Burlesque: Then & Now

All Photos By Billy Bennight For the Los Angeles Beat

All Photos By Billy Bennight For the Los Angeles Beat

You might be expecting some tome on the birth of Burlesque here, but to the contrary it’s a brief overview of its mid 90’s revival and continuing evolution as the idea has spread amongst the subcultures supporting its resurgence. The first set of photos show a Burlesque event in 1999 at the Key club that boasted Punk glitterati Pleasant Gehman and Hope Urban, among others, captivated by the sensual presentations that is an edgy or update version of the art. The second set of photos are from a recent burner inspired troupe called Trapeze from San Francisco performing at Syrup Loft in DTLA. The ladies of Trapeze pose and prance with monikers like Stilletta, Meka, Tonya Kay, Olivia Bellafontaine and Mojo Deville. They steam up a heatwave with their alty and bendy sexolicious shake and bake! For the guys out there, their eyes are going bulge and their imagination will sizzle, while the ladies will simmer and plot a course for sweltering imitation in the privacy of their homes. It’s all in good fun and a great way to chase the blues away!

Photos Gallery After The Break

 

Billy Bennight

About Billy Bennight

Billy Bennight is a writer and photographer with expertise and years of experience in these disciplines. His musical youth started as a Punk Rocker and has expanded into exploring many genres of music, with a keen interest in art, fashion, photography, and writing. He shoots celebrity and red-carpet events for ZUMA Press. He is also a member of the Los Angeles Art Association. His images have been published in The Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, Parade, Wall Street Journal, and French Elle, both Vanity Fair and Vanity Fair Italia. He's very engaged in life. You an see more of his work at ZUMA Press at http://zuma.press/srp.html?SRCH=Billy+Bennight&timerange=&viewType=&PDS=&PAGENO=1 You can follow him on his Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/billybennightartist and on Instagram and Twitter @billybennight
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One Response to Burlesque: Then & Now

  1. I shall get to plotting immediately (searches EBay for “pasties”)

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