Burlesque Reclaimed

Yeah, I was that little 5 year old girl watching Gypsy with Natalie Wood on a little 9-inch black and white TV on a sick day in my mother’s bed. (Did she even know I was watching this movie? Probably not, I’m Gen X and she was busy.) I totally fell in love with Natalie Wood, her character, and burlesque. I know I cannot be alone in that. 

There is always something campy, classy, and fun about burlesque. I never thought of it as anything but a very entertaining art form. Sometimes it’s tongue-in-cheek, it’s always clever, sometimes it’s beautiful and graceful, and other times it’s just funny. But whatever the mood, each performer is talented in their own way and brings their own style and uniqueness to their acts. You “Gotta Have a Gimmick,” right?!

On February 10, I had the privilege to see the opening night of Reclaiming Our Burlesque History exhibit put on by PVD-based Rhody Q, an organization co-founded by Odette Goode and Lopez La Lopez that is dedicated to burlesque education and networking. The exhibit and burlesque show took place at the new Inspiria art gallery in Olneyville. Reclaiming Our Burlesque History featured a collection of photographs, artifacts, and mementos from burlesque then and now. The exhibit highlighted “Where We Are Now,” and told the stories and experiences of burlesque performers. “The mission of the gallery was to ensure that every performer had the opportunity to tell their stories in their own terms and to demonstrate how the stories of burlesque often go mistold, misinformed, or under-appreciated,” said Goode.

The place was packed. There were some tables and chairs for general seating, and a good amount of standing room. It was a dry event but there was a speakeasy located nearby. The show was hosted by Neon Haze who laid down the house rules. “Consent, like me, goes both ways,” Haze said regarding the no touching rule. And in regards to tipping, “Don’t be a fart, support local art.” I took my nephew with me, I know, odd, but he’s in his 40s and he had no idea what burlesque even was, so it was a moral imperative. And you know what? He enjoyed it very much. 

All the performers delivered a mix of beautiful and classy, classic styles, with rock & roll, rap, camp, macabre, even Broadway cabaret vocals. It was a well-rounded example of burlesque and a combination of styles performed by Andi Van Dyke, Dahlia Strack, Cheerful The Clown, DevIlicia, Dixie Douya, Ingride Denise, Honey Pie, Jane Doe, Lo-La La, Lady LaRouge, Odette Goode, and Venus Lesbiana. Each act was different and the lineup was diverse enough to keep the audience engaged and entertained throughout the evening. 

Thank you to all involved for sharing your collection and knowledge, your passion that inspires, and your talents with beauty, grace, and humor!

To learn more about Rhody Q, visit rhodyq.com. To see what’s next for Inspiria, follow them on Instagram @inspiriapvd.