L is for Lili St. Cyr

Lili St. Cyr was another standout star of burlesque’s golden age in the 40s and 50s. She was known for the graceful class and creativity she brought to her acts as well as for her stunning beauty and statuesque figure. Her performances would tell a story and she would often base her characters on historical female icons. Some of her most memorable acts included the “Flying G” in which her g-string (attached by a fishing line) would fly off her body into the balcony at the end of her act while the lights dimmed. She was also well known for her bubble bath act in which she would simulate taking a bath onstage.

Found the picture of Lili here

K is for Knicker Picker Upper

Because one of the most integral rules in burlesque is to NEVER EVER PICK UP YOUR OWN CLOTHES, this creates a large demand for Knicker Picker Uppers. A good way for new performers to get their start, a Knicker Picker Upper’s job consists of picking up knickers as well as anything else that may have been discarded by the performers during their act. A KPU may also act as stage manager and is usually responsible for the placing and removing of any props the performer may need for her act. A KPU does not remove any clothing herself but is usually dressed in lingerie or other scandalous costume. Knicker Picker Uppers can be male or female and may have establish a character or identity of their own Other names for Knicker Picker Upper include Maid, Stage Kitty, Sweeper or Stage Bunny.

The photo above is of Miss Fitt, a regular stage kitty at the Vancouver Weekly Burlesque Show Kitty Nights getting some sound advice from the host of Kitty Nights, the Purrfessor. Miss Fitt is an excellent example of a new performer who got their start in Burlesque as a knicker picker upper who is now enjoying a successful transition into the burlesque community as a full fledged Burlesque performer.

For more info on the Purrfessor and Kitty Nights click here
Photographer unknown but I would love to credit you!

J is for Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker was an extremely multi-talented African American performer who first achieved extreme success in Paris in the 1920s as burlesque performer. Known for her signature number, the banana skirt dance, Josephine was at one time the highest paid entertainer in Europe. Josephine lead an extraordinary life; She was known for her many exotic pets including a Cheetah that she was known to walk down the streets of Paris. She also helped to assist the French Resistance during the Second World War by carrying top secret information hidden in her music notes. In the 50s and 60s Josephine returned to the States to fight for African American civil rights. She refused to play in any establishment that was not integrated. It was also at this time that she also began to adopt over 12 children from all over the world as part of her “rainbow tribe.” In 1975, Baker starred in her last revue, which opened to much acclaim. Four days later she was found in a coma in her bed surrounded by all of the shows succesful reviews; she died shortly thereafter.

I is for Ixion

Ixion is the name of the burlesque play brought to New York by Lydia Thompson and her British Blondes. This was one of the first instances of burlesque brought to North America and with women in tights playing men’s roles, the troupe and its mythical spoof became a theatrical sensation, eventually performing their play at Niblo’s Garden on BROADWAY!

Photo of Lydia Thompson in her costume for Ixion found here

H is for Hootchie Koo

The Hootchie Koo was a term first used to describe belly dance. This form of dancing first appeared in North America at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Performed by a dancer named Little Egypt, an uncorseted stomach shimmying and shaking around was consider extremely suggestive by members of the Victorian era. Soon after, it came to describe any sort of sexualized, scandalous dancing.

I found this rad picture of Little Egypt here

G is for Gown and Glove

Gown and Glove refers to a classic style of burletta wherein the dancer begins dressed in both a gown and gloves which she then removes during the course of her act. Popular during the golden era of Burlesque, the gown and glove still remains a staple among burlesque shows today.

Above is a youtube video of Angie Pontani, one of the world's best burlesque artists and Miss Exotic World 2008; This is her take on a classic gown and glove (a nice cut and paste version) I saw this act in Seattle this year and it was AMAZING!!

F is for Fanny Brice

Comics were a huge and very popular part of a burlesque show in the early 19th century and not unlike today, most were male. Fanny Brice was one exception to that rule. After getting her start in lesser known burlesque houses, Fanny was approached by Florenz Zeigfeld (see Z is for Zeigfeld) to star in his Zeigfeld follies which she did for over twenty years singing and performing comedy. Fanny went onto many successes and became a household name. The influence of comics like Fanny and others are evident in host material and in the comedic acts, burlesque and otherwise, that grace burlesque stages worldwide today.

I found this hilarious picture of Fanny here

E is for Exotic World

Exotic World refers to the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum and its annual fundraiser the Miss Exotic World Pageant. Considered the Olympics of the Burlesque world, entrants from around the globe vie to win categories such as best debut, best group, and the grand title of the reigning Queen of Burlesque. Originally held on an abandoned goat farm in California, the Pageant weekend is now held annually on the first Saturday in June in Las Vegas.


For more information click here and here

The picture is of this year's (2009) winner Kalani Kokonuts

D is for Dixie Evans

Dixie Evans is a notable golden era burlesque dancer- she was known for being the "Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque." Her acts would often resemble the latest plot from Marilyn's most recent film. She is currently the curator of the Exotic World Museum in Las Vegas.

C is for Circuit

In the early nineteenth century, striptease artists would tour burlesque circuits or "wheels"- These circuits were orchestrated by burlesque producers who owned or controlled theatres in multiple cities. Popular acts would be combined to form large troupes to rotate around the cicuit. This was a popular form of employment in the burlesque world as it meant stable employment for up to 40 weeks at a time. (Wish we had a couple of those around now..) The two largest wheels were the Columbia (Eastern) Wheel and the Empire (Western) Wheel. Popular performers who perfected their art performing burlesque circuits include Mae West, Al Jolson, Fanny Brice, Gypsy Rose Lee, Sophie Tucker, W.C. Fields, Burt Lahr, and Bob Hope.

i found the neato pic of mae west here

B is for Bump n' Grind

The Bump n' Grind is a suggestive dance move that has a very important place historically in Burlesque. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, the bump and grind was considered a very risque dance move albeit very popular with striptease artists. To bump is to thrust your hips forward or to either side (almost violently!). To grind is to move your hips around in a circular fashion. Combine the two movements and you'll be ready to set the stage on fire!


Above is a demonstration by the legendary Tempest Storm from YouTube

A is for Audience

Burlesque audiences follow their own set of rules! Unlike traditional theatre audiences, Burlesque crowds are actively encouraged to vocally show appreciation for performers. Hoots, hollars, claps, whistles, and requests to "take it off" make audience participation more fun than ever.

image compliments of LIFE photo archive hosted by Google