Burlesque

Burlesque is a playful, theatrical style of performance that mixes dance, comedy, glamour and a little cheeky tease. It started out as over-the-top parody on the Victorian stage, and it has since grown into a celebration of confidence, sparkle and self-expression. Today's burlesque welcomes every body shape and every style. It's less about perfect moves and more about attitude.

The word comes from the Italian for a joke or mockery. In Victorian Britain, burlesque shows poked fun at serious plays and operas with songs, jokes and extravagant costumes. The style later crossed the Atlantic, where American burlesque added variety acts, comedy and the famous tease. A revival known as neo-burlesque brought it back to stages towards the end of the last century, with a big focus on creativity and body positivity.

The shimmy is the signature move: a fast shake of the shoulders or hips that makes everything sparkle.

Bump and grind is all about the hips, with a sharp bump to the side and slow, rolling circles.

Then there are the struts, the poses and the slow, dramatic glove peel. Props do a lot of the work, from feather fans and boas to gloves, chairs and hats. Timing and a knowing look are everything.

Your Activity Leader starts with a warm-up and teaches a few key moves, from shimmies and hip circles to poses and a proper strut. These are put together into an easy-to-follow routine, often with props like fans or boas. The mood is supportive, welcoming and full of giggles. By the end you'll have a routine, a new walk and a surprising amount of sass.

Yes. Burlesque isn't about being a trained dancer or having a certain kind of body. It's about having fun, playing a character and enjoying yourself. Shy? Plenty of people start that way. Disco peacock? Also welcome. Nobody's grading your shimmy, so chin up, shoulders back and own it. The moves are simple, the mood is kind and the confidence tends to arrive somewhere around the first shimmy.

You might also like Pole Dance, Nipple Tassels and Bollywood Dance.

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