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 Burlesque Fall of Fame, Las Vegas | |
 | |
| Established | 1990Helendale, California, moved 2006Las Vegas, Nevada |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 20 July 2025 |
| Location | 1027 South Main Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 |
| Type | Hall of fame |
| Website | www |
TheBurlesque Hall of Fame (BHOF) was the world's only museum dedicated to the history, preservation, and future of the art ofburlesque. Located in the Las Vegas Arts district at 1027 S Main St. #110, BHOF was a tourist destination and non-profit 501 (c)(3) educational organization offering tours of its vast collection of costumes, memorabilia, props and ephemera from burlesque's heyday through contemporary practice; classes for individuals and groups at all levels including beginner; movie screenings; research access for students and journalists; and a gift shop. It closed its door on 20 July 2025.
Formerly known asExotic World, the museum began as the personal collection of striptease artist and founding member ofThe Exotic Dancers' League of AmericaJennie Lee. After her death in 1990, her friend and fellow entertainer,Dixie Evans, created the museum inHelendale, California, and launched the "Miss Exotic World" Competition in 1990.
In 2006, The Burlesque Hall of Fame relocated from Helendale to Las Vegas, NV, to establish itself as a permanent tourist attraction and exhibition space for its collection. After nearly a decade in the Emergency Arts building in the heart of a revitalizedDowntown Las Vegas, the museum moved to Las Vegas' Arts district in 2018.
This Miss Exotic World competition was in its 29th year (as of 2019), and has grown to become The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, a four-day convention held annually in Las Vegas that includes class, vending, museum tours, pin-up safaris, and four nights of showcases: Movers, Shakers, and Innovators; The Titans of Tease Reunion (then in its 68th year); The Miss Exotic World Competition; and Icons and All-Stars.
Retired dancer Jennie Lee started collecting burlesque memorabilia when she owned the Sassy Lassynightclub inSan Pedro, California. After Lee was diagnosed withbreast cancer, she and her husband moved to an abandoned goat farm in Helendale, California, located in theMojave Desert about one third of the way betweenLos Angeles,California andLas Vegas,Nevada.
Lee intended to create a burlesque museum, found a burlesque school and run abed and breakfast, and the goat farm site had enough room to contain her growing collection. Only the museum got started within her lifetime.
After Lee died in 1990, Dixie Evans took over the farm and turned it intoThe Exotic World Burlesque Museum, aided by Lee's widower, Charlie Arroyo. Lee's memorabilia formed the core of the collection, and in 1993 Dixie Evens performed along with then burlesque queen Venus De Light on theJoan Rivers Show titled "Proving Burlesque Isn't Dead" and people from around the world soon started to donate items to Exotic World. The collection grew large enough to fill the entire farm. Exotic Dancers still performing throughout the world world convene once a year and perform for each other and enjoy each other's camaraderie and crown one lucky burlesque performer Miss Exotic World.
In late 2005, the museum was temporarily closed for inventory and renovations in the wake of Arroyo's unexpected death and significant weather damage to the museum facilities. Although the museum was not open at the time of the annual Miss Exotic World Pageant in 2006, the pageant was nevertheless held at an alternate venue, the Celebrity Theater in Las Vegas. In 2006, the Burlesque Hall of Fame relocated from Helendale to a temporary space in The Las Vegas Emergency Arts building.
The Hall of Fame relocated to a permanent premises in S Main Street, Las Vegas in April 2018.[1] It was closed on 20 July 2025.[2]
The Burlesque Hall of Fame does not have a formal induction process. The museum is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the entire history of burlesque. A "Living Legend of the Year" award is presented annually during the BHOF Weekender to a performer who has made a significant contribution to burlesque history. BHOF also presents a "Sassy Lassy" award to a person who has contributed significantly to the promotion and preservation of the art of burlesque.
Living Legend of the Year recipients include:
Sassy Lassy recipients include:
The Exotic World museum collection includescostumes,props,posters,photographs,publicity stills,newspaper clippings, andplaybills related to famous burlesque performers includingVenus De Light,Dita Von Teese,Blaze Starr,Lili St. Cyr,Chesty Morgan,Candy Barr andTempest Storm.
The museum includescostume elements and props such asfeather boas,fans,gloves,garter belts,gowns,shoes,pasties,g-strings, andjewelry. Many of these items are specially made for use in striptease routines.
Unique individual items include ivory fans used bySally Rand, gloves and a blackvelvet shoulder cape worn byGypsy Rose Lee, a heart-shaped couch owned byJayne Mansfield and thecremation ashes of Miss Sheri Champagne.
The history of the Burlesque Hall of Fame is the featured subject of the 2010 documentaryExotic World & the Burlesque Revival.[3] Dixie Evans appears in Leslie Zemeckis' documentaryBehind the Burly Q.
Exotic World hosts the annual Miss Exotic World pageant on the first Saturday of every June. Each year aNeo-burlesque performer is crowned Miss Exotic World in a contest often referred to as theMiss America of burlesque. Winners receive both the title and a trophy.
Evolving from annual celebrations for the Exotic Dancers League union, Dixie Evans initiated the Miss Exotic World pageant in 1990 as a way to draw people to the museum. She garnered attention by sending out apress release claiming that "Lili St. Cyr, Tempest Storm, Blaze Starr and 30 other alumni of burlesque will all be invited to attend this reunion." While technically true, none of those invitees attended that year. However, the release garnered press attention for the pageant, which was successful enough to become an annual event.
Each contest features burlesque performances by both stars from burlesque's golden age and younger women involved in theNew Burlesque scene.
Miss Exotic World, Reigning Queen of Burlesque 2019
First runner UpSecond Runner up
RedBone Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere
Best Boylesque: Joshua Dean
Best Debut: Dahlia Fatale
Most Classic:Holly's Good
Most Comical: Faye Havoc & Donna Boss Rogers
Most Innovative: Lou Lou la Duchesse De Riere
Most Dazzling Dancer: Frankie Fictitious
Best Small Group: Kitten ‘N’ Lou
Best Large Group: Mod Carousel