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Bella Sin loves the Roxy. She has studied the history of the legendary Cleveland and has even had herself superimposed over an image of the Roxy. That's her, far left. On Saturday, she will be joined by Doll Bambino, far right, and Lushes La Moan, center, at a show that pays tribute to the Roxy that takes place at the Beachland Ballroom.

(Drew Auld)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bella Sin was born after the Roxy shut down. But that hasn't stopped the Cleveland burlesque performer from paying tribute to the famed downtown club.

At 8 p.m. Friday, the Beachland Ballroom will host "The Roxy Remembered."



The show will celebrate the old Roxy Theater, the famed downtown club that hosted titillating shows by burlesque's biggest performers in the 1940s and '50s.



The Roxy is no more. It closed in 1977, after a steady, seedy decline that mirrored the descent of burlesque.



But the Roxy's heyday and glory continue to inspire burlesque performers such as Bella Sin, who organized the show to raise money for a historical marker for the old location of the club, at East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue.

"I'm as much a fan of burlesque and Cleveland history as I am a burlesque performer, and it's important for people to remember what Cleveland was like," says Sin, 29. "The marker costs $15,000, and we're slowly working toward getting it all done."

Many of the Roxy's stable of stars – Tempest Storm, Blaze Starr, Irma the Body and Lili St. Cyr – are studied by contemporary performers.



"The Roxy Remembered" will feature a display of photos and marquees from the club, as well as a movie about burlesque's heyday.



Hey, but this ain't just some history lesson.



The show will also bring a number of burlesque performers to the Beachland -- 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland -- to perform old-school tributes. The bill includes Lushes La Moan, Doll Bambino, Top Banana, Sonshine La Ra, Abby Downton and more, more, more.

Tickets are $15, advance; $18, day of show. Call 216-383-1124. Or go to ohioburlesquefestival.com.