If you don’t recall that night when performer Imogen Kelly, posing as Marie Antoinette, removed all of her clothes (including layers of panties and a sock monkey), then spun on her back in frosting after doing splits onto a cake, then, well, that’s just unfortunate.
But the show’s never really over, not with the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend happening annually in Las Vegas, highlighting the most outrageous originality, creativity and athleticism of strip-tease in all the world. And here it comes again. This year’s BHoF Weekend kicks off May 30 at the Orleans with the Movers Shakers and Innovators Showcase, officially launching four days of well-orchestrated burlesque everything, including the Burlesque Hall of Fame Finishing School and Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art school with burlesque performers as models. And for photographers, there’s the Pin-Up Photo Safari.
Trixie Little of New York performs during the Movers, Shakers & Innovators Showcase at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend inside the showroom at The Orleans in Las Vegas Thursday, June 2, 2011.
The icing on the cake is, of course, the performances, the back-to-back lineups of talented performers using every prop imaginable in their fantastically costumed, comically sexy and acrobatic routines. This year brings the return of Dirty Martini, Indigo Blue, World Famous *BOB*, Big Fannie Annie, Kitten Natividad and the Stage Door Johnnies in a celebration of the new and legendary. In all, more than 100 artists will take the stage.
The 56th Annual Titans of Tease Reunion Showcase takes place on May 31, with the 23rd annual Tournament of Tease Saturday on June 1 and the Icons & All-Stars Showcase on June 2.
Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, May 30-June 2, prices vary, Orleans, bhofweekend.com
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