Former Xtra West columnist launches Burlesque West

Book looks at Vancouver's heyday of strip tease

Former Xtra West columnist Becki Ross launched Sep 10 her much anticipated book on Vancouver’s heyday of burlesque and strip tease.

Burlesque West: Showgirls, Sex, and Sin in Postwar Vancouver took UBC professor Ross a decade of research, including in-depth interviews with former dancers and strippers. Vancouver could boast one of the top strip-club scenes in North America for decades, a reflection of its status as a major port and a tourist destination. Dancers could make two-and-a-half times the income of a secretary or clerk at the time — but in exchange had to put up with moral judgment, attempts to impose shame, and racism. The book launch attracted some 147 people to the central Library, including former dancers and practitioners of neo-burlesque.

Read More About:
Culture, Arts, Nudity, Vancouver

Keep Reading

Several roller derby players cheering while seated

‘Rising Through the Fray’ shows roller derby has no borders

Courtney Montour’s documentary follows a revolutionary Indigenous derby team—in all its beauty and power
Ciara Myst with an up arrow behind her; Briar Blush with a down arrow behind her

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 4 power ranking: In fashion, you’re either in or you’re out

The show basically hands us a power ranking this week, but there’s still much to discuss
Briar Blush

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 4 recap: Who wore it besties?

Queens squabble up in pairs in a fashion mash-up challenge

7 of the best gay sex scenes in film and TV

“Heated Rivalry” has sparked new conversation around queer sex onscreen. But film and TV history is full of plenty of other steamy encounters