If you are like me, you are not the biggest fan of cracking open a big history textbook and delving over all of the details of what old guy said “Hey, let’s start this important thing over here. You got it? Awesome!” to the other older guy. I like my history to be a bit more fun and stylish. (Marie Antoinette will forever be my favourite historical figure.) Which is exactly why I thoroughly enjoyed researching the history of burlesque for our readers in preparation for our event at the end of the month!
We received a lot of questions regarding the event resembling something along the lines of: “Well, what exactly do you mean by burlesque?” I am here to ease your sorrows and tell you all about it.
A common misconception is that burlesque means “strippers”. I promise you, burlesque does not, has not, and I am pretty sure will never be linked with poles and dollar bills. Burlesque actually began in the 1840s in Great Britain, and eventually skipped across the pond to America. It was a form of entertainment for the less wealthy, and used humor, song, dance, and, of course, fabulous costumes to poke fun at the bourgeois class. Burlesque shows were essentially the partially racier SNL of the olden days.
Burlesque challenged the norms of what was societally accepted for women. Many shows featured suggestively dressed women, during a time when women would typically be required to wear modest clothing. It “called into question the very ‘place’ of women in American society.” It was a chance for women to be comdiens, performers, anything they wanted to be; liberated from the confines of a gender-restrictive world.
Burlesque has survived, but changed substantially, throughout the years. It moved from the stage to many popular films, being adapted and interpreted in many different ways. Cabaret and vaudeville are the most popular adaptions, possessing many similar qualities of a burlesque show.
Despite its start more than 150 years ago, burlesque is still part of popular culture today. Many cities around the world still feature burlesque and cabaret clubs and events. (*Cough cough* Her Campus McGill!) With current icons such as Dita von Teese, and films regarding the subject (2010’s Burlesque starring Christina Aguilera and Cher), burlesque isn’t dead.
Please be sure to join us in bringing some more burlesque to Montreal on Friday February 20th at Karina’s for a night of feathers and fun. All proceeds from the event will be going to She’s the First, a not-for-profit organization sponsoring education in low-income countries. For more information, click here. We hope to see you there!
Information and images obtained from:
http://www.musicals101.com/burlesque.htmages, https://38.media.tumblr.c…