In addition to the club and entertainer awards that we typically present during the ED Awards Show at EXPO (voted on by the industry), we’ve introduced six ED “Honors” Awards that will acknowledge specific individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry at large. You can go here to read more about these new “Honors” Awards as well as the Honors Board members who will be voting on the winners of these awards.
These six ED “Honors” Awards were included within our Pre-Nominations voting process at www.theEDawards.com, and the final nominees were chosen via a process that is based largely upon the support they received during the pre-nom voting. Throughout the next two weeks, all of the nominees for these six ED “Honors” Awards will be announced.
Today, we are proud to announce the nominees for the “Carol Doda” (honoring the very first topless entertainer) and “Club Transformation of the Year” Awards (these nominees have already been presented to the ED “Honors” Board).
Criteria: Carol Doda Award – Named after the famed Condor Club performer recognized as being the first topless exotic entertainer in the US, this award will honor an entertainer, or an individual directly associated with entertainers, who has transcended the lights and lore of the mainstage and achieved success inside and/or outside our industry through their leadership, innovation and talent.
Carol Doda Nominee: Dani Daniels
Award-winning adult film star Dani Daniels (read her recent ‘In Conversation’ interview here) is now an accomplished artist working under the name Kira Lee Cipolla. She specializes in typographical pointillism, creating portraits of pop culture icons using song lyrics and text. Her work is displayed at the Kira Lee Art Gallery in Sarasota, where she offers commissioned artwork starting at $5,000. As a multi-business owner, artist and award-winning feature entertainer, she has built an empire that blends her raw creativity, unapologetic confidence and passion for the adult industry.
Dani Daniels is also ranked among the top .05% of OnlyFans creators worldwide, earning her 8.5 million followers on Instagram. In 2018, she hosted a talk show titled “Dinner with Dani” on Amazon Prime Video, which featured conversations with adult industry personalities and other public figures. This led to “The Two Onions,” a podcast boasting unrestricted content which she hosted alongside her husband until 2023.
After working both in front of and behind the camera for some time, her entrepreneurial nature led her to expand the Dani Daniels brand. She co-owns seven companies with her husband, including DD Roasters, a collection of hand-picked coffee blends, and Club 23, a private speakeasy in Sarasota, Florida.
Carol Doda Nominee: Jacquie (Laliberte)
Jacquie (Laliberte, though she is known by her first name only) is the most respected and in-demand feature entertainer costume designer in the industry. She is known for creating high-quality, custom showgirl outfits worn by top feature entertainers nationwide — known throughout the industry as “Jacquies” — and has done so for over three decades. A self-taught seamstress who began sewing at the age of five, Jacquie turned a spontaneous investment in an Ontario bridal shop in the early ‘80s into a decades-long career outfitting dancers and bringing their visions to life. (Read our recent interview with Jacquie here.)
Highly sought after for its durability, functionality and creative detailing, Jacquie’s designs range from affordable custom ensembles to one-of-a-kind hand-sequined gowns and elaborate character costumes. Her pieces are widely regarded as an investment by performers, and many will wear them for years after their purchase. Though now semi-retired, her reputation as the go-to designer for serious feature entertainers remains unmatched, with thousands of outfits created over the years and a legacy stitched into every tag bearing her name.
Carol Doda Nominee: Lisa Licious
A successful entrepreneur, Lisa Licious owns several businesses that support the adult nightclub industry, including Licious Boutique, a sexy, trendsetting shop in Henrico, Virginia. Voted Richmond’s Best Women’s Clothing Store in 2023 and 2024 by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, she launched the store online in 2021 before opening her first brick-and-mortar location soon after.
Recently, Lisa launched Vicious Licious Marketing & Promotions, which aims to help other business owners and entertainers thrive by growing their brands through custom marketing campaigns. Clients can attend Bad Bitch Academy, a program utilizing her experience as an award-winning feature entertainer to train aspiring dancers with classes on everything from personal style and appearance to stage presence and choreography.
While touring the country as a feature entertainer for over 25 years, she performed for icons like Ozzy Osbourne, Paris Hilton and Snoop Dog. Former ED “Entertainer of the Year” nominee and 2015 EDI winner, Lisa brings discipline, drive and professionalism to both the stage and her businesses, leaving her mark on the industry.
Criteria: Club Transformation of the Year Award – A club “transformation” can come in many forms. It could be a full renovation, an overhaul in club management or even an upgrade or significant change to the overall format of the club. This award recognizes the owner who achieved the freshest, most modern approach to their club’s transformation, helping their brand achieve an all-new look and feel for their guests to enjoy.
Club Transformation of the Year Nominee: Mons Venus, Tampa
One of the few adult clubs that can truly be considered a landmark, Tampa’s Mons Venus was opened in the early 1980s by Exotic Dancer Hall of Famer Joe Redner. The intimate venue quickly rose to fame as the city’s most iconic full-nude revue, credited with shaping the local adult entertainment scene and playing a pivotal role in the rise of lap dance culture nationwide.
Earlier this year, it was acquired by the owners of the neighboring 2001 Odyssey club and underwent a thoughtful remodel led by Don Kleinhans, whose vision honored the club’s storied past while ushering it into a new era. (Read more about this renovation right here.)
Renovations brought Mons Venus into the 21st century with updated sound and lighting systems, fresh upholstery, modern carpeting and a vibrant Vegas-style exterior display. Inside, new dance booths, private dance stations and a professional DJ setup replaced the club’s longtime jukebox. The result is a transformation that preserves the soul of this legendary venue while future-proofing it for the next generation of guests and entertainers.
Club Transformation of the Year Nominee: Red Rose, Austin, TX
What started as a 4,000-square-foot space is now one of the highest-grossing clubs in Austin. Jonathan Joseph rebranded and reimagined a previously-existing venue into The Red Rose to reflect a more inclusive, high-energy nightclub atmosphere that appeals to a younger, more diverse crowd. One of the most significant upgrades to come out of the renovation and expansion has been the addition of The Red Rose Garden, a new outdoor entertainment space built directly behind the club. (Read more about this renovation right here.)
This sleek expansion offers a unique open-air setting complete with cabanas, dedicated bartenders, an outdoor stage and a DJ setup, elevating the guest experience by blending nightclub vibes with laid-back, resort-inspired elements. Looking ahead, The Red Rose plans to introduce barbecue to its menu, after which the venue will operate as The Red Rose Adult Nightclub & Barbecue. This transformation has redefined what an adult nightclub can be in a city like Austin.
Club Transformation of the Year Nominee: Sapphire, Las Vegas
Sapphire Las Vegas, one of the world’s largest adult clubs, completed a $10 million renovation earlier in 2025, completely transforming this already-impressive 70,000-square-foot venue. Led by Sr. Vice President Marcus Bately, the remodel introduced a redesigned grand entryway, custom flooring and dramatic new ceiling lighting. Remarkably, the club remained open throughout construction, offering a seamless transition into a more upscale, immersive environment.
Inside, the renovation brought state-of-the-art audiovisual upgrades, including a massive 20 × 40-foot LED wall, advanced sound and lighting systems with synchronized lasers along with atmospheric haze to create a dynamic only-in-Vegas ambiance. VIP offerings were also significantly expanded, featuring the elevated Continental Lounge, Continental Terrace, and the Rockstar Booth—an exclusive space for up to 30 guests with private DJs, one-way windows, panoramic views and premium bottle service.
Complementing the physical upgrades, Sapphire has launched new weekly programming such as industry nights, celebrity appearances and themed events. These additions mark the club’s evolution into a full-scale ultra-club blending luxury, entertainment and exclusivity into one immersive experience for their guests to fully enjoy. Read all about this renovation in the September EXPO issue of EXOTIC DANCER Magazine!
