The Mermaid Parade

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Me at the Mermaid Parade. Photo by Amy Sussman.
Above: Me at the Mermaid Parade this past weekend, bringing in the New York School of Burlesque School of Fish.

The Mermaid Parade is not strictly a burlesque event, but it's definitely an event cherished by the New York burlesque community. Like Wigstock, it's been a meeting ground for performance artists, drag queens, and people who just love dress-up ( or undress-up) since the 1980s, and, like Wigstock, has fostered a sense of community based on the joy of costuming and playfulness. When I moved to New York permanently in the 90s after years of traveling back and forth between NY and Atlanta, I immediately became devoted to these annual events. It's almost like a family reunion for me!

Mermaid Parade
Above: Mermaid Parade, 2006. Tigger, Erochica Bamboo, Laura Herbert, Taylor Mac, Me, Dirty Martini, Francesca.


The Burlesque Revival Association in the 2002 Mermaid Parade.


Bambi the Mermaid and Bunny Love at Ruby's after the 2002 Mermaid Parade.

The Mermaid Parade is produced by Coney Island USA, an NFP which aims to "defend the honor of American popular art forms through innovative exhibitions and performances." For more information about this amazing arts organization, click the banner!


Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque, for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com.

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