Replies to This Discussion

StudentPermalink Reply by Misty Montaigne on December 9, 2010 at 1:02pm

Burlesque has lots of props to choose from including gloves, parasols, balloons, screens you can dance behind, chairs, etc.

I have never done an act with a feather boa and know lots of burlesque dancers who don't. Fans are awesome but not particularly necessary. If you are going to use a fan, be sure to take a class or get a really good video. Fan dancing is much harder than it looks to do properly. However, if you really want to learn the art of fan dancing, you do not need to go out and buy the giant feather fans. You can use little fans from the dollar store or practice with pieces of cardboard.

You can be creative and make "fans" out of anything you want. I made mine out of buckram, fabric, glitter, and some supporting material to look like autumn leaves. I've heard of fan dances being performed with newspaper.

I'm not sure I would want to use a hoop in addition to another prop. The hoop itself is already a wonderful prop and keeps you pretty busy. That being said, why not try to do a fan dance while hooping? I doubt your audience would complain that they've seen it already ;)

Whatever prop you use, decide why you want to use it and how your use of the prop makes you really stand out in a sea of burlesque dancers.

Cheers!
-Misty Montaigne

Permalink Reply by GlowBunny on December 9, 2010 at 8:18pm

Wow this was very helpful! I was entranced by the idea of feather fans at first but decided Id first master the art of burlesque striptease and a feather boa first but thanks to your post now I know I should perhaps leave fans for later. I was looking into buying these DVDs by Jo Weldon

http://www.amazon.com/Silk-Feathers-Burlesque-Fan-Dance/dp/B001LWBLWC
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QD09Q0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?p...

Im going to wait until I save up enough for fans because I really think they are beautiful. Thank you for your input! Im a newbie so this has been very valuable to me! :)

Permalink Reply by Valentina (Unity) on December 9, 2010 at 1:59pm

I have used feather boas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Ex7quBsmc
Chairs and fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiNyLjy9hV0

Haven't gotten into the feather fans yet but would love to one day! I really like Misty's response about hooping on its own being enough but if you incorporate other props with hooping and do it well, it's something new and fresh! Also the bit about why you want to use a prop and how you're making it different is totally on point!

Permalink Reply by GlowBunny on December 9, 2010 at 8:22pm

Ooh I love your feather boa video!!! Thanks Valentina! I think Im going to start with the boa, then fans especially way before I try using a hoop and fans haha. Please let me know whenever you do get into fans! That would be super!

StudentPermalink Reply by Misty Montaigne on December 9, 2010 at 8:42pm

I haven't watched Jo's videos but I've taken some classes with her and she is amazing.  She definitely knows her stuff!

Permalink Reply by GlowBunny on December 10, 2010 at 10:36am

thats great! now I know to buy the dvds!

StudentPermalink Reply by Misty Montaigne on December 9, 2010 at 8:50pm

Love the chairs and fire video.  Fire tassels rock!

Permalink Reply by Harlow [Hulacination Hoops] on December 16, 2010 at 4:01am

Oh I love chair dancing! I have a chair routine but I barely ever do it. Chair and hoop can work together well.

Permalink Reply by Cookie Hoops on February 14, 2011 at 11:11am

Yes, I love chairs too (have you seen Cabaret with Liza Minnelli?) I'm really inspired by this group! TY

StudentPermalink Reply by SomethingWicked1313 on December 10, 2010 at 1:28pm

I used to do a balloon routine. *sigh* My persona was kinda country, good ol' girl from the South... I used to dress like a cowgirl and I bought these awesome guns that have the "BANG" flag!

Permalink Reply by GlowBunny on December 11, 2010 at 10:03pm

Very cute! Do you have any videos or pictures?

Permalink Reply by Harlow [Hulacination Hoops] on December 16, 2010 at 4:00am

My friend does a balloon routine! She did one last night to "Candyman" by Christina Aguilera and had some of the balloons filled with candy! She also did a balloon act to that Lady Gaga song with the word "bang" in it a lot and had a pin attached to the end of a toy gun.

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