Burlesque As It Was in VEGAS OR BUST!: A national event benefiting The Burlesque Hall of Fame
Show starts 8-10pm with "
Tips for Tassels: Gorgeous Go-Go Girls" all tips to be donated to the Burlesque Hall of Fame; followed by a very special edition of
The Shimmy Shaker Show! Hosted by
Big Mama Red, the show features Fannie Spankings, Ruby Derringer, Adrienne from
Oracle Dance as well as troupe regulars Charlie Champale (crowned Mr. Exotic World 2007) and their fearless leader, Vivienne VaVoom,
(who is competing this year for the Miss Exotic World title).
Why a benefit for The Burlesque Hall of Fame,you might ask?
Formerly the Exotic World Museum, The Burlesque Hall of Fame is continuing the tradition started Jennie Lee (the Bazoom Girl): a museum dedicated to the art of striptease. Originally based on a goat farm in Helendale, CA, Exotic World became a repository for memorabilia of Sally Rand, Gypsy Rose Lee, Sheri Champagne and other dancers and vaudeville performers from the heyday of burlesque. Still run by the 81 year old Dixie Evans (The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque), the museum has now moved to Sin City as is fundraising to bring it's entire collection to a permanent home.
VEGAS OR BUST! Is the first time in Exotic World history that neo-burlesque troupes and shows have combined efforts to bring the gospel of bumps and grinds to the American public. Long-outliving it's status as a "fad", burlesque has been a steady growing trend, with new burlesque troupes popping up all over the country.
And we're not just talking stripteasing of the past—as with any true burlesque show, there a gals-a-plenty shedding their feathers and rhinestones, but there is also comedy, live music, sideshow performers…there has been a revival for audiences coming out to see live performances like never before! Many of the shows on the tour feature Exotic World royalty—the Queens (and recently added, Kings) of the annual Miss Exotic World Pageant, such as Dirty Martini (2004), Michelle L'Amour (2005), Julie Atlas-Muz (2006) and (Denver's own king of boylesque) Mister Exotic World, Charlie Champale (2007) the first-ever Mr. Exotic World, the boy-lesque Tigger! (2007).
Dita von Teese has been a steady contributor to The Burlesque Hall of Fame, even inviting Dixie Evans to her opening of Crazy Horse Las Vegas.
"Let us entertain you!"
Denver's own
Burlesque As It Was has been shimmying and shimmering
on stages from
San Diego to
New York City since 1998 when they emerged as one of the first Neo-Burlesque Troupes, and they are still considered to be one of the preeminent and most influential burlesque groups performing today. Over the last 10 years the Burlesque As It Was productions have become highly anticipated Denver events, bringing out those who remember the golden age of burlesque and those who just wish they could.
www.burlesqueasitwas.com