The story Minsky brothers is a classic, all-American one of immigrant success in the new world. Abe the oldest of four brothers made the first foray into the business when he opened the Houston St Hippodrome in 1908. In the lower east side. A nickelodeon that showed "dirty" films. Three years later his own father shut him down when he heard of the kind of films he was showing. Soon Abe and younger brother Billy started showing "unobjectionable" films, from the roof top garden of National Winter Garden Theater, a theater their father help build. And actually, was successful.
In 1914, Herbert the third brother joined the family business. With WWI and more theater competition business was slow. To bring the people back they booked vaudeville acts, but couldn't afford the better acts. Burlesque acts with their innuendo-ladden comedy and emphasis on girls was cheaper. And even cheaper was starting their own burlesque company, using used out of date scripts. That drove their audiences away in droves.
Abe finally figured out what was missing. In his war time experience he visited Folies-Bergere and The Moulin Rouge, and decided, like the Paris shows to de-emphsize the comedy and use more girls, and to give it to the public at a lower price. It was around this time, 1917, that brother Morton Minsky claims his brothers sponsored the invention and popularizing of the "striptease".
The 1920s was a period of rapid expansion for the Minskys. With the passage of prohibition
business was booming and their fame was growing. The Minskys tried to make the move to a Broadway theater, but failed many times. Instead in the late1920s they started a national touring circuit. Finally, on February 12, 1931 Billy Minsky opened their first Broadway theater! And the rest is history...
Today, as Little Minskys, we try to capture this little bit of history. Bringing to the public quality burlesque and variety entertainment at an affordable price, just as the Minsky Brothers once did.
Minsky's first Broadway theater. c. 1931
One of the first and one of the greatest striptease stars-Gypsy Rose Lee.
About me:
FOR SEPTEMBER-Ladies and gents, it's Little Minsky's time once again Thursday at the old Club Deluxe.
Thrill to the delights of lively lovelies in seductive splendour, playful vaudevillian
diversions and mischievous melodies. Your hostess for the evening is none other than
the endlessly talented Alotta Boutté. That's right, you've seen her tap, you've heard
her sing and now she's running the show. Enjoy some saucy tunes from the vivacious
Kitten on the Keys tickling the accordion ivories with her singular style and wit.
Burlesque beauties for the night include visiting guest from Seattle - Miss Yum Yum
Give Me Some - Sydni Deveraux, the hot-blooded Bunny Pistol, the sinuous Gia Haad, the
ravishing Delilah, scandalous Ruby White, scrumptuous Cupcake, enchanting Little Eyful,
sizzling Sassy Hotbuns, sparkalicious Miss Mae Western and spectacular Miss Honey
Penny.
Join us for another round of spicy show, tasty cocktails and high spirits...
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LITTLE MINSKY'S
BURLESQUE
Sydni Deveraux (Seattle)
Bunny Pistol
Gia Haad
Delilah
Ruby White
Cupcake
Little Eyeful
Sassy Hotbuns
Miss Mae Western
Miss Honey Penny
VARIETY
Alotta Boutté (MC)
Kitten on the Keys
Thursday, October 8th
Club Deluxe
1511 Haight St (at Ashbury), San Francisco
9pm — 2am, Show at 10:00pm
$5, 21 and Up
--- Every Second Thursday ---
Performer Info:
Alotta Boutté - www.myspace.com/alotta
Kitten on the Keys - www.suzanneramsey.net
Sydni Deveraux - www.myspace.com/thegoldenglamazon
Bunny Pistol - www.myspace.com/missbunnypistol
Gia Haad - www.myspace.com/lalindaburlesque
Delilah - www.delilahburlesque.com
Ruby White - www.myspace.com/rubyvalentina
Cupcake - www.myspace.com/shortmouthybitch
Sassy Hotbuns - www.myspace.com/sassyhotbuns
Miss Mae Western - www.myspace.com/jrproberts
Little Minsky's is brought to you by Douglas Good (of Cabaret Verdalet) and
The Flying Fox (burlesque glamour girl).
Who I'd like to meet:
You, fabulous you!
LITTLE MINSKY'S BURLESQUE's Friend Space (Randomized)
HEY! come this sunday at the Makeout Room for Nara Dennning's film World Premiere of her short film series NUEORTIQUE w/ the music of Cheeskos Junction (Momo & Friends) and Mr. Odom & the Odom Poles!!!
Peculiar Pretzel Madness descends upon San Francisco Tuesday night! Hemlock Tavern! With old and true comrades in arms Deathat and Corpus Collasum! $7!
Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, Charles Addams, Mark Ryden, Gris Grimly, Michael Sowa, Shag, Edgar Allan Poe, Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, Emily, Lenore, Twilight, Tattoo & Pin-up Art, Dark Décor, Haunted Portraits, Vintage Halloween, Classic Horror Monsters, Vampires, Skulls & Gargoyles, Pirates, Zombies, Alchemy Gothic Jewelry, Villainess, Rubber Stamps, T-shirts, Postcards, Toys, Books, Posters, and much more!
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Come see our Gorey goodies! Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, Charles Addams, Mark Ryden, Gris Grimly, Michael Sowa, Shag, Edgar Allan Poe, Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, Emily, Lenore, Twilight, Tattoo & Pin-up Art, Dark Décor, Haunted Portraits, Vintage Halloween, Classic Horror Monsters, Vampires, Skulls & Gargoyles, Pirates, Zombies, Alchemy Gothic Jewelry, Villainess, Rubber Stamps, T-shirts, Postcards, Toys, Books, Posters, and much more!
