This article has an unclear citation style. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of,,. (May 2011) () Velma Fern Worden (born June 18, 1935), better known by the April March, is an and prominent star of American. Billed as April March, The First Lady of Burlesque, she was a headline act in burlesque from 1952 to 1978. During her more than thirty-year career, she gained popularity throughout the,, and for her classy and sophisticated. March was one of the innovators of the elegant strip tease. Contents • • • • • • Early life [ ] April March was born Velma Fern Worden in,. She was the only child of Clarence 'Buddy' Worden and Fern Gragg. After her parents divorced her mother went through a string of marriages and and her father was absent for most of her life. March was left to be raised by her grandparents Elmer and Ida Gragg. If your workforce includes contract employees, freelancers, or independent contractors by any other name, you should thoroughly analyze if those workers should. Create a stunning Events free website, tailored for Performance & Shows. Pick the Performance & Shows website template you. Promote your exotic dance studio. March began, skating and acrobatic lessons at an early age and aspired to be a movie. At the age of ten, she was cast as an extra in an comedy that was being filmed in Oklahoma City. March was married to her first husband at the age of fifteen. The marriage lasted less than two years. At age seventeen, divorced and in need of money to get herself to, she lied about her age to get a job as a at an Oklahoma City, The Derby Club. It was while working there that she was discovered by Barney Weinstein, a renowned club owner, who offered her a chance to be in burlesque. Burlesque career [ ] April March began her career in 1952 at The Theater Lounge in Dallas, TX. After meeting Barney Weinstein in and being offered the opportunity to work in his club, she traveled to Dallas. Weinstien had her trained as a burlesque stripper and gave her the name April March. At the same time, Weinstien and his brother, Abe, were training another burlesque legend, Candy Barr. March became an instant favorite with audiences who were intrigued by the mix of sensuality and innocence from the raven haired beauty and taken in by her warmth and charm. By the time she was eighteen years old, April March was touring, playing clubs and theaters across the United States, Canada and Mexico. While touring the club and circuits, March refined her act, playing on her image of the sophisticated type and became known for her elegant, well choreographed striptease that put the emphasis on teasing. March inspired two original songs written specifically for her, 'Blues for April' and 'Springtime for April' which became popular numbers in her act. Throughout her career, April March worked with other burlesque legends such as,, Rose La Rose and as well as famous burlesque comics such as Billy 'Cheese and Crackers' Hagen, Lenny Ross and Jimmy Matthews. In 1961, April March was given the title 'The First Lady of Burlesque'. When an agent pointed out March's striking resemblance to then,, the agent jokingly said that March's new moniker could be 'The First Lady of Burlesque'. March's ladylike demeanor on stage also played a part in the title and she began using it. While appearing at the Picadilly Club in, FL., March was invited to attend a luncheon by Prince Thamur and Prince Mansour of who were accompanying their father,, on a trip to the United States. King Saud heard of March from his two sons and requested a private audience with her. This invitation led to a request by the for March to secretly deliver a letter to King Saud. March agreed to deliver the letter. March was asked by King Saud to accompany him to, and then back to Saudi Arabia. On the advice of the United States Government, March turned down the offer, fearing for her life. Shortly after her meeting with the Saudi King, April March was involved in a fatal shoot out in another Miami club, The Place Pigalle. After a dispute over a bill on which he was charged for March's drinks while she sat at his table, a drunken customer began shooting randomly through the club. When the shooting was over, a singer had been murdered, a doorman had wounded in both legs and one of the dancers had been wounded in one leg which was eventually amputated.
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