Minnesota Naughty

Today and Tomorrow

Sometimes not much makes sense in the topsy-turvy world of burlesque, but at the end of the day what really matters is that the performers are simply in love with what they are doing. "It’s like an addiction," says Gwendolyn Rae, "I always need to have it. Of course there are ebbs and flows in your ‘addiction’ and sometimes you’re fielding more than other times, but it’s always going to be a part of who I am. I think that when you’re a character, that character inside you never dies."

More than one performer commented on the familial feel of their troupe. "LCR is definitely family," says Buchanan. "We all hang out together, celebrate birthdays together, cook dinner together. We get in fights and make up."

They are a tight-knit clan, those marvelous burlesque performers. "Everyone knows everyone else," says Wilson, "it’s a pretty small community."

Despite the relatively small number of performers, there is great diversity among the men and women that do burlesque. These people hail from all over the state (and nation). They grew up in both conservative and liberal households. They are ordinary people who work as teachers, writers, nurses, yoga instructors, etc. They have bachelor degrees and master’s degrees from a variety of schools. They have families and children of their own. And not a single one of them is ashamed of what they are doing. "It’s really empowering," says Wilson. "Women come up to me after the show and tell me that I have given them a new confidence. I show them that you don’t have to be stick-thin to be comfortable in your own skin."

Who would have guessed that burlesque could be something that lifts women up and empowers them? A month ago, I would have never believed it. But as I watched show after show and talked to performer after performer I began to understand what they were talking about. The women up on stage do not hide their flaws; they flaunt them. Curves are acceptable. Small boobs are acceptable. Feeling sexy in your own skin is acceptable. I went to one of the shows with a good friend of mine. Afterwards she turned to me and said, "You know, I was actually a little afraid to come tonight, but I’m so glad I did. This show made me feel surprisingly confident in myself. I feel like if I wanted to, I could be up there doing that."

Maybe as more and more people delve into the mysterious Twin Cities burlesque scene, they will discover what my friend discovered: a form of entertainment that is not only fun, but surprisingly comfortable. Maybe those semi-naughty suburban housewives-the ones who take belly dancing classes or host dirty bachelorette parties-will venture out of their townhouses to join in on the fun. Maybe people will forget what they have heard about burlesque and will go see it for themselves. Maybe the city will consider the purpose of burlesque shows instead of harshly critiquing their aesthetic. Maybe.

What is the future of Twin Cities burlesque? Truthfully, nobody knows. Gwendolyn Rae would like to see it go more main
stream. Foxy Tann hopes that it will become a destination, and not just a sideshow. Gina Louise dreams of a burlesque scene that isn’t so mainstream that it’s boring, but popular enough that you can make a living by doing it. Garron the houseboy is afraid that it will die out soon, since it’s not exactly a "money making venture." Nadine Dubois thinks that the new golden age of burlesque is yet to come.

Although the future of burlesque is uncertain, its present is clear. The troupes are alive and kicking, and they’re not ready to stop twirling their tassels any time soon. The burlesque scene, however, is still one of the best-kept secrets in the Twin Cities. "When other cities are booming and burning with Burlesque fever," says Jennings, "we are left behind." It is about time more people caught the fever.