For a great many weeks now, I have been attending a burlesque course, with the interesting folk, that make up Ayla's Angels Burlesque Troupe.
Ranging from the beautiful and sophisticated style, of "Bonita Danger Doll", to the quirky and unusually enchanting "Harlow Le Strange", our group have been learning many different elements that make up the famed art of tease (certainly not to be confused with slease!)
I've found this course, to have provided an amazing range of new acquaintances, and a taste of the more extravagant performance arts culture in our very conservative Christchurch base.
In terms though of feeling nurtured as an aspiring artist, I'm not really sure this course has delivered. However, bringing about a new sense of body confidence, and a renewed vigor for empowering individuals to experiment with less main stream ideas, has definitely been entertaining, and for me personally, has me watching youtube clips of performers world wide, and following the many pursuits of the amazing talent that the caberlesque movement in NZ has to offer.
This Sunday serves as opportunity to debut my new alter ego - Miss Sassy Penders and nerves aside, I may not deliver quite the polished act of a seasoned performer, but I'll give it a good go.
I guess this is the part where you guys all say "break a leg"