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