Friday, November 26, 2010
Burlesque + Hip Hop = Eeekk...Stripper?
Since my only performance in the burlesque world was been a comedic piece, I wanted to try my hand at something a bit sexier. I have my first burlesque gig on December 11th in Surrey (Come watch! Contact me for tickets). It's a Vaudeville show with pro wrestling, metal bands and burlesque and as I picture the crowd as little bit rougher than that at the Wise Hall I thought spicy is the way to go!
Before burlesque, I loved hip-hop dancing. Something about the hard hits and upbeat music is so much fun, I wasn't great at it but I was good enough to enjoy it. So, for my performance on the 11th I wanted to combine my new love for burlesque with my old love of hip-hop. The song I've chosen is Crawl by Kings of Leon, a song that I personally think oozes sexiness on its own. The costume is all black, with bits of leather and spikes, a very 'hard' look.
I've choreographed most of the number and I love it. However, I fear that maybe... just maybe... the costume, the song and the hip hop influence may give off a stripper vibe? Or maybe I am fearful of trying to be sexy when I haven't convinced myself that I have the ability to? I would love to know if any other burlesque dancers out there have done a number of this effect or have ever had this fear? I don't feel like a stripper doing it but I just...don't know.
Would love to hear thoughts and advice!
www.rufflesilkskin.com
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"the costume, the song and the hip hop influence may give off a stripper vibe?"
ReplyDeleteand that vibe isn't good?
"maybe I am fearful of trying to be sexy when I haven't convinced myself that I have the ability to?" I don't think Ruffle has that fear :P maybe K is cautious and fearful, but not Ruffle
you'll do great, girl!!!
~Malvina MasVino
Thanks Malvina - that is such a good point that I didn't think about. Ruffle isn't K. I have to remember that!
ReplyDeleteMany of us are trying to balance the relationship between burlesque and stripping -- how much is too much, where is the line, etc. And I don't know that there is a solid, distinguishable line. If you define yourself as a burlesque performer, the question is, where's your comfort level as a performer with this piece?
ReplyDeleteI think you've come up with a perfect number for the venue and the event. I'd be really interested in seeing more hip hop numbers in the future, too!
From 9 to 5, it's easy to doubt how sexy we can/should be. Malvina's right about Ruffle, though. Our 9 to 5 selves don't have to identify as sexy, or daring and brave. But that is definitely what Ruffle is all about!