Rick Delaup fell in love with New Orleans’ mid-century burlesque culture, when clubs flourished on Bourbon Street and top-notch production was the industry standard. Wanting to restore classic burlesque for a modern-day city, he now spearheads the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, which takes place September 15–18.

Also the brains behind Bustout Burlesque and Bad Girls of Burlesque— recurring events which take place at the House of Blues—Delaup is one of the city’s preeminent experts on the ...