Behind the Burly Q Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes

Burlesque icon Alexandra The Great 48 performed her act at dozens of theaters, clubs, and luxury hotels throughout the world. Inducted into the Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2008, Alexandra The Great 48 also appeared in the documentary Behind the Burly Q.

Written and directed by American actress Leslie Zemeckis, Behind the Burly Q tells the story of the golden age of burlesque, which spanned from the early 1920s until the 1960s. Through a mix of video clips and interviews, the film showcases the intense highs and harrowing lows of life in the American burlesque industry. The documentary reveals first-hand accounts from iconic dancers such as April March and Taffy O’Neill.

In cases where the performers had passed away, Zemeckis interviewed close friends and relatives. MASH star Alan Alda appears in the film to relay his experiences as the son of burlesque comedian and singer Robert Alda. The movie had a limited release in 2010. Approximately 3 years later, Zemeckis published a companion book with the same title.

Best Burlesques on the Planet

Rainbow paint
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Gerri Weise became one of the world’s most well-known acts after transforming herself into Alexandra The Great 48. Crafting her stage name from the movie Alexander the Great and measurements of her figure, she started burlesque dancing and had the opportunity to travel the world. The burlesque has been around for some time, and while the pioneers of earlier eras have passed on, the burlesque is still popular around the world, but the best ones are located in the United States and Europe.

In just about every corner of the United States, travelers and enthusiasts can find a burlesque. Skull’s Rainbow Room (Nashville, TN), the Allways Lounge and Theater (New Orleans), and then of course, various clubs in Las Vegas are just a few of the more popular places. Visitors to the Allways Lounge might find the cozy, small theater perfect for a show while those visiting the Skull’s Rainbow Room might attend the club for its high-profile acts. Finally, as one of the notable centers for the burlesque, Las Vegas offers visitors the opportunity to see the numerous showgirl acts and to visit the Burlesque Hall of Fame.

In Europe, those looking to take in a burlesque show might find Paris, Berlin, Treviso, and London burlesque hot spots. Paris dot only provides visitors with a great number of burlesques but also a little variety with the city being home to both very elaborate productions and more intimate, cozy performances. The Kleine Nachtrevue in Berlin is described as the epitome of the city’s cabaret scene. The Nasty Boys Saloon in Treviso (Italy) provides the right mix of Americana and burlesque to make things interesting. Finally, the Big Smoke (London) is home to a number of acts and the London Burlesque Festival.

Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Celebrates Past and Present

Las Vegas Welcome sign

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

During her 15 years as a burlesque performer, Alexandra the Great 48 headlined shows across the world. The striking woman once stopped traffic in Honolulu while walking around in costume. Alexandra the Great 48 performed to crowds of up to 3,000 before retiring to become a beautician and start her own line of beauty products. She was a major star in a performance style that is celebrated and studied by the Burlesque Hall of Fame (BHoF).

The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend is an annual fundraiser for the BHoF. The four-day event is packed full of performances and events honoring the rich past and present of burlesque entertainment. This year, the event was held in June in Las Vegas, where the BHoF is located.

The weekend kicked off with a celebration of today’s burlesque performers. The Movers, Shakers and Innovators Showcase featured contemporary acts from all over the world. The following day went back to the past: The 62nd Annual Titans of Tease Showcase honored the stars of the Golden Age of burlesque (through 1970). Next up was the 29th Annual Tournament of Tease, which culminated in the crowning of Frankie Fictitious as Miss Exotic World. The weekend wrapped up with the Icons and All Stars Showcase, combining past and present burlesque stars.