“Bubbles Darlene” was an exotic dancer and strip tease artist back in the 1950′s. Her real name was Virginia Lachimia. She was originally from Minneapolis where she studied toe, tap and ballet dancing. Virginia said she had no notion that when she was hired to dance at the Rialto in Chicago she would be entering into the world of Burlesque. It didn’t take Virginia long to figure out strip teasing and “Art Modeling” paid better than ballet. After adopting the stage name, Darlene Bubbles she took her act down to Havana where she worked with a twenty piece orchestra. She managed to get arrested when she decided to advertise her show by walking down a main thoroughfare dressed only in panties a transparent raincoat and a smile. Havana was shocked and police promptly hauled her in.
Upon her return to the United States someone broke into her hotel room and stole a suitcase of her personal photographs including a variety nudes taken in Cuba. Darlene took out a classified ad in the local newspaper offering $500 for their safe return, unfortunately they were never seen again. These days Bubbles is recognized a classic burlesque dancers by those who know about such things. This photo of Darlene in a hat made of ram’s horns should give you some idea of the depth of her talents. Lady Gaga ain’t got nothing on Bubbles!
