106.5 JACK fm Bristol

Dita Von Teese

The City Council is being criticised for the decision to allow a burlesque performance at an event at Bristol's City Museum.

The row is over the performance of burlesque star Dita Von Teese at the launch party of the Art from the New World exhibition that was meant to be this Friday night.

The city council say it's delighted to be hosting the exhibition which is a mixture of urban and contemporary artists from the new American art scene. The exhibition opens to members of the public on Saturday May 15th.

In a statement the council says: "Ms Von Teese has been invited to perform at the private launch by the exhibition organisers, the Corey Helford Gallery. The city council has carefully considered the nature of this private launch party and is satisfied the planned evening programme is appropriate for this event."

A spokesperson also added that 'not a penny of taxpayers money' had been spent on the performance.

But Equality South West are not satisfied. It has expressed 'surprise and shock' at news of the performance at the publicly funded museum.

Their spokesperson Brenda Weston said: "This amounts to a public body spending  public money on the gratuitous debasement of women. Bristol City Council has a legal obligation to promote equality so should be 
supporting women, not demeaning them.

"This is a disappointing mistake by Bristol City Council, and we sincerely hope they change their mind and stop the stripper from attending."

It has now emerged that many of the exhibits are still stuck in America, due to delays following the volcanic ash cloud, so the event has been put back until the 15 May 2010.

• Tweet

More from Bristol's News

• March Against Bristol Ice Rink Closure
• New Phase For Occupy Bristol
• Firefighters Praise Bristol Dog Owner