Take-it-all-off weekend

Friday, May 26, 2006 | 7:17 a.m.

Ladies, start your tassels.

More than 100 burlesque performers will be in Las Vegas this weekend for the 16th Annual Miss Exotic World Pageant.

The pageant, hosted by comedian Margaret Cho, will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Celebrity Theatre, 201 N. Third St., near Ogden Avenue. El Vez, the "Mexican Elvis," is among other emcees during the weekend of activities.

Workshops on Saturday and Sunday will be at Binion's and include a pin-up modeling class, a tassel-twirling course, "burlesquercise" and the discussion, "Girlie Shows at the New York World Fair, 1939-1940."

Unlike today's strip-club dancers, burlesque performers - born out of vaudeville in the 19th century - mixed themed comedy into their acts. The focus was not on nudity, but rather on the tease.

The 49th Annual Striptease Reunion & Miss Exotic World Weekend Kick-Off Spectacular will be at 8 p.m. today, also at the Celebrity Theatre.

The pageant is an annual fundraiser for Exotic World Burlesque Museum in Helendale, Calif. Museum officials plan to move its collection of artifacts and archival information to Las Vegas.

Former dancer Jennie Lee founded the museum, which has been in Helendale for 17 years. Lee died of breast cancer in 1990. The roadside attraction, which held items owned by noted dancers including Gypsy Rose Lee is in disrepair and needs a new home.

"It really belongs here," says museum representative Laura Herbert, adding that Las Vegas' sense of nostalgia, showgirl history and the burlesque collection at UNLV will provide good company for the museum.

"It's American history, women's history and fashion history," she says. "And it's seen a revival in the past 10 to 15 years. Women have incorporated comedy into their acts. You'll see them do these conceptual, interesting pieces."

Four generations of performers will be at the event, including dancer Tempest Storm. Younger dancers will also perform a tribute to dancers who starred in the early years of burlesque.

Fifty-five acts will compete for 10 titles. A boy-lesque competition has been added for male dancers.

More information can be found at www.exoticworldusa.org or by calling Celebrity Theatre at 384-2582.

Book signing

Art and architecture writer Elizabeth McMillian will present a design and architecture slide show from 7 to 9 p.m. today at BlankSpace, a modern-design store in Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay, 3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

McMillian, author of several books including "Living on the Water" (2002), "Deco & Streamline Architecture in L.A.: A Modern City Survey" (2004) and "Beach Houses: From Malibu to Laguna" (1994), is a Venice, Calif., resident. She is past president of the Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California chapter and serves on its advisory board.

Her lecture and book-signing are free. For information, call 632-9399.

Exhibit

The Grand, a juried art exhibit of works by Southern Nevada artists, will have its artist reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

Featured artists are Catherine Borg, Shan Michael Evans, Damien Gilley, Stephen Hendee, Grayson Ronk and Dustin Sparks. The exhibit was juried by Las Vegas artist Tim Bavington, whose painting "Physical S.E.X." was recently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For information, call the center at 455-7340.