This week's open thread topics has highlighted rarely spoken about or unknown black burlesque dancers and vaudeville performers. Today's open thread will talk about various vaudeville performers. Pat H. Chappelle (1869-1911) was a black showman who helped pave the way for African-American performers. He was able to learn the show business ropes from is uncle Julius C. … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Performers
Black Burlesque and Vaudeville performers
Thursday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Performers
Shouldn't Marilyn Monroe be called the white Joyce Bryant, since Joyce was around first... I digress Joyce Bryant (born October 14, 1928) is an African-American singer and actress who achieved fame in the late 1940's and early 1950's as a theater and nightclub performer. With her signature silver hair and tight mermaid dresses, she became an early African-American sex … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Performers
Wednesday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Perfomers
Dora Dean was born in Covington in 1872, and got into show business as the "Black Venus." She was born as Dora Babbige; Dean was evidently her stage name. Her initial job in show business was as a "statute girl" - essentially striking dramatic poses and looking pretty. She eventually took on a partner, a tap dancer named Charles E. Johnson, and together they … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Perfomers