The Tempest In A G-String

Canada's Observer shimmies up to Tempest Storm. More than 50 years ago Storm was dubbed the "Girl with the Fabulous Front" and told by famous men she had the "Best Two Props in Hollywood." Since then, she's seen burlesque teeter on the brink of extinction. Her contemporaries -- Blaze Starr, Bettie Page, Lili St. Cyr -- have died or hung up the pasties. But not Storm. "No, no. I'm not ready to hang up my G-string, yet," she told the Observer. "I've got too many fans that would be disappointed."

Video of the Week

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Angie Pontani talks about life after being crowned Miss Exotic World 2008. Traveling home after the competition with the four-foot trophy garnered some added attention. "I was coming home on the plane with the trophy and people are like, what is that for?" Pontani told The Trentonian. "Let's just say I got a lot of free drinks. And I got an emergency row so I can stretch out with my trophy."

As for future plans, the reigning burly queen said:

"I think the humanitarian effort to put forth here is to keep on doing what I'm doing and send out this positive image for burlesque and keep bringing burlesque to the people and raising awareness for the (burlesque) museum because it's gone through some tough times over the last few years - moving locations, kind of looking for a new home, so it's a big year for it. Burlesque gets a bad wrap a lot of times. But really it's one of America's oldest theatrical art forms. So I'd just like to perpetuate that."

In other news ...

The Hurly Burly Girlys's Burlesque Soiree was "brassiere loads of fun."

One fuddy duddy thinks "all this stuff and nonsense about burlesque being a fantastic new art form is also a load of old hooey."

Women pack the audiences of Australian burlesque shows.

After a "seven-bum salute," Kylie Minogue gets treated to a striptease from an adoring rugby player.

Kelly Brock wants to learn the art of the striptease.

Don't miss the Toronto Burlesque Festival Sunday June 15.

Going to be in Minneapolis July 11-12? Catch Lili's Burlesque Revue's SIZZLE: A Summer Burlesque Extravaganza.

Happy 4th of July

The Candy Gram: Honey B. Hind

The Candy Pitch kicks off the 4th of July with a bang -- an early edition of "The Candy Gram," our ongoing Q&A series with burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Honey B. Hind, who is performing in the Toronto Burlesque Festival, July 11-13.

What is your hometown?
Windsor, Ontario CANADA - across from Detroit Rock City

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I started out as a ballet dancer when I was three. I became a member of the Windsor City Ballet Company in my teens, but I fell in love with acting and old films and went on to get a BFA from the University of Windsor. Both these skills lend themselves to strengthening my burlesque performances. I am known for my unique acts with a funny slant or twist ending. I was discovered in the audience of a Les Coquettes Nouveau Burlesque show and asked to audition. I performed with them for awhile and now I'm with Skin tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque. I've been performing burlesque for almost five years now and I love every minute of it.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
So far, lucky 13.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
I Believe in Dreams - Doris Day
You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
Carry on My Wayward Son - Kansas

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
False eyelashes, tons of glitter, gum, booze. That's four. Screw the gum

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
I'd have to say movie/TV goddesses, strong women who had put up with a lot of crap. I love Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, the Hepburns, Bette Davis, Shirley Temple, Greta Garbo, Anne Baxter, Rosiland Russell, Jane Russell, Barbara Stanwyck, Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Newmar, Ava Gardner, Lucille Ball, Linda Darnell, Mary Pickford, Vivian Leigh, Myrna Loy, Mae West .......

Who is your favorite burly queen?
I'm torn on this one - Gypsy Rose Lee, Lili St. Cyr, Tempest Storm and I love Toronto's own Miss Lena Love and all the ladies on the Toronto Burlesque Festival Committee.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Do wigs count? I love wigs. I have three red ones, two black and a blue one with birds in it. Oooh and anything with beaded fringe.

What's the last movie you saw?
The Undefeated with John Wayne and Rock Hudson.

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Corrie Street and, of course, Supernatural.

What book is on your nightstand?
The Emancipator's Wife: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln by Barbara Hambly.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
A big vacation in Greece, but for a smaller jaunt I have a love affair with the American South. I've been to Texas and New Orleans and would visit both again in a second.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Mind control. I need minions to do my bidding. "Bathe him and Bring him to me!"

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: 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

Who's that on the screen behind George Michael?

Pool Party

Summer is upon us and this picture of Dita Von Teese proves sometimes a little sizzle is a good thing.