This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with award-winning burlesque performer Angie Pontani, “The Italian Stallionette” (at the NoMad Library Oct. 21-24). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Angie talks about how she discovered burlesque; the art as “the journey of the tease”; the ability to be fearless on stage; why burlesque gives performers the ability to break the “fourth wall”; what brought the art back; why it’s inclusive and simultaneously a reclamation of femininity; some of her favorite Las Vegas stories; cooking as a passion project; burlesque’s roots in American history; and why ”burlesque is best served live.”
Angie holds burlesque's highest honor, the title of “Queen of Burlesque, Miss Exotic World” as given to her by the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. She was named Coney Island’s “Miss Cyclone,” in honor of the world famous roller coaster and has been cited as one of the world's leading burlesque performers by multiple media outlets. She was named “Best International Touring Artist,” by The Naked City/Alternative Media Group of Australia.
Angie was featured in the Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s “Great Performances” television special, as well as in the cover art for their grammy winning album Cheek to Cheek. She has been photographed by some of today's leading photographers, including Bruce Weber, Ellen Von Unwerth and Steven Meisel.
Angie lives in Brooklyn with her husband, band leader and frequent co-collaborator Brian Newman and their daughter, Sistilia.
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