This class has been canceled. We hope you can join us for a different class or any of the three performances of the first
Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival! We apologize for any inconvenience. Tickets will be automatically refunded. See you this weekend!
BeBe Bardeaux–Kings, Queens, and Shake-Dancers on the Scene: The History of Black Burlesque and Drag in America
Students will explore the rich history of Black burlesque and drag shows in America, including the sociopolitical and cultural dynamics that both separate and intertwine these communities. There will be a focus on local DMV burlesque and drag history.
Bebe Bardeaux (she/her) is the award-winning Doll of DC! Also known as the “Bite-sized Bibliophile,” Bebe is a librarian, blogger, and published historian with a research focus on shake dancers in the 1930s-1970s. She was voted #46 in the worldwide 2021 Top 50 of Burlesque, presented by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine. In 2019, she won the Golden Smile Award at the Golden Legends Champion Challenge. Bebe competed in the 2018 Burlypicks World Championship after taking home the top prize in the DC regionals, and was nominated for the New York Burlesque Festival’s 2018 Hottest Freshman Golden Pastie Award. A vintage glamour girl at heart, Bebe has also been featured in several pinup magazines including Retro Lovely, Delicious Dolls, and Pinup Life. She’s the shake dancer of your wildest dreams!
https://doebardot.wixsite.com/library
Student requirements for class: Just come as you are!*
*no street shoes or high heels (only dance shoes for the dance studio or bare feet)
Advanced: $25, $22 Members
At Door Tickets: $30, $27 Members
Charm City Burlesque and Variety Festival
Performance | FRI SEP 29
8PM FILTHY GORGEOUS VARIETY Hosted by Maki Roll & Kittie Glitter
Workshops | SAT SEP 30
10AM JACQUELINE BOXX–PIN-UP POSING FOR ALL BODIES
11AM EDEN- CONSENT AT YOUR EVENT
12PM BUNNY VICIOUS-CELEBRATING SELF BY INTENTIONALLY TAKING UP SPACE
2PM MAKI ROLL-THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO NERDLESQUE!
3PM CRYSTAL BLACK: LIQUID MOTION®
4PM BEBE BARDEAUX-KINGS, QUEENS, AND SHAKE-DANCERS ON THE SCENE
The History of Black Burlesque and Drag in America
Performance | SAT SEP 30
8PM THE TELL-TALE MASQUERADE Hosted by Eden & Aurora Gorealis
11AM NAIMAH-SAUCY & SLINKY: BELLY DANCE INSPIRED CHOREOGRAPHY
12PM JAMES TAYLOR-WHY WE’RE HERE – AN OVERVIEW OF VARIETY’S NEAR-PAST ORIGINS
Performance | SUN OCT 1
2PM DRAG ME TO THE STAGE Hosted by Betty O’Hellno