Thread: Harking Back?

Just for chat's sake, here's a question....

... at a recent burly gig a friend of mine turned to me and asked the following question:
"Why are all the performances harking back to something in the past? You know why does it have to be vintage. Do people not feel comfortable doing modern acts?"

I was a bit taken aback because I didn't really know how to answer him. As much as I have seen modern themed performances, the majority of them are "vintage".

Just thought I'b bring it up here and see what other people thought of this.

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I don't have any vintage acts.

Which is interesting because everything I wear is vintage. I just prefer more modern themes and context- for me, I feel like I can have a bit more fun with it.

Well it's gotta be the glamour hasn't it? That's certainly what attracted me to burlesque anyway, it's one of the few ways you can kind of relive the past decades we were unlucky enough to miss!

I'm all for incorporating modern elements too, it's personal taste in the end isn't it. X

Because it would be rubbish in shell suits?

(although I spose even they count as vintage these days!)

I think there is quite a bit of modern themed performance in burlesque. At least if I think about the acts I've seen there's been a relatively even split in the amount that are vintage and the amount that are modern.

Originally Posted by Popi Chevelle

Well it's gotta be the glamour hasn't it? That's certainly what attracted me to burlesque anyway, it's one of the few ways you can kind of relive the past decades we were unlucky enough to miss!

I'm all for incorporating modern elements too, it's personal taste in the end isn't it. X

I tihnk it might have to do also with the fact that a lot of people get interested in burlesque because of an initial interest in all things vintage :read:, which makes it more likely that they're going to be doing vintage style routines as that's what they are interested in.

Having said that however I've seen more and more modern themed routines coming through, particularly recently so it could be down to trends within the scene changing as time goes on?

I always try to come at burlesque from a contemporary perspective.

I often use vivid colours in my costume and am never afraid to use modern music.

...but this said, I know many events purposefully only book 'vintage'-style performers. If your friend is interested in learning more about burlesque, perhaps (s)he is ready to look a little further-afield for performances with a more modern-bend.

There are a couple of videos on my website in which you can see me using music by Gogol Bordello and Tori Amos - far from 'vintage'!!

Originally Posted by pinup-parade

Because it would be rubbish in shell suits?

Hahahaaa!

Though you may be wrong- this reminds me of Warren's chav routine!

I think it depends on the scene. Here in Australia you have the more avant-garde people who mix up modern and vintage (depending on the music and themes they work with), and you also have the people that are all about glamour and vintage and old-style corsets.

I like to mix things up - I'm not a big vintage fan, but when I do I take vintage from other cultures

Originally Posted by Lilly de Lure

I tihnk it might have to do also with the fact that a lot of people get interested in burlesque because of an initial interest in all things vintage :read:, which makes it more likely that they're going to be doing vintage style routines as that's what they are interested in.

Having said that however I've seen more and more modern themed routines coming through, particularly recently so it could be down to trends within the scene changing as time goes on?

The main reason i started going to burlesque shows was through my obsession for vintage glamour and thats the style i aim for in my acts.

In saying that sometone suggested to me recently that i should come up with some more modern / unique acts so I'm going to try this.