Dancing Back in Time
One afternoon when I was 16 we went to a burlesque house called the Alameda. Three punk high school kids with fake IDs; the big deal was to try to get in the Alameda back then. We were scared shitless we would get caught, they didn’t care, just took our money. This was in the late 50’s; it was an old theater that had seen better days, the kind with a little ticket booth out front. Everyone in there was smoking, so you watched the show through a haze highlighted by the stage lights. There was a three-piece band, as I recall, or at least a drummer. We watched some women glide around onstage and swing their breasts to make their tassels twirl. Just didn’t see what the big deal was, don’t remember if I got a hard-on, so after a few dancers we left. But, we had bragging rights.
I would love to say I saw Tempest Storm, but I didn’t. (she did perform there once) One thing is certain, I will never forget that experience.
I should tell you about the Moonlight Ranch sometime.
This is a newspaper ad from the 50’s.
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For my friend Nikki, whom I am going to buy some tassels for… this is my story.
Photo Credit… © Charles Silver
A friend of mine in New Orleans was doing a photographic series on Burlesque Dancers in 2008. I always liked this photo. It was titled ‘Adieu’.
If you would like to see what real New Orleans carnival looks like check out… The Photography of Charles Silver
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21 comments on “Dancing Back in Time”
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Life of Elliott... 
Very intresting , thankyou Elliotð
> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 6:19 PM
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Thanks, Howie.
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Love it! Thanks so much for sharing Elliott!!
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I didn’t even think to share this photo on your chat yesterday. I hope your friends get to see this story. I loved that I was able to find this photo. The theater was torn down in the early 60s for redevelopment.
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That’s so cool, I can picture that different time
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I’m glad I was able to show you.
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I love black and white photos and stories about bygone days!
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I do too, Lisa.
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OH teenage shenanigans.
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Oh the things we did as teenagers! But, I still need to see a burlesque show! My parents used to go to them…
Rebel xox
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very cool and I can totally see you doing something like that. But then I think we all tried stuff like that when we were younger. 🙂
Oh and you had me at New Orleans.
You know NOLA is my second city lol
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I know it is. You should go see one of Bella Blue’s shows next time you and the librarian are there.
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Cat, be sure to check out the Charles Silver’s photos in the link above. Also check out Bella Blue on Facebook
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I will mention it to her
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I love these stories of the past. More please Eliott.
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Thank you, Julie.
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oh wow – this was great!
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Love this trip down memory lane!
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Thank you, Kayla, I was so lucky to find the photos.
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I love the “Girls? Girls? Girls?” with questions marks. Brilliant. And a brilliant little story from a different era.
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I love to write stories like this from long ago. I was really excited when I found the newspaper ad. I remember looking at them when I was a kid.
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