Nobody is having a go at you, hun! As Fleur said, it was no one in particular, just a general feeling. And unfortunately this is popping up in the media too- with people trying to ban skinny models from the catwalk. Instead of discriminating any one size, whether that be small or large, why can't we just embrace ALL sizes?

The thing that bugs people is the mention of a performer being slim and being bad in the same sentence as if the two are linked. A good performer is a good performer regardless of size.

And that is what we are trying to assure you of- regardless of your size, you can perform burlesque.

Please don't take offence, and don't feel like you have offended others. We are all willing to help you, and answer any questions you have

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Snowflakes and Sparkles xox
December's Myspace

Ladies Ladies time for a big group hug here methinks!

I've just re-read page one of this thread and the message coming out loud and clear to me is us welcoming a lady who is concerned about not fitting in into the burlesque world, because of her experience - which she admits is limited - by us giving examples of larger performers to show they're out there BUT clearly stating it aint what you got but how you use it.

It feels like we're taking out our gripes out about society and perhaps changes in the burlesque scene on a newcomer who was asking an innocent question and admitted she hadn't seen much burlesque yet.

It's only because there have been a few larger ladies asking can they join in recently that this seems more prevalent - I am absolutely 100% sure that if a lady opened up a thread asking if she could do burlesque because she was worried she WASN'T curvy enough we would wholeheartedly tell her TOO it aint what you got but how you use it.

I think it's time for a nice cup of tea and a deep breath....

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Life's too short to not live life large - do it! Doooooo iiittttt!
Tempest Devyne's myspace

Tempest, you are a sage of wisdom! I will be there in that group hug and enjoying the fact that burlesque is all about accepting who we are, skinny, curvy, blue or orange. It can be hard being a larger woman considering performing such an act of liberation but everyone can be beautiful. I have seen performers ranging through all sizes and, as I said before (I think!), the best performers are the ones that look like they are enjoying it and are proud of what they are doing, even if their technique isn't the best.
xx

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Vie O'Lette xx
And she lived hopefully ever after...

But I don't drink tea!!

Nevertheless for everyone!!

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Snowflakes and Sparkles xox
December's Myspace

Do you know, I used to feel like that about other people's bank balances, and now, thanks to the comfortable living my OH has provided with his successful business, I often wish we could be as poor as church mice, but appreciate all the beauty in life.
Yay! Let's hear it for Wacky Witches.
Feisty lady is Fleur, never afraid to speak her mind. tell her Yah Boo Sucks! If she gets stroppy, tell you know a witch that can put a hex on her.
Actually she is right: She is good, you can't help but love her, she's got legs to die for: Cow!
Tell you what, if you think Fleur is feisty, whatever you do don't cross swords with Heather. She's not even afraid of potions and spells, and she eats George Bush, literally. Best poster on this forum bar none.
Oh, Heather, about:
NOBODY GIVES A SHIT ! Try Fibregel, it comes in a variety of flavours, and quickly deals with that little problem!
Me neither, it's The Devil's urine.

Andromada, darling, you touched a raw nerve, but don't be put off. You won't believe the number of people I've upset, we are still mates, though. We all know that your's was an innocent enquiry, so don't get upset. xx

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What is the difference between men and women? A woman wants one man to satisfy her every need. A man wants every woman to satisfy his one need.

Andromeda - all shapes and ages can do burlesque. It truly is not what you've got, but what you do with it that counts in burley. I can imagine a Kelly-Brooke-perfect body just imagining that all she has to do is turn up and look pretty.....but you've got to have an act that people will stop chatting over and watch.

There are big boobs, big butts, teeny tits, miniscule bums...all sorts. Don't be shy, just throw yourself into it.

I did my first burlesque workshop on Saturday and there were all sorts of bodies, all sorts of women, and they all looked great strutting their stuff in front of the camera. Big group hug, as Tempest says

I take Fleur's point about the focus being on larger women being more acceptable and no-one is really speaking out on behalf of skinny gals. However, I have to say that I haven't read any postings (and I'm very much a newbie to all this too!) about slender girls being nervous of being accepted as much as us more fuller figured ladies. I am positive that when a whip thin chick does ask for reassurance about her size, she will be as supported by positive comments as the rest of us at the other side of the scales have been on the MoB. Yes?

AliX

Heheh, that's me all over ... I love the word feisty, it's such a polite way of saying royal PITA ...

Gods bless ya Broomy!

Tis true, tis true ...

Oh that's what I'm here for, don't you worry ...

These threads do pop up from time to time, andthe answers are always the same - it's doesn't matter what size you are. Very positive. But one time out of ten it will descend into uncalled for skinny girl bashing - 'skinny girls have no curves/nothing to shimmy/are boring onstage' or whatever. There's no need for it. It turns from being all-embracing and size positive into something more militant - as if burlesque is being perceived as something for girls size 16 and over, and the slimmer girls are getting in the way of that. I'm sure no one on this thread meant any comments in that manner, but I've seen it happen a fair few times before and thought I could nip it in the bud before it went that far.

Interesting that no size 6/8 performers are here with their views ...

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Terry Pratchett to Fleur - "Oh, are you the cleavage lady?"
Visit me - www.badflower.co.uk

you might very well say that, I couldn't possibly comment

I only get upset if they get in my way to the cakes...

Perhaps they don't feel the need to, as this thread is actually about a newbie wanting some reassurance about whether she will fit in..... Perchance.

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Life's too short to not live life large - do it! Doooooo iiittttt!
Tempest Devyne's myspace

HAHAHAHAA!!!

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Snowflakes and Sparkles xox
December's Myspace

Hmmm - the large lady slender lady thread.

Burlesque does not discriminate - Burlesque is about entertaining people, not winning Britains Next Ethiopian Style Model.

I suspect the biggest barrier to larger people performing is their own body issues.

Conversely, the reason why you may not have enjoyed the slender women could be down to them believing that being pretty and slender with a nice costume is all they need to be a good performer - it's not.

And in typical fashion you've all managed to miss out the inbetweeners who aren't very slender or very large - what about them?

Right - I'm back off to under my rock.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show