What is burlesque? by Lauren Dane
*Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a copy of What Happens in Vegas or anything from her backlist!*
In some comments about Stripped, I’ve seen references to Dahlia as a sex worker or a stripper. Now, the thing is, I have no beef with strippers or sex workers and if I’d wanted to make Dahlia one, I would have. But as I explain in the novella and as
I’ll do here - burlesque dancing is not sex work, nor is it stripping.
From Wikipedia: With its origins in nineteenth century music hall entertainments and vaudeville, in the early twentieth century burlesque emerged as a populist blend of satire, performance art, and adult entertainment, that featured strip tease and broad comedy acts that derived their name from the low comedy aspects of the literary genre known as burlesque.
In burlesque, performers, usually female, often create elaborate sets with lush, colorful costumes, mood-appropriate music, and dramatic lighting, and may even include novelty acts, such as fire-breathing or demonstrations of unusual flexibility, to enhance the impact of their performance.
Put simply, burlesque means “in an upside down style”. Like its cousin, commedia dell’arte, burlesque turns social norms head over heels. Burlesque is a style of live entertainment that encompasses pastiche, parody, and wit. The genre traditionally encompasses a variety of acts such as dancing girls, chanson singers, comedians, mime artists, and strip tease artistes, all satirical and with a saucy edge. The strip tease element of burlesque became subject to extensive local legislation, leading to a theatrical form that titillated without falling foul of censors.
It is absolutely sexy. The dancing is sexy and it’s meant to titilate. But it’s an accentuation of the feminine, a play on sensuality rather than raw sex. It’s not better or worse than stripping, it’s just different.
No pole in sight. No lap dances. This is a strip tease - as in no actual nakedness - it’s the art of the tease.
From Stripped: Sensual smoke and mirrors. Dahlia didn’t show the audience any more than she’d show at the beach. They wouldn’t see her nipples and her panties would stay right on her booty with the fishnets below that.
Playing coy, she waved with one hand, pretending to almost drop the hat as she took the first step back up to the dressing room. And another step and two more. Once her body was in the doorway she turned and tossed the hat back to Timmy. With a hand over her mouth stifling a pretend giggle, she kicked up her leg and was gone behind the curtain.
Dahlia isn’t ashamed of what she’s doing. It’s part artistic expression, part good paycheck and part expression of a part of herself she had trouble expressing in her daily life. This isn’t a woman lap dancing to pay for books (although I do have a friend who stripped to pay for law school). Her story is far more complicated than that.
Burlesque is far more theatrical than stripping is (although some strippers do put a lot of energy into their routines). There’s quite frequently a live jazz band on the stage.
The idea for Stripped came to me after my husband and I went to Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce in Las Vegas in 2006. The Dollhouse is a lot like this place with differences of course, but the feel is similar in that the women are dancers and performers.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I’ve had the chance to see a local Burlesque show with Shelli, Lacy, and Feisty and it was wonderful! It was funny, entertaining, tasteful, and sexy all at the same time. It had a story line and only occasionally did one of the dancers get topless and even that was tastefully done. I would definately go and see it again. To me, Burlesque is theater and not stripping.
Lauren…Looking forward to your new book! It sounds great!
May 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
First off loved stripped immensely. Why anyone would refer to her as a sex worker or stripper I’m not sure. Obiviously they didn’t read the book. Reminds me alot of Gyspy in fact.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I’m really kind of surprised that now a days people would still confuse Burlesque with stripping. I go to a local fetish and burlesque show pretty regularly and while they used to shock me with their antics, I now know what to expect and think it’s a wild HOOT!
Eliza
May 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I saw a show on televison a while back about Burlesque and they interviewed some elderly ladies about their scandalous careers from back about fifty years ago. Those ladies were fabulous and had style!
May 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I haven’t read the book yet, Lauren, but I totally understand about what you are saying about the totally different dance styles. Will still keep this book on my wish list.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Hi Lauren,
There is a definite difference in burlesque or striptease and stripping.
Striptease always brings Gypsy Rose Lee to mind. And completely off topic, but apparently she wrote a couple of mysteries.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Lauren I have added that youTube to my favorites folder. Thanks so much. It definitely made me think of Gypsy Rose Lee. I think the differnce between Burlesque and stripping is something that needs to be pointed out more today. And especially with great illustrations like that.
Thanks for the reminder…
sandie
May 16th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Maybe they read the book but with their close mindedness they saw it as about a stripper or sex worker. If we were to believe every thing everyone ever said about a book we would have nothing to read and a lot of book burning. I guess that si why I do not listen to them.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Hi Lauren, I haven’t read the book either. But would love too.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Danielle - are you up in my neck of the woods?
Christine - thank you! I think it’s a common enough misperception but hopefully if one reads the story you’d see the difference right off as I go into it in the opening.
Eliza - Fabulous! I love going to burlesque shows and I’m so happy to see all the different takes on it depending on the city and style.
NJ - I know, some of those ladies are awesome!
Cathy - thanks!
LLL - I didn’t know that! Have you read them? I’ll have to check her books out.
Sandie - thank you, I do too.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Heather - I think it’s an easy assumption to make given the similarities but I’d hope after a read the difference will be a bit clearer.
Kimmy - thanks!
May 16th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Sounds like you summed up the differences quite well Lauren.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The only thing I know about burlesque is Dita Von Teese. I’ve seen clips of her in a giant champagne glass. I didn’t get to see her whole act.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Cherie - thank you - it’s because I think burlesque is so wonderful.
Jane - she’s definitely part of the whole resurgence of burlesque in a retro glamour sense. The martini glass is part of her act much like the big feather fans are part of other acts or hats for some women - all props for stage productions in some sense. There are burlesque shows that have the whole variety show aspect with comedians and fire breathers, etc and some that just focus on the dancing - a huge variety out there.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I was going to say something pithy but after watching that video all the blood has left my brain and am unable to.
I’ve spent more time in strip clubs than I care to admit, and very rarely did they have a woman who did anything with the taste and flare of the woman in that video. I did love it when they did.
I think the reason that so many people confuse burlesque with stripping or sex work is that there is more than a hint of sexuality in it. And to them sex is bad. They can’t tell the difference between the art of burlesque and any other form of overt sexuality.
Kinda sad.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
*grins* i adore burlesque. It’s so artistic and funny and just a joy to watch. You always know the person performing is having a grand ol’ time. And it doesn’t require a woman to be a certain size! It’s a celebration, to me. i love watching it, and one day i’d like to try it out.
Blessings,
Dena
May 16th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Ooooooo I love this–and on a side note they visisted the FOurty Deuce on Rock of Love season 1!
May 16th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hi Lauren,
I’m so glad this post had the videos! How fun - and wow, I am extremely impressed with those girls! NJ - I think I’ve seen the … show/documentary you’re talking about!
I’ve been meaning to ask - will William get his own story?
May 16th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Season two of Rock of Love was THE BEST lesson on the difference between strip and burlesque. I don’t think I’ll ever get confused again.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Rob - yes I think there’s some truth to that. There’s no distinction between sexy and Sex.
Dena -that’s so true. I love the interplay between the dancer and the audience and even between the dancer and the band
Amie - I saw that! And the french scary one took off her underpants and they got all mad at her, LOL.
LC - Yep, William gets his own story in the second Vegas Anthology coming out May 09.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
SHG - LOL, yep, exactly. No drawers and the splits with your legs behind your neck = stripping
May 16th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I’m looking forward to reading this one!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I loved the story! Burlesque is an art and whoever said that Dahlia was a sex worker or stripper has a very dirty mind!!
I think Lauren you wrote a terrific story- thoughtful, sexy and at times, made me tear up…. I would love to read another story based of one of the secondary characters 
May 16th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hi Lauren!
I’ve never been to a burlesque show but I’d love to. Maybe someday…
Read this antho and loved it! Yay! It made me want to go to Vegas.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hey Lauren just dropping by to say hi. I hope things are going well. I just started What Happens In Vegas last night.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
My copy’s coming in the mail~ My copy’s coming in the mail!!!
I’d love to see a live Burlesque show.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I should have said first, Hi Lauren, great blog post,
.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Lauren…I am in your neck of the words! I’m on
because its beautiful here today!
The Burlesque show I saw was here downtown in the Market and its definately one for see.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hi Lauren!! Thanks for blogging today! This is a fantastic post! Like Danielle said (yeah she’s in my neck of the woods!) we went to a show at The Can Can and it was SO much fun. I loved it. I wanted to go again. And there were a lot more men than women there, so it was good flirting grounds.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I haven’t seen Stripped in the shops down here yet. I’m certainly looking forward to grabbing my copy. Man, those girls are very limber, and I wondered how they kept that hat stuck in place…
I like the sensual element of burlesque. It’s actually much hotter than watching a stripper.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Great post! I would love to go to Vegas, but I would probably come home broke. lol.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:40 am
have not seen it, but they are both sexy and senusual.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
The winner drawn for Lauren’s book is: Susan Helene Gottfried
Thanks for blogging yesterday, Lauren!
May 17th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
wtg susan