, January 22, 2024.

Questions? Visit BHoFWeekend.com for more info or contact us at [email protected]

(Photo by Steve Prue)

Support our valuable work this

Thanks to generous donors like you, Burlesque Hall of Fame is able to continue working toward our mission of preserving, sharing, celebrating, and inspiring the art of burlesque. We could not do this without you and we are truly grateful for your support and partnership in this work.

Before you step away this week to give thanks with friends and family, we invite you to give back. You can be a vital part of our journey by supporting our campaign. A donation of any size from you, even just $10, can make a significant difference in helping us tell burlesque’s stories.

This year, we’ve set ambitious goals to raise $5,000, and your support is critical in helping us get there. Early donations are now open at bhof.link/give2023, and every contribution, even before the big day, counts toward our goals.

Mark your calendar for on November 28th, and join us in making an impact. Your support is invaluable in making sure burlesque history is remembered today, tomorrow, and always.

DONATE NOW at https://bhof.link/give2023

The museum is open 5 days a week! Admission includes a tour on the history of burlesque in America. Tours are given on the hour, every hour. General admission is $18 and we offer discounts to locals, students, 65+, military & veterans, members, ROAM/NARM participants, & people receiving SNAP benefits may take advantage of our participation in Museums for All with complimentary admission for themselves and their family members! Visit bhof.link/admission to reserve your spot today!

[Image Descriptions: Image 1- Photos and diagrams with costume designs, including corset construction, are mounted on a wall. Image 2 - multiple people view pasties attached to a wall.]

Happy Birthday, Joan Arline! (1932-2011)
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Also known as, The Sexquire Girl, Joan Arline was a headliner on the burlesque circuit from 1953 to 1958, starting at McVan's Night Club as a chorus girl and was famous for performing on stage with two trained Russian wolfhounds and a pink-furred chaise lounge. After retiring from burlesque to raise a family, she opened a dance studio in the basement of her home. In 2006, she made a return to burlesque. Her last official public performance was during the Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2011.
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[Image descriptions: image 1- black and white studio image of Joan Arline kneeling on one leg in front of a short Greek column against a light-colored background. She is resting her right hand on top of the column as she looks off-camera to the left. She is wearing a small pendant necklace, a dark lace bra top, small bracelets on both wrists, a large ring on her left hand, dark underwear, and high heels. Photo credit Gene Laverne. Image 2- full-color image of Joan Arline during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2011. She has both arms outstretched as she looks into the audience. She is wearing a black feather hair accessory, silver cuff earrings, and a matching silver necklace. She is also wearing black sheer gloves with black lace trim, a pink corset decorated with black appliqué, black tulle along the bust, and black fringe in the underbust. Photo credit Don Spiro.]

Happy Birthday Lorna!
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Lorna studied ballet and modern dance under Martha Graham and began performing burlesque in the 70s. After her first audition, the manager told her to get two costumes together and come back in two weeks to go on the road, and she danced all across Canada. She worked with and was inspired by dancer Fantasia, the Susan Hayward of Burlesque. She stopped dancing in 1980, became a massage therapist in 2000, and now dedicates her time to visual art. She was a part of the Walk of Fame at Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2018 and returned as a feature performer in 2023.
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[Image descriptions: image 1- black and white studio image of Lorna against a dark backdrop looking off-camera to the right. She has her left arm raised high holding her hair, and has holds a light-colored ruffled costume in her right hand as it drapes over her leg onto the floor. She topless, wearing a light-colored underbust corset, light-colored underwear, and matching light-colored heels. There are rhinestones covering her breasts and decorated throughout her corset. Photo credit unknown. Image 2- Full-color image of Lorna on stage against a star-lit backdrop during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2023. She has a large red boa draped over her shoulders with both arms raised as she looks into the audience. She is wearing a red sequined fedora, a plunging red lamé top decorated in appliqué, a matching red tullé skirt with a wide belt accented with rhinestones, and red heels. Photo credit Ruth Gillson.]

Scholarships available for 2024 Weekender attendees, performers

Thanks to the generosity of several donors – B***y Suit Burlesque, Jacqueline Hyde, Sabor, and Carnivale du Sensuale – there are several scholarships available for people wishing to attend the 2024 Weekender. Each scholarship provides a Weekender pass, hotel accommodations for Weds-Sun, and a $300 travel credit, allowing persons who might otherwise not be able to attend the Weekender to take part at minimal expense to themselves.

Each scholarship has a specific focus and its own application process. Individuals will be able to apply to all they qualify for, though will only be eligible to receive one in any given year. As of now, the scholarships that are or will be available for 2024 include:

- The Carnivale du Sensuale “Camille 2000 Honorary Keep Burlesque Weird” BHoF Scholarship: Available for a recipient applying to compete or perform at the 2024 BHoF Weekender. Applications OPEN NOW at https://www.carnivaledesensuale.com/bhof-scholarship (Deadline Nov 30, 2023).
- The BHoF BIPOC scholarship: Available to all BIPOC people – Black, AAPI, Latine, Indigenous, and anyone else who identifies as BIPOC. Funded by a donation from Jacqueline Hyde.
- The Asè Scholarship, presented by B***y Suit: Awarded to a member of the Black community. Everyone encouraged to apply - disabled, trans and q***r applicants will be given priority.
- The Natividad Scholarship, presented by Sabor - A Latin Burlesque and Drag R***e: Awarded to a performer in the Latine community.

Applications are open now for the Camille 2000 Honorary Keep Burlesque Weird and BHoF BIPOC Scholarships. Applications for the Asè and Natividad Scholarships will open soon, along with applications for the Sparkly Devil Memorial Scholarship. Further clarification of the qualifications and requirements for each scholarship will be announced at that time.

For more information about these scholarships and other scholarships that may become available, visit bhof.link/scholarships.

Happy Birthday Adina!
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Adina performed during the 1960s working alongside Kitten Natividad, Shannon Doah, Tiffany Carter, Holly Carroll, and Lovey Goldmine. She performed at Classic Cat and the Losers Club in Los Angeles. She also performed in Mexico City, the Midwest, and the South.
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[image descriptions: image 1- black and white studio image of Adina against a light-colored backdrop. Her body is facing the left as she looks directly into the camera and smiles. She is wearing a light-colored sheer dress lined with thin applique at the opening and a small bracelet on her right wrist. Photo credit unknown. Image 2- Full-color image of Adina on stage against a star-lit backdrop during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2019. She has both arms raised with her right arm bent at the elbow as she looks into the audience. She is wearing an ornate rhinestone choker necklace, white elbow-length opera gloves, a silver sheath dress, and light-colored high heels. Photo credit Ed Barnas]

Get your holiday cards ready! Join us for our 10th Annual Legends Holiday Card Drive by sending holiday greetings to our legends. We've got a list on our website of all the legends we have addresses for and who very much appreciate receiving holiday cards!
We'll be mailing all the letters in bulk so no need to put postage on your letter. We do appreciate postage to help offset the cost of shipping so you can include unused stamps in your package too. Packages of cards must be received by December 9th.
Send to:
The Burlesque Hall of Fame
Attn: 10th Annual Legends Holiday Cards
1027 S Main St. Ste #110
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Visit this link for a full list of legends we'll be sending cards to: https://burlesquehall.com/show-your-love-to-the-legends.../

Happy Birthday, Trixie Little!
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Also known as the Pint-size Powerhouse, Trixie Little was crowned Miss Exotic World in 2015. She is the founder of the nonprofit Fluid Movement and was also named Best Duo at BHoF's 2006 Weekender along with The Evil Hate Monkey. Her work also includes a self-produced colorful online yoga video called "Temple of Happiness;" producing an experimental play called “The Queen of Everything,” and hosting a podcast about artists and eccentrics called Vive La Renaissance.
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[image descrption: full-color image of Trixie Little on stage during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2015. She is leaning back looking up with her left arm at her waist and her right arm raised above her head. She is wearing a light-colored corset with crystals decorated throughout, a full-length yellow skirt with fabric that looks like a banana peel, and light-colored heels. Photo by Ed Barnas.]

Happy Birthday, Angie Pontani!
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Angie Pontani, also known as, The Italian Stallionette, was crowned Miss Exotic World in 2008. She is a renowned performer, food blogger, fitness instructor, and host of the podcast, "The Bump and Grind." She was named Coney Island’s Miss Cyclone, and Best International Touring Artist, by The Naked City/Alternative Media Group of Australia. She is also a headlining performer at Brian Newman: After Dark in Las Vegas, NV.
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[image descriptions: image 1- full-color image of Angie Pontani on stage during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2008. Her eyes are closed as she peels off her glove on her left hand. She is wearing large light-colored feathers on the left side of her face, a light-colored elbow-length opera glove on her left arm, a light-colored sequined mermaid dress with sparkly tulle, and light-colored high heels. Photo credit unknown.]

Congratulations Dita Von Teese on your residency at Horseshoe Las Vegas! Dita's show runs on select dates through April. Have a read through this USA TODAY story on the impact this show will bring to the local Las Vegas burlesque scene including words from the museum's Executive Director, Dustin M. Wax

Dita Von Teese's rhinestone-drenched Las Vegas residency part of growing burlesque scene Dita Von Teese’s new residency comes amid a revival in the local burlesque scene.

We'd love to help share the word about this event from our friends at Black Mountain Institute:
If you're in Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 8th, join them for a roundtable discussion on extant techniques, controversies, and craft approaches for writing about s3x. (Oh, the irony. We can't even 'write' out the full word on social media but we think you know what we're talking about!)
Visit https://tinyurl.com/BMISexActs to reserve your spot with complimentary admission!!!

[Image Descriptions: flyer artwork in red and black for S3x Acts: The Politics and possibilities of writing about s3x. Photos in circles of the presenters with logos for Black Mountain Institute and UNLV at the bottom.]
With Black Mountain Institute and UNLV

We are pleased to announce that 2022 Miss Exotic World Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière () is the Executive Producer of the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, starting in 2024. A multiple Burlesque Top 50 honoree and 2018 New Orleans Queen of Burlesque, Lou Lou is an internationally renowned Afro-Indigenous dancer, teacher, and activist from the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake, Quebec. She is an accomplished producer of events in Toronto and served as the producer of the Tournament of Tease at the 2023 BHoF Weekender. We are excited to have her bring her talent, skill, and vision to the executive team as we begin planning another amazing Weekender event.

[image description: full-color image of Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière on stage against a blue star-lit backdrop during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2023. It is an action shot of her mid-air holding one purple aerial strap with her hands, and the other strap looped around her left leg. She is wearing a green sparkly body harness, fishnet elbow-length gauntlets decorated in rhinestones, a matching green g-string, and green & gold rhinestone pasties. Photo credit Ruth Gillson ().]

Happy Birthday, Catherine D'Lish!
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Catherine D'Lish, known as The Burlesque Hotline, is a theatrical costume designer, burlesque performer, teacher, and couturier. She won Miss Exotic World in 1992 & 1994 and received the Sassy Lassy Award in 2013. She is known for creating extravagant dressing gowns, loungewear, and dazzling, hand-jeweled, and feathered costumes, with meticulous attention to detail.
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[image descriptions: image 1- full-color image of Catherine D'Lish on stage during the Exotic World Pageant (now the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender) in 1994. She is seated inside an oversized cocktail glass with bubbly liquid inside. She appears to be n**e, wearing a pair of light-colored sparkly pasties. In the background behind her, there is a silver chair, a drum set, an orange bucket, an American flag, and the Exotic World sign. Photo credit unknown. Image 2- full-color photo of Catherine D’Lish on stage during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend circa 2009. It is an action shot of her climbing a large spider web set piece made out of rope with her legs posed in a lunge as she arches backward and looks upward. She wears cluster earrings, light-colored rhinestone pasties, and dark fishnet stockings. Photo credit D’Arcy Bresson]

Happy Birthday, Coby Yee! (1926-2020)
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Known as “China's Most Daring Dancing Doll”, Coby Yee began dancing in the 1940s and soon became a mainstay in Asian nightclubs, particularly Charlie Low’s Forbidden City in San Francisco. She performed all over the country through the 1950s and ‘60s, eventually buying Forbidden City in 1962 and running it until it closed in 1970. She was also honored with the Burlesque Hall of Fame Living Legend Award in 2020 and was the focus of the documentary short, Coby and Stephen Are in Love in 2021.
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[image descriptions: image 1- full-color studio image of Coby Yee holding two yellow fans with red trim and pink flowers in each of her hands. She has both arms raised as she smiles at the camera. She is wearing an elaborate headpiece decorated with white and pink appliqué and four gold and pink tassels on the ends of sticks. She also wears a shiny purple qipao dress with dark orange and gold applique throughout the front panel, long pink silk sleeves, and red heels. Photo credit unknown. Image 2- black and white photo of Coby Yee on stage during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2019. She has both arms raised as she is lifting two light-colored lace panels from her skirt she looks to the left at the audience and smiles. She is wearing an ornate headpiece with a light-colored feather on top. She also wears a sequined halter top, full-length sleeves decorated with appliqué, a sheer polka dot cape, and light-colored heels. Photo credit Tigz Rice.]

Happy Birthday, Gabriella Maze!
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Gabriella Maze, aka "The Body That Never Stops" began performing in the 1970s. She has been a showgirl, a burlesque performer, and an exotic dancer. She performed burlesque for as long as she could and when it died out she changed with the times and became an Exotic Feature dancer. Gabriella later moved to the United States to retire but came out of retirement in 2011 when she found out about the Burlesque Hall of Fame. She has many styles of performance from classic to neo and was voted the 2013 winner of best T&A. She is the producer and owner of the GLCC and BPSG.
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[image descrptions: image 1- full-color image of Gabriella Maze against a black background. She has her left arm raised, and her right arm is raised with her hand resting on the side of her neck as she looks directly at the camera. She is wearing a one-piece leopard print bikini that is open on her stomach. Photo credit unknown. Image 2- Full-color image of Gabriella Maze on stage during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in 2019. She is holding a pair of black and gold isis wings covering both of her arms. She is wearing an ornated gold necklace, a black bra decorated with flame-shaped appliqué, a matching panty with red and gold fringe, and dark beaded cuffs on both of her ankles. Photo credit Tigz Rice.]

Happy Birthday, Kitten De Ville!
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Also known as "The Embodiment of Burlesque", Kitten De Ville was crowned Miss Exotic World in 2002. She started her career in the mid-90s with The Los Angeles troupe The Velvet Hammer. Kitten has been seen on television shows books, magazines, calendars, and in newspapers worldwide. She also produces a Rock & Roll Strip Show and runs her school of burlesque in her hometown in Southern California.
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[Image Description: full-color image of Kitten De Ville in 2002 leaning against a car in Helendale, CA, the former home of the Burlesque Hall of Fame collection and annual Miss Exotic World Competition. Kitten wears an illusion bra top with green straps and pasties. She has green feathers draped over her thigh. One leg is raised the other is in sand. Her shoes are embellished. Her hair is coiffed in tight, long curls. She leans against a car with a trophy on top of the hood, beside her. She smiles wide.]

Happy Birthday, Diana Dors! (1931- 1984)
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Diana was also known as the "Hurricane in Mink, " an English film and television actress and singer. She first came to public notice as a blonde bombshell in the style of American Marilyn Monroe, as promoted by her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, mostly via s*x film comedies and risqué modeling. Later, she showed genuine talent as a performer on TV, in recordings, and cabaret, and gained new popularity as a regular chat show guest. She also gave some well-regarded performances in worthwhile films at different points in her career. In 1991 British sculptor John Clinch was commissioned to make a bronze figure in her hometown of Swindon, Wiltshire, England.
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[image description: Full-color image of Diana Dors seated on a white satin chair against a red backdrop. She has her right arm resting over the back of the chair and both legs tucked underneath her as she looks directly into the camera. She is wearing a metallic halter bodysuit and blue high heels. Photo credit Wallace Seawell.]

The Burlesque Hall of Fame is partnered with NARM/ROAM ! All ROAM and NARM museum members receive complimentary admission to our museum. If you aren't a NARM or ROAM member you can always gain access by becoming a Member of the Burlesque Hall of Fame at our Flash Act level or higher. With this membership you will receive free access to over 120 museums nationwide! Visit bhof.link/member or link in bio for more info.

[Image Descriptions: the NARM & ROAM logos are in center of all images. Image 1 - costumes on mannequeins against a red curtain. Image 2 - a person faces a crowd in a museum exhibit with many photos and images on the wall. Image 3 - multiple images are on a wall, salon style.]

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th through October 15th), The Burlesque Hall of Fame will highlight performers' stories in the United States and beyond by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions to the art of burlesque.

Sandra Sexton was born in Havana, Cuba, and started performing in show business with her family, who owned a well-known nightclub, The Tropicana.
Sandra and her family left Cuba for the U.S. after the revolution. She started as a chorus dancer in the Miami area and was soon scouted by a top Burlesque agent.
Sandra Sexton’s first contracts were in the country's North and throughout Canada. She also performed in New Orleans at the famous 500 Club on Bourbon Street.
In 1975 she received some notoriety at Superbowl IX at Tulane Stadium where she removed her fur coat and went down the east sideline wearing only a bikini and boots. While performing at the 500 Club, she later said that she appeared at the Superbowl in honor of her friend, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Terry Bradshaw.

[Image Descriptions: Image 1- Black and white headshot of Sandra Sexton. Sandra's hair is dark and voluminous. One hand holds her chin, and the other hand holds her hair behind her. She wears a bikini top with a plunging neckline. Her gaze is straight forward and her eyes are accentuated with dark makeup. Image 2 - black and white grainy photograph of Sandra Sexton mid-stride in a bikini and boots. A person in an officer's cap is close behind her holding a fur coat. Another person is holding Sandra's waist from behind her. Spectators in overcoats and hats are seen in the background.]

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th through October 15th), The Burlesque Hall of Fame will highlight performers' stories in the United States and beyond by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions to the art of burlesque.
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Yani Giovannetti is a burlesque performer, producer, and instructor based in Argentina. She is also the Director of the Yani Giovannetti Argentine Burlesque Academy, producer of Salvaje, Argentina International Burlesque Festival, and was a featured performer in The Burlesque Hall of Fame's 2020 VHOF Around the World.
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[image description: full-color studio image of Yani Giovannetti with her head tilted up slightly looking off-camera to the left. She has her left arm against her chest and her right arm raised slightly. She is topless, wearing ornate chandelier earrings with green accents, matching bib necklaces with green stones, and large gold bracelets on both wrists. Photo credit Guille Prat.]