Celebrating Cleveland's Burlesque History,
Ohio Burlesque presents
The 5th annual The Roxy Remembered.
May 23rd at The Beachland Ballroom.
Toni Elling (pictured) now 87 was born May 13th, 1928 in Detroit, MI.
Toni Elling began performing burlesque in the 1960s when very many dancers were giving up their pasties. Elling jump-started her career in Detroit’s The Flame Show Bar dancing for singer Jackie Wilson. In Cleveland, she performed at Sorma's (St Clair and E.26) for about two weeks during the first two years of her performing career. While in Cleveland, another dancer claimed the city was known for enjoying "floor work," but Elling replied, "I hate getting dirty." Instead, Elling preferred evoking classic elegance and refused to be held to the savage standards the then-segregated industry had for performers of color. She never allowed those standards to stop her from pursuing success and she was no stranger to the spotlight, having rubbed elbows with some of the best in the industry. She counted bandleader Duke Ellington, fighter Joe Louis, entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. and Earl "The Fatha" Heinz amongst her friends.
Ohio Burlesque presents
The 5th annual The Roxy Remembered.
May 23rd at The Beachland Ballroom.
Toni Elling (pictured) now 87 was born May 13th, 1928 in Detroit, MI.
Toni Elling began performing burlesque in the 1960s when very many dancers were giving up their pasties. Elling jump-started her career in Detroit’s The Flame Show Bar dancing for singer Jackie Wilson. In Cleveland, she performed at Sorma's (St Clair and E.26) for about two weeks during the first two years of her performing career. While in Cleveland, another dancer claimed the city was known for enjoying "floor work," but Elling replied, "I hate getting dirty." Instead, Elling preferred evoking classic elegance and refused to be held to the savage standards the then-segregated industry had for performers of color. She never allowed those standards to stop her from pursuing success and she was no stranger to the spotlight, having rubbed elbows with some of the best in the industry. She counted bandleader Duke Ellington, fighter Joe Louis, entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. and Earl "The Fatha" Heinz amongst her friends.
Former burlesque dancer, Toni Elling, left, and Sammy Davis Jr., centre, at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit Michigan, August, 1959. Photo courtesy of Toni Elling
Elling's second visit to Cleveland was to help Duke Ellington write female jazz beat, which he would later reveal to her as the song "Satin Doll." She recounted his phone call and request she come to Cleveland the week of September 19, 1952, to assist him in the task when we spoke to her over the phone. She took the first plane out and arrived in the rust belt city to be swept up by a car and taken to the hotel to freshen up before headding to Town Casino on East 107th and Euclid. She wove her way through tables to sit at the bar as his final set finished. She sat smoking with a cigarette holder as she kept looking over her shoulder, watching for Duke Ellington to approach her. In later years, she asked Ellington to compose a song for her and it was then that he revealed he already had with "Satin Doll."
Toni Elling was awarded the 2014 Living Legend of the Year Award by the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. She is known for her kindness and willingness to help and
nurture many of today's performers.
Toni Elling was awarded the 2014 Living Legend of the Year Award by the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. She is known for her kindness and willingness to help and
nurture many of today's performers.
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Toni Elling will be coming back to Cleveland May 23rd to The Beachland Ballroom to celebrate the 5th Annual Roxy Remembered show. The show itself is a nod to Cleveland's past, with live music provided by Miss Alexandra Huntingdon and The Gentlemen's Intermission to accompany the ladies as they tease with very special performances showcasing belly dance, tap and ballet with some special guests. The masters of hilarity Abby Downton and Ken Schneck will be hosting the show. A collection of artifacts of The Roxy Burlesque Theater will be on display including a marker of Blaze Fury, who performed at The Roxy Burlesque Theater.
International Awarded Dancers
Bella Sin (Cleveland) and Lushes La Moan (Detroit)
and Local Feature Doll Bambino
Will be dancing thru the night along with Eliza Sidecar, Daphne Dangerfield, Charlotte "Slim" Pastie and Mahsitti Jade.
Bella Sin (Cleveland) and Lushes La Moan (Detroit)
and Local Feature Doll Bambino
Will be dancing thru the night along with Eliza Sidecar, Daphne Dangerfield, Charlotte "Slim" Pastie and Mahsitti Jade.
 Jessica Lowman Image Credit |  Christopher Nero Image Credit |  Natalia Dale Image Credit |
Tickets are now On Sale via Beachland Ballroom
VIP $40 7:00PM Entry with Meet and Greet
Reserved $30
GA $17 / Doors $20
VIP and Reserve Ticket Holders will receive an Original 1959 Admission ticket from The Roxy as a keepsake from The Ohio Burlesque Festival collection. A Sign poster along with small gifts.
This Show is Sponsored by In The 216 Located in Coventry.
We Hope to see you there to celebrate our past and look forth our future.
VIP $40 7:00PM Entry with Meet and Greet
Reserved $30
GA $17 / Doors $20
VIP and Reserve Ticket Holders will receive an Original 1959 Admission ticket from The Roxy as a keepsake from The Ohio Burlesque Festival collection. A Sign poster along with small gifts.
This Show is Sponsored by In The 216 Located in Coventry.
We Hope to see you there to celebrate our past and look forth our future.
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