Thank you all for your lovely comments. What a fantastic bunch of people you are.
I must apologise to two people I neglected in my hurried letter: the beautiful Gypsy Charms who is the strength and heart of Edinburgh's burlesque community. No other performer is so selflessly driven to promote burlesque and assist new people. Also the stunning and talented Viva Dynamo who is a radiant spark, Viva taught me to pole dance and the wonders of Mogan's Spiced.
Sorry it has taken me so long to give you an update. I have attempted several times unfortunately computers have a tendency to crash, websites go down and the power fail a lot here in Egypt.
Much has happened over the past month. Missy has sent me a links from the Summer jamboree. Performing for a couple thousand enthusiastic Italians was the best way to end my burlesque career.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnmuJnWRh8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjeFubXtGkY
Since Italy I have not worn make-up, heels, or stockings, I have not waxed, dyed or brushed my hair. in fact I have shaved it off (can't upload here, there's pics on my blog
http://www.youngcrone.blogspot.com/ .but watch out I also take a lot of pictures of toilets). I haven't had a whiskey. any alcohol for that matter for over a month.
In the time I was performing I was occasionally challenged about the relevance and value of burlesque. Especially from a feminist perspective. It was considered by a few to be degrading to take off my clothes. It was also questioned why was I exposing my body and for whose benefit.
While performing I would always reply from a personal level. I am not comfortable to speak for all performers or for society. So I would say that I was not just exposing my body, I was also exposing my personality, my ideologies, my passions and my sense of humor. As all other artists do. I was doing it for my own benefit, on my own terms, in my own style because it is what I love. It is such a rare treasure to be able to do something that you both gain and give pleasure, entertainment and joy.
I managed to side step feminist issues. A mine field of personal interpretation and strong opinions.
I have now been in Egypt (one of the most liberal of the Arab counties) for over one month. My perspective had changed. Burlesque can not exist here. Because acknowledgement of people as sensual creatures does not exist on a personal level.
Only movie stars and singers are allowed to have bodies or desires, and if they have bodies they certainly can not have personality or wit or intelligence. It is one or the other. Burlesque is a celebration of sensuality on more than just a physical level. It shows all the playfulness, contradictions, glamour, variation and freakyness of the human form.
So if I was to be asked again why we take off our clothes and exposed ourselves in public I would probably say "because we can". We need no other explanation.
Anyway that's my two pence from North Africa. I have been accepted into a volunteer programme teaching English in Sudan. Hope you are happy, healthy and shaking your fine bootys in style.
miss you all.
the Feral Fox
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