Burlesque Hall of Fame Las Vegas
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is a unique museum and archive dedicated to the history and art of burlesque, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 2006, the museum is a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of this popular art form, which has experienced a resurgence of interest in recent years.
Burlesque is a theatrical performance art that combines elements of vaudeville, striptease, comedy, and dance. Originating in the 19th century, burlesque was a popular form of entertainment in the United States and Europe for decades, with performers like Gypsy Rose Lee, Sally Rand, and Blaze Starr becoming household names.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is home to an extensive collection of costumes, photographs, documents, and other memorabilia related to the history of burlesque. The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 5,000 pieces, ranging from vintage posters and programs to elaborate showgirl costumes and props.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Burlesque Hall of Fame also hosts temporary exhibits, special events, and performances that showcase the artistry and creativity of contemporary burlesque performers. The museum also offers educational programming for people of all ages, including lectures, workshops, and classes on the history and techniques of burlesque.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is located in the Arts District of downtown Las Vegas, in a building that was originally a sewing factory. The space has been converted into a unique museum, with exhibits and installations that celebrate the glamour and history of burlesque.
Visitors to the Burlesque Hall of Fame can explore the museum’s extensive collection, which includes rare artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia from the golden age of burlesque. The museum’s exhibits offer a glimpse into the history of this art form, as well as the lives and careers of the performers who helped make it famous.
One of the highlights of the Burlesque Hall of Fame is its collection of elaborate and ornate costumes, which represent some of the most iconic and memorable burlesque performances of all time. These costumes are a testament to the incredible artistry and creativity of the performers who wore them, and they offer a rare glimpse into the world of burlesque glamour and showmanship.
The museum’s temporary exhibits showcase the work of contemporary burlesque performers, who continue to explore and push the boundaries of this art form. These exhibits offer visitors a chance to experience the excitement and creativity of modern burlesque, and to appreciate the ways in which this art form has evolved and expanded over time.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame also hosts a range of special events, performances, and activities throughout the year. These include film screenings, burlesque shows, and other events that celebrate the art and history of burlesque. Visitors to the museum can participate in these events, and even take part in workshops and classes that teach the techniques and history of burlesque.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of burlesque, and to educating the public about this important and influential art form. The museum is a testament to the creativity, artistry, and showmanship of the performers who helped make burlesque such a beloved and enduring part of American culture.
In addition to its exhibits and events, the Burlesque Hall of Fame offers a range of educational programming for people of all ages. The museum’s lectures, workshops, and classes provide a unique and engaging way to learn about the history and techniques of burlesque, and to explore the creative possibilities of this art form.
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FAQ's
What is the Burlesque Hall of Fame?
The Burlesque Hall of Fame (BHoF) is the world’s premier organization dedicated to preserving the living legacy of burlesque as an artform and cultural phenomenon and fostering the continued growth of the artform. With a collection of several thousand costumes, stage props, photographs, and personal effects documenting the careers and lives of burlesque dancers, comics, and producers over nearly a century, the museum is a growing testament to the power and social impact of the art of the tease.
Where are you located? How much does it cost to visit?
BHoF is located in downtown Las Vegas at 1027 S Main St, Suite 110, in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District.. Admission is $15, $12 for Nevada Residents, and $10 for Students, Seniors, and Active and Retired Military.
What do you have in your collection?
BHoF’s collection was begun by Jennie Lee in the 1960s and continues to grow. It currently consists of several thousand pieces including costumes, stage props, photos, sheet music, magazines, manuscripts, and personal effects from performers at every level of fame. Our collection includes an array of historic items, from fun to functional, including Sally Rand’s fans, Gypsy Rose Lee’s travelling trunk, Dita Von Teese’s giant martini glass, Liz Renay’s book typescripts, and Jennie Lee’s typewriter.
I have some things I would like to donate to the museum. How do I do that?
BHoF is happy to accept donations of costumes, stage props, photos, and other burlesque memorabilia that help us to better illustrate burlesque’s unique history. Please visit our donations page at https://www.burlesquehall.com/support/donating-artifacts/ for more information on what we are able to accept and how to arrange a donation.
To whom does the term “Legend” refer?
Through popular usage over the years, the term “Living Legend” or its shorter form, “Legend,” has come to mean any burlesque performer who was a headliner or featured act at some point before 1975.
Who founded the Burlesque Hall of Fame?
The Burlesque Hall of Fame was founded by burlesque dancer Jennie Lee as part of her outreach efforts for the Exotic Dancers League. The EDL was a section of the American Guild of Variety Artists founded by Jennie and several other dancers in 1955 to represent the interest of burlesque performers. In 1965, Jennie invited attendees at the EDL’s annual Striptease Reunion to bring photos and other memorabilia to help start a Burlesque Hall of Fame. In years to come, she would display her growing collection at her San Pedro bar, the Sassy Lassy, before moving to the Helendale ranch in the 1980s to create Jennie Lee’s Exotic World, a museum dedicated to the history of burlesque. When Jennie died in 1990, her widower Charlie Arroyo asked Jennie’s close friend Dixie Evans, “The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque”, to take over running the museum. Dixie was the curator and director of the museum during the foundational years of the burlesque revival, creating a virtual Mecca for the legions of young dancers interested in learning about and building on the history of burlesque. In 1991, to encourage more visitors to the remote museum, Dixie created the Miss Exotic World pageant. This an annual burlesque competition would become the proving ground for a generation of new performers, while providing them the opportunity to rub elbows with the Legends of burlesque whose careers were represented in the museum’s displays.
How is the Burlesque Hall of Fame funded?
BHoF is supported by donations, merchandise sales, annual memberships, corporate sponsorships, special event admissions, and ticket sales for the events of the annual BHoF Weekend.
I’d like to throw a benefit event to raise money for BHoF. Can I use your name or logo?
We appreciate every effort to help support the museum and spread awareness of our work. If you are planning a benefit event, please contact us at info@burlesquehall.com and let us know. We are happy to provide a digital copy of our logo for your promotional materials, however we ask that you are careful not to use our name and logo in such a way to suggest that BHoF either produced or endorsed your specific event. Contact us for further information.
Will BHoF help promote my show/Kickstarter campaign/other event?
In order to maintain the usefulness of our various online channels for distributing our own news, and given the huge number of shows, fundraising campaigns, and other events we are asked to help promote, we have limited ourselves to promoting only the following types of programs: Fundraising shows and other events whose direct beneficiary is BHoF; Projects whose main purpose is education in the history of burlesque; Projects and events that feature Miss Exotic Worlds and other BHoF title-holders in central roles; and Direct sponsors of BHoF.
My organization would like to work with BHoF. Do you partner with other organizations?
BHoF is happy to work with other educational institutions whose interests and missions mesh with our own. Please email us at info@burlesquehall.com with more details about your organization’s project and how we can be involved.
I would like to do research at the Burlesque Hall of Fame. Is that possible?
Absolutely. BHoF welcomes qualified researchers and are happy to work with you to pursue your research goals. Please see https://www.burlesquehall.com/about/researcher-access/ for more information on how to gain access to our collection.
Will BHoF sponsor our event or buy an ad in our program?
Although we would love to be able to support every burlesque event, as a non-profit, our resources are limited. Please contact us at info@burlesquehall.com with information about your event and we will consider what, if any, action we are able to take in your specific case.
