Holli Mae Johnson

Editor-in-Chief

75 Articles Published | Follow:
Tara Boom by KEP Photo
Popping Out: The Undefeetable Tara Boom

Tara Boom, a renowned performer from Sandy Point, Melbourne, is known for her unconventional circus acts, including hula hooping with a popcorn machine on her head and performing hand puppet abortions. Her acts are charged with physical comedy, and she leverages them to challenge societal norms with a subversive and anarchic spin from her Australian circus and cabaret background. Despite struggles with depression and global pandemic-related challenges, Tara uses her performances to connect deeply with audiences, address taboos, and express her authentic self.

Anna Balfe-Taylor by Desiree Nicole Photography
Private Dancer: Finding Roxy Tornado

Today, lithe and vivacious dancers across the globe watch and wait for the legendary Parisian institution Crazy Horse Paris to announce auditions on Instagram. Before social media existed, Anna O’Keefe, a plucky teenager from New Zealand, walked in and asked for one. She would go on to become Roxy Tornado, arguably the most iconic, documented dancer in its 72 year history.

Jolie Papillon by Veronika Marx.a
Strict Machine: Burlesque powerhouse Jolie Papillon on discipline, dysmorphia and doing the work

How do you interview one of the most prolific burlesque performers, producers and bookers in…

The Rise of Nox Falls - Jane Kratochvil
The Rise of Nox Falls

Have you ever made a bad decision you’ve always regretted? I know I have. But…

Vancouver Burlesque Co teachers and students, by FUBARFOTO
Vancouver Burlesque Co: Teaching, surviving and serving in a pandemic

How do you juggle a burlesque teaching business, hoards of students, newborn babies, and manage…

Burlesque Top 50
Burlesque Top 50 2019 WILL go ahead after voting surge

Before the 10th round of the Burlesque Top 50 voting process began in November 2018,…

Dirty Martini by Steven Menendez
Dirty Martini: Past, Present and Future

After over a decade of conversations with Dirty Martini – burlesque icon, New York legend…

Dita Von Teese: Enter the Glamonatrix

After 11 years of interviewing Dita Von Teese, her constant reinvention, evolution and endurance never…

Review: Stars and Strippers - An All American Burlesque Revue (Underbelly Festival 2017)
Review: Stars and Strippers (Underbelly Festival 2017)

[wp-review id=”28184″] The Folly Mixtures put on quite a show last year in the London…

Blaze in the Miss Viva Las Vegas burlesque competition 2017. © Tim Hunter.
Review: Miss Viva Las Vegas 2017 (Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend)

I was delighted to attend the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend at Easter for a…

Dita Von Teese: The Art of the Tease
Dita Von Teese Reborn in The Art of the Teese

In March, I visited Dita Von Teese at The Crazy Horse Paris during her sold…