THE MARILYN MONROE OF BURLESQUE DIES--86

 

Standing next to an earlier photo of herself, Dixie Evans, of Helendale, does her impersonation of Marilyn Monroe Tuesday, November 8, 2005, while giving a tour at the Exotic World Burlesque Museum and Striptease Hall of Fame in Helendale. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer)

 

Dixie Evans, 'Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque,' dies at 86

(IRONICALLY TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE REAL MARILYN MONROE'S DEATH IN 1962)

---

Mere days before a week of burlesque shows dedicated in her honor, Dixie Evans, the "Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque," has died. She was 86.
The former Helendale resident, who died on Saturday, had been recuperating in a Las Vegas assisted-living facility after she suffered a stroke earlier this year.
Dustin Wax, executive director of the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, said Evans was "profoundly important to the burlesque world, and we are deeply saddened by Dixie's death. The entire community (of burlesque) is hurting today."
The recent revival in burlesque often has been attributed to Evans.
The "beloved Godmother of the new burlesque movement" according to dixieevansweek.com was planning a week of celebrations honoring her contributions to the art and raising funds to aid in her recovery from a stroke in January.
Evans was born in Long Beach and rose to fame in burlesque with her parody and tribute performances to Marilyn Monroe. Baseball great Joe DiMaggio, who was once married to Monroe, is said to have attended Evans' performances.