Hello I wondered what your opinions were on performing barefeet? I adore heels but have found that I love to dance on tip toe all the time and feel more confident doing so. I know heels can put you on your toes but I dont feel I have the freedom. It all started when I had to do a devised theatre project last year in college and spent most of my time in the studio theatre with bare feet and loved it.
I'm working on a sort of torn up costume and although I think bare feet can be dainty Im wondering if it would be too dodgy to perform in torn up stockings but no shoes? hmmm? You know im going to do it anyways just wondered what everyone thought.

Also Im wondering wether to change my name to Lady Vagrant- I recently found I have a pirate in my family tree on my mum and dads side and the name was a boat my dad used to have many years ago. I feel it ties me in with my family....and going with the vagrant look hence the torn stockings and bustle.

The annoying knicker part is because I'm in costume right now and cant get them to reach the bottom of my corset unless I yank the up, its where the last clasp on the busk is there a little gap that bugs me

Thanks for reading my rambles
x

I reckon dancing in bare feet is absolutely fine - depending on the style of the dance, I guess. I've seen fan dancers with bare feet and I've seen burlesque performers on pointe too. Belly dancers are also bare foot. You could always decorate your feet I guess...

With regards to the name Lady Vagrant - what a contrast to Sweet Scarlet - the two conjour up completely different images...I guess you choose which ever best reflects your personality and your acts. Personally, I'm not keen on Lady Vagrant - it is something to do with the word vagrant, which brings to my mind someone who is dirty, smelly and unkempt - to others it might bring to mind a sense of freedom though, so don't take my views to seriously.

I know what you mean regarding the name- its far more natural for me to be sweeter but the other is more of a 19th century cockney tart with a heart inspired by Miss Lovett. I might save her for one particular act built around her. I think I always associate the name with the sea so wenchees are always the first thing I see!

I do my fan dance in bare feet and I find it helps a lot. It gives me much more control and grip than I would have in heels, which I think is a big bonus with some of the moves I do. The only problem is that your feet do tend to get rather dirty!

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You could always wash them after you know ;-)

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Well yes, naturally, but when you're actually performing on a dirty stage you have to kinda make sure the audience don't see the soles of your feet - that can really ruin the illusion of glamour you know!

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I have seen some performers in bare feet and they look great like Millie Dollar in her fan dance but there is no way i would do it as I hate getting my feet dirty and broken glass can be a problem.
Diva x

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

eek I kind of hoped most stages would be free of broken glass.

Most are, but I can see Diva's concern in that some club dancefloors aren't and if you were to walk to the stage in bare feet you might run into some glass or other debris ...

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i started out my fan dancing barefoot, i'd never seen anyone else do it before but my fan dance was more movement based than others that i'd seen so i felt it added to it, also the fact thats its about the dance and not stripteasing but quite graceful.