Black Burlesque Dancer

Jean Idelle was a black American burlesque dancer and singer who trained under Katherine Dunham and is credited as one of the first black performers to appear on stage with white dancers throughout the US and Canada. As a young woman, Idelle expressed to her mother she wanted to be a burlesque performer. Her mother was shocked and against her daughter’s dance intentions and … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: Black Burlesque and Vaudeville Perfomers