Hoochie Coo adds humor, sensuality to burlesque art

 
It’s arguably one of the “naughtier” forms of dance, but scandalous form will be in full swing this weekend at The Lodge, also known as Space 101.

The Hoochie Coo Burlesque Party will showcase local musicians, professional dancers and acrobatic pole dancing.

“We try to do everything tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also sexy and silly at the same time,” party organizer Jada Barbry said.

Headlining will be Lola Van Ella,  as well as Elle Adorabelle and Gravity Plays Favorites, the acrobatic, pole-dancing pair of Michelle Mynx and Katrina Dohl.

Local rapper/rocker Andy D will also perform, with sets by the Bloomington Burlesque Brigade and other local groups.

“It’s their first premiere event,” Barbry said of the Brigade. “It’s really just a banner for people who are doing burlesque in Bloomington to perform under.”

The event is presented by Verbal Terrorism Productions and Verbal Terrorism Performance Club IU, with the support of organizations such as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services, the Women’s Student Association and Soma Coffeehouse.

Soma will donate “a large quantity of coffee” to the event, assistant manager Carrie Albright said.

“I feel like a lot of our business ethics are based in the community,” Albright said.

Albright said she plans to attend the event, and that, having seen burlesque performances before, she is very excited because they show women taking control of their sensuality, showing strength, agility and confidence.

“It’s definitely on the sexy side of things. It’s not for the faint of heart,” she said.

Dance historian Selene Carter said culturally, more styles of dance that used to be scandalous – such as burlesque or belly dancing – are becoming more socially acceptable, thanks to pop culture elements.

This includes performers such as Madonna, movies such as “Chicago,” “Gypsy” and “Moulin Rouge” and the cross-dressing phenomenon of “boy-lesque.”

“I’ve noticed in the last 20 years that there’s been a return to the sensuous as powerful in performance,” Carter said. “Women can be sensual and not victimized – they can be empowered.”

As for why no burlesque classes are offered through any of IU’s dance programs, Barbry said many people misunderstand it, and it is not as common as many other styles.

“It’s really an American dance form,” she said, citing the style’s vaudeville roots. “I don’t think it’s not being taught on purpose, but rather, it’s become this lost art form.”

Carter agreed, saying that true burlesque isn’t exploitative – it gives the dancer the power over the audience.

“True burlesque doesn’t really show anything. It’s about the possibility,” she said, citing Sally Rand’s famous fan dance. “You see maybe a bare shoulder and a foot, but the rest is all feathers.”

While neo-burlesque incorporates many different types of dance, Barbry, who is also founder of Verbal Terrorism Productions,  said traditional burlesque is all about gags, shtick and laughter.

“If you’re talking about traditional burlesque, you’re talking about the humor,” she said, adding that both forms are about “glamor and the mockery of glamor.”

Though some people consider burlesque to be essentially exotic dance, Barbry said that standard is different for different people.

“I think it’s the performer who really makes the difference between a stripper and a burlesque dancer,” she said. “It walks a line, and we try not to judge where that line is.”

Hoochie Coo Burlesque Party
WHEN 11 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 10 p.m.
WHERE Space 101/The Lodge, 101 E. Sixth St.
MORE INFO Admission is $7. The event stars Lola van Ella, Elle Adorabelle and Gravity Plays Favorites (acrobatic pole dancing duo Michelle Mynx and Katrina Dohl). Local rapper/rocker Andy D will also perform.