Burlesque Dancers - BURLESQUE BABES SHOP BLOG

Zorita Burlesque Stripper ~ Wedding of the Snake Dance Video ~ Vintage Photos

2013-05-11T17:08:00.000-04:00

Presenting the exotic ZORITA.

Zorita's big promo poster.

Zorita's history is no mystery.

Just Google Zorita, and you'll find plenty of links to tons of photos, bio info, memories, and articles. Below, I am just sharing a few.

Google Images search screen shots

Well, maybe there's some mystery...

Her real name was Kathryn Boyd (1915-2001), according to Streetswing's 'Burlesque History' page on Zorita.

Or was it? According to Arrested in Toledo Ohio, her name Ada Brockett.

Zorita died in 2001 at age 85.

Zorita's Show Bar, Miami

She toured the country, but finally made Florida her home. She was in the news there alot -- read this. In her later years she owned a few bars in Florida.

More bio details and great photos here on Playful Promises / Zorita.
Zorita is interviewed at length in the film "Pretty Things," by Liz Goldwyn, a documentary with many of the Legends of burlesque. [Also a book on Amazon]

And Liz Goldwyn HAD a great interview with Zorita on the Velvet Hammer site, which is not there any more -- but you can find it courtesy of the wonderful WAYBACK MACHINE -- http://web.archive.org/web/20060521052115/http://www.velvethammerburlesque.com/home_the_shows_artist/interview_04/zorita/zorita_1.html

See several more photos here on Partial Coverage.
The Burlesque Factory's pretty Burlesque history page has a pic and note crediting Zorita's influence on modern Burlesque routines.
Zorita's IMDB page with full filmography.
Lots and lots of vintage Zorita photos on Burleskateer.

Her routines would contain the use of snakes (Pythons & Boa Constrictors) as a gimmick with her most remembered routine being called "the consummation of the wedding of the snake".
Fined for Indecency in Baltimore -- here.

She was also known for her 1/2-n-1/2 dance -- half man, half woman.

Zorita was in 1949's I MARRIED A SAVAGE -- here's an excerpt from the film synopsis on the Turner Classic Movie site Alas, no copy for sale, but see the You tube video below -- weird wild stuff!!!

"... Zorita is trying to avoid marriage to a tribal chief, but after she performs a sacred marriage dance with a python, she and Morgan realize that they love each other and escape from the village. On a beach, they build a fire, which is seen by a passing freighter. After the freighter picks them up, they are married by the ship's captain. However, Zorita has insisted on bringing her sacred snake along and, as the captain will not permit it in the cabin, she spends most of her honeymoon keeping the snake company in the ship's hold. When they arrive in New York, Morgan has trouble finding a place to stay because of the python and starts drinking. Eventually, an ex-circus performer, who does not mind snakes, lets them stay in his rooming house. Zorita warns Morgan, who has a deep-rooted fear of snakes, that if any harm should befall the sacred snake, they will suffer a horrible fate. Morgan visits a theatrical agent who is unable to find work for him, but offers to book Zorita and her snake dance at fifteen hundred dollars per week. Morgan gets drunk and returns to Zorita with the news, but she refuses to perform their sacred, ritual love dance for other people, saying that it is like asking her to go with other men. Zorita then runs away and Morgan searches for her. Later in the apartment, Morgan finds Zorita dead, her body ravaged by knife wounds. Back in the prison, Morgan tells the reporter that he vaguely remembers a policeman yanking a knife out of his hand but states that he is puzzled by what had transpired. He swears that he thought he was killing the snake as it was destroying his marriage, but when the room was searched there was no sign of it. ..."

Buy Zorita gift items here: http://www.zazzle.com/burlesquebabes/zorita+gifts

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New York's Harmony Theatre aka Melody Burlesk Theater ~ Burlesque History

2013-05-11T14:53:00.000-04:00

The Harmony Theatre

New York's Harmony Theatre, (previously known as the Melody Burlesk) was considered one of the greatest and most titillating burlesque theaters of its time. Located at Broadway and 48th Street in Manhattan in the 1980s and early '90s, the Harmony Theatre paid tribute to the old traditions of striptease.

From its Times Square location, featuring a T-shaped runway, complete nudity, and well known strippers and porn stars headlining each show, the Harmony was the essence of burlesque, where exotic dancing combined golden era burlesque with more sexually explicit routines.

The Harmony Theatre entertained, enchanted, and excited patrons from all over New York City. One of the longest-running strip establishments in the area, it was closed down in the early 90s during Mayor Giuliani's raid against sex in Times Square.

The Harmony Theatre lives on in the collections of Museum of Sex, where a number of artifacts that include raunchy and provocative photographs, original signage and promotional materials, as well as costumes literally drenched with the sweat of the dancers, are included in the collection.

[Please note: The Harmony Theatre Collection is not currently on view.]

I could not for the life of me find a photo online of the old Harmony or Melody Burlesk theatres.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Burlesque Stripper Miss White Fury and Her Twin 44s ~ aka Patti Kelly / Patti Moses ~ Vintage Photos

2013-05-08T19:52:00.000-04:00

Miss White Fury ~ tassel twirling was her specialty!

THE CYCLONE OF MOTION
WHITE FURY AND HER TWIN 44s!

According to BURLESQUEHISTORY.COM:

"Miss White Fury— aka Patti Kelly, but she was usually billed as “Miss White Fury and her Twin 44’s.” Her parents, Rusty and Dusty Farnham worked in Vaudeville and early radio. “Miss White Fury” performed all over the country in theaters and clubs from 1953 to 1983. Coralie Jr. was her agent, and tassel twirling was her specialty."

See her today: Miss White Fury appears in the new Burlesque history documentary film Behind the Burly Q.

Interviewees include: "White Fury – who painted herself with buckets of paint and lit her tassels on fire." [Source]

"Miss White Fury, camera shy Blaze Starr (Governor Earl Long's mistress) and Tempest Storm (“Teaserama.” 1955 with Bettie Page) contribute poignant stories of life on the road. Economic hardships of the depression motivated many of these performance pioneers, in an era before Woman's Lib." [Source]

“White Fury, The Girl With the Twin .44s” did a flaming tassel dance that, in one ill-starred rehearsal, burned off her eyebrows. [Source]

See more promo photos on the Burleskateer blog, where the author tells us Miss White Fury was also known as Patti Moses.

There She Is -- On the Cover!

She's profiled in, and on the cover of, Jane Briggeman's Burlesque: A Living History [Amazon]

I remember, in the late 50s, all those burlesque joints down there. Big neon signs “Appearing Now! White Fury and Her Twin 44s!” And there’s a twenty foot high cardboard blonde with huge breasts staring down at you. -- Tom Russell

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Lady Zorro Sexy Burlesque Stripper Vintage Photos

2013-05-08T17:17:00.000-04:00

Her real name was Sheila Alberta Bowater.

Get by with a little help from my friends...

A reader kindly posted a helpful comment to my original bio-less Lady Zorro post.

Here's the comment that led me to find out a little about Lady Zorro's hard life. On October 11, 2009, Alex wrote:

"... John Waters mentions a dancer named Zorro on page 75 of his book, Crackpot. He writes,"She'd stomp around the stage naked after removing her cape and mast, sneer at the audience with pure contempt, and snarl, 'What are you lookin' at?'
Could it be the same lady? ..."

John Waters goes on to compare Lady Zorro's looks to ruggedly-handsome actor Victor Mature. After seeing their photos side-by-side, I'd have to say he's right -- and that there must have been only one Lady Zorro!

Here are some quotes from John Water's book, CRACKPOT, which was reissued in 2003 with updates from the author. Sadly, he informs us that Lady Zorro is no longer with us. I hope her daughter does write the book that John encouraged her to write.

You can read some pages of CRACKPOT on google-books here.

In the NY Times review of John Water's 2010 memoir ROLE MODELS, Tom Carson writes:

An initially sprightly tour of Baltimore’s dive bars (“the good ones have no irony about them”) sets up reminiscences of two local legends: a lesbian stripper who styled herself Lady Zorro and a Native American named Esther Martin, who ran a derelicts’ bar called the Wigwam “like an iron-fisted Elaine’s.” But then both women’s grown children tell him about their upbringings, packed with hair-raising episodes of selfishness, booze, abuse and neglect.

From reviews for the John Waters book ROLE MODELS:

Waters also talks about personalities from his hometown of Baltimore. One of them was the stripper known as Lady Zorro, whom he describes as "[having] a real rage she brought to the stage, which added a demented hostile sex appeal. An angry stripper with a history of physical and sexual abuse with a great body and the face of a man. Now there's a lethal combination...Zorro was so butch, so scary, so Johnny Cash. No actual stripping for her at that point [at the end of her burlesque career]; she just came out nude and snarled at her fans, 'What the f*** are you looking at?'".

You can find the book on Amazon -- be sure to click the Look Inside link to read the chapter on Lady Zorro (page screen shots below). -- Role Models / Amazon

She's been around the block...

Here's Lady Zorro's obituary, from the Baltimore Sun, 2-08-2001:

Sheila A. Bowater, 63, dancer on The Block

Sheila Alberta Bowater, who danced at clubs on The Block, died Feb. 1 of cancer at her daughter's home in Tigard, Ore. She was 63 and had lived in Charles Village for nearly 40 years until moving to Oregon in 1999.

Appearing as Lady Zorro and attired in a mask, cape and a wide-brimmed hat, she danced at the Oasis and the Two O'Clock Club on The Block beginning in the early 1960s.

"She was the friend of the great names on The Block -- Blaze Starr, Pam Gail and Julius Salisbury," said her daughter, Eileen Carrico Murche. "All the people on The Block knew her. When the clubs closed, her friends came back to our house to continue the party."

Before retiring in the 1970s, Miss Bowater appeared in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and London.

In retirement, she and friends followed the Maryland thoroughbred racing circuit. She also prepared meals for elderly neighbors in the 300 block of E. 28th St., where she resided.

More info tidbits from John Waters including a bizarre photo of Lady Zorro in her later years.

More memories of Baltimore's The Block -- here -- and here.

THE BLOCK, circa 1961 [Source]

Baltimore's Gaiety Burlesk sign with the kicking girl.

See some great Lady Zorro gifts in my Burlesque Babes Zazzle shop.

[Note: You need to set Zazzle's content filter to OFF to see these adult themed items. The link for that is in the left hand navigation column of my Zazzle store.]

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Bubbles Darlene - The Burlesque Stripper Dancer Who Even Shocked Havana

2013-05-07T10:25:00.000-04:00

She was billed as the World's Most Exciting Body.

Streetswing's page on Bubbles says:

Bubbles started her career at Chicago's Rialto Theatre ... she was also billed as "The Dancer That Shocked Havana".
She also performed as Vikina and Sheri Darlene.

Bubbles had photo spreads in several men's magazines.
Pix from my archives.

Javas Bachelor Pad has this great essay up on their page:

"The Off-Stage Shenanigans of Strippers" by Franklin L. Thistle from AdamVol. 3 No. 8, February 1959
It tells about Bubbles' Havana escapade that made her "The Dancer That Shocked Havana":

"Bubbles casually strolled along busy downtown Prado boulevard wearing only a transparent raincoat. Police booked her on the charge of indecent exposure... That evening when Bubbles showed up for work, the club was jammed and people were lined up for blocks waiting to get in."

She's also pictured in the book Pictorial History of Burlesque from A to Z.

Received this email from a fan of Bubbles Darlene who knew her 'back in the day' - thanks Harold, for writing in and sharing your memory:

"... my name is harold / age 79 / time span-1944 to 1950- lived at 18th and maple-louisville,ky-across the street was the club neon - during that time various burlesque appeared - one was bubbles darlene - she visited our store daily for cokes snick snack. i was 16, my three brothers, what a thrill see bubbles every day and she was wonderful to us ..."

"... we visited cuba 12/05 and we learned on the famous dance-brought back good me memories, a most wonderful summer-like a movie... i had heard that bubbles is deceased - if not is there a current name and address - it would bewonderfull to tell somone what a beautiful-gracious lady was to us." regards harold

Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

Burlesque Queen Rose La Rose - Toledo Ohio Theaters

2013-05-06T17:04:00.000-04:00

Presenting the lovely Rose La Rose, "The Original TNT Girl"

If it wasn't for the lovely Rose La Rose, this blog wouldn't exist.

Rose La Rose owned two Burlesque theaters in Toledo, Ohio. First, the Esquire, and then the Town Hall, and fortunately for us all she had the foresight to save all the promo pix from nearly all the girls who performed on her stages over the years.

And I was lucky enough to acquire most of that photo archive -- going through those boxes was as much fun as opening Christmas presents. "Thanks a million, Rose!"

Rose's promo flyer from when she performed at the Folly Theater (Kansas City, MO ) in 1956.
The Folly Theatre website once wrote about Rose's performances:
"Traditionally, burlesque houses kept a red light in the footlights to advise their dancers of a censor's presence in the house. If things were taken too far, the theater was raided and the exotic dancers arrested for indecency. The Folly Burlesque was raided on and off for years. Favored talent Rose La Rose was continually arrested around the country because she took the red light as her personal cue to take things too far."

The Boston police Vice Squad officers went to the Old Howard in 1953 to film the performances of 3 strippers. The ensuing case led to the closing of the Old Howard forever. From the Boston Globe on November 9, 1953:

"Fined yesterday were Rose La Rose, Mary Goodneighbor, known as Irma the Body, Marion Russell [pictured at their arraignment] and managers Frank Engel of the Casino and Max Michaels of the Old Howard." [Source]

Rose performed in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. She had some great costumes.
This book, Big Town, Big Time By Daily News Books, Jay Maeder [scroll down to chapter 72] mentions one of Rose's costumes in particular:
She had a special TRICK DRESS that she wore when she sang 'Who Will Kiss My Oo-La-La?!', that exposed some of her "Oo-la-la". She'd dance, frequently slapping her "oo la la" (fanny).
And here it is:

Rose doing a commercial/promo for Pepsi Cola.

A 1945 magazine ad for Kools cigarettes even used her name. [Source]

Rose signed this to William Travilla, who designed some of her costumes.

TOWN HALL

TOLEDO, by William Speck, has this passage on Rose's theatre in Toledo, the TOWN HALL.

Rose's Esquire Theater, 1968

After her Town Hall theater was shut down as part of Toledo's urban renewal project, Rose bought the Esquire Theater in 1968. She still ran live shows for a while, then added in X-rated movies, and eventually switched to movies full time. That was the way it was for the live burlesque business everywher at the time. Rose passed away soon after.

Lou Hebert writes:

" When the legendary venue [the Town Hall] was reduced to remembrance, the theatre’s long time owner, the famous and formidable burlesque queen, Rose la Rose was heartbroken and angry.
She fought the move, but lost. City fathers in Toledo even tried to pass a law outlawing burlesque throughout the entire city in an effort to stop Rose from opening the old Esquire Theatre at Superior and Jefferson as a replacement to the Town Hall.

A federal judge, however, intervened and ruled against the city; but while Rose La Rose won the battle, she lost the war. By the time she was able to reopen burlesque theatre in Toledo under the Esquire marquee, its magic was fading quickly.

This “innocent” brand of sexually suggestive show business had become too mild and hokey for the times.

Rose la Rose tried to keep it on life support, but finally, even she yielded to the pressure of the times and began running x-rated movies with a mix of live performances at the Esquire.

It was too little, too late. The concept soon died, and so too did Rose la Rose. In 1972, Rosina DePella, aka Rose La Rose, died of cancer at the age of 53. Her 16 year run in Toledo was finally over. " [Source]

For Whom the Bell Tolls -- It Tolls for Live Burlesque

Rose La Rose has been blamed with sounding the death knell for live Burlesque theaters. She had a good business idea, shared it with some film makers - gratis - who ran with it -- all the way to the bank!

You can read all about those short naughty films in the book, The Other Hollywood. [Screen shot above has the entire Rose La Rose reference.]

Rose's Early Career

Rose was in Wages of Sin, a short stag film or 'midway loop'.

The WEIRD WILD REALM site has an article about Rose, and some flicks she was featured in.

"Rose la Rose was a performer at Minsky's along with Gypsy Rose Lee. Miss La Rose has an uncredited role as a stripper in the Herman E. Webbe directed The Wages of Sin (1938) about an impoverished young woman forced into prostitution, with a cameo for sexploitation mini-mogul Louis S. Sonney."

Video Clip here.

...and Introducing Rose La Rose

Rose La Rose has a supporting role in Sam Newfield's Queen of Burlesque (1946), which includes a murder mystery involving lesbianism. Rose played Blossom Terrain, a burlesque dancer trying to reclaim her headlining status. [Full synopsis]

When asked why she got in the business as a teenager (she lied about her age, of course), Rose said, "I didn't want to stand behind a counter & serve people."
She eventually owned a veritable chain of burlesque theaters in Toledo, Ohio, & made extra on the side teaching housewives how to strip for their husbands.
She became (according to Walter Winchell) the highest paid stripper in America.

In a Virginian-Pilot newspaper article about the Gaiety Theatre in Norfolk, VA, they quote an even earlier 1950 article: "It might be that she has a tantalizing technique for taking off her clothes. And it might be the frenetic unrestraint that characterizes her performance, the daring she mixes with little touches of humor. Whatever it is, she's got it."

[Source]

Rose La Rose as a blonde, doing her Leda the Swan routine. [Source]

Rose with an armful of kittens, 1940s, backstage at the Old Howard Theater, Boston. [Source]

This Time Magazine article from 1970 titled Show Business: Grinding to a Halt [subscription req'd. to read] tells of Rose's last performance:
"Fiftyish but still game... persuaded Rose La Rose to come out of retirement... Rose held court in a silver gown, signed men's shirttails with "Teasingly Yours, Rose La Rose" ..."

Just who were her 3 husbands?

Jim Linderman's wrote a fun piece about Rose La Rose on his True Burlesque blog, where he included this comment:

"She was no crooner…one review in 1950 said her "sultry contralto" was her least attractive feature. That means her voice likely ranged from the G below middle C (G3) to the G two octaves above middle C (G5). Which translates to "shut up and dance" unfortunately."

See Rose's page on Streetswing.com -- link.
You can read a chapter about Rose in Jane Briggeman's book, BURLESQUE, here.

Here's some biographical info about Rose:

Born 1919, NY -- Rosina DePella - left school at 15 - worked as cashier at Minsky's Theatre - lied about her age to start performing...
...they gave her stage name of Rose La Rose - she didn't like it, but it stuck - (she tried to switch to Connie Rae, but word got out she was really Rose, and audiences flocked to the theatre) - had name legally changed...
...was 1st striptease dancer to make more than $2000 a week -- good with money - 1958 bought Town Hall in Toledo...
...In 1968 the city closed the theater (urban renewal), so she bought the Esquire Theater and continued there.
...Sadly, Rose passed away from cancer in July 1972, at only 53 years old.

A final tribute to Rose on the marquee of Rose's 2nd theater, the Esquire (Torn down in 2007) [Photo Source] [More Esquire history here.]

Rose La Rose's Final Curtain Call

Obituary link -- Toledo Blade - Jul 28, 1972 -- (same as below - click image to read)

Rose performing at a 1971 charity event in Toledo, OH, accompanied the announcement of Rose’s death from cancer, on 27 July 1972, in Toledo area newspapers. [Source]

Read Bob Greene's nostalgic piece he wrote in 1988 for the Chicago Tribune -- Rose La Rose: Forever Young

Town Hall Theater auction, May 4, 1968 [Source]

Lou Hebert wrote his memories of going to Rose's Town Hall Theater in his 1960s youth. [Read it here.] He ends with this comment:

WHERE ARE THE LOST PIECES OF THE TOWN HALL?

The research for this story took me to a Toledo Blade story from 1968 that told of a big auction that Rose was holding to sell off the memorabilia from the old Town Hall just weeks before the wrecking ball took center stage. The sale included photos of the many dancers who performed there, posters, lights, fixtures, unclaimed trunks of performers’ costumes, plus some unique artwork that adorned the exterior and lobby of the theatre. Rose La Rose even sold off three trunk loads of her personal costumes from her early days on the bump and grind circuit. The theatre seats themselves were sold to the highest bidders. The auction was held in May of 1968 — and I now wonder what ever happened to these pieces of Toledo’s past. In what basement, or garage or warehouse are these artifacts gathering dust or conversation?

So, apparently the photo collection I acquired must have come from the estate of the person who bought the photos at the aforementioned auction. Rose's obituary mentions her theater manager Bill Smith. It was my understanding that my collection came from his heirs. Perhaps Bill was the one bidding at Rose's auction.

Looks like the home decor described in the above obit.

Rose even has an IMDB page.

Rose La Rose ~ Shake Dancer and Burlesque Queen Fight Over Name - Jet Magazine, June 16, 1955 [Source]

There is and was ever only ONE true Rose La Rose! Vive La Rose!

Bonus - listen to a snippet of the Miller Brothers Band's tune, Rose La Rose (Down Toledo Way) here. From Detroit, a trip to Rose's theater was a right of passage when they were teenagers, as it was for 1,000s of young men!

Ziegfeld Follies Girls Rare Photographs at Auction in 2011 (See Results)

2013-05-05T14:33:00.000-04:00

Alfred Cheney Johnston (American, 1884-1971), photographic portrait of Ziegfeld Follies Girl Dorothy Graves, 11 by 14 inches, A.C. Johnston and Ziegfeld backstamps, estimate $500-$1,000.

Alfred Cheney Johnston (American, 1884-1971), photographic portrait of actress Barbara Stanwyck, 10 by 13 inches, identified on verso, estimate $800-$1,200.

Vintage nude photographs of Jazz Age beauties, Ziegfield Follies stars discovered in Connecticut estate

April 04, 2011by Antique Trader Antique Auction News

MERIDEN, Conn. – An extraordinary archive of Alfred "Cheney" Johnston (1884-1971) glamour photos of Jazz Age beauties, as well as important artworks from the renowned Ziegfield Follies photographer's personal collection, will be auctioned on April 16, 2011 at Nest Egg Auctions' gallery in Meriden, Conn.

Johnston's personal photo archive, which was bequeathed to a neighbor 40 years ago and has remained in the same family ever since, includes dozens of beautiful nudes that were considered very daring for their time. Johnston was a trailblazer in celebrity photography and rose to the top of his profession with his stunning pictures of showgirls, film stars and rising starlets – among them Barbara Stanwyck, Clara Bow, Paulette Goddard, Gloria Swanson and Julie "Catwoman" Newmar. Johnston's ability to put his subjects at ease resulted in stylish portraits whose artistic quality has withstood the test of time.

"Many of Cheney Johnston's now-classic photos were donated to the Library of Congress and will never again be in private hands. This only heightens the rarity and desirability of the photos in our upcoming auction," said Nest Egg auctioneer Ryan Brechlin. The 11- by 14-inch glamour prints, each created by the master's hand, carry individual estimates ranging from $100 to around $2,000.

The Alfred Cheney Johnston Collection April 16th 2:00 PM ONLINE CATALOG

The Ziegfeld Girls photos start at lot #340 thru #420.

Randi Raven ~ Vintage Burlesque Queen Photo

2013-01-29T15:15:00.001-05:00

Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Randi Raven.

I could not find any online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Randi Raven, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more photos in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Vintage Baudy #Burlesque Novelty Tune - My Wife's A Striptease Dancer

2012-12-11T17:06:00.000-05:00

For your entertainment, a fun novelty tune sung by vaudeville comic Stubby Kaye -- My Wife's A Striptease Dancer -- enjoy!

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

The Berlesker - 1st Issue of New Annual Literary Journal #burlesque - August 2012

2012-08-20T11:56:00.000-04:00

New from Publisher Harley Westerholt - The Berlesker Literary Journal.

"...the purpose behind The Berlesker is to provide an opportunity for performers, producers, photographers, enthusiasts, and the likes to expose themselves or some part of themselves, to share random thoughts or influential moments from their lives, done precisely with the freedom allowed by writing."

Contributors Include:

Alex Rimorin
Barbara McNally
Coco Lectric
Dr. Lucky
Franky Vivid
Harley Westerholt
Jo Weldon
John Lamerson
Kate Valentine
Kitten de Ville
Kristen Corsentino
Lily DeLuxe
Lola Spitfire
Lola van Ella
Michelle L'amour
Sammich the Tramp
Sparkly Devil
Sydni Deveraux
Terry Bradley
Whiskey Darling

Read more, and purchase here: BERLESKER.COM

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Shop Amazon for Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

It's baaackkk! Do You Suffer From Paraskavedekatriaphobia?

2012-01-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

It's baaackkk! There will be 3 'Friday the 13th' in 2012!

Here are some "Friday the 13th" info-tidbits from Wikipedia:

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia (say that 10 times fast -- yikes!)
The 13th day of the month is slightly more likely to be a Friday than any other day of the week.
On average, there is a Friday the 13th once every 212 days. But several times there are 3 in one year.
It's estimated that 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day (estimated that $800 million is lost in business on this day)

I say FEAR NOT !!! Let's get out there and shop!

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
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A Christmas Message From Some Vintage Burlesque Queens

2011-12-21T00:55:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS from all your favorite BURLESQUE BABES!

How Many Can You Name?

________________________________________
The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

New #Burlesque Documentary Finished - See Video Trailer

2011-06-27T14:30:00.000-04:00

Exotic World & the Burlesque Revival is a documentary, ten years in the making, about the Exotic World museum, now in Las Vegas, and called The Burlesque Hall of Fame (link).

Stars of the film include:
Dixie Evans, Satan's Angel, Tempest Storm, Bambi Jones, Tura Satana, Kitten Natividad, Dirty Martini, World Famous *BOB*, Indigo Blue, and narrated by Margaret Cho.

The makers still need funding to get the finished film distributed.

Read more in Jessica Halem's article HERE -- she put in some pix, and lots of fun Burlesque links.

Here's the video trailer. There's still time to help with the fundraising.

Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival from Exotic World on Vimeo.
exoticworldthemovie.com

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

June 2011 NY Times Article on Burlesque Dance Classes Jo Weldon School

2011-06-16T15:49:00.001-04:00

Burlesque Workout Classes in New York

"... Burlesque dancing has recently been embraced by several New York City dance studios and gyms as an outlet for individual expression and to nurture overall health. ..."

Read the NY Times article (link) about Jo 'Boobs' Weldon's School of Burlesque.

Happy Easter from the Easter Booby

2011-04-23T16:52:00.000-04:00

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

BurlesqueBabesShop.com Added to Top 40 #Burlesque Blogs List - thanks!

2011-02-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

I am proud and pleased to have been included on this list, and to be in such excellent company. And to be there as #15 -- nice!

Check out the blog post to see the other great Burlesque blogs you should be reading. Burlesque is alive and well!

Vavoom! Modern Day Burlesque: The Top 40 Burlesque Blogs

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

1960s #burlesque Queen Tammi True in D Mag - #Dallas history

2011-02-25T19:29:00.000-05:00

Great interview with a living legend, Tammi True. She performed back in the 1960's, and worked in Dallas Texas at Jack Ruby's club. So she was a part of not just burlesque history, but also Texas and America's history.

Tammi saw the demise of the old Burlesque world, and is around to see the renewed interest in Burlesque.

As she worked for Jack Ruby, she also had to go to Washington DC to speak to the investigating committee after John Kennedy's killer was killed by Ruby.

A very interesting article -- be sure to go read it on the D Magazine website.

Tweets:

1960s #burlesque Queen Tammi True profiled in D Mag http://goo.gl/hNIC6 - Great pix & #Dallas history - worked @ Jack Ruby's club

#burlesque Queen Tammi True interview in D Mag http://goo.gl/hNIC6 Pic of Tammi w/Jack Ruby #Dallas history http://twitpic.com/43qt9o

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

What a Burlesque Find! 1955 Magazine with Pix of Nejla Ates

2011-01-03T14:53:00.002-05:00

Check out this item that's on ebay now -- what a great issue! It's not mine -- just wanted to share it with you. Here's the link: 1955 Cabaret Magazine on ebay -- see pix of Nejla Ates, Lili St Cyr, Mae West, Lulie Ginson, Sheree North.

1955 June issue of Cabaret Magazine, the publication devoted to the promotion of the burlesque striptease life. With pictorial on cover model Sheree North, and a feature on the burlesque queens Lili St Cyr, Tempest Storm, Evelyn West, and Jennie Lee. There is also a look at the career of Mae West. A great find for any collector of burlesque, bump & grind Americana. From the estate of Charles Martignette, measures 8 1/2" x 11"

Cabaret was a companion magazine to the better known, longer lasting and more widely circulated Modern Man. However like its more famous sibling, Cabaret had extremely high production standards with quality slick paper, crisp photos and well written articles. It had pictorials on all the famous strippers of the 1950s and early 1960s and featured many noted actresses and singers as well. Cabaret did the best job of any magazine in presenting pictorials on the opulent, plush nightclubs and burlesque theaters that most big American cities used to have.

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Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T23:15:00.000-05:00

Fwd: VIVA LAS VEGAS- BURLESQUE COMPETITION

2010-12-31T15:16:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Retro Tease <mail@retrotease.net>
Date: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Subject: VIVA LAS VEGAS- BURLESQUE COMPETITION
To: "burlesquebabes@gmail.com" <burlesquebabes@gmail.com>

Retro Tease

Industry Social Network for the Global Burlesque Community

A message to all members of Retro Tease

VIVA LAS VEGAS

THE BURLESQUE COMPETITION

GIRLS YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO GET YOURSELF ENTERED INTO THE

VIVA LAS VEGAS BURLESQUE COMPETITION.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE ?

LET THE WORLD VOTE FOR YOU.

VOTING BEGINS 1ST JANUARY.

HAVE THE CHANCE TO SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT AT ONE OF THE FINEST BURLESQUE COMPETITIONS IN THE WORLD.

PLUS HAVE A ROCKIN WEEKEND

CLICK THE LOGO OR BELOW TO ENTER

http://www.vivalasvegas.net/vlv14/burlesque-competition

Visit Retro Tease at: http://www.retrotease.net/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

New Pulp Fiction Cover Art Blog

2010-12-17T23:42:00.000-05:00

Love the Bad Girls of these old paperback novels? Then you'll love this new blog that features the great vintage cover art:

Bad Girls Need Love 2

http://badgirlsneedlove2.com/

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

Burlesque Magazine update

2010-12-11T00:51:00.000-05:00

I tried to post a link to issue #6 of the sexy-fun Burlesque Magazine, but found the link didn't work. Don't know if it's permanent. Seems if you go to the website -- http://www.burlesquemag.com/ -- only issues 1 and 3 are "live" - hope they'll fix it. Meanwhile, those 2 issues are a good read, if you missed 'em.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

Brenda Hollis ~ The Golden Girl

2010-12-09T13:36:00.001-05:00

Today's Vintage Burlesque Dancer photos: the lovely Brenda Hollis ~ The Golden Girl

From my archives. Above, and below.
She had a photo spread in the July 1959 Modern MAN Magazine.
I could not find any bio/history or other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Brenda Hollis, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos -- Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Check out these fun Burlesque-themed books and videos available thru Amazon. Also find Burlesque Kindle E-Books.

Fwd: Last chance to win tickets to On Tour

2010-12-09T13:09:00.001-05:00

FROM OUR INBOX:

London Guys and Gals

On Tour Starts this Friday in London.

So Support your Fellow Retrotease Members who star in this fabulous Movie and go and see a Burlesque Movie with Real Burlesque Stars

if you want to win tickets to one of the Friday shows

email and quote:

Retrotease On Tour Competion

and email to

Chris.Rice@organic-marketing.co.uk

Entries must be sent by today xxx

------------

So do you want to spend your money on

Hollywood Trash or support On Tour?

click below

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/films/details/416/on-tour/

UP IN CHESTER THIS MONTH

CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS

MORE DETAILS ON THE HOMEPAGE OF RETRO

Visit Retro Tease at: http://www.retrotease.net/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Fwd: 2011 PL Calendar: FREE SHIPPING Offer & Guaranteed Christmas Delivery Until December 14th!

2010-12-08T23:58:00.001-05:00

[ FROM OUR INBOX ]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PinupLifestyle <mail@pinuplifestyle.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Subject: 2011 PL Calendar: FREE SHIPPING Offer & Guaranteed Christmas Delivery Until December 14th!
To: "burlesquebabes@gmail.com" <burlesquebabes@gmail.com>

PinupLifestyle

"We Are The New Vintage"

A note from Desirée & Edson.

Order the 2011 PinupLifestyle Calendar before Friday, December 10th and we'll take care of the shipping. That's right, FREE SHIPPING! It's a special limited-time offer, directly from us, to say Happy Holidays!

With these kind of savings, you might as well order one for everyone on your shopping list! Plus, order anytime before December 14th for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

So, come on already, do it! ORDER NOW!

Thank you for all your support! We look forward to sharing a great 2011 with you!

Happy Holidays,

Desiree & Edson

**Free shipping is only available to US customers. International members, use coupon code HOLIDAY, to enjoy 10% off on us!

Visit PinupLifestyle at: http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network