A new museum that celebrates burlesque heritage and performance will open in Davenport later this month.
The Ecdysiast Arts Museum will be located at 322 Brady St., and have its grand opening Saturday, June 21. The museum doors will open at 6 p.m. Tours start at 7 p.m., and a show will start at 8 p.m.
Danielle Colby, star of the hit TV series “American Pickers” and a longtime advocate for the performing arts, is the driving force behind the museum project.
Ticket prices are $75 each, and visitors attending the museum’s grand opening must be at least 21 years old, according to information on the museum’s website.
Tickets for the grand opening are available now and must be bought in advance. To secure a spot and for more information, visit www.ecdysiastartsmuseum.com.
After the grand opening event, the museum will host additional shows and tours at future dates. Event dates have yet to be determined. A spokesperson for the museum told the QCbHJal this week that the Ecdysiast Arts Museum “will be a permanent addition to the downtown.”
‘It’s a dream realized’
“This is more than just a museum – it’s a dream realized in the city I call home,” said Ms. Colby. “It’s exciting to bring this world-class project to Davenport, where we’ll not only spotlight extraordinary performers and jaw-dropping costumes but also tell their intriguing stories in the larger narrative of women’s history – stories of resilience, creativity, and unapologetic expression. I can’t wait for visitors from around the globe to discover what makes this community, place, and this art form, so magical.”
Ms. Colby has spent years traveling across the country and around the world through her work on “American Pickers,” uncovering hidden treasures and stories along the way. Many of the one-of-a-kind costumes and artifacts were discovered during those travels – some even featured on episodes of the show. Her personal collection reflects a lifelong passion for the history, craftsmanship, and empowerment of Burlesque.
‘’Burlesque performers have so often been misunderstood – cast aside, even shamed -but when you really look at their lives you see something extraordinary. These visionary artists used their bodies and their voices to claim space in a world that tried to silence them. That’s what ‘Stripping History’ means to me – peeling back the judgment to honor their bravery, their brilliance, and their humanity,” she added.
The name of the museum – ecdysiast – was coined by the writer H.L. Menken in 1940 to describe a striptease artist.
Visitors to the new Ecdysiast Arts Museum can explore a thoughtfully curated collection that highlights the evolution of Burlesque, from its early roots to its modern-day resurgence. The museum aims to provide an inclusive and mindful space that honors the performers and their cultural significance, according to information from the museum.
