The 20th annual Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend will take place Thursday, June 3 through Sunday, June 6 at The Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. Recognized as the world's top showcase for international burlesque entertainers and enthusiasts, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend attracts outstanding artists, both exotic and mainstream.
"Burlesque has truly become a worldwide phenomenon, and the performers that make it to our show are the sexiest, most talented entertainers on the planet," said Burlesque Hall of Fame representative, Luke Littell. "It's the only event of its kind, featuring both today's brightest new stars and the living legends of yester-year."
Top talent scheduled to appear include: Miss Exotic World 2009 Kalani Kokonuts, Miss Exotic World 2008 Angie Pontani ("NYC burlesque's reigning star"New York Post); Immodesty Blaize (Miss Exotic World 2007, star of British stage and TV), Whitney Biennial artist Julie Atlas Muz (Miss Exotic World 2006, Law and Order), Michelle L'amour (Miss Exotic World 2006, America's Got Talent); Dirty Martini (Miss Exotic World 2004), Kitten DeVille (Miss Exotic World 2002, Auto Focus); along with more than 100 of the world's top neo-burlesque acts.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend also includes a Striptease Reunion, now in its 53rd year, at which newer performers can learn tricks of the trade from surviving superstars of the 1940s, '50s and '60s. "The living legends love to be there with all the wonderful girls who come from all over the world to celebrate an American tradition," said Burlesque Hall of Fame curator Dixie Evans, herself a retired dancer (dubbed "The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque" by legendary promoter Harold Minsky). "Burlesque is much more than striptease, it combines the whole live experience of dancers, comedians and music."
Among the many activities slated over the weekend are Friday's "Titans of Tease" Burlesque Reunion Showcase and Saturday night's main event, the 20th Annual Burlesque Competition. Called the "Striptease Olympics" by the London Daily Mirror, it is the most prestigious competitive burlesque event in the world; drawing bump 'n' grind's best of the best, year after year, from Tokyo to Toronto. Titles up for the taking include: "Best Debut," "Best Group," "Best Boylesque," "Best Variety Act," and of course 2010's "Reigning Queen of Burlesque."
But wait, there's more! The weekend is also full of fabulous music, including sets by the world's hottest Go-Go, Garage, Rockabilly, Lounge and Exotica DJs and a live performance by the amazing Austin, Texas band, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Additional events include The Grand Re-Opening of the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum on Fremont Street; a weekend-long Burlesque Bazaar featuring contemporary and vintage burlesque/pinup-inspired wares; the 5th Annual Pinup Safari and Cheesecake Camera Club; Keep A Breast burlesque cast sale; Pinup Pool Party hosted by Sabina Kelley (Sunday); the inaugural Hall of Fame Car Show (Sunday); Texas Tease 'Em Poker Tournament; Burlesque Hall of Fame Finishing School Master Classes and an all-star Dr. Sketchy's live drawing event.
