Michele Devereaux | Vampira

Michele Devereaux was born around 1941 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was an exotic dancer who, like many others, are only mentioned in the newspapers when being arrested for breaking the law. In 1965, seven different clubs and lounges were operating in Omaha that featured nude or semi-nude entertainment. Miss Devereaux performed as 'Vampira' at Yano's New Yorker, managed by Yano Caniglia, located at 2553 Farnam Street. The first time she appears in the Omaha newspapers is in August of 1965--an advertisement for her appearance at 'Yano's New York Show Palace'. She was 25 years old. It can be assumed that this was not Vampira's first strip show.

(The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Yano's New Yorker. That Dancing Vamp 'Vampira'. August 26, 1965)
This advertisement is particularly interesting as most lounges had stopped exotic dancing by August 1, 1965 due to pressure from law enforcement to self-regulate in order to stop being raided by vice squads. However, after less than a month with out burlesque dancers, Yano reinstated them, stating he had seen a 60% decrease in sales since stopping the nude entertainment.

Vampira is Arrested in Omaha | August 1965


(The South Omaha Sun. "Up and Down the Street." August 26, 1965
Caption:"Vampira...this show brought arrest.")

On the evening of August 23, 1965 Vampira was arrested after performing a burlesque act at Yano's New Yorker. Captain Theodore Janning and Sargent Louis Kostka of the Omaha Vice detail watched Vampira's opening act and then promptly arrested Vampira and Yano Caniglia for staging an 'immodest show.' Vampira's costume was take as evidence. However, neither were detained long. Both Vampira's and Caniglia's bonds were forfeited ($300 bond for Vampira, $100 bond for Caniglia) and Vampira was able to return to the club and perform in two more shows the same evening! She conjured up another costume quickly and was able to continue to perform without more interference that night.

(The South Omaha Sun. "Up and Down the Street." August 26, 1965
Caption: "New Outfit...no arrest this time.")
(Omaha World Herald. "Strip Tease Forfeit." Page 55. September 22, 1965)
Municipal Judge O.M. Olsen, who had forfeited the bonds of Vampira and Caniglia, was reprimanded for his action in the papers.
(Evening World Herald. "Stripper Alleges Error by Judge." Page 32. September 23, 1965)
Unfortunately, Vampira was originally charged with putting on an 'immodest exhibition' under a disputed ordinance and charged again under a new ordinance for 'indecent exposure.'

Continuing to Perform in Omaha

Vampira continued to perform in Omaha for the remainder of August and September 1965 at Yano's New Yorker.

(The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Vampira at Yano's New Yorker. September 2, 1965)

(The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Vampira and Champagne at Yano's New Yorker. September 9, 1965)

By the end of September 1965, Vampira had moved on to Nevada. Her story did not end there but recovering information about her post 1965 has proven futile. If you have more information about Michele Devereaux, aka 'Vampira', please contact Iona Fortune at ionafortuneburlesque@gmail.com. 

Sources

  • The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Vampira and Champagne at Yano's New Yorker. September 9, 1965
  • The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Vampira at Yano's New Yorker. September 2, 1965
  • The South Omaha Sun. Advertisement for Yano's New Yorker. That Dancing Vamp 'Vampira'. August 26, 1965
  • Casper Star Tribune. "Cheyenne Gal Upsets Omaha." Omaha, NE. Page 13. August 26, 1965
  • Evening World Herald. "Stripper Alleges Error by Judge." Page 32. September 23, 1965
  • Omaha World Herald. "Strip Tease Forfeit." Page 55. September 22, 1965
  • The South Omaha Sun. "Up and Down the Street." August 26, 1965
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