Thread: I Need Help Learning The Seductive Art of Burlesque

Hi there,

I don't know if you are based in London but still have two free spots to fill on my 'Exploration of Belly Dance & Burlesque' workshop which is this Sunday 6th of July at Madame Jojo's. (info is on www.shimmyshakeshow.com)

I'd be happy to have you fill a spot as a two students cancelled. If you like, you can email me. miss_sapphira@yahoo.com

Good luck with your endevours! I think a good stage name is the best place to start and definitely coming up with something unique that no-one else is doing. You need a gimmick!

Originally Posted by Beatrix Von Bourbon

DOs:
Watch lots of performances (live shows, instructional DVDs, YouTube/Veoh footage).
Decide on what you like and don't like in other performances before putting your own together.
Customise your own costume pieces.
When performing, use all of the stage and use your body in interesting ways, full of movement and charisma.

DON'Ts:
Use tracks that other performers have used time and time again (there're 2 particular tracks that I have come to loathe owing to hearing them used so often for performances - but I won't name them here as I don't want to offend anyone who is using one/both of them). In my capacity as a promoter, I won't book anyone to perform an act which uses either of these, just because I'm biased towards thinking that it denotes a lack of creativity. I freely admit, I know of no-one else as uppity about this as me, so it may just be me being anal
Jump straight in without having researched burlesque, it's history and it's contemporary goings on.
Blend in with everyone else. Choose a refreshing/unique stage name and style (though, I'm one to talk, using a name with 'von' in the middle! (it's the name of the French Royal Family darnit)).
Include too much repitition in your acts.
Rely too heavily on props or music to carry the narrative of your act. The story you tell should be perceivable through your movement and facial expressions (well, this is in my opinion - there may be others who would disagree).

xox

some very good tips i just looking thru threads and thats all great info but now i very curious what those 2 tracks r .... mind u me my self would never worry about that i used to do alot of sound stuff and have already started picking out songs to mix and do my own little thing with still i wanna know :P