Great Britton

Burlesque queen Sherry Britton has died. Until burlesque was banned by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia she "peeled off chiffon evening gowns to the strains of Tchaikovsky [and] sometimes she balanced glasses of water on her breasts." She later performed in 39 plays, including 14 musicals, sang in nightclubs and made numerous television appearances. She entertained troops during World War II and, in 1944, was named an honorary brigadier general by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

According to her obituary in The New York Times, in an unpublished memoir that she titled The Stripper, by the Hon. Brigadier General Sherry Britton, she wrote: “There seemed to be two of me. One, onstage, undressing. The other saying, ‘What are you doing, taking your clothes off for those morons?’“

All the News That's Fit To Strip

Sherry Britton once donned a "Let's Go Mets" T-shirt, but the burlesque dancer is really a Chicago Cubs fan. And reminiscing about Sherry, columnist Bill Gallo confirms something we always suspected:

"The older fellows said they went to burlesque for the comics, funny men such as Red Buttons and Phil Silvers and Jackie Gleason ... After seeing our very first burlesque, we were certain, the older guys didn't come to see the comics."

In other news ...

Dita is naturally a freckle-faced blonde.


Kellita of Hot Pink Feathers explains how she found herself "bumping and grinding, shimmying and shaking."

It's ok Britney, pole dancing is hard.

Woody shares photos from Miss Exotic World.

How do you know the "stripperization" of America is complete? When the word is used to describe New Gingrich's potential presidential run.

Bostonians who are ready to take their hip swiveling professional might want to head to Rock City Body on August 26. The Boston Babydolls are holding auditions for new troupe members.

The latest issue of Shimmy Magazine is now on sale. Purchase your copy online or, if you happen to be in New York, here, here or here.

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