Every(body) Wants To Be A Showgirl
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Every(body) Wants To Be A Showgirl 〰️
Every(body) Wants to Be a Showgirl is a Black History Month exhibition celebrating the artistry, cultural impact, and living legacy of Black burlesque performers. Featuring over 100 Black performers from around the world, the exhibition highlights how Black burlesque artists have shaped American performance, fashion, and commercial entertainment—often without institutional recognition.
Through costumes, archival materials, immersive installations, and live programming, the exhibition centers on living artists while honoring the lineage of Black performance traditions that continue to influence culture today. This exhibition is made possible through partnerships with Dupont Underground, The Burlesque Hall of Fame, Metro Cabaret Club, and The Harlem in Havana Project.
A Black History Month Exhibition Celebrating the Living Legacy of Black Burlesque
February 6–28, 2026
Dupont Underground | Washington, DC
What to Expect
Visitors will experience:
A Costume Gallery Walk featuring emerging Black burlesque performers from across the globe
Contemporary and archival garments from the Burlesque Hall of Fame
Artist narratives and contextual storytelling through multimedia and immersive installations
Live performances and public programs throughout opening week
Black burlesque has long been a site of innovation, resistance, and economic impact, yet its contributions remain under-documented and underfunded. This exhibition is a corrective moment—creating visibility, care, and historical context while supporting artists who are actively sustaining the art form.
The project is Black-led, community-informed, and ethically curated, prioritizing dignity, authorship, and legacy over extraction. This exhibit is 100% self funded and independently produced. We welcome sponsors, cultural partners, and patrons interested in supporting Black art preservation.
EXHIBIT PROGRAMMING
Exhibit Partnerships
VOLUNTEER EXHIBITION TEAM
The following people played integral roles in the exhibition creation process. Their hard work provided crucial support as gallery stewards, installation members, gallery guides, liaison support and fundraising.
Aquarius Moon, Lead Curator & Installation Designer
Camila Obscura, Exhibition Design, Visual Communication & Documentarian
BOARD OF ADVISORS
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Chicava HoneyChild
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Desire D'Amour
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Egypt Blaque Knyle
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Elyse Elaine
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Jessabelle Thunder
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Leslie Cunningham
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Rayceen Pendarvis
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RedBone
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Tre Da Marc
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Twirlisha Devine
FEATURED EXHIBITION ARTISTS
Abby Fantastic
Academixxx
Androsia Wilde
Aquarius Moon
Ashantidoll
Aurora Wells
Billie Beloved
Body Confidence Queens
Brooke Jay
Brown Girls Burlesque
Brown Skin Showgirls
Bunny Vicious
Cadbury Parfait
Caffeyne Luv
Candace Cane
Carson St. Clair
Cat Zaddy
Charliecakessss
Che Monique
Cleopantha
Coco Rosé
Dainty Dandridge
Dawn Voz
Delilah DuBois
Demi Noire
Desiré d'Amour
Dominant Jeane
Donna Poderosa
Elyse Elaine
Eros Sea
Essence Revealed
Fem Appeal
Foxi Lexxi Brown
Fox Martin
Ganja Kitty
Harlem Nyte
Hell O’Kitty
It's Like Candy
Jean Idelle
Jessabelle Thunder
Jezebelly
Josephine Shaker
JoRie Tigerlily
Juicy D Light
Judas Saint James
Kassidy Luvit
Kayy Lovely
Lady Lola LeStrange
Lakota Shekhar
Lana La Rouge
La Reina
Leslie Cunningham
Lola LeSoleil
Lola Loveletter
Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière
Raven Rose
Raquel Reed
Ray Gunn
Redbone
Red Tongued Raven
Ricky Rosé
Rita D'LaVane
Rose Whip
Roxy Reverie
Sailem From Hell
Sepia Jewel
Sgt. Die Wies
Siren Pack
Shawna The Black Venus
Shimmy LaRoux
Shug Savory
Simone Del Mar
Sydni Deveraux
The International Nerdesque Festival
The Maine Attraction
The Rockabilly Barbie
Toni Elling
Tré Da Marc
Twirlisha Divine
TU$H
Venessa Chevelle
Zelia Rose
Zyra Lee Vanity
Lux LaCroix
Maki Roll
Mecca Mwah
Mia "The MVP"
Mika Romantic
Mirage
Miss Aurora BoobRealis
Misty Rose
Mojo Deville
Mx. Eden
Mz. Juno
Nami Flare
Nirvana Noire
Nona Narcisse
Nox Falls
Obscura Fox
P No. Noire
Perle Noire
Petra Liyahn
Poison Ivory
Professor M
Qing Blaze
Qu’in de la Noche
Queen Lolita
Queen Nefertittie
Queen Zinga
Queerly Femmetastic
ARTIST LIASON TEAM
Academixxx
Coco Rose
Egypt Blaque Knyle
Elyse Elaine
Ganja Kitty
JoRie Tigerlily
Maki Roll
Misty Rose
Molotov Bombshell
Nirvana Noire
Shay Au Lait
Tre Da Marc
Twirlisha Devine
INSTALLATION PRODUCTION TEAM
Charliecakessss
Coco Rose
Elyse Elaine
Ganja Kitty
Michael Goodyear
Nirvana Noire
Shay Au Lait
INSTALLATION VOLUNTEER TEAM
Anissa Smalls
Jove Galore
Kassidy Luvit
Khaimera
Mx. Eden
Nami Flare
ARTIST TALK PANEL
Aquarius Moon
Camila Obscura
Che Monique
Rayceen Pendarvis
Ricky Rose
Shay Au Lait
Tariq O’Malley
FUNDRAISER TEAM
Coco Rose
Cocoa Pearlesque
Desire D’Amour
Support the Exhibit
The exhibition is fully self-funded and needs your help. Your contribution helps cover production costs, artifact care, documentation, and public programming celebrating the living legacy of Black burlesque.
Suggested contribution: $25 or enter any amount you’d like to support. Thank you!