Lovely Lili

We're taking a small hiatus from our weekly Candy Gram for a Lili moment. Today is the eleven-year anniversary of Lili St. Cyr's death.

The Independent and The New York Times did good obituaries.

And here's a great video of her:

All the News that's Fit To Strip

A little sample of pop star Christina Aguilera's latest recording for her forthcoming movie, Burlesque hits the Internet.

In other news...

Jersey City Deputy Mayor and former exotic, Leona Beldini takes the stand this week in a corruption trial that involves over 40 other people. In the 50s and 60s, Leona danced under the name Hope Diamond and performed throughout the country.

The Berlin cabaret culture is alive and well, thanks in part to nightclub owner, Sylvia Schmid. Her venue, Kleine Nachtrevue features, dancers, actors, comedians and singers.

Candy Gram: Kalani Kokonuts

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop Tanya Cheex a line at t.cheex AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello the reigning Queen of The Burlesque Hall of Fame 2009, Kalani Kokonuts.

What is your hometown?
Somewhere in the constellation Plieades

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
Since about 2003

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
I have no idea, not that many..

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Feeling good by Michael Buble
Bob's yer uncle by The Happy Mondays
Rev 22:20 (dry martini mix) by Puscifer

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
My shoes, the music and some weed.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Burning man

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Immodesty Blaize

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Apparently it's toothpaste. I rock toothpaste on my shirt almost everyday. If you don't see toothpaste on me, I haven't brushed yet.

What’s the last movie you saw?
Let The Right One In. It's a subtitled vampire movie made in the Netherlands I think.

What’s on your must-see-TV list?
Toddlers and Tiaras. Seriously? I just can't relate.

What book is on your nightstand?
A bunch of High Times magazines and a Thierry Mugler design book.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
Burning Man

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Wow, I get to choose any power? My power would be the ability to instantaneously create highly contagious viruses with permanent symptoms.

The reasoning behind this idea would be that I could manifest viruses that can make any human happier, less stressed and kinder and more compassionate to there fellow earthlings. I guess I would be the change that I wanted to see.

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Maria May I, La Cholita, Gentry de Paris, Jade Pearl, Kitten DeVille, Miss C, Immodesty Blaize, Nasty Canasta, Vivienne Vermuth, Scarlett James, Tura Santana, Tatah DuJour, Susie Caboose, Gigi La Femme, Kitten on the Keys, Virginia D'Vine, Tamara the Trapeze Lady, Champagne Sparkles, Selia Carmichael, Pyra Sutra, Roxi Dlite, Scarlet O'Gasm, Bombshell Betty, Foxy Moxy, Bambi Galore, Mis Rosie Bitts, Sahara Dunes, Mimi Rockafellar, Baby Le Strange, Rose Darling, Satan's Angel, Ophelia Flame, Panache La Plume, Ginger Valentine, Madame Rosebud, Little Brooklyn, Victoria Veneance, Sauci Calla Horra, Penny Starr Jr., Gemma Parker, Darla DeVine, Sparkly Devil, Vivienne VaVoom, Lux LaCroix, Charlotte La Belle Araignee, Bunny Love, Amber Topaz, 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

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Kristin Bell wants you to be prepared for her new, sexed up role in the forthcoming movie, Burlesque. But if you think you might see a whole lot of Miss Bell, think again. She said:

"I’m a burlesque dancer who’s an alcoholic, so I’m playing sexier than I’ve ever done before. You won’t see me naked, wearing pasties and a G-string or anything. But you definitely won’t think of me as the girl next door either."


In other news...

Former exotic dancer, Chesty Morgan may not have had an easy life, but that's not going to stop her from living.

"Remember you must die." Perhaps this phrase doesn't make you think burlesque, but that's not really the point. Sweet and Nasty Burlesque presents Momento Mori at the Public Assembly in Brooklyn.

Candy Gram: Maria May I

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop Tanya Cheex a line at t.cheex AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello Maria May I.

What is your hometown?
I have never lived in one state longer than 5 years, so my hometown is hard to determine. I guess I will say Wisconsin, because that is where most of my family is.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I am actually very new to burlesque. I started becoming interested in Jan. 2009 and did my first performance the last week of Feb. 2009.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Well over 30 pairs

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Car Wash, Got My Mojo Workin', and Boogie Shoes.

What are three items could you not live without as a performer?
Pastie Tape, Hairspray, and Shiny stuff.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Red Hot Annie. She is such an amazing enterpenuer, so sucessful, and yet humble at the same time.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
I have really taken a liking to Ivy Paige. She's quriky, and funny, entertaining to watch.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Can I say Hat? I love hats, I would walk around in my birthday suit, and just be comfortable wearing a hat.

What’s the last movie you saw?
I'm addicted to horror movies, one of my favs is The Shining so I just had a fix of it last night.

What’s on your must-see-TV list?
Re-runs of The Wonder Years and That '70s Show. I also like to watch House, Law & Order or anything on Nick at Nite.

What book is on your nightstand?
I hate to admit, I don't read books nearly as much as I should. I have a stack of fashion magazines as high as my ceiling. I am a freelance fashion designer, so I have to be on the up andup.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
I know it is lame but I would go to Wisconsin. I have a huge family and we are all really close, I don't get to spend nearly enough time with them.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want?
Why? Hmmm.... flying! I flippin hate driving, and the CTA, so if I could fly, that would be fantastic!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: La Cholita, Gentry de Paris, Jade Pearl, Kitten DeVille, Miss C, Immodesty Blaize, Nasty Canasta, Vivienne Vermuth, Scarlett James, Tura Santana, Tatah DuJour, Susie Caboose, Gigi La Femme, Kitten on the Keys, Virginia D'Vine, Tamara the Trapeze Lady, Champagne Sparkles, Selia Carmichael, Pyra Sutra, Roxi Dlite, Scarlet O'Gasm, Bombshell Betty, Foxy Moxy, Bambi Galore, Mis Rosie Bitts, Sahara Dunes, Mimi Rockafellar, Baby Le Strange, Rose Darling, Satan's Angel, Ophelia Flame, Panache La Plume, Ginger Valentine, Madame Rosebud, Little Brooklyn, Victoria Veneance, Sauci Calla Horra, Penny Starr Jr., Gemma Parker, Darla DeVine, Sparkly Devil, Vivienne VaVoom, Lux LaCroix, Charlotte La Belle Araignee, Bunny Love, Amber Topaz, 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

All The News That's Fit To Strip

International superstar Dita Von Teese claims that many of her biggest fans are women. She said:

"When I first started doing what I do, a lot of my fans were men. It is interesting the way it has shifted and the majority of my fans are women now, probably 80 per cent. I started thinking about that more over past several years, why that is. I think a lot of women like to see another kind of sex symbol that doesn’t fit into the blond, tanned, California beach babe beauty."

Dita is currently on tour to promote her latest book, Striptease.

In other news...

Minneapolis-based burlesque troupe, Lili's Burlesque rang in the new year with their successful Underpants Show at The Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis, Minn. Staring dancers such as Ophelia Flame and Tomahawk Tassels, The Underpants Show rang in the new year with jazz and striptease.

New York dancer and instructor Jo "Boobs" Weldon pauses from her busy schedule to talk about her burlesque school, inspirations and how she got into burlesque.