School of Shimmy Burlesque Performance and New Classes

Last month I mentioned here on the blog that there were some burlesque classes starting up over at the Center of Sex and Culture led by a terrific local burlesque performer named Dottie Lux. The classes are dubbed The School of Shimmy and they teach students from diverse backgrounds all about how to shake their stuff, exude self-confidence and tease their audience (whether that’s a big audience at a burlesque show or just an audience of one in the bedroom).

I actually got the chance to take the first of those classes - Burlesque 101 - at the beginning of the year. The two hour class was filled with interesting information including the history of burlesque and how it’s changed over the years, lessons in feeling good about yourself (and tricks about what to do when you’re not) and tips on the basics of moving in a burlesque dance or walk. We removed gloves sensually, strutted across the room stunningly and did a lot of laughing as we enjoyed the art of being somewhat clumsily sexy.

Things didn’t work out for me in regards to finishing those classes right now but I have only good things to say about them. Dottie Lux is a really cool woman. She’s got this perfect blend of total comfort in who she is and yet a humble ability to realize that she isn’t perfect - and she puts it all together with an attitude that says she really just wants to have a good time and she wants you to have a good time as well.

The students who started that class with me have now gone through a whole series of classes learning about things like pin-up/burlesque hair and makeup, putting together costumes, choreographing a show … and now some of them are getting ready to do their first ever live performance over at El Rio. The show starts at 7:30 and is open on a sliding scale of just $5 - $10. Who knows - some of these brand new performers may be the city’s next burlesque stars so get in on seeing them while they’re still unknown! Get a sneak peek from this video that aired on NBC Bay Area:

 

And if you’re interested in becoming a local burlesque star yourself, you should know that Dottie is starting up a new set of School of Shimmy classes in March. Details are available on the Red Hots Burlesque website now and there will also be more information on those coming up on this blog soon.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 at 11:34 am and is filed under Burlesque, Classes, Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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