Americans were first introduced to burlesque by Lydia Thompson and her “British Blondes” when they appeared in New York in 1868.The show was an instant smash hit with audiences and a scandalous outrage to others. Although difficult to pin down, burlesque has always been a mix of comedy, satire, sexuality, and music. Its slippery nature also made it so appealing to audiences, especially when seeking entertainment and escapism. Due to its success, Lydia’s show was imitated almost immediately and predominantly by other women. It has continued to be primarily driven by women.

In 1893 Little Egypt appeared at the Chicago World’s Fair dancing the “hoochie coochie” at the Algerian Village on the Midway Plaisance. She was one of the Fair’s most popular attractions and probably also one of its most derided. Fast-forward to the 1920s where there were major vaudeville circuits performing burlesque in addition to the introduction of motion pictures. The Ziegfeld Follies and Minsky’s shows both profited hugely from producing burlesque shows. The Great Depression brought the rise of burlesque when audiences packed houses for affordable entertainment and plenty of young women in need of work. Sally Rand and her feather fans, Josephine Baker’s sensuality and subversion, Gypsy Rose Lee’s wit and humor, and Ann Corio, the big tease, all became well-known during this time. Carrie Finnell also brought pasties and tassel-twirling into permanent rotation. (Pun intended!)