NEW ORLEANS—Among the many award shows that feature adult entertainers, one is specifically aimed at dancers. Exotic Dancer (ED) magazine's Adult Nightclub & Exotic Dancer Awards this year will be presented on August 9 during a show at the Harrah's Theater in New Orleans, directly across from the Hilton Riverside in the Harrah's Casino.
While the majority of the awards presented will go to adult nightclub venues across the country, the show will also offer trophies to exotic dancers themselves, many of whom are also adult movie and web stars.
The following adult entertainers have been nominated for awards:
Entertainer of the Year:
• Angela Sommers
• Lacey Rain
• Miss Mena
• Rubberdoll
Newcomer of the Year:
• Annie Lane
• BJ McNaughty
• Callie Jane
• Eva Lovia
• JayCee Lane
• Jenevieve Hexxx
• Laycee Steele
• Liza Mae Lust
• Penny Poison
• Ruby Ryder
Adult Movie Entertainer of the Year:
• Alexis Monroe
• Allie Haze
• Bonnie Rotten
• Dani Daniels
• Jayden Cole
• Lexi Belle
• Nicole Aniston
• Rachel Starr
• Richelle Ryan
• Dee & Michaels (duo of Sophie Dee & Gianna Michaels)
Club Favorite of the Year:
• Angel Beau
• Chelsea La Vone
• Gia Nova
• Jaded Dawn
• Lisa Licious
• Natasha Nova
• Phoenix Phires
• Sarah Hunter
• Simone Danalustrous
• Trinity Turner
The deadline to vote in these and other categories is midnight, July 4. Those who wish to vote may register here.
This year's award show will be hosted by risque comedian Colin Kane, and will feature special guest presenters and command performances by the nominees for ED’s Overall Entertainer of the Year Award. Tickets are $69 and available by calling 727-726-3592 or by visting the official expo website.
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In other New Orleans strip club news, the city is proposing to limit the number of clubs in the city from the current 23 down to just seven—and the dancers in those clubs were none too happy about it.
At a City Planning Commission hearing in late June, dancers (including aerial performer Virginia Sibley) made their views known, mostly by carrying signs reading, "Let Us Dance."
According to Jessica Williams of The Advocate, "Sparking the dancers' ire was a study the Planning Commission staff released last week that proposed capping the number of Bourbon Street strip clubs at 14 and instituting new spacing requirements designed to break up clusters of clubs in single blocks. As existing clubs close because of increased enforcement of existing laws, that number could drop to seven, the study said.
"And because the city’s nine clubs not on Bourbon Street are not authorized under zoning laws," she continued, "they would not be allowed to reopen if for any reason they close for at least six months—meaning that in time, the total number of clubs citywide might also drop to seven."
The crackdown was allegedly sparked by claims of prostitution and drug sales at about a half-dozen French Quarter clubs last year, though club owners and dancers charged that the city was "scapegoating" the entire club industry over a small number of bad apples.
"I have never once been trafficked in my entire career," said Stephanie Montgomery, a dancer at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club. "I have never worked in a club where prostitution was running rampant. ... We choose to work in this industry because of the voice it gives to us."
It will be interesting to see if there is any official reaction to the dance club industry's main event taking place in their town.
