New Exhibit Celebrates Glory Days of Boston's Burlesque Era

Boston, MA—On Tuesday, April 10, the West End Museum will present Vintage Costumes of Burlesque in partnership with The Great Burlesque Exposition. The exhibit, which runs through May 12 in the Museum’s Members Gallery, commemorates Boston’s burlesque era and “The Old Howard” through displays of vintage costumes, ephemera and memorabilia. Mina Murray, New England’s leading burlesque performer and headmistress of The Boston Academy of Burlesque Education, curates the show. Concurrent programs include a ladies-only burlesque dancing workshop and a fundraising event featuring live music from the John Licata Sextet and performances by neo-vaudevillian Kristen Minsky. (Program details appear on the following pages; download exhibit images here.)

“Burlesque was an important part of the entertainment in the Old West End and Scollay Square dating back to the transition from 1920s vaudeville and playhouses like The Old Howard, so we definitely wanted to capture and incorporate that entertainment component into this show,” said West End Museum Executive Director Duane Lucia.

Other highlights of the exhibit include:
• Several costumes worn by Ann Corio, the burlesque star most closely associated with The Old Howard. A favorite of Harvard students, legend has it that it was said in Boston, “You can’t graduate from Harvard until you’ve seen Ann Corio.”
• A costume from the wardrobe of the international queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese, who is world renowned for her elaborate costumes and lavish set pieces. Her “Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray ” tour launches in the US in early May.
• A costume worn by young dancer Lily Ann Rose at the Casino in Scollay Square. Rose was arrested and “Banned in Boston” in her teen years for accidentally baring her breasts on stage.
• A gown owned and worn by April March, “The First Lady of Burlesque,” and a reproduction of it made and worn by Mina Murray in her tribute to Miss March.

The Old Howard (officially known as The Howard Athenaeum) was one of Boston’s most famous theaters between 1845 and 1953. Located in Scollay Square, the playhouse featured performances of opera, ballet, dramas, comedy, vaudeville and burlesque. By the end of the 19th century, the theatre switched over entirely to burlesque and featured such performers as Sally Rand, Fanny Brice, Gypsy Rose Lee and Sophie Tucker. The city of Boston denied the theater’s license renewal in 1953 due to claims of indecency, and the playhouse closed. A 1960 push for the renovation and reopening of the theater was quashed by a small fire which, while not devastating to the entire structure, led the city to tear down the building.

About the West End Museum:
The West End Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of the West End neighborhood. The Museum’s permanent exhibit, “The&Last&Tenement,” highlights the immigrant history of the neighborhood  through its decimation under Urban Renewal in 1959; two additional galleries feature rotating exhibits. The Museum is located near North Station at 150 Staniford St. Suite 7. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-O5:00pm; Saturday 11:00am-O4:00pm. Admission is free.

Talk: Costume Creation and Preservation
Thursday, April 19; 7:00 to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE

Master Level Costumer Mina Murray will lead a discussion about preserving and caring for burlesque  costumes. Whether you make or collect costumes, they require and deserve great care. Burlesque costumes have special needs, as do vintage pieces: They are frequently fragile, made of unusual materials and subject  to hard use. Learn tips and tricks for cleaning, storing, maintaining and transporting your costumes to Make them last a lifetime.
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Fundraiser: A Night of Burlesque: The Doors of the Howard Open Again
Friday, April 20; 8:00pm to midnight
Cost: $75 ($50 Members)

View the Vintage Costumes of Burlesque exhibit and enjoy a spirited evening featuring burlesque  performances by neo-vaudevillian Kristen Minsky and live music from the John Licata Sextet along with  handcrafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The event is sponsored by Vanessa Parker of Jim Beam Global, Kathleen Wentworth of Leader Bank and Paul Odelson of Keller Williams. Proceeds support the Museum’s  ongoing exhibitions and programming. For more information, call 617-610-7267.

Lady’s Workshop: Burlesque Basics
Saturday, April 21; 4:00 to 5:00pm
For Women Only
Cost: $35 ($25 Members); Must preregister via www.thewestendmuseum.org/upcoming.html; Limited to  20 participants

Burlesque Basics is for women who have always wanted to try burlesque but didn’t know where to begin. Taught by experts from The Boston Academy of Burlesque Education, New England’s only dedicated  burlesque school, this class will have you doing some good, old-fashioned burlesque in no time. Designed for the novice burlesque performer, no prior experience is necessary. Burlesque is a terrific form of  expression for any woman. It builds confidence, boosts comfort with your body, and it’s great exercise.

Workshop: Fabulous Fascinators
Saturday, April 28; 2:00 to 4:00pm
Cost: $25 ($20 members)
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Fascinators (hair ornaments) are all the rage, worn by burlesque dancers, royal wedding guests and stylish women. In this workshop, which combines hands-on practice with discussion and display, you’ll create two  glamorous hair ornaments, a hair flower clip fit for a pin-up and a feather fascinator any showgirl would sport proudly. Different techniques for building them on any budget will be discussed and applied as well as tricks to wearing hair ornaments and keeping them in place. All of the supplies necessary will be  Provided, but feel free to bring any materials you’d like to use or works in progress for guidance.
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Film: Behind the Burly Q
Thursday, May 3; 7:00 to 9:00pm
Cost: FREE

​In Behind the Burly Q, Director Leslie Zemeckis playfully and thoroughly reveals the behind-the-scenes  stories of the Golden Age of burlesque as told by the performers, musicians and club owners themselves as well as relatives, authors and historians. Their funny, shocking and emotional stories will touch your heart. Extensive archival photos and footage enhance this exploration of a previously dark, but highly popular,  corner of American entertainment.

Closing Reception: Vintage Costumes of Burlesque
Friday, May 11; 7:00 to 9:00pm
Cost: FREE
Refreshments served