Rock n Roll Burlesquing

By Stephanie Hallett

I was arguing for a while (mostly with myself) about whether or not dancer-style burlesque, which doesn’t include a striptease, counts as burlesque at all. In order to settle the debate, I decided to take a burlesque workshop at a professional dance studio in Vancouver.

I enrolled in Rock n Roll Burlesque at Harbour Dance Centre. The first class was Wednesday night.

Rock n Roll gals warm up before class.

And now? Consider me a Rock n Roll burlesque superstar.

It’s true that we’re dancing to classic rock (awful) and the main song we’re using is “Walk this Way” by Aerosmith (horrific), but strutting around in spandex and high heels just… makes you feel good. Now I understand Saturday nights on Granville Street.

We started class with a sassy and sexy warm-up and some exercises across the floor to get us in the rock n roll mood. Then it was time for Aerosmith.

Going into this class I thought the music might kill me. But twenty minutes of strutting, hair flipping and hip rolling brought out my inner rock goddess – or maybe just my inner groupie. Either way, it’s good to feel pretty. No matter the size, shape or flexibility of your burlesquing body.

If you’re prepared to dance and stretch in high heels for an hour, shake your rump and shimmy your wobbly bits – take this class.

Do I consider this burlesque? Hmm.. I’m still undecided. Let’s see how the next eight weeks go.

Burlesque Classes in Vancouver