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A decade ago when I was dancing professionally, I’d dance in shows where there were burlesque performers or other dancers who incorporated elements of burlesque.
One thing that stood out to me the most was the performers’ confidence. Sure, they wore gorgeous (albeit skimpy) costumes that sparkled under the spotlights, but how they moved and interacted with the audience really sold their number.
Another thing that I immensely enjoy whenever I see a dance-based performance, especially burlesque or vaudeville, is how the performer tells a story. When the social expressions, gestures, dance moves, and song and costume/prop choices all come together to create a juicy, rich blend, it’s truly an amazing experience.
But what is burlesque?
Burlesque combines dance, music, and comedy. Most often it includes stripping, but it’s more than just taking off your clothes. It is a celebration of the human form and a way for performers to express themselves creatively.
“Burlesque is a way for women to reclaim their sexuality and to show the world that they can be sexy, strong, and confident.”
Catherine D’Lish
Burlesque has a long and rich history. It can be traced back to the 16th century in Italy, where it was known as commedia dell’arte. Burlesque quickly spread to other parts of Europe, and by the 18th century, it had become popular in England and France.
In the US, burlesque became popular in the late 19th century. It was a time of great social change, and burlesque provided a way for women to express themselves and their sexuality in a way that was not possible before. Burlesque stars like Lydia Thompson and Ada Menken became household names, and their performances were met with both praise and scandal.
Burlesque went through a period of decline in the early 20th century, but it experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s. This new wave of burlesque, known as neo-burlesque, is more inclusive than ever before. It features performers of all shapes, sizes, and genders, and it is more focused on the art of performance than on the striptease.
“Burlesque is about celebrating the human form and empowering people to express themselves in a creative and unique way.”
Dita Von Teese
Today, burlesque is thriving all over the world. There are burlesque troupes in every major city, and there are even burlesque festivals held every year. Burlesque is a fun and empowering art form that allows performers to express themselves in a creative and unique way.
And of course, much to my gay delight, there’s also boylesque. And no, it’s not how Italians from Jersey pronounce “burlesque.”
Boylesque (a portmanteau of “boy” and “burlesque”) is a relatively new art form that combines elements of burlesque with traditional guy striptease. It is often more comedic and theatrical than traditional strip clubs, and like its girl counterpart, boylesque features performers of all shapes, sizes, and genders.
This art form first emerged in the early 2000s, and it has quickly become a popular form of entertainment. There are now boylesque troupes all over the world, and there are even boylesque festivals held every year.
“Boylesque is a great way for men to challenge traditional gender roles and to celebrate the male form.”
Murray Hill
To honor these performers, Chrissy dons his favorite gold stilettos, white rose undies, and gold rhinestone jewelry, and straddles his gold, circle swing.
BTS Thoughts
This post on Instagram marks my first post as dollphotostudio since Meta suspended my original toyphotostudio account. Longtime readers may have noticed I’ve changed my author profile.
I’ve addressed my grief when I lost my account. I still feel the sting of loss, but I’ve promised myself I’ll rebuild.
Dollsexposed showcases queer erotica, kink, fetish, and activism through twelve-inch doll photography. Their adventures in the doll world began in 2011 before establishing a home on dollsexposed.com eleven years later.
Dollsexposed's works have been displayed at Seattle Erotic Art Festival and Los Angeles Leather Getaway.