Dixie Evans inside the Exotic World Burlesque Museum, 2005. Photo by Laure Leber.

Dixie Evans (1926 – 2013)

The burlesque world mourned the passing on August 3, 2013, of Dixie Evans, “The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque”, the godmother of the burlesque revival, founder of the Miss Exotic World pageant in 1991, and Exotic World’s curator, director, and champion. This page is in her memory. We’ve asked Dr. Lucky,

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Bambi Jones

Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable and other screen sirens from the 1940s gave Doris Kotzan a glimpse into a life more glamorous than her hometown of Holyoke, Massachusetts could offer. She was only 17 when she decided to leave Holyoke and her given name behind to follow her dream- to be

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Noel Toy

Ed. note: This blogpost originally appeared on Soft Film as as “Noel Toy: Our Lady of Feathers.” It is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the cheesecake tabloid CO-EDS (May 1942). The photos are accompanied by their original captions. U. OF C.’s NOEL TOY NOBODY’S PLAYTHING CHINA GIRL CAN DISH

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Dusty Summers

An active dancer, magician and emcee, Dusty Summers (“Las Vegas’ Only Nude Magician”) has appeared all over the United States and Canada throughout her over twenty-four years as an entertainer. An Arizona native, she has worked with such legendary booking agents as Jess Mack, Roland Muse, Sol Goodman and Wayne

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Remembering Ricci Cortez

I’ve been thinking a lot about legends lately, especially since I’ve been working hard on the 2011 Legends Challenge for Burlesque Hall of Fame. I’m so thrilled with the response to this campaign, with 14 benefits happening all over North America! I love seeing the burlesque community band together to

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Tiffany Carter

Miss Nude Universe 1975, Tiffany Carter began her Burlesque career at the infamous Pink Pussycat in Hollywood, California. An active, in-demand entertainer with Sparky Blaine’s American Showgirl agency, Tiffany toured the U.S., Canada, and Japan from the late 1960s through the 1980s. Throughout her 20+ years in Burlesque, she has

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Camille 2000

In her twenty years as a headlining artist, Camille 2000 worked with many of burlesque’s most notable talents, including choreographer Paul Markoff, costumers Simon Sorr and Hedy Jo Star.  Having established herself as a glamorous “traditional” feature, Camille went on to push the envelope with her performances, introducing audiences to

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Gina Bon Bon

Born in Cuba, Gina Bon Bon began her career in burlesque in NYC in 1965, as a dancer in the chorus line of  the Latin Fire All-Latin Revue. She has since worked clubs and theaters all over the U.S., Canada and Guam, including a co-starring role in Burlesque USA alongside legendary

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Ann Corio

Ann Corio was born in Hartford, CT in 1909. At fifteen, she began secretly performing in burlesque as a chorus girl. Her Catholic mother resisted at first, but after seeing Corio perform she consented, “Just so they look-a, but no touch!” By 1936 Corio was a star in the Minsky

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Pillow

By the time she won Miss Exotic World in 1995 Pillow had been combining elements of classic striptease with a unique modern twist for nearly two decades while simultaneously becoming a champion bodybuilder. Pillow began her burlesque career in 1976 in the standard sort of go-go clubs that featured bikini

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