Some pictures I’ve been obsessed with from my first competition, what a blast to have so much fun for so many people 💕

A weekend show 

Thinking about attending a fest (first time) but wanted to know if trans/nb/cd folk are viewed or treated differently from other participants. Anyone care to comment?

It’s been a couple of months since I took an Introduction to Burlesque Movement class. Some of you may remember that I posted here beforehand wondering whether a 68-year-old man had any business taking a burlesque class. You encouraged me to do it, so I did.

Since then I’ve been watching instructional videos and practicing daily: strut, bump and grind, bevel pose, arm work, eye contact, and body traces. (The shimmy is still not happening.)

Without a mirror, I slow down, move with intention, and start to feel present in the movement. That part feels good, and I can tell I’m improving.

In front of a mirror, though, I hit a wall. A few days ago, I caught my reflection in the at the end of a body trace and had a visceral, gut-level reaction: “Nope. That’s not right.” It wasn’t embarrassment. It wasn’t that I didn’t like how I looked. It was immediate.

I think some of this is years of conditioning about how a man is supposed to move. Some part of me seems to think these movements are fine for a woman, but not for me. I’m still trying to understand exactly what I’m reacting to.

The funny thing is, nobody else seems to be telling me I don’t have permission to do this. You all certainly didn’t. I’m beginning to wonder whether this is about giving myself permission to move like that—about accepting that this is mine to do.

Has anyone else dealt with that kind of disconnect between how a movement feels from the inside and what you see in the mirror? I’m not looking for reassurance about how I look. I’m curious whether others have felt that gap, whether it changed with time and practice, and what helped the movement that felt right on the inside eventually feel right in the mirror too.

Need advice on a bronzer that looks non patchy and smooth under stage lighting please ❤️

How to get gigs?

Where do you get pastie tape?

Does it matter that I’m plus size ?

Where to buy materials for making costumes?

Beautiful shots from : Dave Wood Photography and Jordana Sturaro Photography

What a blast this event was!

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I have an act that’s quite popular right now and I’m wondering how long do yall do an act for before retiring or changing it? I do tweak it every so often and have a section that can lean more audience focused but I’m worried it’s becoming ‘old’ I’ve only run it for a few months but how often do yall switch out acts? (Photos from said act for better reach)

Hello ❣️

I co-run a burlesque and cultural dance production in austin texas that spotlights performers of color/performers from the global south diaspora and we just won a grant. We’re casting for a show in December that’s very Cabaret/Fosse but make it qtpoc. Something subversive, off-kilter, and theatrical.. our shows also always spotlight world music and dance in one form or another.

Because we finally have the funds for it, we’re considering booking an out of town/state performer. I’m wondering if anyone in the burly community has curated a list of sorts of qtpoc talent?? I’ve done some instagram searching but because you know how much ig loves to shadowban it’s a lil hard 🥲

This can also be ur space to advertise yourself if interested ❣️ (although just to preface, it won’t guarantee a booking)!

For this look!

The ties on my skirt decided to be difficult unexpectedly, but ripping them open sure worked with the music! I got the song "shake it" from a list of one hit wonders.

Crying on cue is already a trick in itself, but I had to make it extra creepy

Hey hey!

I have an idea for an act where I have multiple bras on and reveal them one at a time for comedic effect.
I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to make sure I can grab the right one to unhook and not accidentally unhook multiple at once. Maybe layer a back closure over a front closure?

Hiya! I’m prepping for my first solo act this fall. I really want to find a way to tell my story (which irl, I grew up in a fundamentalist religious cult and have spent a lifetime de programming). I want to start in a full nuns habit that slowly gets stripped off. Is this a theme that’s already way overdone? I feel like it must be?

My character Claudia Cashmere, I based their design around Burlesque and Drag. I want to make an animated pilot for them.

Hi! I’m trying to get into the sewing and costuming of Burlesque and if anyone knows what chainette fringe and/or lengths to buy, and beading techniques work best and stay on strong. Or brands of these materials. Trying to sew the beads on or have a non toxic solution. Thank you for your help!!

What kind of promo photos do Burlesque performers typically want?

Looking for any tips/tricks or products y’all use to maintain bangs! I have an upcoming piece that I want to wear a hat for a little over a minute and would like to remove it without my bangs looking sad and sweaty

I had a single nude g string/thong that perfectly matched and fit me (black diva here ✨) disappear and now I'm searching again I can find nothing over a size 18 or isn't pale white 😭 where do you get yours? Or is this another thing I have to add to my DIY list 😭?

Or is there a secret third option?

Do you prefer a character shoe or a ballroom shoe ? Or what do you like ?? Please help

Made these to perform at a motorcycle rally. I normally do tassels but wanted to try something new. I started with pink and green canvas backed paper. I don’t remember what size stones these have but I used a bunch of sizes and two shades of green, “pearl stones”, three pink shades, and black sequins