Category: 1910s-1940s

Lincoln’s Nude Dance Scandal of 1935

One of the most notable instances of burlesque that caused political turmoil in Nebraska occurred in Lincoln during the ‘Golden… Read more.
Thida Loy

Thida Loy was a San Franciscan-born Chinese performer began dancing as a burlesque fan dancer in the 1930s. The earliest… Read more.
Neryda

“The Snake Dancer” Neryda was an exotic dancer who performed with a 6-foot python named “Allah.” She danced in night… Read more.
Fay Baker

Marie Amelia Nebel was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 10, 1910. Though she went by Mary, her stage name… Read more.
Nancy Miller

Nancy Dorcas Miller Nancy Dorcas Miller was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky on November 14, 1913 to her mother, Nannie Hendrick,… Read more.
Burlesque at 2410 Lake Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

Early Beginnings – Club Harlem | 1933 Although the entertainment history of 2410 Lake Street did not begin with Club… Read more.
Sally Rand in Nebraska

(Nebraska Daily News Press. “Now Argue.” Page 11. February 8, 1925) [Caption reads: “If you think that Sally Rand isn’t… Read more.
Roxanne Carmine

Roxanne Carmine was born as Golda (or Goldie) Glickman in Chicago to the “Maxwell Street Glickmans”, a Jewish family, around… Read more.
Tarza

Tarza was a Black burlesque dancer from the 1940s through the 1960s. She was born Pauline Young in Detroit, Michigan,… Read more.
Sammy Kaye’s “Swing & Sway Revue” | Omaha, Nebraska

In 1944 the Sammy Kaye stage show named “Swing & Sway Revue” came to Orpheum Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. Sammy… Read more.
Drag Queens & ‘Girlie Shows’ in Omaha, Nebraska

Burlesque, at its core, deals with gender and ultimately the presentation of gender as entertainment. It should be no surprise… Read more.
“Little Egypt” in Nebraska

This article explores the popular “Little Egypt” dancers in burlesque history. There were several performers at the turn of the… Read more.
Princess Lahoma

Princess LaHoma was born Oteka Lahoma Willingham on October 5, 1931 in Gregg, Texas. Her father, Richard, was 26, and… Read more.
History of Burlesque in Lancaster County, Nebraska

Burlesque permeated not only the stages of the big metropolis, like New York City, but also graced the stages of… Read more.
Rosita Royce “The Dove Dancer”

Lotus Marjorie Corrington (1913-1954) Rosita Royce was born Lotus Marjorie Corrington in Tecumseh, Nebraska on August 9, 1913.* She went… Read more.
Amy Spencer | The Lady with the Fan

Amy Spencer was a Black actress and fan dancer born around 1909 in East Orange, New Jersey. Her father was… Read more.
Noma } Fan Dancer

Noma was a famous fan dancer in the 1930s. She lived and worked in Chicago, IL mostly. Noma was born… Read more.