On this day in 1904, burlesque legend Sally Rand was born. Born Helen Harriet Beck, she started out as a silent film actress and was given her stage name by legendary film director and producer, Cecil B. Demille, who was inspired by the Rand-McNally atlas. Following the decline of silent films, she became a dancer and is known for popularizing the fan dance, still a regular routine in burlesque today. Her most famous performance of the dance was at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, where she was arrested four times for indecent exposure while riding a white horse down the streets of Chicago. She would be arrested multiple times throughout her lifetime on similar charges but the charges were always dismissed, since her perceived “nudity” was usually an illusion, with Rand wearing a body suit. Here she is performing the dance that made her famous.

And here’s another burlesque standard that she is credited as having created:  the bubble dance.

In 1936, Sally purchased the Music Box burlesque hall in San Francisco, now known as the Great American Music Hall, and appeared on TV in 1957 on an episode of “To Tell the Truth” where celebrity judges tried to guess the identity of a veiled celebrity. She failed to stump the judges however, and was correctly identified by all four panelists. An indication of her celebrity at the time. Throughout the 60s and 70s, she would appear in nostalgic burlesque revues alongside other legends like Tempest Storm and Blaze Starr. Sally passed away in 1979 but her impact can be seen in today’s neo-burlesque movement of which Brown Paper Tickets is a proud supporter. We have a lot of great burlesque events coming up this week and you can witness Sally Rand’s influence for yourself.

Pay tribute to Sally by checking out any one of these great events. When you see a fan or bubble dance, raise a drink to a pioneering business-woman and performer.

Cheers Sally, we miss you!

Friday, April 6

RHINESTONE GORILLA BURLESQUE – New York, New York  Formerly known as Alpha Psi Ecdysia, Rhinestone Gorilla Burlesque was founded in 2008 as the nation’s premier undergraduate burlesque troupe. While based on the campus of the State University of New York at New Paltz, Rhinestone Gorilla lived a double life as an educational institution and a professional producing entity. On the New Paltz campus, Rhinestone Gorilla dedicated itself to teaching burlesque history, the politics of neo-burlesque and the practice of burlesque performance; off-campus, Rhinestone Gorilla was the underage darling of the New York stripperformance art scene, getting naked on school nights at The Slipper Room, Rififi, Public Assembly, and Sugarland and in venues in LA, SF, Boston, and beyond. Though frequent subjects of controversy and police activity, Rhinestone Gorilla’s students on the SUNY campus–who have inherited the name Alpha Psi Ecdysia–remain the only state-sponsored strippers in the nation. The Rhinestone Gorilla Burlesque troupe members are Lucida Sans (producing director), Debra Delorean (assistant producer), Gemma Stone, Angelique A’Lamode, Izebel Vivant, Kinky Demure, Avian Rush, and Spartacus Rising.

The Great Burlesque Exposition – Cambridge, Massachusetts  The annual Great Burlesque Exposition is a weekend-long conference and festival focused on the art of burlesque.  This conference attracts performers interested in Burlesque from around the world, as well as an enthusiastic local attendance.  It features dance classes, theater classes, costuming and makeup classes, as well as professional skills such as writing a press release, speaking to the press, and protecting your intellectual property.  It’s a great place to learn about a growing art form as well as a good opportunity to grow your business savvy regardless of your performing art of choice. The shows are second-to-none, showcasing a wide range of talents and performers. Fridays show will feature The Rhinestone Review, Saturday is The Main Event – a prestigious battle royale between some of the best-of-the-best and Sunday is The Original Newcomers Showcase & The Sideshow Ball where rising stars of burlesque get a chance to shine, and then all of the wonderful freaks, geeks, and weirdoes that accompany burlesque performers get their turn in the limelight! There will also be an Art Show, a Costume Exhibit, and more!

Saturday, April 7

Burlesque Show and Swing Dance – Bremerton, Washington On Saturday, Rockit Roost will take over the Ballroom at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Bremerton for a 1940’s Military Swing Dance style event with Burlesque Show, DJ music and dancing. There will be plenty of light appetizers, signature drinks, as well as raffles and giveaways throughout the night. Come meet the 2012 Pinup Contestants and the Roost’r Vixens.

Sweet Dreams – Eureka, California  The most TANTALIZING show to grace the stage of the Redwood Coast. Blue Angel Entertainment Presents: Sweet Dreams: A Humboldt Burlesque Showcase at The Eureka Theater. Starring: Blue Angel Burlesque, Va Va Voom Burlesque Vixens, Beat Vixens Burlesque and Bada Bling! Burlesque (members formerly of Blushing Barefoot Burlesque). After-Party at The Red Fox Tavern free with ticket stub!

We’re All Going to Hell: A Burlesque Extravaganza! – Mesa, Arizona  Let Provocatease resurrect you as they host this array of sinful devils and demonic, misbehaving succubi. They’ll take you one by one through the seven deadly sins and give you a dozen new reasons to visit confession. Turning water into wine makes your bar tab totally manageable. Come get saved!  Live bands, burlesque, & a night of blasphemy! The pews are going to be full on Easter as Provocatease brings you a live Vaudevillian cabaret stage show of saucy burlesque starlets, dancing dames, cheeky comedians, sketch comedy, singers, impersonators, up close magic, death-defying sideshow acts, and amazing circus arts!

Gotham Burlesque – New York, New York  Gotham Burlesque’s show at the Triad Theater will star the king of Boylesque, TIGGER.  The New York Times called Tigger! “hysterical” and “wickedly arch.” Theater Mania called him “delightful…simultaneously hilarious and titillating” and The Vancouver Sun said he’s “disturbing, funny and oddly riveting all at once.” Other performers include THE GREAT THROWDINI & target girl LANA FIREBIRD, HELEN PONTANI, MINNIE TONKA, JUSTINA FLASH, BOOBESS and SHELLY WATSON. Hosted by SWEETIE with Stage Kitten Extraordinaire, DANGRRR DOLL.

Magic Burlesque – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Attend a unique, adults-only show featuring the talents of three sexy ladies and a top-notch magician. Magic Burlesque makes the creative connection between a classic burlesque performance and a magic show, capturing the energy of vaudeville live on stage. To add to the expectation of “something out of the ordinary”, this new addition to the Grasso’s line up is exciting to the crew, cast, and Philadelphia and surrounding area theatre community. Grasso’s Magic Theater offers a number of family-friendly shows; however the Magic Burlesque is a new adult only special feature perfect for girls/boys night out, groups and or couples to enjoy. The Grasso atmosphere is perfectly designed to offer up the “magic of burlesque”. Burlesque Magic is a dramatic musical work presented for appeal to the sense of humor and sensuality. Theatregoers can expect skilled attractive dancers that capture the essence of sophistication and naughty in every 5-6-7-8. Dipped in elaborate stage costumes, accessories and talent the 3 Burlesque cast members are sure to evoke the true spirit of the American Burlesque Society. This paired with exceptional magic skills makes for a truly intriguing night of entertainment and complete engagement of one’s imagination. Executive producer Anthony Salazar adds, ” The audience will leave with their mental palates completely satisfied. We have invested a great deal of time and energy into creating a must see and share production.”