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Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tempest Storm, Dixie Evans, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Holly Madison and reigning Miss Exotic World and Las Vegas resident Kalani Kokonuts during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum Grand Opening at Emergency Arts on East Fremont Street on June 4, 2010.
Published Saturday, June 5, 2010 | 10:31 a.m.
Updated Monday, June 7, 2010 | 5:05 p.m.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary weekend has been jarred by an onstage injury suffered by one of the art form's most famous and revered performers.
Tempest Storm, an icon in the burlesque universe for more than six decades, fractured her left hip in a fall near the end of Friday night's nearly four-hour program at the Plaza Showroom. The 82-year-old Storm slipped and fell backward onto the stage during the second song in a two-number medley, Engelbert Humperdinck's "My Wife the Dancer." She landed awkwardly and her head loudly hit the stage. Storm was taken by ambulance to Sunrise Medical Center, where this morning hospital spokeswoman Ashlee Seymour said she is listed in "good" condition.
Seymour was not authorized to provide any further details on Storm's condition, but a post on the Burlesque Hall of Fame's Facebook page said she was due to undergo surgery this morning. However, as the day unfolded, it became apparent she was to undergo that surgery in the afternoon.
A Las Vegas resident who has graced theater and showroom stages since the 1950s, Storm was the show-closing act in a wildly appreciated performance before a near-capacity crowd. The curtain came down after the incident, which is believed to be the first time Storm has lost her balance in a 60-year career.
Burlesque Hall of Fame executive and a friend of Storm's, Laura Herbert, said it was too soon after the accident to know if Friday's show might have been Storm's final performance.
"It was such an awful and unexpected thing," said Herbert, who was with Storm from the time of the accident until about 6 a.m. today. "She's such a trouper. She's an amazing performer and she loves the stage."
Drummer Tony Felicetta, who is part of the "B — BeatlesShow Tribute" at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, was performing during Storm's segment. The two are friends. "Before the show we were talking backstage and she told me she felt like she was 25 years old, that's how good she felt," he said. The two talked today and Felicetta said Storm seemed fine. "She is a little bummed, but she is in very good spirits considering what happened."
Burlesque Hall of Fame officials are asking that cards and other items meant for Storm be delivered to the Burlesque Hall of Fame's new exhibit space at Emergency Arts on 6th and Fremont Street, or at the temporary vending station at the Plaza. The Burlesque Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary celebration continues with events today at the Plaza, and this evening with the Miss Exotic World competition, which begins at the showroom at 8 p.m.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.
Tempest Storm has been a performer who has been the a performer with a longevity that most show biz persons dream about.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Hey give the lady some props...I know a lot of dancers who look worse than her that are a 1/3rd of her age working still @ the villa ;)...
this is news for the national enquirer lol
Actually this should been news for AARP newsletter.
Poor old Batwanger.
Dixie & Oscar. Cute couple.
I'd like to hear more about the reigning Miss Exotic World, and if she and Holly are "good friends".
Listen she is "BURLESQUE" she is VEGAS... and I personally wish her a comnplete and speedy recovery.
I wish Tempest Storm a rapid recovery; I'm also sorry I missed the show.
wait a sec she was performing?? HAHAHAHAHAHA oh my god that is disgusting.
I do hope she mends soon. I remember back in the 1950's she used to appear in the Burly-Q's in Chicago and in Los Angeles. She knew her stuff and was a big crowd draw. I have seen her perform many times. I still like the Burly-Q's.
Most women look better partially dressed than fully undressed. Men are animals and love eroticism. So don't fool yourself. I wish her well. Society has gone to topless to bottomless to nude and now headed back to burlesque. life is a full circle of moments