Helendale, California: Exotic World - Strippers Hall of Fame

Dixie Evans, the former "Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque," runs a museum celebrating the history of stripping and the art of exotic dancing. Report is before the big move to Vegas (which opened as the Burlesque Hall of Fame in June 2010).

Exotic World

I stopped in to visit Dixie Evans and Exotic World during a recent business trip to California. The water damage suffered during the heavy rains of 2001 has been completely fixed and the museum is looking great. Dixie has rotated many of the pictures and artifacts in the museum. New lights have been installed in some of the darker corners of the museum which really brings life to some of the exibits. This is no static museum full of dusty relics that never change!

[Greg Brown, 06/18/2002]

Exotic World

Exotic World isn't easy to find. For me, it took three hours, one laptop with mapping software, one GPS, two printed maps, one atlas, and one helpful local. It's worth all the headaches. Once I finally did pull in to Exotic World it was well past 4pm, the stated closing time on the sign out front. Because I didn't want to go away empty-handed, I drove down the driveway anyway, and was met by none other than Dixie Evans.

Ms. Evans is a very nice woman, with a tremendous knowledge of burlesque. She gave me a guided tour of the compound, including the stage by the pool where the Miss Exotic World contest is held each year. The museum tour was excellent, but I am sad to report that two of the back rooms of the museum suffered extensive water damage from the recent heavy rains. Ms. Evans assured me repairs to the damaged rooms were being planned and should be completed promptly.

Even though it was late in the afternoon and Ms. Evans had changed out of her costume earlier in the afternoon, I never felt rushed during my visit and I went away a much more knowledgeable student of the art of burlesque.

According to the pamplet handed to me during my visit, the 45th Annual Striptease Reunion and Miss Exotic World Contest is scheduled for June, 2 2001. MC Rubberlegs will MC the competition, which will feature many past Miss Exotic World champs such as Pillow, Pepper Sands, The Cherry Tarts plus Tempest Storm, Toni Alessandrini and many others. Call (760) 243-5261 for reservations. No drugs or alcohol allowed.

[Greg Brown, 04/05/2001]