Thread: Popularity of Burlesque

Hi all,

I have just been reading the forums and thinking of something, so I thought I would post it instead of just thinking it!

Im only very new to all things Burlesque, and am not (probobly never will be) a performer, I just have an interest and I am enjoying learning, but I am by no means an expert / authority, so hope i don't offend by what i say.

I read a lot on this forum about what is burlesque, how bad it is that burlesque is becoming very mainstream and is misrepresented, people will be getting the wrong image of it, people talking about people wearing Ann Summers etc.

Whilst I understand this totally, I dont see that this "trend" of burlesque at the moment - classes everywhere, BGT burlesque performers, pop stars jumping on the bandwagon etc - is any real threat to serious, authentic, long-standing burlesquers.

The way i see it, various activities are popular for a few seasons - salsa, belly-dancing, pole-dancing, line-dancing.

A few years back, anyone who was anyone went to a salsa class, there were salsa-size / salsa-robics classes in every gym; every friday, whole offices would go to a salsa class for £3 and do 4 steps left, 4 steps right, cross leg over for an hour and then the latin music would come on til midnight; there was Tracy Shaw does Salsa-size exersize dvd...and then the craze dies and hardly anyone does it anymore and people move on to pole dancing or something, and then that dies down too.

But, that hasnt really harmed the proper salsa scene - there are people who have been in it for years, who travel to Cuba etc, who are amazing and committed dancers, and the fact that in 2005, everyone thought they were a salsa dancer, hasnt really harmed or affected real salsa at all!

Same with pole dancing - 2 years ago anyone who had a bit of get up and go and a spare £20 a week was swinging round a pole but the fad is passing, and it hasnt harmed or affected the real pole dancers who are so amazingly fit and agile, do competitions etc.

I suppose what im saying is, it must be annoying to see people who have been to 3 classes promoting themselves as burlesque artists, when next year they will be into Flamenco or whatever the next craze is, but its not really harming anyone, when you think about it.

People aren't that daft - just cos the media wrongly portrays something / someone as Burlesque, people won't all be fooled - if people are truly interested in Burlesque, or like the look of it, they will look into it further, research, and make their own mind up.

For example, I am ever so new and clueless about Burlesque, but I AM very interested, and by coming on here, reading books, going to classes, making contacts, I have learned that someone dressing up 1950's and waving fans around is not "Burlesque", its alot more than that.

And the people who ARE fooled by the mis-represnetation and do end up thinking that "Burlesque" is the class at their local gym where you put a feather boa on - well, is it any loss, cos they werent really that interested in the first place, if they havent bothered researching further!

I suppose Burlesque has links with "alternative" culture in alot of ways (not quite sure what i mean by that, but hopefully you know what I mean!) and it has a rich history, lots of different facets, and people who love Burlesque are worried about it being cheapened or dumbed-down by the fact that its become so popular at the moment.

But as an "outsider", I really don't think that you serious, long-standing burlesquers have anything to worry about on that score - when the "fad" passes, you will still all have your wonderful passions and creativity, the people who werent that serious will have forgotten all about Burlesque, and you might just have gained a few new and committed followers!

Just my thoughts, anyway!

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People are possessive. When they get involved in something, they get proprietrory about it. It'll always happen

the only reason it bothers me in its popularity is:
it used to be alot cheaper and easier to come by old stockings, girdles etc. now they go for a fortune.
its not just burleque thats done this- its the indie 'vintage' oxfam cool thats become very popular over the past few years- im shocked its lasted as long as it has.. the whole avril lavigne goth thing only lasted about 2 years, spice girl thing with belly tops and short skirts wasnt long either..

im just glad i have alot of stuff id collected before it became horribly expensive

other than that- doesnt bother me at all. as soon as someone opens their mouth about burlesque it becomes apparent whos truely loving it and who is just doing it caus it the in thing- but either way- let em get on with it

Because im younger ive only recently become aware of this scene only through my own development, ive always been very individual and stood out from the rest, which to be honest isnt really hard in the areas i come from! But still, being stopped in london by various members of the public for photographs must say something..hopefully good! lol! >.< and after wearing my dresses to death i started looking for more which i ended up at vivien of holloway and rockabilly, which ultimately led me to burlesque!
I will say ditas book gave me an even bigger push into this direction and its great to finally kind of belong to somewhere! Seeing as for most of my earlier life i was bullied for being 'alternative' and alot of other things, so my individuality became my safety, so having people who are typical or similar to my past terrors i cant help but immediately have a defensive wall set up around me =S as if they are tredding on my turf:lol:
I know its very stupid of me and its something im letting go of slowly!
Thats why i kind of bite when i feel 'normal' people are trying to be what i have alwys been...which i really should not let it get to me! but hey like ive previously said im young and ive got alot of life lessons to learn!
Im wouldnt call myself 'true burlesque' atm anyway as im only a beginner so im probably talking nonsence lol! xx

Originally Posted by Miss-Bella-Carosello

But still, being stopped in london by various members of the public for photographs must say something..

This happened to Anastasia Hertz and I twice in one day in London! The strangest thing was, neither of them asked.

One man walked past us (coming from in front), then turned around to walk a few steps ahead of us, and suddenly turned around, took a photo and ran off.

The second time, we were eating lunch on a bench and some woman just stood in front of us and brazenly took a photo. We didn't know what to do!

yeah i used to get stopped for photos every time i went down there, and no end of lovely compliments. its more common occurance than i thought apparently!

Originally Posted by December Charm

This happened to Anastasia Hertz and I twice in one day in London! The strangest thing was, neither of them asked.

One man walked past us (coming from in front), then turned around to walk a few steps ahead of us, and suddenly turned around, took a photo and ran off.

The second time, we were eating lunch on a bench and some woman just stood in front of us and brazenly took a photo. We didn't know what to do!

LOL!! it was the paparazzi xx

Originally Posted by glitterburlesque

yeah i used to get stopped for photos every time i went down there, and no end of lovely compliments. its more common occurance than i thought apparently!

hehe, yeh, but its nice to hear! i suppose it shows some people have an appreciation for women like us lol xx