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Burlesque? Am I just out of touch?

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Granatlast007 Fri 14-Nov-25 09:37:13

I was a bit surprised recently to find our local WI had invited a young woman called Ivy Malice to do a presentation. I googled her and and struggled to understand what the difference was between burlesque and a nicer version of stripping.

Her performance was all about corsets, 'tasteful' stripping to show stockings, suspenders, high heels, lots of make up and lots of flesh while prancing about. I couldn't be bothered to go to the meeting on the basis of what I googled but after the event, members I have asked seemed to have loved it and want to ask her back.

I suppose it's not for me and as a once ardent feminist, I thought we women had rid ourselves of dressing up in attire which is surely about attracting men in the most basic way possible?

Apparently though burlesque now is about 'body positivity and self-love and about self-expression in the most vulnerable way possible. I am puzzled, perhaps I need to get out more! Anyone else?

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Lahlah65 Mon 17-Nov-25 10:33:37

I don’t think men would go to burlesque shows for sexual pleasure in the way that some people are describing in this thread. Modern burlesque more a branch of ‘cosplay’, where people just like dressing up, (but it includes a level of performance). A lot of people in the audience at burlesque shows will also be dressed up too. A bit like going to see the Rocky Horror Show?

It’s not being done for men - it’s being done for fun. I watch young women piling off the train to go out on a Friday and Saturday night in my town. They are often wearing very revealing clothing - probably showing more of their bodies than the average burlesque performer!

Any kind of dancing requires a level of physical fitness, and can be the basis for interesting and engaging exercise classes. Any of these movements could also be used in deliberately erotic performance. Isn’t it in the intent, rather than the performance itself?

Each WI committee trawls through the list of talks available and it’s always a struggle to find the right mix for their members. Obviously people can’t choose not to go to any talk that doesn’t appeal to them. It’s a shame if anybody thinks that any topic is not suitable for WI.

(PS I also think that body positivity is a complex issue, and I’m not going to comment on that.)

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Lathyrus3 Mon 17-Nov-25 10:45:26

It’s not how much body Lahlah, it’s what you do with it😬

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OldFrill Mon 17-Nov-25 11:19:51

Burlesque has been demonstrated at various WI branches for over a decade at least. It's nothing new.

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butterandjam Mon 17-Nov-25 11:20:53

Oreo

WI?!
Sounds like a load of tripe, what woman wants to watch that?

Not me, I hate tripe. But my mother loved it. It takes all sorts.

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hollysteers Mon 17-Nov-25 14:32:55

Having looked up Ivy Malice myself, I must say that to me is not the ideal personification of burlesque.

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Lathyrus3 Mon 17-Nov-25 14:48:19

Wow. I put Ivy Malice into Google but I didn’t click any further when I saw what she offers.

Pretty sure I’m going to get a lot of pop ups offering sex services niw😱🙄🙁

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Galaxy Mon 17-Nov-25 16:43:52

Yes I did say don't Googlegrin. But am sure it is all so empowering. Sigh.

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Esmay Mon 17-Nov-25 17:48:25

I've been to a burlesque show.It was OK.
I suppose that belly dancing is sexual , but originally it was performed by women for women and intended to exercise the pelvic organs .
It funny to think that a really sweet ,
rather chubby little girl,who sucked her thumb and went to school with my daughters and is now a burlesque performer.

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