Want to learn something new this year? Been watching those fabulous burlesque dancers on stage and wondering what it would be like? Well, this is the year!
I personally know of three performers who are teaching classes starting next week in the San Francisco Bay Area. All three are well-known and respected in burly circles. I'll summarize their class offerings.
Bombshell Betty (
http://www.bombshellbetty.net/index.html) has been teaching classes for a long time, and counts many of San Francisco's burlesque performers amongst her former pupils. Bunny Pistol, sASSy Hotbuns, Josie Starre, Chi Chis del Fuego, and many more have all been students of Betty or part of Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers. Upcoming classes include:
Burlesquercise
- Cardio Can-Can
- Intro to Burlesquercise
- Burlesquercise Intensive
- Fan Dancing Specialty Series
- Performance Drop-Ins
Specialty Workshops
- Fan Making Workshop: Feb 7
- Retro Hair Styling Workshop: Feb 8
For a full description of classes and more information, including how to register, please visit
http://www.bombshellbetty.net/index.html. Betty has a lot of different classes and even instructional DVDs, so it's best to take a look at her site and see what interests you. If you're new, you may want to start out with the Intro to Burlesque class. If you have any questions, I'm sure Betty would be happy to provide answers for you! You may email her at
bombshellbettys@gmail.com.
Dottie Lux (
http://www.dottielux.com/) IS Red Hots Burlesque (
http://www.redhotsburlesque.com/), the weekly show she produces Friday evenings at El Rio in the Mission. In addition to Red Hots, Dottie has performed across the country and at major shows such as Tease-O-Rama and the New York Burlesque Festival. Before coming out to San Francisco last year, she taught School of Shimmy in New York. Here is a summary of the schedule. For full details, please visit
www.redhotsburlesque.com.
School of Shimmy
January 4th, 5th, 18th, 25th, 26th
February 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th
Classes are Sunday and Monday at The Center For Sex and Culture
Sunday classes are 3-5pm and Monday classes are 7-9pm. Classes given on multiple days are the same class repeated. Space is limited and reservations are appreciated and encouraged.
To reserve a spot email: redhotsburlesque@gmail.com with S.O.S. in the subject line.
All classes are open to students of any age or gender who want to shake it on stage or in the bedroom. No previous dance or performance experience is required. No deposit needed for class, however space is very limited and reservations are strongly encouraged. To reserve a spot email: mailto:redhotsburlesque@gmail.com with S.O.S. in the subject line. State which classes you are interested in and inquire about discounted rates! All classes are $30.
If you would like to perform at the School of Shimmy Showcase Burlesque 101, 201 and Rehearsal are mandatory classes. The Showcase will take place on Feb 13th at 7:30 pm at El Rio as part of the famed weekly show, Red Hots Burlesque.
- Jan 4th & 5th Burlesque 101
- Jan 18th Burlesque Crafting
- Jan 25 & 26th Burlesque 201
- Feb 1st Burlesque Choreography with expert instructor Alotta Boutte
- Feb 2nd Making Faces: Hair and Make-up Intensive
- Feb 8th & 9th Finishing Touches
- Feb 13th, 7:30pm El Rio (3158 Mission Street SF, CA) - School of Shimmy Showcase!
Last, but certainly not least, is Kellita, SF's Queen of Carnaval 2007 and the founder and choreographer of the acclaimed Hot Pink Feathers (
http://www.hotpinkfeathers.com/). She has performed worldwide with the Feathers and as a solo performer. She is known for teaching the fusion of Samba Burlesque and World Cabaret styles. Students sometimes join the Hot Pink Feathers Parade Corps, and appear in shows such as Burlesque n' Brass, every first Saturday of the month at Cafe Van Kleef in Oakland. Here are some of the classes she's offering:
World Cabaret/Samba Burlesque Dance Intro/Beginning Technique
Winter Session I: 5 Mondays 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/ 9
Winter Session II: 5 Tuesdays 2/ 16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16
7:30-8:30 @ The Ballet Studio, 128 10th St. @ Minna
$75 /series ($20/drop in); RSVP at hotpinkfeathers@gmail.com
Expression, Craft & Delight: a dance & burlesque movement lab
5 Mondays 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/ 9
7:30-10 @ The Ballet Studio, 128 10th St. @ Minna
$195 /series, Limited Enrollment! Only offered 1x/yr the past few years!; RSVP at hotpinkfeathers@gmail.com
World Cabaret/Samba Burlesque Dance Beg/Intermediate Technique
Winter Session I: 5 Tuesdays 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/ 3
Winter Session II: 5 Tuesdays 2/ 10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10
7:30-8:30 @ The Ballet Studio, 128 10th St. @ Minna
$75 /series ($20/drop in); RSVP to register at hotpinkfeathers@gmail.com
World Cabaret/Samba Burlesque Choreography (All levels)
Winter Session I: 5 Tuesdays 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/ 3
Winter Session II: 5 Tuesdays 2/ 10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10
8:30-9:30 @ The Ballet Studio, 128 10th St. @ Minna
$75 /series ($20/drop in); RSVP to register at hotpinkfeathers@gmail.com
Plus, Kellita has started a new Hot Pink Feathers Showgirl Academy Membership Program, which features discounts on classes, workshops, waiver of costume handling fees, and other benefits. For more information about this program, or for descriptions of all the classes being offered, please visit
www.hotpinkfeathers.com/classes.html.
Whew! Lots of classes! If you have any questions, please contact Betty (
bombshellbettys@gmail.com), Dottie (
redhotsburlesque@gmail.com), or Kellita (
hotpinkfeathers@gmail.com). Your start as a burly queen is only a few days or weeks away!
