The EDI West moves to Houston, while veteran burlesque performer and show producer Roxi D’Lite set to helm the event’s production
As the EDI — the Exotic Dancer Invitationals — celebrates its 10-year Anniversary, the industry’s premier showgirl dance competition is set to return in 2024 with some brand-new places and faces! ED Publications is excited to announce that veteran showgirl entertainer and event producer Roxi D’Lite will now helm the EDI as its co-producer and stage show coordinator. Roxi brings a wealth of experience, not only as a veteran showgirl and burlesque performer but also as the producer and artistic director of such large-scale events as Theatre Bizarre’s Dirty Devil’s Peepshow and The Whoopee Club Cabaret.
“After 20 years in the industry I am elated to co-produce the EDIs with my dear friend (ED Sales Director) Kristofer Kay and (EDI Founder) Dave Manack,” says Roxi. “I started in this industry as a humble house dancer and found my way into featuring in gentlemen’s clubs, which eventually led to performing burlesque in theaters all over the world. I’ve enjoyed working behind the scenes creating spectacular productions that I’m very proud of, and I’m excited to apply my experience as not only a former EDI competitor but also as a cabaret producer. I really appreciate the work both Dave and Kris do; they are always fair and run a great competition. I’m honored and excited to have been asked to be part of their team. I look forward to working with all the amazing performers and club owners in the next year!”
The 2024 EDI East and West competitions will once again be hosted by Jerry Westlund’s Pony Clubs and the Bucks clubs, as both organizations have proved to be loyal supporters of the industry’s top showgirl competition. The EDI West will move cities, however, as two Bucks locations in Houston are set to host the EDI West from April 10-12, while Jerry Westlund will bring the EDI East back to Huntsville, Alabama, from May 15-17.
“We’re excited to have a new face and a fresh perspective with EDI co-producer Roxi D’Lite, who brings a substantial amount of event production experience and her own EDI successes over the years to our contest series,” says EDI Founder and ED Publications’ Publisher, Dave Manack, noting that Roxi won the Showgirl Division at the very first EDI East in 2014 along with a myriad of EDI mini-titles, and was also ED’s “Overall Entertainer of the Year” Award Winner in 2015. “It’s also great to work with such professional organizations as Jerry Westlund’s Pony Clubs and the Bucks clubs, and their owners Curtis Wise and Kevin ‘Rich’ Richardson, who help make the EDI contests run smoothly and create an enjoyable experience for all involved.”
The preliminary EDI 2024 lineups will be announced on ExoticDancer.com and on ED’s social media outlets before the end of 2023. Entertainers who are interested in competing at the 2024 EDI contests are encouraged to contact ED’s Kristofer Kay at kris@edpublications.com.
