HOLLYWOOD & BIND: Fri. May 6 WEAPONS OF MASS SEDUCTION

Click on Flyer for More Info:

TONIGHT April 27th: Playmate Dancers' Japan Fundraiser

Live in or near Los Angeles? Then be sure to join the Playmate Dancers, comedian Jeffrey Ross, rapper Too Short and other Playmates, musicians and comedians on Wednesday, April 27 at Colony Nightclub in Hollywood for an evening of entertainment to support the relief efforts for Japan. Read the flyer below for all the details, and be sure to mark your calendars for a good cause!

And if you don't live near Los Angeles, but still would like to help, you can make a donation via the Operation USA website.

DITA RETURNS TO THE ROXY MAY 17TH AND 18TH BURLESQUE: STRIP STRIP HOORAY!

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DITA RETURNS TO THE ROXY MAY 17TH AND 18TH
BURLESQUE: STRIP STRIP HOORAY!

BURLESQUE: Strip Strip Hooray returns to The Roxy Theatre on May 17th and 18th for two shows per night - 8pm and 11pm. Dita will perform three numbers including her Opium Den Show (see a preview here) and will welcome special guests Raja from Rupaul's Drag Race (Season 3), Lada from the Crazy Horse Paris, Perle Noire, Diamondback Annie, La Cholita, Monsieur Roméo Host of L'Effleur Des Sens, and Emcee Murray Hill. For tickets please visit http://dita.tx/roxytix or call The Roxy Box Office at 310-278-9457. You may see images from the last Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray at The Roxy here...

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DITA'S NEW LINGERIE COLLECTION IS COMING THIS FALL!!
DITA SIGNS A GLOBAL FASHION DEAL WITH
AUSTRALIA’S LIME DOOR BRANDS

photo: Albert Sanchez

International burlesque star and fashion icon Dita Von Teese has signed a global deal with Australian brand development powerhouse, Lime Door Brands. The agreement sees Lime Door Brands and the performer becoming co-owners of a number of brands. Lime Door Brands’ first offering with Von Teese will be a line of lingerie and associated undergarments. The collection — with sizes ranging from extra-small to plus- will offer a touch of glamour to women of all sizes and shapes. The line is intended for global distribution. Read the full press release here: http://dita.tk/limedoor

DITA CREATES HER SECOND SIGNATURE COCKTAIL WITH COINTREAU... INTRODUCING THE "MARGADITA", A GLAMOROUS REINVENTION OF THE CLASSIC MARGARITA! photo: Albert Sanchez for Cointreau

Continuing in her role as the global ambassador for Cointreau, Dita will be launching her new signature cocktail, the MargaDita, in New York on Cinco de Mayo. Described as "a tantalizing haute-cocktail with a spicy twist," the MargaDita is Dita's interpretation of the original Cointreau Margarita. See Dita in the webisode for the original margarita here. Dita added her distinct style to this classic cocktail by adding an infusion of rose and a hint of spicy chipotle pepper. For more information on the MargaDita read the full press release here.

Follow Dita on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ditavonteese
Follow Dita on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ditavonteese

Competing Las Vegas burlesque promoters in legal battle

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Tasia performs at the 20th annual “Best of Burlesque” pageant during the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Plaza.

By Steve Green (contact)

Monday
25 April 2011
9:15 a.m.

Best of Burlesque

Promoters of the annual Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend event in Las Vegas are suing organizers of a competing show, alleging trademark infringement and other counts.

The Burlesque Hall of Fame Inc. filed suit Friday in federal court in Las Vegas against Frederic Apcar Productions LLC, Frederic Apcar Jr. and Luke Littell.

The Burlesque Hall of Fame plans its annual weekend event at the Orleans hotel-casino in Las Vegas from June 2 to June 5. It will feature a burlesque pageant, a fundraiser, a reunion and displays of memorabilia and merchandise.

Apcar and Littell, according the lawsuit, previously produced the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s annual event but – after a falling out with the Hall of Fame -- are now planning a Sassy Lassy Burlesque Show including a competition in the Copa Room at the Plaza casino in Las Vegas June 3-4.

"Apcar and Littell have not only advertised their own 2011 burlesque event as being held on the same weekend that the Burlesque Hall of Fame intends to hold and, in fact, has always held, its event, but also Apcar and Littell have called the event the Sassy Lassy Burlesque and the Sassy Lassy Showcase thereby wrongfully incorporating marks owned by the Burlesque Hall of Fame and in turn intentionally creating confusion among the burlesque industry and family as to affiliation with the original Burlesque Hall of Fame events," the lawsuit alleges.

"Apcar and Littell have persuaded well-known burlesque performers and legends, including Dixie Evans and Tempest Storm, who in previous years performed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame events, to participate in their event in 2011 and not in the Burlesque Hall of Fame event," the suit alleges. "Numerous burlesque pageant performers and attendees of the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend are boycotting Burlesque Hall of Fame’s 2011 event because of the confusion as to which is the 'real show’ and 'to wait and see who is still standing in 2012.'"

The suit, filed by attorneys with the Las Vegas office of the law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, asserts counts including trademark infringement, website-name cybersquatting, deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and unfair competition.

The Hall of Fame last year moved to the Emergency Arts collective in downtown Las Vegas.

The lawsuit says the nonprofit Burlesque Hall of Fame was founded in about 1965 by burlesque performer Jennie Lee and has its roots in the Sassy Lassy nightclub in San Pedro, Calif., near Long Beach. For a time it operated in Helendale, Calif., in the desert southwest of Barstow, Calif.

A request for comment on the lawsuit was left with Frederic Apcar Productions.

Listen LIVE Now!!

Rarely Seen Photos of Hugh Hefner at Chicago Playboy Mansion

We're used to seeing Hugh Hefner surrounded by a bevy of beauties and old pictures of the Playboy mogul from 1966 show much of the same.

Rarely seen photographs of Hef's early years, however, are a little different -- it seems back then, judging from the pics, he preferred brunettes.

Don't get us wrong, blondes are definitely represented. (And all of his recent girlfriends, including fiancee Crystal Harris, have been towheads.)

But in this photo of Hefner by the pool, brunettes clearly dominate.

So as we prepare to watch Hef get married again, take a walk down memory lane at his Chicago mansion. Check Out the Pics Below!

Meet An Inspiring Woman Who Helps Seniors Former Gossip Columnist Rona Barrett Is A Resource For Seniors

By Judy Kirkwood - Posted April 13, 2011 11:59 AM

Before TMZ, Access Hollywood, E!, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, and all the internet gossip sites, there were only a few gossip queens that had the attention of the country. One of them was Rona Barrett. She paved the way for Barbara Walters’ TV celebrity interviews and published magazines on Rona Barrett’s Hollywood. “Nothing But the Truth,” she promised.

Today Barrett’s big swirly blonde do has become a natural looking platinum banged bob. And her cause célèbre has changed from gossip to do-good. The Rona Barrett Foundation is dedicated to providing more and better affordable housing for seniors, as well as advocacy work on behalf of seniors.

“I founded the Rona Barrett Foundation in 2000 because I saw firsthand the great need our seniors have today for an advocate to speak on their behalf,” says Barrett, who moved from Hollywood to Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara county. “I was caring for my own aging father, who came to live with me after my mother passed away. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I found that even with the resources I was able to provide for his care, all the decisions that needed to be made were daunting and overwhelming: health insurance, prescriptions, pills for this, doctors for that, in-home health, adult day care, surgery options, end of life decision making, hospice care, and so on.”

The Foundation employs a dual approach. With Barrett’s name recognition, it has been able to help nonprofits raise funds to provide housing, basic and medical needs, food and other services for the elderly in need. “I’m often asked about why someone might want to donate to my foundation directly,” Barrett remarks. “My answer is simple. I care. I have no hidden agenda and feel a tremendous responsibility to give back. Additionally, I spend a great deal of my time meeting with leaders in the field of senior care, researching and discovering organizations who are on the cutting-edge of senior care and housing across the country. Since most people don’t have the time to research organizations that spend their money wisely and on the most critical things, they can look to me to do that work on their behalf.”

The other tactic the Rona Barrett Foundation is taking is to build community-centered housing for the elderly, with an emphasis on “orphaned seniors” who don’t have a family. The Foundation is focused on the development of an innovative combined housing, adult day care, short term caregiver respite and community center model called “The Golden Inn and Cottages.” A pilot program is in progress on California’s Central Coast with the goal to create a replicable model to serve low-income seniors in communities throughout the United States.

Barrett is performing in a one-woman stage show to raise money for the securing of land and construction costs for the Golden Inn and Cottages. “The show is full of anecdotes and clips from past interviews, including a candid moment with Lucille Ball speaking about her relationship with Desi Arnaz and one of John Wayne’s last interviews,” says Barrett. “Throughout the show I also talk about my own personal journey. Where I started as a youngster in Queens and how I became one of the closest confidantes to ‘Young Hollywood,’ a term I coined back in the 1960s with a series of successful entertainment magazines and a career on television as the original entertainment journalist.”

“Nothing But The Truth” premiered in Beverly Hills at the Paley Center for Media. “My hope is to perform the show nationally,” Barrett says. Given Barrett’s drive and talent, that wish is likely to come true.

For more information about the Rona Barrett Foundation, please visit http://ronabarrett.com.

Judy Kirkwood lives in Delray Beach, Florida and writes frequently for ThirdAge.com .

KITTY WEST in LIFE magazine!

LIFE magazine just picked up where they left off back in 1948, when they profiled Kitty West (aka Evangeline Sylvas, the original Oyster Girl). Including the notorious original photos that made her a national sensation and current pics from when LIFE returned to catch up with Kitty. Big thanks to Rick Delaup. Check it out!
http://www.life. com/gallery/ 57141/i-was- in-life-the- oyster-girl# index/0

xxx Tigger!

Playboy Club & Moon Nightclub - Hugh Hefner + Marston Hefner's 21st Birthday

Details @ http://moon-20110409.eventbrite.com/

SFO: Tempest Storm at Bettie Page Store on April 16

Apr 05, 2011 15:16 ET
Legendary Burlesque Star Tempest Storm Returns to San Francisco for a
Special Appearance at the Bettie Page Store on April 16

The Bettie Page Store Will Host Storm for an In-Store Appearance at
Its Haight / Ashbury San Francisco Location
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - April 5, 2011) - When Tempest Storm
appeared in the 1955 cult classic film "Teaserama" co-starring
legendary Bettie Page, history was made. Page, who passed in 2008,
became an iconic figure whose legacy has inspired new generations and
fashion companies such as Bettie Page Clothing (www.bettiepageclot hing.com
) to re-create her idolized pin up look.
More than 55 years later, the risqué days of the 'New And Naughty'
twosome will be relived in spirit. On Saturday, April 16, Storm will
pay homage to her late co-star at the Bettie Page Clothing boutique in
San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District where she will sign autographs
and take photos from 12-5 p.m. with new and old admirers alike.
Just in time for Page's April 22 birthday, the retailer is also
unveiling the highly-anticipated Spring 2011 collection and Beach Bash
(www.beachbashbeach wear.com) line of vintage styled swimwear, hats,
beach bags and playsuits. The clothing labels are created under the
fashion powerhouse, Designs By Tatyana®, launched in 2007 by
commercial financier Jan Glaser and former high fashion model, Tatyana
Khomyakova.
The recent revival of the classic look has caught the attention of a
new generation of glamour girls including Katy Perry, Holly Madison,
Christina Aguilera, Denise Richards, Leighton Meester,P!nk and Playboy
Magazine's 2011 Playmate Of The Year, spokesmodel Claire Sinclair.
BPC boutiques are located in Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Diego, San
Francisco and coming soon to Minneapolis. Stores are also expected to
hit Boston and Miami this year. Fashionistas can also shop the vintage
looks online at www.bettiepagecloth ing.com and www.beachbashbeachw ear.com
.

Event Recap:
Saturday, April 16
Tempest Storm to appear at Bettie Page Clothing for photo opp and
autograph signing.
1529 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
12-5 p.m.
(415) 864-6001

~ Lili VonSchtupp
~ VonSchtupp Productions
~ lili@burlesque411. com ~ 818-378-8866
~ LA's longest running weekly burlesque show
~ Monday Night Tease! ~ http://MondayNightT ease.com
~ Join our email list ~ http://tiny. cc/MNTemail
~ Lili's School For Wayward Girls ~ http://BurlesqueCla sses.com

Uncommon Burlesque spices up O.C. nightlife

March 30th, 2011, 3:20 am · posted by KELLI SKYE FADROSKI, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The lights dim, the music slows down a beat and a spotlight beams brightly on the night’s hostess, Dizzy Von Damn, dolled up this particular evening in tribute to one of her favorite Hollywood sex symbols, Mae West. A commanding presence, Von Damn is quick-witted and above all confident as she and her entourage of seasoned performers fearlessly takes to the small stage at the Commonwealth Lounge in downtown Fullerton, entertaining with skits as humorous as they are saucy.

This is Uncommon Burlesque, a traveling production from Von Damn that appears the first Wednesday of every month in Fullerton and the last Wednesday of each month at the newer Commonwealth Lounge in Newport Beach. Working with a rotating group of ladies at each location, Von Damn has built up a strong network of budding burlesque stars from as nearby as Los Angeles to as far away as New Zealand.

“It’s really a great bunch of girls,” she shared while preparing for another performance in Fullerton, adding that she’s also involved gentlemen in her shows, some local, others international.

Yet Von Damn only started in burlesque four years ago. Now 30, the Boston native says she’s always been a loudmouth who can’t live without glitter, fishnets, lipstick, safety panties, wigs and false eyelashes. Newly single and living in L.A. on New Year’s Eve 2007, she vowed to face her fear of appearing on stage and joined in at a burlesque showcase.

From there she met a professional, who introduced her to the scene and got her involved in classes, just three days after declaring to her knitting group (she lovingly calls them her “stitch n’ bitch” buddies) that she wanted to perform regularly.

A year later, Von Damn became a title-holder when she was crowned Miss Viva Las Vegas. These days she moves effortlessly on stage, but she says that wasn’t always the case.

Back when she began, having just gotten out of a relationship, “I felt freshly good and new about myself, and that seemed to carry me to get up on stage and say, ‘Hello, world, here I am and this is what I look like.’”

That’s a gutsy move in Southern California, where the ideal is blond, tan and drop-dead gorgeous. “I am far from those descriptors, but I got up there anyway,” she recalls, “and I was terrified. I was so nervous and uncomfortable that my face literally started twitching and my lip was curling up like Elvis’. Apparently no one else could tell except for me because it got good reviews.”

Now, however, “I find myself thinking about how much more comfortable I feel on stage and how much easier it is for me to handle mistakes, costume malfunctions, mishaps — the strange things that go with performing in new venues.”

Von Damn says she loves the glamour of old Hollywood, modeling herself after Jane Russell, sexpot star of The Outlaw and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes who passed away last month. “I’ve always adored her spark, her sparkle and her wise-ass comments. That’s one of the things I’m known for as the hostess, that sort of commentary — like my one-liners.”

All the performers create their own skits in which they assume various characters while sporting easy-to-tear-away costumes: dresses, corsets and various forms of lingerie, which they typically design themselves, but always with those all-important pasties in place underneath.

“Costuming is an integral part of burlesque,” Von Damn says. “It’s like drag but for biological women. It’s exaggerated femininity or exaggerated masculinity. It’s important that you have the correct hair and correct make-up and look for the storyline you’re trying to get across. Whether it’s simple glamor or some sort of comedy piece or a political parody, there’s always something that can be added with a costume element.”

But she contends it takes more than just a pretty face and a few alluring dance moves to truly be considered a burlesque performer.

“You need to want to do it really badly, because if you only want to do it a little bit, that’s going to show. It’s more than just wearing fishnets. It’s more than just being beautiful. It’s a performance. It really is art and you have to throw yourself – heart, soul, body, everything — into it and really work hard to prove to the audience that you’re worth it.”

Von Damn says that February is the busiest month for burlesque; she spent a third of those 28 days performing. Her schedule for March is also full, with replays throughout Southern California at various venues, but she particularly enjoys her self-produced programs in Orange County.

“It’s a really nice place to have a show,” she says of the Commonwealth Lounge, “because it’s a nice lounge-y bar kind of feel, but a little bit more relaxed and a little bit classier than some of the band venues that a lot of the burlesque shows tend to be in.”

Though she could easily slip into the world of full-time modeling or even acting, Von Damn says she has no such aspirations. Those endeavors require different skills, “and I fancy myself much more of a performer. Occasionally I can take a good picture, but I’m much more likely to make a good performance. And I’d be a terrible actress because I don’t like to lie.

“I’d like to be some sort of combination Oprah-type character, where I get to have an empire — maybe like Martha Stewart, only with less jail time and more glitter and fun. I feel like there’s a serious lack of fun out there.”

Uncommon Burlesque takes place every first Wednesday of the month at 9:30 p.m. at the Commonwealth Lounge in Fullerton, 112 E. Commonwealth Ave., and every last Wednesday of the month from 8-11 p.m. at the Commonwealth Lounge in Newport Beach, 2406 Newport Blvd. Admission is free.

Photo by Kevin Sullivan, The Orange County Register.