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Bringing sexy back
Burlesque club puts on Wild West show
by Stephanie Classen
The StarPhoenix - March 13, 2009
There's nothing sexy about square dancing.
That was until Saskatoon's Rosebud Burlesque Club put its own sassy spin on the square-stepping dance style. The big frilly skirts and do-si-dos are all part of the troupe's latest show Wanted -- A Wild West Show.
"It's everything from the farm to everything from the saloon to the townsfolk you think of in the typical Wild West setting," said Headmistress Cheripop Purr.
The performance includes some of the much-loved characters from Western culture -- including the Lone Ranger, Cow Girl (literally), sheriff and bank robber -- in a series of group and solo numbers.
While Wanted is a bit of a departure from classic burlesque, it is still all Rosebud.
"Of course, we always have our usual sense of humour about things. Our MC, Hellen Bedde, will be directing the show. She's actually living out of town now so she's coming in specifically to do the shows with us," said Purr.
And as a special feature, Wanted will be the debut performance of the academy's recent Boylesque graduates -- men. While Rosebud calls itself a feminist dance group, Purr said it also believes in being inclusive. Not to mention, there was a big demand from the audience for more male performers.
"Men are sexy in a different way than women. The current group that I have, they're all very individual and they're having a hell of a good time," she said. "I think they've really learned quickly how to fuse humour with sexiness."
Purr said working with the open-minded, funny boys of Boylesque has been a joy because it brings a new energy to the academy. But she was surprised to learn it's not just women who have body image issues.
"We always think men are much more confident body-wise, but I think it's a real learning experience for them to be put in a situation where they are being inspected and looked at. These guys have really come a long way in terms of realizing the value of the human body and the confidence level you need to do this kind of performance. Also, just to have fun with what you have. We've got tall ones and short ones and super skinny guys," she said.
"They're having fun with their body types and they're breaking stereotypes that dictate what is an attractive man. We like to say we're bringing sexy back to normal, ordinary looking people."
The Rosebud Burlesque Academy -- formed to "meet the needs of wayward Canadian Prairie girls" -- has offered classes in the exaggerated striptease (emphasis on the tease) art form since 2007 and currently has about 100 members. The main performance troupe consists of seven members. The junior troupe has five.
In just two years, Rosebud's audience base has quadrupled in size, said Purr. The people of Saskatoon are starting to discover what burlesque is all about through the academy's lighthearted, humorous approach.
"Some clubs are more into the sexy dance moves but we like to make a statement, make people laugh and make people feel comfortable about themselves and break down some of the taboos about body image."
While burlesque is sexy, the aim is not to be gratuitous. The titillation comes more from suggestion -- aided by elaborate costumes, bawdy humour and carbaret-style acts -- than overt display.
People of all backgrounds and skill levels have participated in classes, with a handful moving on to the performing troupe. While some members have dance or theatre experience, others are just hams, Purr said.
Wanted is directed by Purr and features performances by Hellen Bedde, Hellina Handbasket, Rosemary Spice, Miss Miss, Scarlett Blush, Bawd Barker, Dee Dee Paris, Ginger La Fringe and Rip Strongman, among others.
sclassen@sp.canwest.com
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Rosebud Burlesque presents
Wanted -- A Wild West Show
Today and Saturday
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
Ages 19 and over only
At The Refinery, 609 Dufferin Ave.
Tickets $20 advance $25 door
Call 653-3549 to reserve tickets
© The StarPhoenix
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