Burlesque Rocks

I’d say it’s because of the music, and me. But mostly the music; I can’t really remember a time when music wasn’t a part of my life. My dad used to sing sea shanties with us, there was always music on in the car wherever we went (apart from if we happened to be in the car when The Archers was on Radio 4) I’m of the age where I would wait patiently by the radio to record my favourite song to cassette. Those were not the days. Nowadays I love Shazam and being able to find a song I like instantly.

The first singles I remember buying were ‘Joyride’ by Roxette and ‘You Could be Mine’ by Guns & Roses. The first album I remember buying was ‘Off the Wall’ by Michael Jackson. My first gig was Radiohead on their Pablo Honey Tour – I was 14 and it was at Newcastle Student Union. Now those were the days. I went to some pretty mega indie music gigs in the mid-90s. I’ve always had an eclectic taste in music; I like to mix and match. I love a bit of ska, pop, indie, alternative rock and the odd bit of metal. Essentially, I love music that makes me want to move, sing at the top of my lungs and shake out whatever I’m feeling. Music for me is a way to release everything, let it all go. It also takes me back…

I went to see Skunk Anansie a couple of weeks ago and when the opening bars of ‘Charlie Big Potato’ began I was back in my friend Catrin’s bedroom in Crigglestone, West Yorkshire. We were the handful of students who didn’t make it into halls so were put into terraced housing in a village in the middle of nowhere. It was a typical ‘teenager of the 90s’ bedroom, with posters of indie rock artists on the wall. A hint of cannabis hung in the air, the taste of vodka and orange in my mouth, heavy on the vodka. As Skin’s vocals banged out of the CD player, I felt her soprano tones in my bones. The rage in her voice touched something inside, I felt like I was permanently confused by life and people, and the song resonated with me. When I was in that crowd a few weeks ago, I sang that song at the top of my lungs and felt a huge release within myself. The rage and frustration I feel from daily life (I’m still confused by the world) and the pure joy of hearing Skin hit those high notes. It just lifts you and makes you feel like you are flying high. I was young again – I mean I’m still young, I’m only forty-four – enjoying life and I had that feeling nothing was going to hold me back.

I always come back to rock music, the bass and the drumbeats lure me in every time. You can’t help but jump about or if you’re not feeling like jumping, shaking everything out. There is a section in my warm-up for class where I say “now let it out/shimmy out your day”. This is me saying go for it – shake out what you need to shake out, let go of what you need to let go of today. I feel the relief, and looking at the screen, I see those in attendance are letting go, too. As the music stops, there is a smile where previously there was a frown and I know we are now ready to get into the burlesque.

Burlesque Rocks was born out of lockdown. I was feeling confined, my busy life of running from one venue to another was stopped. I took a bit of time out, but I was feeling restless. I took myself for a walk along the Thames. ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ blasted from my earbuds, and with the sun in my eyes, inspiration hit for a routine. The drum solo was perfect for a good ass shimmy and I could just see shoulder shimmyies to Axl’s high pitched vocals. But it didn’t quite fit the style of classes I already had. My classes were based around classic big band burlesque music. It was the sort of music that brought about images of music halls of old. The music was great to choreograph bumps and grinds to, but I was tired of it, and it wasn’t really my style. I was also struggling to find a way to transfer my courses to online as they depended on an end-of-term showcase. Maybe this was the answer, putting together my love of rock music and my love of making up routines to share with others. No end of term showcase, just a weekly class of fun rocking out in burlesque style!

As I turned from the Thames and began to make my way back home, ‘Holding out for a Hero’ by Bonnie Tyler hit my ears. A whoosh of wind went through my hair, whipping it around as if I was in an 80’s music video. It was in that moment I decided, yes, this is what I need to do: a class that ties burlesque and rock music together.

When I got home I felt like a teenager again, and began delving into old school rock on Spotify. I studied GCSE music and was encouraged to deep dive into all genres of music, so I returned to my fourteen-year-old self, rediscovering The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane. I’d forgotten how much I’d loved Suzi Quatro and her leather onesie (I finally got to see her live last year, she is still rocking the leather at 70. I want to be Suzi Quattro when I grow up!) I began building playlists and was excited about music again. I listened to newer artists like The Black Keys (I missed them the first time around) and Bones UK. My enthusiasm for the tracks shone through into my burlesque choreography. The class attracted a group of women like me; they were curious about burlesque and stayed for the tunes. Every Thursday, we rocked our way through lockdown and beyond. The clan was born.

The trick, I guess, is how I transfer my enthusiasm for a song into a routine, then teach it to the class. It’s no secret; I let the clan choose how to interpret my routine. I give pointers, but ultimately it’s up to them. When you listen to a song that you love, it takes you to a memory or it helps you to process something you’ve been struggling to articulate. Whatever the reason, you fall in love with that song, it then becomes yours, a bit like how ‘Charlie Big Potato’ is for me. And that’s what I want for the people coming to my classes: I want them to enjoy/fall in love with a routine and put their own spin on it. Make it theirs.

A while back, I created a pretty simple routine to ‘She’ by Suede. One of the clan loved it so much that she is always asking me to do it again. I do bring it back every so often and when I do, I enjoy watching the clan member who loves it most. She loves the song and is throwing in extra bits to the choreography, looking free and loving life. Letting go of the restrictions and playing with the routine, making it her own. That makes me very happy.

So when I decided to close my burlesque business in London, Clan Rocks decided it wasn’t really happening and continued to ask when I was bringing back my online classes. And well, yes, once I’d moved up north in 2022, I did miss it. I think Spotify knew I was, too. It began suggesting songs that would be perfect for class – one of those songs, ‘Camel Walk’ is now the go-to warm-up number. Ideas hit for new routines to share, so I thought Fuck It! Let’s bring it back.

And here we are.There are a few more modern rock tracks now in rotation; the music choice can depend on my mood on the day. If I’m feeling fun, we could have a bit of Rockabilly. If I’m feeling sexy, we might have a classic rock ballad. There may be a bit of glam rock silliness if I’m up for a laugh, and if I’m feeling powerful, you may be treated to a bit of Skunk Anansie belting out those rage-infused soprano tones. Either way, it will be a song that makes you want to dance, shimmy out your day and put a smile on your face!

Take a look at the burlesque rocks playlist, it’s full of tracks I’ve either used or intend to use at some point. There are a few wild cards in there too!

Alternatively click the link below and join me for my weekly online class!

Online Burlesque Classes with Burlesque Rocks!