Finding My People: Why the Burlesque Hall of Fame Matters More Than Ever

In 2012, I got on a plane to Las Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame (BHOF) Weekender, not really knowing what I was walking into. At the time, burlesque in North Carolina was still in its infancy—small, scattered, trying to find its footing. I had already fallen in love with the art form, but I didn’t have a real community yet. I didn’t know if there were people out there who felt the way I did about burlesque, who lived for the history, who truly got it.

And then I walked into BHOF, and everything changed.

For the first time, I wasn’t alone in this. I was surrounded by hundreds of people who loved burlesque just as much as I did—who had dedicated their lives to it, who understood the power, the beauty, and the legacy of this art form. It was overwhelming, in the best possible way.

I threw myself into every part of the Weekender. Three nights of world-class burlesque performances. Bearcat Bowling, where people showed up in the most absurd, over-the-top outfits imaginable—everything from vintage showgirl glam to circus costumes to inflatable dinosaur suits—drunkenly hurling bowling balls in the most chaotic, joyful spectacle. The famous pool party, where legends and newcomers mingled under the Vegas sun. And, of course, I got my rhinestone name necklace—a little souvenir that still means the world to me.

But more than the glitz, what stuck with me was the sheer importance of this space. BHOF isn’t just a party. It’s a vital piece of burlesque history.

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A Museum Built by Legends, For Legends

The Burlesque Hall of Fame wasn’t always in Las Vegas. It began as a personal collection of memorabilia owned by burlesque legend Jennie Lee, who wanted to create a space to honor the art form and the women who made it great.

In the 1960s, Jennie bought an abandoned goat ranch in Helendale, California, which she transformed into the Exotic World Burlesque Museum—a literal burlesque oasis in the middle of the desert. Over the years, she filled it with costumes, photographs, props, and personal artifacts from some of burlesque’s greatest performers. After Jennie passed away in 1990, her close friend and fellow legend Dixie Evans took over, ensuring that the museum—and the annual Legends Reunion it hosted—continued to thrive.

By the early 2000s, Exotic World was struggling to keep up with the financial burden of maintaining the collection. In 2006, the museum officially relocated to Las Vegas, a city that had long been a hub for burlesque and showgirl culture. Today, the Burlesque Hall of Fame is the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to the history, preservation, and continued evolution of burlesque.

It’s more than just a museum, though. It’s an active, living institution that not only preserves the past but supports the legends who built this art form. BHOF raises money to ensure that these icons can attend the annual Weekender, where they are honored, celebrated, and given the recognition they deserve.

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Returning to BHOF: 13 Years Later

This June, after 13 years, I’m finally going back.

And I’m not just attending—I’m volunteering at the registration desk on Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM, so if you’re there, come say hi! I cannot wait to reconnect, meet new friends, and once again be immersed in the magic that only BHOF can create.

But here’s the thing: BHOF is a nonprofit, and it needs our help to keep going.

That’s why Raleigh Burlesque is donating 100% of our door and raffle sales at this month’s show, Full Bloom, to BHOF.

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Full Bloom: A Benefit for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum

And it’s not just about the performances—it’s about giving back.

💖 100% of ticket sales and raffle proceeds will go directly to BHOF, helping to preserve the history of burlesque and support the legends who paved the way.

📅 Saturday, March 15th

⏰ Doors at 8:00 PM | Show at 8:30 PM

📍 Legends Nightclub Complex, 330 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC

Come for the glitz. Come for the history. Come because burlesque—this wild, wonderful, rebellious art form—is worth preserving.

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Why BHOF Needs Our Support More Than Ever

BHOF isn’t just about looking back—it’s about making sure burlesque has a future. It’s about honoring the people who created this art form while they’re still here to receive our gratitude.

Burlesque has always been more than just sparkle and tease—it’s been a space for rebellion, autonomy, and self-expression. It’s about reclaiming power, about taking up space, about joy and sexuality on our own terms. In a world where those things are constantly being threatened, burlesque is more important than ever.

BHOF keeps that legacy alive. It gives us a place to celebrate our history and ensure that future generations of performers have something to look back on, to learn from, to be inspired by. But like any nonprofit, it relies on the community to survive.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to be a part of something bigger, this is your chance.

🎟️ Come to Full Bloom.

💖 Support BHOF.

✨ Visit their website at burlesquehall.com to learn more, donate, or plan your visit.

Because this art form? This community? It’s worth fighting for.

I’ll see you at Full Bloom. I’ll see you at BHOF. And if you’re in Vegas this June, come say hey.

I’ll be the one grinning ear to ear, feeling like I’m home again.