Burlesque isn’t just feathers and striptease, it’s comedy, politics, gender rebellion, and a century of artists rewriting the rules of who gets to be seen.In this episode, Kat Calvin sits down with Dustin Wax, anthropologist and executive director of the Burlesque Hall of Fame, for a masterclass on the real history of burlesque: from Lydia Thompson and Josephine Baker to Lottie the Body, Coby Yee, Jadin Wong, and Marenka.They dig into how burlesque has always played with gender, race, sexuality, drag, and power, and why this “lowbrow” art form is actually a vital archive of queer and feminist history.In this conversation, we talk about:How Dustin went from teaching gender, race, and class to running the Burlesque Hall of FameWhy burlesque is closer to political comedy and theater than to strip clubsThe deep history of gender-bending, drag, and trans performers in burlesqueLegendary performers you should know: Lydia Thompson, Josephine Baker, Coby Yee, Lottie the Body, Jadin Wong, Marenka, and moreHow burlesque intersected with Motown, Hollywood, and the music industryWild and wonderful artifacts from the museum: Gypsy Rose Lee’s trunk and pin cushion, Dita Von Teese’s martini glass, an 8-foot devil head, and moreThe bizarre and repressive laws and censorship rules that shaped what performers could wear (and take off)How anti-drag laws also threaten burlesque—and why Dustin thinks the future of burlesque is more queer, angry, and defiant than everWhy we need way more movies, books, and TV series about burlesque legendsAbout my guestDustin Wax is an anthropologist and the executive director of the Burlesque Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and inspiring the art of burlesque. Through archives, artifacts, exhibits, and community events, the Burlesque Hall of Fame keeps the stories of performers, famous and unsung, alive.👉 Learn more: burlesquehall.com👉 Follow the Burlesque Hall of Fame on Instagram & YouTube (links in show notes)If you liked this episode…You’ll also love my other burlesque conversations with modern legends like Perle Noire and next week's surprise guest, where we talk about healing, body sovereignty, and the power of performance for women and queer communities.About Choose the BearChoose the Bear is a podcast about women who choose their own path—often single, often childfree, always bold. We talk to artists, activists, athletes, scientists, and weirdos (the very best kind) about building a life on your own terms.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on independence, art, gender, politics, and joy.👍 If this episode taught you something new about burlesque, please like, comment, and share it with a burlesque lover or theater nerd in your life.Hashtags#Burlesque #BurlesqueHistory #BurlesqueHallOfFame #DustinWax #QueerHistory #FeministHistory #Drag #GenderStudies #ChooseTheBear