Las Vegas Weekly

June 3, 2010 · 12:10 PM

Burlesque Hall of Fame salutes legendary stars of striptease

By Robin Leach

Kalani Kokonuts.

Photo: HS Communications

One hundred living legends of old-fashioned bump-and-grind burlesque will unzip and toss off their gowns to tease behind their feathers as the Burlesque Hall of Fame celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend. The fun starts tonight downtown with the opening cocktail party and the first-night gala show with Thrill Kill Jill and the Lucky Diamond Daredevil Thrill Show all in the Aqua Lounge and showroom at the Plaza. The four-day flesh fest runs through Sunday.

Attendees and performers -- among the world’s top showcase of international burlesque entertainers -- scheduled to appear includes Miss Exotic World 2009 and Las Vegas native Kalani Kokonuts, Miss Exotic World 2008 Angela Pontani, Miss Exotic World 2007 Immodesty Blaize from British stage and TV, Miss Exotic World 2006 Michelle L’Amour (who appeared on America’s Got Talent), Miss Exotic World 2004 Dirty Martini and Miss Exotic World 2002 Kitten DeVille (who appeared in the film Auto Focus).

The Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend also includes a striptease reunion now in its 53rd year! Newer performers learn the tricks of the trade from superstars of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

“The living legends love to be here 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, a retired dancer once dubbed the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque by legendary Harold Minsky of The Minsky Follies.

Dixie added: “Burlesque is much more than striptease as it combines the entire live experience of dancers, comedians and music.” Luke Littell of the BHOF told Vegas DeLuxe: “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. It’s the only event of its kind featuring today’s brightest new stars and the living legends of yesteryear.”

Over the weekend, there are numerous attractions including the Titans of Tease burlesque reunion showcase and the 20th annual Striptease Olympics, the most prestigious competitive burlesque event in the world drawing entrants from Tokyo to Toronto. Top title will be the crowning of the 2010 Reigning Queen of Burlesque. There will be workshops and classes taught by Jo Weldon of the New York School of Burlesque and Indigo Blue of Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque.

Other events include a Texas Tease ’Em poker tournament, the BHOF finishing school, the 5th annual Pin-Up Safari and Cheesecake camera club, plus a burlesque bazaar with contemporary and vintage burlesque/pin-up inspired wardrobes and merchandise. Rockabilly exotica, DJs, go-go dancers and Black Joe Lewis and his Honeybears from Austin, Texas, will provide round the clock excitement.

Vegas DeLuxe will have full photo coverage, so be sure to check back here over the weekend as the events unfold -- and undress! Even our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman is joining the fun because the long-awaited grand reopening of the BHOF Museum takes place on Fremont Street at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

However, Oscar promises to keep his suit on, although his scantily clad showgirls should be right alongside him in keeping with the spirit of saucy strip sassiness.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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