Liv Osthus, also known by her stage name Viva Las Vegas, is a writer, musician, actress, activist, city Mayoral candidate, and for more than 25 years, a stripper.[1] She has written for The Village Voice, The New York Times Magazine, and other national and regional publications, and published two books about her experiences on stage.[2] Her story inspired both a feature-length documentary, Thank You for Supporting the Arts, and a one act opera, Viva's Holiday.[3]
Geek Love author Katherine Dunn anointed her the "Diva of the Demimonde".[4] She's been dubbed the most literate[5] and most famous stripper in Portland.[6]Willamette Week noted she has been a "renaissance woman who's authored memoirs, sings punk and French medieval music alike, and has beaten breast cancer to perform into her 40s".[7][8]