Video of the Week

Desire D'Amour is a divine devil in a blue dress at the closing night gala for Miss Exotic World 2009.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

The biggest event in the burlesque world, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, rocked Las Vegas this weekend. Big winners at the pageant include Kalani KoKonuts as the Reigning Queen of Burlesque, Roxi Dlite (1st Runner-up), Perle Noire (2nd Runner-up), Hot Toddy (Boylesque), NANDA (Group), Gigi & Pop (Variety) and Melody Mangler (Debut). The Las Vegas Weekly and Las Vegas Sun dish on the weekend.

In other news...

Immodesty Blaize discusses her new role as steamy novelist.

The Guardian takes a peek at two new books on Gypsy Rose Lee.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

The Miss Exotic World underboob scandal still has 'em talking. As Canada's Kitten Kaboodle, left, notes, "Who books a burlesque weekend at a hotel that's not allowed to show underboobs?"

In other news ...

Vancouver's Melody Mangler likes "the freedom and the do-it-yourself nature of burlesque. You can create a spectacle. It’s fun and people really react to it.”

Time Square's seedier side returns, if only temporarily for a Kirsten Dunst/Ryan Gosling movie shoot.

Seattle has one of the "biggest and baddest" burlesque scenes.

Spiegelworld returns to New York.

Can you handle eight hours of burlesque?

Video from Miss Exotic World 2008

Inga Ingenue at Miss Exotic World 2008.

And part two ...

Miss Exotic World 2008: Opening Ceremony

Couldn't make it to Miss Exotic World this year? Over the next few days, The Candy Pitch will post video from the weekend's festivities. Have one you want to share? Send it to kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com.

All The MEW News That's Fit To Strip

My apologies for the radio silence, The Candy Pitch got a little banged up this week - and not in the good way. So without further delays, we bring you the list of winners from the 2008 Miss Exotic World Pageant:

Best Debut: Perle Noir

Best Duo: Jewel of Denial and Kat Bardot

Best Boylesque: Sin Jyn

Best Troupe: Peak-A-Boo Revue

Miss Exotic World, 2nd Runner Up: Trixie Little

Miss Exotic World, 1st Runner Up: Lux LaCroix

And, drum roll please ...
Miss Exotic World 2008 is Angie Pontani.

In other Miss Exotic World News ...

* During the 50th Annual Reunion Showcase, L.A. Times blogger Richard Abowitz chatted with Tura Satana and Immodesty Blaize. When asked if there was still enough interest to make a career out of striptease, Blaize responded, "It is a fantastic time. It is even more full of diamonds and feathers than it was before."

* Las Vegas Weekly covers all of the uncoverings of the weekend including the "underboob" controversy, the pool party and all the sequin-filled fun.

* Jo Boobs serves up the MEW weekend tapas-style with a taste of the classic costumes, a sample of the pool party and a little dish on the controversy: "Guests at the Palms kept reacting to the BHOF revelers like we had three heads, and I kept wondering what the hell is up when people are finding the sight of showgirls, circus folks, and sideshow peeps to be somehow unexpected in a Las Vegas casino."

* I know. It's really the photos you want. So here, here and here. Have more, send 'em to kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com

Miss Exotic World 2008

The official announcement on the Burlesque Hall of Fame's annual All-Star Burlesque Weekend is out.

The four-day festival, which will take place Thursday, June 5 — Sunday, June 8 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, will include performances from the reigning Miss Exotic World, Immodesty Blaize, left, Michelle L'amour, Kitten DeVille and more than a 100 of the world's top burlesque performers representing over 10 countries and 25 states.

Beyond Friday's Striptease Reunion and The Miss Exotic World Pageant on Saturday, there’s also a weekend long Burlesque Bazaar, a display of memorabilia from the Burlesque Hall of Fame, a Pinup Safari with Don Spiro, daily poolside dance parties and the debut of Dr. Sketchy’s Las Vegas . Don't miss any of the fun.

The Candy Gram: Trixie Little

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. Until the 2008 Miss Exotic World pageant, we'll be featuring the burly queens competing in the festivities. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Baltimore's Trixie Little.

What is your hometown?
Baltimore

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
Performing for 10 years. Burlesque for 5.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Presently 13

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Night Train - Alvino Rey
Tiny Bubbles - Don Ho

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
1. Rhinestones
2. Eyelashes
3. Urban Decay Tanning Stick (secret cleavage enhancer!)

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Pee Wee Herman

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Wild Cherry- total bad ass from 40's-50's New Orleans. She has the best stories of sass, surviving and life lessons- like making sure you get paid well for people to see what you've got.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
A bikini or a dirndl- hard to choose.

What’s the last movie you saw?
Hairspray! Love that Tracy Turnblad scene where she sings Good Morning Baltimore while feeding rats and driving to school atop a garbage truck! Great dance numbers and costumes too.

What’s on your must-see-TV list?
So You Think You Can Dance and Jackass/Wild Boyz reruns- I love those guys.

What book is on your nightstand?
Several- reading in bed is my favorite hobby! Striptease by Rachel Schteir, Kiss Me Like A Stranger by Gene Wilder, Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss and The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
India

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I have one- Irrepressible Cuteness. It serves me well in my mission to make the world mind-blowingly HAPPY!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Amelie Soleil, Red Hot Annie, HoneyLu, Kimberlee Rose, Vicky Butterfly, Dominique Immora, Yasmine Vine, Cherry Bomb, Millie Dollar, Joanie Gyoza, Bonbon Vivant, Lola Martinet, Frankie Boudoir, Vixen Violette, Ravenna Black, Veronica Lashe, Amber Ray, Beatrix von Bourbon, Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini, Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Video of the Week

The lineup for the 2008 Miss Exotic World pageant has been announced. To get you in the mood, The Candy Pitch will bring you performances from previous years until this year's festivities kick off June 5. Today, here's Hot Pink Feathers at Exotic World 2007.