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The performance art of burlesque, once a faded form, has made a
comeback in the twenty-first century, and it has shimmied back to
life with a vengeance in Cleveland. Thanks to fans and
entrepreneurs, neo-burlesque has taken the stage--and it's more
inclusive, less seedy, and emphatically fun. Rust Belt Burlesque
traces the history of burlesque in Cleveland from the mid-1800s to
the present day, while also telling the story of Bella Sin, a
Mexican immigrant who largely drove Northeast Ohio's neo-burlesque
comeback. The historical center of Cleveland burlesque was the
iconic Roxy Theater on East Ninth Street. Here, in its
twentieth-century heyday, famed dancers like Blaze Starr and comics
like Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello entertained both regulars
and celebrity guests. Erin O'Brien's lively storytelling and Bob
Perkoski's color photos give readers a peek into the raucous Ohio
Burlesque Festival that packs the house at the Beachland Ballroom
every year. Today's burlies come in all shapes, ethnicities, and
orientations, drawing a legion of adoring fans. This is a show you
won't want to miss.
Cleveland has long enjoyed its reputation as one of the hottest
music centers in the country and as the Rock 'n' Roll Capital of
the World. Trends started or gained major recognition in Cleveland
and were fueled by local radio stations and their disc jockeys, who
connected with their audience and their lifestyles. In fact, WMMS
deejays helped the careers of many in the music industry take off,
including David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and Southside Johnny.
Essentially the story of WMMS, Radio Daze captures the radio scene
during the '70s and '80s, chronicling how this small FM rock
station became the top-rated station in Northeast Ohio and made
Cleveland one of the most important radio markets in the world.
Author Mike Olszewski obtained exclusive interviews with many radio
legends, revealing how insidious and destructive the battle for
radio dominance became. Among other things, he exposes the story
behind the reports of ballot box stuffing by WMMS to win the
prestigious Rolling Stone magazine Readers' Poll for best radio
station in the country and some of the dirty tricks played by radio
stations to get the edge on their competitors. Radio Daze is an
honest and comprehensive look at the birth of Cleveland's FM radio
scene and the sometimes-vicious ratings wars. It will be welcomed
by pop-culture enthusiasts and those interested in local music as
well as music history.
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