Recap and Photos: Titans and Icons of Tease (Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2026)

Tiffany Carter in Titans and Icons of Tease at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender 2026, by SH Photografia

Following Saturday night’s Tournament of Tease review and Thursday’s Movers Shakers and Innovators writeup, we come to the Titans and Icons of Tease showcase at this year’s Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, with an extensive photo gallery courtesy of SH Photografia below.

Informally known as ‘Legends Night’, the Friday showcase included the usual Walk of Fame to do due honour to the golden age burlesque Legends in attendance. This year we applauded Georgette Dante, Rubberlegs, Tess LaRue, Tina Pratt – escorted with tenderness and finesse once again by MEW 2023 Samson Night, and Viva La Fever – the 2026 Legend of the Year recipient, presented by Bunny Pistol and Dazey LaRue, who also made and installed her beautiful sash.

Other Legends performed for us. Ka’ena – a Polynesian poetess of peel who first performed burlesque in 1950s Hawaii and still charms a showroom from doors to drapes. The fiercely loved, seasoned seductress Tiffany Carter, a master move-maker still showing us all how it’s done. The mischievous, man-eating Madame E, tenderising us in a powder blue mist of chiffon and rhinestones. Lovey Goldmine – or should I say Liza – ably prowls and struts her way through a Cabaret medley, flanked by four ladies in this rendition – Charlie Quinn Starling, Glitter Ginger, Ivy Faerie and Lily Starr.

There were also appearances from some of our most compelling Neo Burlesque icons – a magnificent sample of 21st Century burlesque legends to come. Sweetpea – one of those enduring unicorns with intangible star quality, marking her 50th in iridescent plush mint and crisp, silver disco-armour; your eyes, loins and HRV are hers to command. Jett Adore reviving for the occasion his ‘Most Innovative’ Peacock act – a defining moment in the evolution of Boylesque artistry that cannot be overestimated; a soaring, spellbinding striptease aria no less, that manages to be whimsical, poetic, dazzlingly agile and achingly masculine all at once. Such a thrill to see it again.

MEW 2016 Poison Ivory – with fans in hand after the memorial segment, managed to stop time altogether for a few precious minutes, like Gaia bathed in peach and petals, come to heal, restore and bear witness. Truly one of the most authentic, intuitive queens we have.

Tito Bonito and Nikita Bitch Project‘s ingenious, titillating Tetris caper is just brilliant – a puerile yet strangely wholesome pas de deux employing velcro and deep squats to hilarious effect. And not forgetting walking bobbin Pillow (Miss Exotic World 1995), marching impishly to electro-novelty Ylvis hit What Does the Fox Say and knitting furiously from her glittery red fez. Did it make sense? No. Was it weird as all get out? Yes. Do we love nonsensical weird stuff by bona fide striptease royalty? Absofuckinglutely.

Enthusiastic applause to revival giant Paula the Swedish Housewife for her Sassy Lassy Award, accepted on her behalf by Ginger Valentine (see here and here to learn more about Paula), and mad respect to the ever capable hands, chops and iconic delivery of Foxy Tann – legendary in her own right – our host for the evening.

PLEASE NOTE: All photos to be credited to SH Photografia for 21st Century Burlesque. More images are available on request and at larger sizes via 21stcenturyburlesque@gmail.com. Thank you!