LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Two of Las Vegas’ biggest shows are closing this fall. “Mad Apple” took its final bow last week, and “Awakening” will close next month. While some large productions are ending, burlesque performers are keeping another kind of show going.
The Golden Legends Champion Challenge pairs rookie performers with burlesque legends for months of coaching, leading to a live competition.
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Burlesque’s history in Las Vegas
Burlesque took off in Las Vegas in the 1950s, when casinos embraced glamour and adult variety shows. Performers in the Golden Legends Champion Challenge are continuing that tradition.
Ilissa, a program coordinator, has performed for more than a decade. She has watched Las Vegas shift from large productions to gaming and now sports.
“I’m probably going to do it until I have one foot in the grave,” Ilissa said. “You can do this art form forever because you like it and there’s no stopping anybody.”
Legends mentoring newcomers
Mickey Fair, a burlesque legend, started performing at 17 and worked for 20 years.
“It was the joy of my life when I was young,” Fair said. “And it hurt so bad. Like an athlete, when you age out, part of your life dies. That’s how I felt. And I was tickled to death to get back into it.”
Fair is now mentoring rookie entertainers who travel from around the world to compete. One performer traveled from Norway.
“I live in Norway, like on the very top of Norway, in the Arctic Circle,” the performer said. “It took me actually 24 hours to get here. And a few flights.”
Performers said they believe there will always be room for a show in Las Vegas.
“My advice to Las Vegas: don’t get rid of your show people,” one performer said. “Go find that weirder stuff. Those weirder fringe, off-the-cuff stuff because it’s out there and there’s just so much to share. And I promise you, people will show up.”
The Golden Legends Champion Challenge concluded with a live show on Saturday night and an award ceremony on Sunday.
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