You know, like a striptease class. I heard about a place in Montreal called Bluelight Burlesque (I’m not linking, because it’s semi-NSFW, but put that in Google and you’ll find it quick) that offers “burlesque classes”, where in 6 weeks you learn to be more comfortable in your body, and how to dance all sexy-like. You even develop a burlesque “character” to go with a routine.
I’m tempted to give it a shot, even if I might be leaving town before the 6 weeks are over. I’ll e-mail the place and ask if there’s a way for me to do just an intensive class or something. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Are there places in other cities that offer classes like this? Has anyone tried them?
Ha ha. No, they say on their website they do special classes for bachelorette parties, which is, I’m assuming, a quick intensive class teaching you at least the basics.
A really good friend did it and she’s glad that she did. At the end of the course, all the participants invited their SO’s, close friends for their “recital.” There was nothing too outrageous or scandalous in it… all the naughty bits were still covered.
From my (male) perspective, I think this sort of thing affords freedom from the double-standard society has about women and sexuality. Instead of men expecting women to be sexy and then castigating them for being slutty, it’s an environment where women who want to develop that aspect of them can do so in a supportive environment.
Are we talking classic burlesque* or grinding on a pole to “Sweet Cherry Pie”? Classic classy feather fans and coy tease I’d be up for, but I’m not a fan of modern stripping as an art form. I think it should remain legal, and I’m all for removing the social stigma of those who do it for a living, but it’s just not the kind of thing I’m into personally. Plus, y’know, it just looks *really *nasty when fat women do it.
For once…just for once, could you leave the gratuitous insults out? Because, believe me, it’s far, far nastier to read than watching any fat woman dance or strip could ever be.
It’s not fundamentally all that different from bellydance classes. There’s more emphasis on flirting attitude than on physical fitness, but it’s not really anything more than a dance class.
It’s not so showy or produced as the fan dancing stuff but it’s not raunchy either. The woman picks out her own music and creates her own routine. She gets pointers on actions and techniques for drawing attention to certain areas she wants.
The best way to describe (my friend’s experience) is how to be the sexiest “you” you can be for the person you want to be sexy to.
Feathers and fans and fishnet hose, and all that jazz. I know I could never do a sultry stripping thing, because I’d feel too silly and crack up - but, well, done right it seems to me that burlesque is fun.
So I’ve just been living a sheltered life, and these classes happen all over the place? How does one find such a thing?
Nope, I reserve the right to insult myself whenever I see fit.
But I will amend it a bit to “Plus, y’know, I think it just looks especially nasty when women of my size and lack of tone do it, so I’d be too self conscious to relax and have fun with it.” There are plenty of dance styles where I think we look fabulous (see: Queen Latifah’s burlesque in Chicago, modern dance, belly dance et al), but pole grinding isn’t one of them.
Thanks for reminding me to use “I” statements when I post.
Have you been to a strip club lately? They don’t dance; they pose. They don’t start with a lot on, and they don’t remove it artfully, they just drop it. (Information gathered at a place called the Diamond Cabaret, Denver’s “premier gentleman’s club.”) Those people could benefit from a dance class, let me tell you.
For anyone who thinks this would be fun but is too timid to try it in a class, there are CDs with the same moves so you can work on them in the privacy of your home. Just you, the tape, and the mirror. A lot of the moves are also used in jazz and hip-hop.
I’d totally take a burlesque class, as in, classic burlesque. I love that stuff.
Stripteasing? Not so much. There’s a place up in Reno that teaches strip classes. They’re constantly trying to get free advertising with us via our community calendar. Personally, I don’t think any kind of dance that you’re not going for a career really merits classes unless it’s as part of a troupe (for instance, a local hula troupe offers classes free if you join their troupe for $40).
Oh, I dunno. I liked my bellydance class a lot, and got more out of it than I did the bellydance stuff I found on video and DVD. I haven’t taken burlesque classes, but did go with a friend for one of hers, and it’s not that different. I can understand why someone who is self-conscious about not being in tip-top physical shape might be hesitant to take a class, but for me, seeing other women in shape as bad as me helped allay some of my own self-consciousness!
It’s been the cost that’s most offputting to me. I take dance classes - varying types, varying levels, a wide variety. I expect to pay between $10-15US for a 60-90 minute class. If it’s an amazing or very advanced or special teacher class, maybe a little bit more - but in that general price range.
So far, the Burlesque classes I’ve seen have been closer to $30-35 - and it’s not worth that. I’d absolutely do it for a more reasonable price, though.
Not quite what you’re looking for, but I have been taking classes at a local “stripper gym” for about a year now. (Link is possibly NSFW in parts, depending on what’s allowed at work. The Description of what the classes are all about are fine, information about purchasing the pole for home use might not be. No nudity.) I absolutely LOVE it and it really has gotten me into better shape. However, I now look at strippers in movies and on TV and I say “They’re horrible! That’s such a basic move, what’s the fun in that?”
I have been using the s-factor DVD for a while - it’s pretty good and I would love to take a class, but there are none in my area.
S-Factor - It’s pretty safe for work, no nudity or anything.
I also have the Carmen Elctra set of DVDs, they are okay, but not much of a workout, more for fun. I have also tried the classes offered at can-fit and they were pretty fun.
I would LOVE to teach a class, they are very fun and not at all intimidating. It’s all about enjoying yourself and leaning new ways to move your body. S-factor, in particular is really about female sensuality and enpowerment.
The pole-work classes I have seen are pretty costly. I am going to try one, just haven’t the time or money right now.
