Everything that i've read and everything that i've watched and even stories that i've heard have lead me to believe that back in the day the ladys of buresque used to pretty much teach themselves. I realise that classes may help some people, but doesn't anyone just wanna do it themself? I know i'd like to see a class but is it really nessesary?

Have any of you taught yourself?

I have tried to with the use of DVD's. i live in a rubbish little town with no transport so i find it rather hard to get into classes.There is nothing wrong with teaching yourself but it would be nice to go to a class so i could meet other people with similar talent and ambition. Good luck with the DIY anyway xx

I think it you want to be individual you absolutely have to learn a lot on your own. But, I don't think its that the ladies of burlesque in years gone by taught themselves. They taught each other just as the girls do now. Every show you go to you'll learn something new. A move, a tip. Youtube videos are a fantastic resource too

I just think the workshops give a very structured way of showing you the basics, and allwing you to meet other people in the same boat in a really supportive environment

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i am self taught, i just researched alot, watched alot on youtube and tried things out myself to see how they looked and worked.
at the time there weren't any classes available here and if i'd known i may have gone...!

If you dont want to go to a class just try to see as many shows as you can and practise practise practise!!

I'm self taught as well, but I have a small background in dance and a bigger one in acting, so I bring elements of those into my acts. Plus I do as the other ladies say and research a lot. I don't think it makes you any better or any worse than someone who's been taught in classes, just gives you a different approach.

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Thanks. Its been interesting reading what you all said. As it happens my friend and i are planning to attend a class that i'm paying for with her boyfriend for her 18th birthday. I just wondered what the general feeling was on people that dont go to classes.

I fully intended to teach myself. i have done plenty of research and i have cupboards full of clothes i've been hoarding in the style i like but im just considering how i should go about really setting up a routine. I have a few in my head that i've danced around the front room but im not really sure where to go from there.

It seems like for a lot of people, the classes are a fun and social event. I'm sure many people go to them, without the idea of ever doing a performance themselves!

Also, back in the day, it is likely that a lot of "burlesque" performers were part of chorus line-ups and dance troupes, before striking out on their own as headliners, so they would have had some solid groundwork in various types of dance, as a lot of the most successful performers do today. So they may have made up their own routines a bit more, but they would have had dance and choreographic experience first. Even now, it definitely shows when a burly performer who has dancing experience is compared with one who hasnt.

I'm not saying that anyone can't do it, but it will take a lot of practice and hard work, and it may be that going to a class or buying a dvd would give a better kick-start to someone with no experience.

I found going to class very helpful as it gave me ideas and moves I hadn't thought of before. I've never been to dance classes (except Irish dancing!) that would have helped me and Bella Besame (the teacher) really made us feel good and confident about ourselves! Howeve, I don't strictly follow the moves we did in class and make up things as I'm planning routines.
The best thing about the classes was, Cecilia Rouge, who organised them also put on an amature night which was a brill opportunity for us all!

An amateur night sounds like a brilliant idea! I can imagine a good proportion of people going away from the classes and never taking it any further. But a night like that, to actually showcase what you have learned, would help boost a lot of people's confidence that they can perform!

Yes, Irish dancing is quite far removed from burly, but i think any kind of dance experience is valuable in terms of having rhythm, and being able to hear and respond to music.