July 5th, 2011 
On Thursday, a small army of women (and a few brave men) will conquer Denver with a flurry of feathers, sequins and punch lines. Nearly 100 entertainers will perform over a four day stretch. Burlesque is, by nature, a parody of sorts – an exaggeration of the thoughts we don’t dare share. To include desire, societal perspectives, political views and the world at large. It’s a many faceted thing: part titillation, part commentary, part sensuality, part hilarity and part gratuitous use of the opportunity to be larger than life. Internationally known stars are flying in to share the stage with top talent from around the country. As part of the 2011 Colorado Burlesque Festival they’ll be graciously hosted by the event’s five producers: Fannie Spankings, Honey Touché, Midnite Martini, Lola Spitfire and Bunny Bee. Each of these women has been a respected member of the burlesque vanguard for quite some time.
Gypsy Rose Lee. One of the most noteworthy personalities within the early burlesque vanguard. Photo courtesy of culturemob.com.
Vanguard? Am I now being gratuitous – with my word usage? I don’t think so. Though its tactics are often debated (adding to is mystique), the fact is that burlesque has been empowering and encouraging women for over 100 years. However, the two advantages didn’t necessarily happen simultaneously. Early female burlesquers strove mostly for empowerment. Their road was yet to be paved so encouragement would have been a lofty goal. Unfortunate circumstances and a fierce desire for independence led many of them to the stage. While the newly attained right to vote made women feel that further progress was a sure thing, the fact remained that most were expected to marry and serve their husbands well. Lest they be harshly judged for their lack of matrimonial fortitude. Without a husband, few were in a position to become financially independent in such a way that they might live out a life of adventure, accomplishment and autonomy. Show business was one of the few opportunities for a brave woman to use her femininity to her advantage, rather than be oppressed by it.
Fannie Spankings. Partner in production of the 2011 Colorado Burlesque Festival. Photo courtesy of Westword.com.
Nouveau burlesquers, as the modern girls call themselves, also hold tight to the empowerment that is the reward of their gutsy glamour. But they evolved the art into a vehicle for the transformation of the way women deal with body image. By the time burlesque began experiencing modern revival, the media was well established in its efforts to convince American society that the female form was flawed if it didn’t meet the high standards of the pages of a magazine. The 1990’s gave birth to a powerful new media aggressor – the supermodel. Disheartened and frustrated by this creature’s threat to their self esteem, gals started to revisit the beauties of long ago. To their relief and fascination they found women with far more realistic bodily proportions. Starry-eyed and encouraged, they found a renewed hope that they could make peace with their bodies and feel beautiful and desirable without any airbrushing. This, combined with the fact that their generation was already independent, educated and able to stand on their own two feet, prompted them to set forth with more power than ever. Onto the stage they marched saying, “I can do that! If she did it, I can do it.”
Festival to run Thursday through Sunday, July 7th -11th.
This evolution in motivation made a big impact on the burlesque audience. Clearly, the glitzy gals from last century were most appreciated by men. They were talented, enigmatic, bold women with star quality. The ones who became legendary earned every bit of their legacy. They fought their way to the top with just as much determination as their male contemporaries. To this day, their appeal carries forth and men still love a burlesque show. However, they no longer account for the majority of the faces in the crowd. Women are flocking to these shows, often outnumbering men in attendance. With the current perpetuation of grotesquely unrealistic standards of beauty in the media, women are starving for examples of natural beauty. Pun intended. When they look at the stage and see a woman unashamedly shimmying her God-given figure, they can’t help but be inspired. Whether the performer is buxom or lithe in stature she is accomplishing the same. She is making an emphatic statement that she loves her body the way it is. Further, women aren’t as afraid of their sexuality as they used to be. Thanks in great part to the glass ceiling busters who gave us the huge push into traditional career success. With the glass shattered (if not entirely cleaned up) women of the millennium now want two forms of recognition. They want to be respected for their accomplishments in the home and at work, but they also want to feel sexy and desirable. We’re finally at a point in history that having both is not inherently contradictory or hypocritical. Again, burlesque is a mold from which this formed. Most burlesque artists hold full time, respectable jobs in addition to living out their fantasy on stage when time allows.
World Famous *BOB*. Modern-day burlesque legend and instructor in the art of self esteem. Photo courtesy of theworldfamousbob.com.
Over the course of the next few days I will be attending the Colorado Burlesque Festival. I signed up for several of their classes as well. One of which is the sold out “Ultimate Self Confidence” with the World Famous *BOB*. If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to visit the website to sign up for classes. Or visit their Facebook page. Upon my return from what is sure to be an exhilarating and uplifting experience, I will report back on what I encounter. My hope is that in the telling I will either influence you to open your mind and let burlesque in, or give you that last little push you need to actually dive in. Isn’t it time to see what the fuss is all about?
WHEN: July 7 – 10, 2011
Thursday – Opening Gala
Casselman’s Venue & Bar
Tickets: $20.00
Doors 7:00 pm / Show 8:00 pm
Friday – Friday’s VIP Evening
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Tickets: $40 Floor / $35 Upper Tier
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show 8:00 pm
Friday – Friday’s Late Night Naughty Nightcap
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Tickets: $25 Floor / $20 Upper Tier
Doors: 11:00 pm / Show: 11:30 pm
Saturday – Colorado Burlesque Festival Spectacular
Gothic Theatre
Tickets: $25 General Admission / $30.00 Golden Circle
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
Sunday – Beach Blanket Pool Party
The Burnsley Hotel
Tickets: $5 At the Door12:00pm-4:00pm / Show 2:00pm
Tickets can be purchased on the website: Colorado Burlesque Festival 2011
I’m looking forward to hearing about the week-end event!!! Hope it was enjoyable for the performers and audiences!