I dont think I would do nude...its not really for me. That I'm sure my folks would find it awkward. But then I have seen nude performances and loved them. Its all about how its done, where its done and the audience.

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Khandie Khisses On MySpace
Khandie Khisses

darlinda just darlinda goes to nude and puls a georg bush picture out of her bush

also Ursula Martinez goes nude too ...

It can be a very powerful image done in the right context.

x x x

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Winner "Best Female Performer 2007" MOB Awards
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Veteran of Circus and British Burlesque
http://www.redsarah.com
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The wonderful ::EMPRESS STAH:: performs her aerial act 'Hanging from The Chandelier' in pasties and a sparkly merkin... however bear in mind the 'Stephen Fry Somersault Effect' so you do see her bits and then she does something that requires watching her vid... i'm not explaining it again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyyNuIPBB4

However, I think she describes this act as 'twisted cabaret' although she is a burlesque performer. Its interesting that Stah toured with Circus Roncalli last year who are the epitome of classic, european circus and I'm delighted to see this change in traditional viewpoints.

Although I agree, in general nudity has little place in burlesque; I do believe it can be artisticly valid to present. Implied nudity such as behind a screen or gauze are within the canon of traditional burlesque acts, but I also feel artists should be able to perform nude if they so wish. Perhaps there would be an influx of 'Nuts' girls but within that maybe there would also be some really striking new work??

I however am very much in the tradition of 'two pairs of knickers, dance tights and maybe another pair of pants just in case' that's just cos i'm terrified of showing through in the lights haha!

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www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

I have to agree. Done in the right context it could be fabulous. Done wrong and it would be awkward and unpleasant. But then even burlesque that's covered up can be unpleasant if it's not done well.

I think it would affect where the performances could be done as well. I think certain licensing stipulations would specify how much could be taken off. Maybe other members know a bit more about this than me that could share?

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Bella xx
www.myspace.com/belladejac

THANKYOU! I was trying to put that across without sounding mean and eventually just left it out of my post... but that's exactly what i meant!

xx

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www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

Hmmm, lots of very interesting responses here. I was thinking more along the lines of the traditional fan dance style, not seeing much of anything except possibly a cheeky flash right at the end, rather than the more blatant showing everything all at once. Hmmm ......

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Sounds fab to me...Would look lovely especially if you were all shimmery.....

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Khandie Khisses On MySpace
Khandie Khisses

I'm much more at ease with that - that was what I was trying to say about full nudity done with skill and grace being different to just stripping - but others have said that so much better

The only problem with the traditional fan dance and many of the British venues (and possibly elsewhere in the world too) is that unless it's done up on a proper theatre stage and therefore far enough away from the audience the complete beauty and teasing glimpses of flesh are lost. I've seen quite a few great fan dances now, but in a small bar venue only those directly in front of the performer centre stage get to see the desired effect. If you're to the sides of the stage you get to see more flesh than is perhaps desired unless the fans are massive (and then the performer has the problem of wielding them gracefully in a confined space without hitting lights and audience members). I'm sure it can be done, but it just difficult in smaller venues to keep it to just quick glimpses.

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I love love love Empress Stah! What an artist she is!

I love the bare human form. There is nothing more perfect in nature. Like everyone else, I agree that nudity should be done tastefully. I’ve performed at establishments that said if I liked, I can remove my pasties and g-string. Not that I am modest, but I actually prefer my glittering rhinestone pasties and g-string. I think pasties are more provocative because it makes people notice and look.

I have no problem with nudity (When I was 16 my job was being an artists model) but I agree that that can't be the sole goal of an act. And if I went to a night where most performers ended up naked I probably wouldn't be that bothered about going again, and I don't think it would have the same audience atmosphere.
I think the only time I would be very uncomfortable with it (apart from when it's done badly) would be if it was became something performers felt pressurised into doing because (although knowing how strong minded most performers are, I doubt that would happen).

I can feel myself going into rambling mode so: If done as a flourish or in character - no problem. If done due to misguided notions of nudity = burlesque then yes.