When an evening of Burlesque hit the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, there was no doubt that there would be fun involved.
With a ‘tickle’ trunk filled with boas, hats, beads and baubles, it was a chance to get into glitz and glam for a photo.
Performer Coco Framboise was all about audience participation as she explained the intricacies involved in Burlesque entertaining. From strategic movements involving gloves to “strutting your stuff”, it was a learning experience for amateurs to appreciate what is involved when Burlesque takes to the stage.
For the curious who wanted to know what the future would hold, there was Tarot Card reading and ‘The Last Frontier’ was a demonstration by performer Charlie Quinn of how to make ‘pasties’.
In the Bruce Gallery, lingerie from a bygone era was displayed along with theatrical costuming.
The last of the evening however, was the long-awaited live ‘Burlesque’ show by performers Laframboise and Quinn.
“This is a unique venture by the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre to bring a form of entertainment that dates back to the 17th century,” said Museum Executive Director, Cathy McGirr. “The word burlesque is derived from the Italian ‘buria’ mean a joke, ridicule or mockery. From the 1800s to the 1940s, burlesque was a variety show format performed in cabarets and clubs as well as theatres and was often ‘bawdy’ comedy.
We wanted something a little different leading up to Halloween and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”
Burlesque is an adult entertainment format and, while not for everyone’s taste, most of the sold-out adult crowd at the Museum’s event on Saturday, October 27th took it all in stride and viewed it as an evening of fun.
