N is for Neo-Burlesque

Neo Burlesque refers to the current resurgence of Burlesque in today’s modern times. Today’s performers use inspiration from any of burlesque’s history to create a modern performance that can range from classic striptease to out there performance art to a hilarious comedic routine. In Neo Burlesque, anything goes! The common denominator remains an element of striptease, with an emphasis on tease, usually down to pasties and/or g-string but no further. Neo Burlesque also offers an emphasis on body and sex positivity which differentiates it from modern stripping. The current Burlesque movement first found its feet in the mid 90s with revues from Billie Madley, Tony Marando and Michelle Carr’s The Velvet Hammer Burlesque Troupe. The revival is worldwide with festivals in New York, London, Vancouver, Australia, Amsterdam and Helsinki and shows no sign of slowing down.


The photo is of Dirty Martini, Miss Exotic World 2004, currently voted the number one Burlesque performer/starlet in the world

The photo is from a Karl Lagerfield shoot with V Magazine that I found here

And there is an awesome interview with Dirty here

She is my favorite!!

M is for Minsky

The Minsky Brothers Abe, Billy, Herbert, and Morton are a huge part of Burlesque history in New York in the early 1900s. After their father gave them an inconveniently located theatre on the sixth floor in the National Winter Garden on Houston Street, the brothers tried several attempts at “legitimate” entertainment. They tried showing respectable films and hiring vaudeville performers, but neither effort was successful. However, the half naked women of Burlesque had more than enough appeal to keep the Brothers and their theatre full of paying customers. Contributing to their success were innovative ideas like having a runway into the audience to bring the girls closer to the clientele. Minksy’s was also well known for the overtly-scandalous performances from their dancers and were raided several times by morality squads over the years before finally being shut down in 1937. Both the words “Minsky’s” and “Burlesque” were banned in New York around this time. The scandal at Minsky’s also allowed the city to refuse permits for all other Burlesque houses in New York, effectively destroying the Burlesque scene.

I found the neato picture of the Minksky theatre here