burlesque
The young woman took off her bathrobe. She was completely naked. She dropped the robe. The music swelled.
She had glorious ankles. A plush, gentle, welcoming body, a proud, striking face. She was beautiful. In time to the music, she slowly, slowly began to get dressed, stockings first.
My friend, the blogger Rachel Rabbit White, and I were at a burlesque show on the Upper West Side. We were watching Lucida Sans (stage name), the founder of Rhinestone Gorilla, a burlesque troupe that began in college at SUNY New Paltz, perform a backwards striptease. We were impressed.
(Lucida Sans, photo by Linus Gelber)
I am not a particularly daring person. I have never even been drunk. Going to a burlesque show feels like kind of a big deal to me. I’m not one of those cool New Yorkers who have seen it all. I have barely seen any of it, and I know it.
But this was not my first time watching women undress on stage. It was my second. I was back for more, because the first time made me feel so good.
(Gemma Stone in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, photo by Linus Gelber)
I found out about Rhinestone Gorilla through this blog. One of the readers, who has since become a friend of mine, is an original member of the troupe. Her stage name is Angelique A’LaMode. She is this bubbly, high-energy, incredibly sweet and smart (well yeah she’s smart. She reads Cake) woman. My age. Writing a Master’s thesis on the art of burlesque. I didn’t know anything about burlesque, and she was happy to educate me.
And then I went to her show, and I understood. These young women were hilarious. Their acts were cultural commentary. They referenced religion, literature, and art. Someone dressed as a G.I. Joe doll who strips off his outfit to become Barbie, who then strips off her outfit, too…I thought: Sex and humor don’t get mixed enough. I thought: Seeing all these bodies makes me feel good about my own body.
(Avian Rush as a G.I. Joe, photo by Linus Gelber)
The young women (and a few young men) on the stage were poking fun at themselves even as they reveled in their sexuality. They were making fun of stripping while stripping. They were also very conscious of the eroticism of even the simplest movement. Running a hand along your own leg or arm. Taking off a glove. It made me want to try taking off my gloves. I have obviously been doing it wrong.
They were comfortable. Their bellies stuck out. Their breasts were all different sizes. Some of them were tiny, some of them were large. The fat was distributed differently on each body. I realized I don’t see very many real naked bodies.
I signed up for a burlesque workshop. One of those LivingSocial things (“Botox + Dental Exam + Deal on Cheeseburgers in Midtown– Today Only!”). I’m going to go with one of my more conservative friends. Someone who is already joking about how intensely awkward she’s going to be. Good. Because I will be intensely awkward.
Unless, of course, I can dress as Carmen Sandiego. That was one of the acts last night. The (loose) theme of the show was “being ten.” Someone did a Blair Witch Project themed act. Angelique did an act in which she gets attacked by Lamb chop, the puppet. And one girl, a guest performer called Lefty Lucy, was obsessed with the computer game about the sexy globe-trotting criminal in the brightly colored trench coat and floppy hat . So was I. And that song! With the guy with the insanely deep voice who says her name! So great.
This is my favorite quote from the girl who introduced me to burlesque: You are the X factor in your portrayal of sensuality. It’s nothing without you, whatever you look like, however you think.
I think that’s the best thing about burlesque. That’s the thing I love. And even though I’m probably not going to become a professional burlesque dancer (also, Bear would die), that’s the thing I want to feel, in my own life. All the time.
(Debra Delorean, photo by Lauren Peralta)
What do you guys think about taking off clothes as a performance? As empowerment? Have you seen burlesque before? I actually thought one of the really important things about the show was that there were so many women in the audience…
* * *
Unroast: Today I love the way I look in my winter coat. I only have one. It’s getting old. But it always looks just right.
P.S. Rhinestone Gorilla (find them on FB here) is performing this Friday, the 18th at Vassar, and every second Sunday of the month at the Triad. The next show is called Everything But Christmas. It’s on Sunday Dec. 11.
P.P.S. Angelique read this post and thought “backwards striptease” was funny. “We call it a ‘reverse strip,'” she said. 🙂 See what I’m learning?
Kate on November 14th 2011 in Uncategorized
Angelique A'LaMode responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 12:06 pm #
I am so proud to have said that. Thanks for making me sound smart(er).
The women in the audience ARE important. Neo-burlesque has become so much less defined by or reliant upon the male gaze than it was in its historical, classic incarnation. It’s for people like you, Kate, regardless of their gender. The open- or analytic-minded. My favorite acts are far more like reading a good book or watching a film than pure sex– and books and films can certainly turn you on. Engaging the mind as well as the body is key.
And YES, whether or not you ever get onstage, you should aim to feel that way, and the glow should last well past the g-strings and into the sweatpants.
Kate responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 12:09 pm #
HA! Awesome comment. Glad I finally got around to writing this post!
Tess responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 12:19 pm #
I love this post. We should all be more comfortable with our bodies. Seeing real women being comfortable with their naked bodies is powerful. Usually I think of stripping as being about men. About turning men on. But what you’re talking about is definitely not that.
Kate responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 12:21 pm #
@Tess
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve given stripping much thought, except to roll my eyes when it turns up in yet another movie or TV show. But that would probably be my automatic assumption as well. And yes, this felt completely different.
rachel responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 12:24 pm #
My friend Sailor St. Claire of the http://www.temptingtarts.citymax.com/f/splashpage.html does a Donna Haraway inspired reverse trip. It’s brilliant!
Liz responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 1:19 pm #
Love the idea behind the quote “You are the X factor in your portrayal of sensuality. It’s nothing without you, whatever you look like, however you think.”
Good for you for taking a class that’s going to make you uncomfortable! A little discomfort equals growth, right?
I sent this piece to my friend, Raina, who is a burleque dancer in Seattle. 🙂
San D responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 1:22 pm #
Never had a desire to explore my confidence while naked on stage. As it is when I do poetry readings, or small parts in community theater, I already feel naked, clothed.
Angelique A'LaMode responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 2:10 pm #
@Liz
Who is your Raina? I know (of) many delightful Seattlites by stage name! I’m good friends with Paula the Swedish Housewife’s daughter, if I don’t know Raina, the Housechild will.
H responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 3:47 pm #
Loved this. Beautiful descriptions of something people might feel really shy about talking about. Good for you for going!
Kimmy Sue Ruby Lou responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 6:46 pm #
there’s stripping for men (fake tits, waxed EVERYTHING) and there’s burlesque…far more dark, mysterious and sexy, as it was meant to be! i knew a stripper once who said they took bets on who they could get the most money out of…it was a game called “cashing in on the men are stupid chips.” burlesque celebrates the “carnival” aspect of sex i think…glad you signed up for a class, can’t wait to hear about it…a singer/diva friend of mine has been taking classes for a while and loves it!!!! she’s late 50’s and totally hot!
Liz responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 7:30 pm #
@Angelique A’LaMode
Hi!
Her stage name is Violette Von Shpankitt. Here is her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000944206907
I asked her if I could share her stage name with you and she said, “Of course! I’m not super involved in it anymore because I work too much. 🙁 but I danced with the tempting tarts & now only do guest appearances. Might start doing pick-up girl so I can still get my dress-up & glitter fix….♥”
belen responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 8:38 pm #
About a year ago, wandering around DC, where I live, with a friend, giddy from too much beer and full of pie from a local pie shop (sorry, no cake served there!), we decided to stop into a venue for myriad forms of entertainment, from burlesque to musical acts to etc., etc. It turned out that a local burlesque troupe was performing and we were just in time for the second show. Neither of us had seen burlesque before so we bounded on in, of course! A woman I had worked with in a one-act play a few years prior was the last/headlining act, and was, by far, the best. Her performance told a story. She was funny. She was gorgeous. She was real. She held everyone’s attention because there was curiosity about her. There was passion. There was freedom. There was tangibility and an achievement I think so many people are still trying to attain. There was certain comfort. And did I mention she was funny? I still smile thinking about her performance.
laurabalaurah responded on 14 Nov 2011 at 9:39 pm #
Oh yes! I love this post!
A dear friend of mine used to be a theatre director, and has since left most parts of the theatre world behind. But, once a year, she does burlesque as part of a fundraiser for a local theatre company. My friend is beautiful- curvy and strong. She struggles with confidence in day-to-day life, but on the burlesque stage, she is completely PRESENT. It’s amazing to watch. I, also, have noted the many layers: the making fun, the political, the social. It’s just fantastic.
Jenna responded on 15 Nov 2011 at 1:20 am #
Fabulous post. Glad you’ve signed up for a burlesque class they are great fun!
I’ve been learning for the last 12 months, one-to-one lessons first, in a class and now as part of the group that are regular performers. I’ve performed once so far to a small select group but hope to perform publicly at Christmas.
Its an amazing way to meet knew friends who accept you as you are.
Lynn responded on 15 Nov 2011 at 9:56 am #
Awesome Post!!! I’ve always been fascinated by Burlesque, and I would love to participate in a Burlesque Workshop/Class, I that it would be wonderful for my body image and my perception my sensual self 🙂 Anyone know of any Burlesque orgnaizations/classes in the Upstate, NY area?”
Katy Widrick responded on 15 Nov 2011 at 10:10 am #
I’ve never attended a true burlesque show, but I’ve taken burlesque dancing and pole dancing classes and LOVE the way they make me feel!
Angelique A'LaMode responded on 15 Nov 2011 at 11:04 am #
@Liz
Hi! And Hi Violette!
@Lynn
Where upstate? There’s a small performing community in Albany for sure– in fact, Rhinestone Gorilla used to perform in Albany at the Fuzebox for a while. Starting on campus in New Paltz which yes, I know, is downstate, with a group of paying students, we were able to bring the headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque up to do a workshop almost every year, for anyone on campus. Check out the school’s site and send an email if you really want. She also has DVDs I’ve heard good things about, but don’t teach ALL the details. Truth be told, I’ve never attended a class or workshop in my life, nor watched the DVD, and I believe am the only current member of RGB who hasn’t. Watching a lot of YouTube videos, talking to my friends and performers who knew what to do, and just plain making it up as you go along. The classes will give you a boost and a jumping off point, but for real burlesque, you have to take the leap and put YOURSELF out there. Hope this helped a little!
Lynn responded on 15 Nov 2011 at 7:56 pm #
@Angelique: Thank you! I’m a little further Upstate in the Syracuse area, Albany is about two hours away, but it’s so funny that Rhinestone Gorilla used to perform at the Fuzebox, as I had a longtime boyfriend that would swing dance and DJ there 🙂 I’ll check out the schools website, and look on YouTube and hopefully go from there 🙂
Nina responded on 16 Nov 2011 at 10:29 am #
great post
i’m halfway through a course to do my first solo burlesque performance. slightly shitting myself but looking forward to it
Kate responded on 16 Nov 2011 at 10:29 am #
@Nina
lol!! That’s awesome! You’re brave.
Angelique A'Lamode responded on 16 Nov 2011 at 11:24 am #
@Nina
You’ll do great! Every single one of us was in your shoes, slightly shitting ourselves, less than 4 years ago. And like any performer, new material STILL makes me crazy nervous. My advice is to rehearse a lot, rig anything giving you trouble with snaps, and have fun! I felt so good after my first, all the nerves and forgetting to eat that day was worth it! (I immediately ate a granola bar brought for just that reason)
@Lynn
They still have swing nights that are kind of a big deal! Yes, research anything on YouTube to see what you like. There’s little you can’t learn there you’d learn in a class, the major disadvantage is that YouTube can’t see and talk back with tips. And don’t forget to be YOU. Burlesque is unlike a prescribed form like, say, ballet in that its no one move like this stocking peel or that tassel twirl. It’s you.
Adrienne responded on 16 Nov 2011 at 5:27 pm #
I saw a burlesque act when I was in Las Vegas in 2005, though none of the women stripped down to their birthday suits and they all had what I’ll call “perfect” bodies.
As someone who’s not that confident about her naked body, I, surprisingly, did not feel worse about myself after seeing them, but better. I don’t know how that works or how to explain it. But I think it’s what led to me taking nude photos of myself and then (GASP!) posting them online.
I know that sounds radical, but the implied naughtiness of that really made feel better about myself (and still does). I’d always been the good girl who followed rules and didn’t disrupt the status quo; the girl who didn’t take chances. Suddenly, though, I was a risk-taking, rule-breaking dame.
And I like that. Whenever I’m in a rut, I like thinking about those photos in cyberspace and knowing I really can break through the norms and do something different (for me, anyway) and live another day.
Having said all that, I don’t know if I could get naked in front of a room full of strangers. Hell, I giggle every time I take my clothes off in front of my husband!
Nina responded on 18 Nov 2011 at 9:19 am #
i’m doing a science themed show (i’m a science communicator by trade) so while it will come naturally to me as i do science tricks in front of people all the time, there is the possibility for things to go wrong.
but i’m good at pulling amusing faces even if i do screw up
Angelique A'LaMode responded on 20 Nov 2011 at 7:12 pm #
@Nina
Half of all performance skill, regardless of the kind of performance, is knowing how to deal with screwing up. You’ll be fiiiiine.
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