This weekend was the infamous bachelorette party for a friend of mine. Bachelorette parties are a time honored tradition and a right of passage of sorts. Every girl looks forward to hers or to when her friend will have hers, and this weekend was no different. And, of course, it had parts. There's the "pre-outing" part, where gifts and jokes are exchanged, and then the outing itself. Outings can range from bar hopping to wine tasting, Vegas getaways to spa retreats, and so on.
Ours, as it so happened, had a little of everything. There was the traditional gifts and gags, the dancing and the music, and then a little something extra. We ventured off to Studio L'amour for group burlesque dancing lessons! Ours included a gift for the bride and an hour and a half long class to "Fever" with boas. It was a fun way to get in touch with your hips and girlish flirt, and love your curves all over again. Plus it's a great workout.
Did you know the origin of burlesque reaches back to the 1800s? It originally started as a form of comedy and the "risque" came in as a factor because women were allowed to perform, and that was unheard of before. That, alone, was a scandal! It was from there the dance form progressed to the teasing, suggestive, humorous dance it is today. Do not be mistaken, it is not stripping. It is suggestion, it is fun, it is comedic, and it honors the beauty and movement of the female body. Performers today include women ranging all the way into their 80s! And these women still flaunt their 1950s costumes and routines. Love the enthusiasm. Love the history. Love the reminder to us women that we are, in fact and as we currently exist, beautiful.
Women are beautiful, but does that mean they must show it off in such fashion. Perhaps that beauty is not deserved to be seen by some.
ReplyDeleteWomen are beautiful, and some women are comfortable showing themselves in this art form (because when done correctly it really is an art from and different from stripping). However, sometimes things are better left to the imagination, sometimes people feel only certain people deserve to see the most intimate parts of themselves and / or view them as sexual beings. People have a right to their opinions. I give credit to those who perform, because I could not. However, it was refreshing that there is a dance form out there that truly believes in highlighting women. Regardless of your sexual beliefs it's wonderful to treat yourself to a reminder of your sexual beauty, regardless of who you feel has the right to see that side of you. ;-)
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