Burlesque - *sigh*

[MrsFionaCharming]

Not sure why I'm posting, mostly for a rant and (hopefully) some validation.

I'm a huge sci-fi nerd, I generally find it's a great genre for well written female characters and representation. I also go to a lot of conventions - I like meeting the actors, other fans and dressing up. I've heard there's been issues in the past with female fans being harassed, but most major conventions are cracking down on sexual harassment now. Generally I love these events.

DP and I bought tickets to one we hadn't been to before, happening next month. When we got them, the Guests were still being announced, but it looked like a really good event - 2 day convention with a Ball and evening Cabaret.

Only 1 of the celebrity guests announced is female, and there's been a few posts on the event page asking for more. Today, this was answered with a 'nerdy burlesque troop' who will be dancing during the evening cabaret!

I'm just a bit annoyed that the answer to wanting more female guests, is a group of women whose sole purpose is dancing around in their underwear. It's not exactly the event we signed up and paid for!

I know that a lot of people on MN like burlesque, and say it's about humour / celebrating the female body. But if that's the case, why (based on the picture with the announcement) are they all slim, white and conventionally pretty? And last time I checked, you didn't need to wear a corset and suspenders to be funny!

Grrrrr!

there aren't that many people on MN who "like" burlesque

certainly on the feminism threads it is recognised as the sexist bullshit it is, and very much akin to The Emperor's New Clothes in the way it seems to have been marketed as "empowering" for women

I know what you mean. I find it difficult to get on board with burlesque because of the context of the society we live in. One of my local WI groups had a burlesque night in aid of the local women's refuge, and while obviously applaud the fundraising and can understand the thought process behind it I found it problematic to say the least

I agree that the organisers of your event have missed the point by a mile

Exactly! I doubt that the organisers would consider hiring generic strippers for the event, but 'burlesque' is somehow ok?

Also, the event is run as a fundraisers for the Teenage Cancer Trust and children's tickets are sold, which just makes it seem even seedier!

oh, yuk

I would ask for refund on the basis that I didn't pay to see fellow women strip. I absolutely loath stripping, no matter what fancy name it's given. It's hard to believe they haven't considered how unsuitable it is for that type of event.

Is there some twist? Like they'll take off their costumes and be kitted out as Lieutenant Uhura underneath?

It's a bit of fun Fiona, love. Many women who do burlesque find it empowering and it makes them feel sexy. Try to enjoy it for what it and not let them make you feel insecure.

There are male burlesque performers as well. Burlesque entertainment can be a variety of things, if done well.
However, I do take the OP's point that a conference/event which answers criticisms over the lack of female celebrities by offering an all-female burlesque troop is not actually doing very much to encourage female paying customers.

I thought I was odd for not being able to understand why burlesque was better than/different from normal stripping. Am glad to see I'm not the only one!

Ah, Birdo, the old "you're just jealous cos you're old and fat and hairy" chestnut. Nice work.

Hello again Birdo. Still being a dicksplash?

I'm with you OP.

I used to work with burlesque artists and they are no more empowered than your average stripper. They have to work bloody hard, always look good, act available and be ogled for their money.

Women are sold the lie that burlesque is great for womankind.
It can titillate either sex, that is true, but that doesn't make it ethical.

Dicksplash my new favorite swear. Thanks CuttedUpPear

I don't have much knowledge of burlesque, but I know a lot of women who do it, and I have been to their shows to support them. I also used to promote for a nightclub that had it and saw events there. From my (albeit limited) experience there are some conventionally pretty performers, but they were in the minority. Some very large ladies, some with very unusual 'looks' if you like, all shapes and sizes.

I hope you enjoy the event anyway!

I agree with you OP. I think you should complain about this. Even if they don't change this event, it might make a difference for future events.

You're right birdo, I'm just worried my awesome Nemesis/DS-9 uniform and Trill spots won't look so good in comparison

Yonic, I'm not sure about Lieutenant Uhura, but I'd be willing to put money on there being at least 1 Mirror-Universe Uniform, a Slave-Leia, and probably and Orion Slave girl...

I am going to give.. constructive feedback, and probably just use it as a chance to go to the bar without missing anything I want to see. I'm reluctant to cancel, as we've already got train tickets/hotel rooms/3 different costumes paid for!

I was unsure about burlesque so I watched a performance to see if it was empowering. The women took their clothes off etc etc so I asked the supporters of it if there was a difference between stripping and burlesque and if so what was it? Not one person could answer

I don't really get 'the suicide girls' thing either, yes they have tattoos and body modifications though are generally model size in sexy clothing.

I have a mate whose act is sometimes described in billings as 'burlesque' or she is on the same bill as burlesque performers. She doesn't actually perform nude, she is a hula-hoop performer, which is something that takes a lot of skill and artistry. Other burlesque performers can be freaky or satirical or showcase other skills.

Unfortunately, very little in the way of performing art is 'empowering' any more. Performers (whatever they wear or don't wear) generally earn sod all money and are usually expected to work for 'exposure' instead of a fee.

Burlesque was much broader at the start of the revival (10 years ago) but most of the kooky, comedy, non nude performers have been muscled out. Now the majority is a singular body type and aesthetic in either beautifully choreographed, expensively costumed numbers or primark two pieces with bored stripper face.

It is such a shame as many great performers got shunned and either moved to cabaret, performance art of just quit.

It is frustrating the idea that all women must feel great about burlesque but as a sci-fi gig I would be inclined to believe it's more to please the male attendees then the women.

Chi chi revolver? I've seen her perform circus with her dad but equally she bills herself as a sexy performer. Very good though!
I've seen some subversive burlesque and although people did get naked it didn't feel exploitative. There was a woman who started off all dolled up and stripped off all the accoutrements of femininity as well as her clothes. That was interesting. And the female drag artist who was an incredibly convincing man until she got her breasts out. Really powerful comment on the performance of gender!
I'm not impressed by all that faux pin up tittilation though.

It went through a massive phase of being a Thing in goth circles about 8 years ago - I remember dh's band performing at a festival which had burlesque on a side stage in between bands, largely because it neatly filled the time when we'd all otherwise have been watching some roadie's bumcrack.

I remember lots of skilled, satirical performers, as SGB says, & not much nudity. & yes, I know a few men who perform burlesque. One specialises in being tied to train tracks in a nightie, silent movie style, whilst his dw plays the moustachioed villain of the piece.

Never really found it that entertaining, although I've watched burlesque performances a number of times because it's been part of a larger event &/or friends are performing. Terribly done to death now anyway.

In this context I fully agree with OP that it's an insulting response to a demand for more female guests/speakers.

Just a follow up post, the event was this weekend.

Overall it was wonderful, but the Burlesque was very strange! DP and I were sat at a table with 2 families (one with adult children, one with 2 girls in early-mid teens), and a single woman. The woman left as soon as the burlesque act was announced, saying it wasn't her thing.

We stayed just long enough to see what was going to happen, as the woman came out in a gorgeous dress and danced around and I thought maybe she was going to sing... It became clear very quickly that she wasn't, and we both left.

When I popped back a few minutes later as I'd left my gloves, both families were still sitting watching, the teen girls looked mortified and I felt really sorry for them!

I'd say the majority of the guests left though, and I know the organisers received a lot of comments about how inappropriate it was, so hopefully they'll think twice about entertainment for next year.

Thanks for the update, glad lots of people voted with their feet.

Thanks for updating. Good to hear that lots of people, presumably not just hatchet-faced harridans, made their feelings known.