As we kick off a New Year – and wait for the Burlesque TOP 50 results – here is a chance to catch up on some essential burlesque reading. Here are your 20 most popular burlesque articles on 21st Century Burlesque Magazine in 2014 (all articles open in a new window)…



I was disturbed to read an announcement from Bourgeois Betty concerning her friend and fellow performer Ida Claire, who has been banned by a judge in Alabama, USA from participating in burlesque in any way if she wishes to maintain joint custody of her children… [Read More]

“As I earn my stripes in this industry, I just want to share some thoughts on what I feel has contributed to my success based on the things I have learned along the way. These are in no particular order of importance…” [Read More]

As they kick off a UK tour of their hit show Beauty and the Beast, and feature in a new burlesque documentary by Beth B, EXPOSED, I continue my Partnerships Series by interviewing trailblazing, hilarious and heavy hitting power couple Julie Atlas Muz and Mat Fraser. [Read More]

“Dicks are funny, okay that might be true. How about a roofie joke? Ever hear a woman make those jokes? Probably not. I’ve heard them at shows where people get their drinks drugged. I wish this were funny; it’s not! The way I experience the world, men speak for women and it’s crushing to me when I see heavy handed examples of this in my own community…” [Read More]

“I am sure that somebody has touched on this subject before, but I thought I would suggest my own rendition anyway! As a neo-burlesque dancer, I am often presented with assumptions about what burlesque is, as well as how it all works. To outline the realities of our artform, here are some common misconceptions about burlesque…” [Read More]

“When are we ever going to get over letting ‘money gigs’ rule our decisions for our artistic choices? When is this generation of incredibly talented and beautiful artists going to stop thinking that the more Swarovski crystals they put on their dress, the better their ‘art’?” [Read More]

“I appreciate ambition and drive, I really do, but I desperately want all of these women to know that in order to make sure that headlining spots and paid spots are even available to them in the future, they need to STOP WORKING FOR FREE. Just stop it…” [Read More]

Burlesque performer Dottie Lux attended a meeting with Facebook last week to discuss the Facebook Real Name Policy affecting performers, the GLBTQ community, and other individuals across the world. The issue and the outcome of that meeting have received global press attention, and Dottie has produced an in-depth report for 21st Century Burlesque Magazine describing the discussion and the reasons for challenging this rigid policy… [Read More]

“As my tagline says, I am ‘The Ass that goes POW!’ What does that mean? I suppose you just don’t see it coming. Sweet smile and a sensational ass. What a combo! But really, I paid my ass no mind for years. I spent my time as a dancer trying to put it away. Tuck it. Hide it. The last thing I would do was jiggle it! And then, I started doing burlesque…” [Read More]

“This past Friday, a sideshow performer named Rush Aaron Hicks made the decision to perform in blackface at New York’s most well-renowned neo-burlesque palace, the Slipper Room. I did not see the act in question, but witnessed Hicks’ inane defense of his choices and participated in an online discussion that contained James Habacker’s initial private response to the community in a closed forum (read his public response here). A discussion that I cannot post in this article out of respect for the privacy of all who participated. Needless to say, it de-evolved pretty quickly.

It all makes me tired. Really tired…” [Read More]

A number of burlesque performers have reacted with shock to the alleged actions of New York Boylesque Festival producers Jen Gapay and Daniel Nardicio, who, according to an article published on Queerty.com, have excluded burlesque performer Go-Go Harder from this year’s festival… [Read More]



Last night, social networks were frothing with a range of responses to comedian Nadia Kamil’s ‘Feminist Burlesque’ routine, which she builds up to by taking cheap shots at respected burlesque performer Honey Wilde and her celebrated Margaret Thatcher act. While there have been a number of eloquent responses to the video, including this from Jason Rutter and a post from Lili La Scala, UK burlesque performer Glorian Gray says, enough already… [Read More]

Princess Farhana, a guest of honour at BurlyCon 2014, has performed, taught, researched and written about belly dance and burlesque since 1990. Now, 21st Century Burlesque Magazine can bring you the best of her guides and tutorials right here, starting with a guide to tackling bad performance habits… [Read More]

Following Dangrrr Doll’s piece earlier this week on The Cost of Burlesque, Jo Weldon presents The Value of Burlesque… [Read More]



With the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2014 only days away, now is a good time to read or re-read this BHoF Survival Guide, written by the much loved and missed Sparkly Devil. With great care and respect, BHoF team member Kay Sera has contributed a few minor updates to facility and price information, and updated the section on the current BHoF Museum exhibition… [Read More]



Aspiring boylesque megastars look no further – your ultimate guide to making it in burlesque is right here, courtesy of some of the finest male stripteasers in the galaxy! [Read More]



As she makes her final preparations for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Miss Glory Pearl tells 21st Century Burlesque Magazine about what led a burlesque artist to try her hand at stand-up comedy… [Read More]



“She didn’t take off much clothing, but what she did take off revealed signs with feminist messages written on them — things like “Stop looking at my arse, you sexist” and “100% of rapes are the fault of the rapist”. She ended by pulling out her diploma with pasties taped to the front of it; the whole thing was bloody hilarious, and I enjoyed it greatly. What I enjoyed a little less was her analysis of burlesque leading up to her performance. It was clever, and funny, but, as comedy so often is, reductive…” [Read More]

This interview certainly got people talking!

Refreshingly candid, utterly dedicated and a workaholic after my own heart, Angie Pontani is a contemporary pioneer with an infectious confidence and vision who has earned her place in the burlesque history books… [Read More]

“In a spirit of support and compassion for competitors, I’d like to offer the following suggestions for being a good friend to someone who is participating. You know your friends best, and some of these suggestions might not work for everyone, but I hope they help friends of competitors think about the best ways to be supportive…” [Read More]

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