Welcome to (Modern) Burlesque - a space like no other!

I've been teaching burlesque for nearly 3 years now, and I love it as a form of dance because it's low impact, it includes a performance flair where you can be playful and dress up, and I've learned new skills within it - including chair tricks and tassel twirling!

Recently, we are being invited to to perform at community events (we have family friendly dances too), and we've now started blending our wellbeing events with a showcase - gaining performance experience, while also welcoming speakers on topics such as confidence, and menopause, and sexual wellbeing...and of course getting people moving at the end (because dancing is so good for everybody...that's every body, shape, ability, age...).

Modern burlesque - or at least how many groups across the country teach it now, draws from classic burlesque - the teases, the glove peels, the reveals...but also the appreciation of inclusivity, body diversity, and body functionality...we don't aim for perfection because sometimes, especially because of...you know...life...the hardest step is showing up at all!

But what I have found is that when you do show up you create something beyond any "ordinary dance class" - we have built a sisterhood of support. My ladies are part of a WhatsApp Group which has each others' backs outside the classroom, where you are, as one of our workshop experts Dr Gus Chaves puts it, "...received as you are"...where you recognise that any judment is the one that comes from you NOT others...and you learn to reel it in.

So in this post, following a fabulous showcase and workshop on Sunday, I thought I would reflect on the things I have learned:

1. As adults we must play more - Dr Gus Chaves reminded us in his joyful workshop that when children imitate adults they act so serious - why? - that’s what they see us do! Through encouraging us to make mistakes and recognise that it was all part of the fun, he taught the very important lesson that going wrong is really not a big deal and it certainly isn't a reflection on our identity!!

2. Which leads me nicely onto my next mindset shift. In Burlesque, even in showtime, you can embrace the chaos - I messed up the music and my steps at one point, and I never know my script - and when I directed and performed in community theatre I used to agonise over every mistake but, in this space - even in a performance, you literally shimmy it off. Part of how I choose to run events, and maybe this limits ticket sales but it manages the vibe - I know the audience is there to support you - and they are likely even more scared that they are going to have to join in...and getting it wrong then rolling with it models that it's ok.

3. Feeling we have lost a part of ourselves as we get older is more common than I realised. I have a performance number that I do with a beautiful vocalist from our Burlesque Squad - "Where did the rock go" from School of Rock, the sentiment of which reflects on what we set aside as we "become professional"...and how sometimes we wish we still had it. It surprised me how many people nodded when I talked about why I include quite a pensive number in an upbeat programme...because this number, it's choreography and it's words explains why we do what we do. And if that feeling of loss is collective within the audience and those who come to class, I also know it’s every Burlesuqe instructor’s mission to help you find it (and probably stick nipple tassels on it!)

4. The greatest benefit of Burlesque is the sisterhood. The support that continues beyond the class is beyond anything I could ever have created and that’s down to the incredible women I teach - and I’m proud to be part of that. When we talk about ‘showing up’ as more important than perfection, it is because we don’t just show up for ourselves, we do so for each other, and through encouragement and the consistency of seeing each other regularly we can achieve more than we realise because it’s safe to try.

…and probably most of all for #mentalhealthawareness 

5. Burlesque (outside our events where we DO include wellbeing workshops - I'm a psychologist after all) is a dance class with benefits NOT a therapy session with dance - I’m not giving you counselling, this is not for "mental health". INSTEAD, I know if you can put on some tassels and twirl you’re building a whole lot of confidence while concentrating on choreography, and that is why, for me, Burlesque over any form of dance fitness or pole or chair or even heels wins out. It is safe, you don't have to worry as much about technique (of course I will make sure you don't hurt yourself) - and so much of the fun in each dance we do is in the storytelling, the dressing up, the playfulness - NOT technical dance steps.

I also teach a new dance every week so you don't feel you have to commit...because of that life thing again! As well as that though, I know that people like different styles and if you don't quite resonate with one, it's ok because there'll be something different the next week. What started off for me as a side hustle, has now become the driver behind many of my events - and a philosophy for the spaces I inhabit, create and hold...and it has to be - because my class comes to grow.

While, all instructors have their own style and their own approach, their headline aim is to bring out the best in you...whether the best is the Femme Fatale with attitude, or a mischevious imp who creates chaos, or a showgirl who is claiming her spotlight - she is not only wanted...she is INVITED.

If you've never tried it before, there will be a class near you - we dance at the St Crispin Centre in Northampton on Wednesdays (usually on a 5 week block/one week off basis) so drop me a line on hello@draudreyt.com if you want to give it a go.

And you'll see us peforming at Silverstone Soccer in June and then The Bedford River Festival in July.