#MuseumAtHome: Minstrel Shows and Stock Comic Characters in Burlesque
CONTENT WARNING: sterotypical imagery including blackfaceLearn about some of the often troubling roots of burlesque’s stock characters in this #MuseumAtHome entry. Burlesque and minstrelsy were closely related in the late 19th century, and many elements of the minstrel show became part of burlesque’s “bag of tricks”. Understanding this difficult history is essential
#MuseumAtHome: Burlesque Legend Lilly Christine (VIDEO)
Lilly Christine, “The Cat Girl”, burst on the scene in the late 1940s and quickly leaped to the top, headlining Leon Prima’s New Orleans hotspot the 500 Club and eventually strutting her stuff on Broadway. Her belly dance-inspired moves fascinated audiences up until her tragically early death. Learn more about
Congratulations to our 2020 Living Legend Award winner, Coby Yee!
It is our most sincere pleasure to announce this year’s recipient of the BHoF Living Legend Award is the great Coby Yee! The Living Legend Award recognizes burlesque performers who created distinguished careers for themselves during burlesque’s heyday and continue to distinguish themselves through their involvement in today’s burlesque community,
#MuseumAtHome: Burlesque Legend and BHoF Founder Jennie Lee (VIDEO and COLORING PAGES)
Jennie Lee, “Miss 44 and Plenty More!” was plenty more than a popular burlesque dancer of the 1950s and ’60s. In 1955, she founded the Exotic Dancers League to fight for the rights of her fellow exotic dancers, an effort htat eventually won her a place on the Executive Council
#MuseumAtHome: Burlesque Legend Lili St. Cyr (VIDEO)
Lili St Cyr was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated burlesque stars. Beautiful, elegant, and eternally unattainable, Lili’s “Ice Queen” persona shocked audiences in her bases in Los Angeles and Montreal, as well as on the stage of the El Rancho on the newly-founded Las Vegas Strip. Learn more
#MuseumAtHome: Burlesque Legend La Savona (VIDEO)
La Savona was a mid-20th century burlesque performer from Prague who became famous in the U.S. for her belly-dance inspired acts. She was awarded our Living Legend Award in 2012, the highest honor BHoF has to offer performers of burlesque’s classic era. Learn more about her life and performance style in
Just for Fun: A Jennie Lee puzzle for you!
With people having a little (or a lot of) extra time on their hands, we thought you might enjoy playing with this online puzzle featuring BHoF founder Jennie Lee (and a friend) frolicking on the world-famous Hollywood sign.
#MuseumAtHome: Learn How to Research Local Burlesque History (VIDEO)
As a central part of American entertainment life for a century-and-a-half, burlesque history is deeply interwoven with the history of almost every decent-sized community in the United States. But because burlesque has often been maligned as a disreputable part of social life, and because the major players in burlesque’s history
2019 Weekender Recap by Sparkly Devil Memorial Scholarship Winner Precious Ephemera
Our 2019 Sparkly Devil Memorial Scholarship recipient, Precious Ephemera, shares how her experiences studying with the legends of burlesque at the BHoF Weekender solidified her commitment to community. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants From the moment I received the call that I was the Sparkly Devil Memorial Scholarship recipient
RIP Kitty West (1930-2019)
Burlesque legend Kitty West, also known as Evangeline the Oyster Girl, passed away Sunday (8/18/19) at the age of 89. Born Abbie Jewel Slawson in Mississipi, Kitty ran away to New Orleans at age 16, where she began dancing. Her signature act, rising out of an oyster shell like Venus