We are also accepting cash donations at $heauxhistoryproject (cashapp/venmo)

If you'd like to donate we are currently accepting non-perishables/pantry items, masks, kids' necessities, hygiene products, winter gear, and new or gently used (and clean) clothing.

You're welcome to bring items to the following drop off locations:

We are hosting mutual aid pop ups in collaboration with other organizers in Chicago. Our first is Saturday November 22nd from 10am-12pm at the HAMOC Gift Shop located at Racine & Leland (Uptown). Food, clothing, winter gear, and masks will be available..

Come through! Take what you need!

🗣️ Rollercoasters were created to keep people out of BROTHELS 🎶

(hilarious history lesson from Noni Solfeggio)

Burlesque queen Lottie "The Body" Graves aka the "Black Gypsy Rose Lee" aka "Gypsy Rose Lee of Detroit"

1950s Burlesque star Miss Topsy

It would later be owned and ran by dancer Coby Yee (and family). Yee would also go on to open the Dragon Lady Nightclub in the 1960s

A popular San Francisco night spot for soldiers passing through and more importantly Asian American community, Forbidden City would go on to close during the end of “the golden era” of burlesque like many other clubs and cabarets across the country.

Forbidden City, an Asian American establishment, was open from the 1930s-the late 1950s. Filipino, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese American dancers were employed but all presented to audiences as Chinese.

Though considered the “Cotton Club of the West”, they differed from the NY hotspot they were often compared to:

(1) The nightclub and cabaret was Black owned
(2) Black patrons were welcomed
(3) Black dancers of various skin tones were employed and encouraged to perform

For example: THE CREOLE PALACE located in San Diego, California was opened in 1924 at Hotel Douglas (and closed in 1946)

On exotic dance history in the U.S., performance spaces, the art of strip tease, and segue from early burlesque shows to strip clubs

Lodging in general proved to be costly for SWers (of the 1800s- 1900s) especially lower income providers paying for room & board daily.

Crib houses were originally small shack like dwellings (many located in low income areas and/or developing cities/neighborhoods ) connected to one another for the purpose of performing erotic labor.