Revelations

by Alli Katz & Michael Persico

photo by: michael persico

Ann Atomic, Burlesque Dancer

“My favorite skit is to the Monkees’ ‘I’m a Believer.’ On the line ‘Then I saw her face’ we strip off our burqas to reveal ’60s bathing suits, and beach balls fall from the ceiling. I was swing dancing before I started burlesque. I always loved vaudeville, and I decided to try. There were just three of us, and we didn’t even wear pasties, just cute costumes. I don’t think I wore pasties for another two years. I was shy, I guess. Deep down, though, I’m an exhibitionist. I’ve done a lot of racy things in my life. I model for painters and I go-go dance. I’ve taken my clothes off all over town. But the place I get recognized the most is TLA Video when I go to rent videos. There are way worse jobs than stripping or being a burlesque dancer.”