The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender’s Best Debut category was (predictably) full of up-and-coming stars of burlesque. Last year the winner was Bonnie Fox of London, and again performers flocked to Las Vegas from all over the world to compete for Best Debut.

The 2015 winner was Melbourne Australia’s Zelia Rose. The Josephine Baker-esque performer took the category’s top honors with a fruity, fun number that delighted the audience and judges. Another competitor in the category, Raven Virgina of Calgary, Canada, took home the title of Most Dazzling by clowning around with a big, wiry, hula-hoop-ish contraption. She was delightful.

Poison Ivory’s performance was another highlight — her sensual glove removal was one of the best of the Weekender.

This event was held to benefit the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum, which will be moving to a new, expanded location in Downtown Las Vegas in the near future.

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Heather Schofner is the features editor of VerbicideMagazine.com and the owner of Olympia, Washington-based Heather Schofner Photography.