Take It Off The E-String, Put It On The G-String!

A great description of Burlesque and its purpose...

Excerpt from the Zanesville Signal May 30, 1943 (author uncredited):

"BURLESQUE HAS US LAUGHING AGAIN!

•Its Comic Clowns, Luscious Lassies and Robust

Humor are Perfect Antidotes for War-Time Stress

OLD - FASHIONED burlesque—the real burlesque—jovial, carefree, robustious, with all its elements of unrestrained whoopee, is enjoying an unprecedented revival in cities and small towns all over the country during these desperate war days. And, in its own rollicking fashion, it is doing its part to help win the war by providing relaxation and enjoyment to thousands of workers in all branches of industry. Just what is old-fashioned burlesque?

It is girl-and-music-and fun entertainment, with the accent on high spirits, uproarious comedy, unabashed belly-laughter! It is a generous mixture of clowns, gayly tantalizing

songs, time-honored jokes that always seem fresh and funny to each new audience—and girls,

girls, girls! The more of them the merrier—and the more beautiful, of course, the better! Its most distinguishing feature, barring the beautiful girls, is its naivete, its almost childlike exuberance

and its unashamed effort to take nothing seriously."

So don't forget your roots, burlesquers.
Make 'em laugh.
The audience deserves to have even more fun than you're having. 

The Spirit of Jennie Lee

As this big burlesque weekend approaches, I know a lot of people are dealing with high levels of emotion, and recent events are making a lot of those emotions even higher. But WHEREVER you may be this weekend: whatever show you may be attending or performing at, whether you're a burlesque performer, enthusiast, or producer, I urge you all to do one thing: carry with you the spirit of Jennie Lee. This weekend was founded on her mission to bring burlesque artists together. To gain strength from each-other, and build on each-others' successes. To share stories, laughs, skills and good times, and to protect each-other from harm. Competition isn't a bad thing. It can challenge us to become better people, stronger and more committed artists. But my challenge to you is this: shake off your fears and inhibitions, unite with your sisters (and brothers) of burlesque this weekend and share in Jennie Lee's spirit of acceptance, camaraderie and support. Make new burlesque friends, and cherish the old. Learn, grow and have a fantastic time. Do that, and you'll really be bowling a strike for the Bazoom Girl!