Pay attention to draw attention
The New Orleans School of Burlesque was started in 2008 in a small studio across the Mississippi River on the Westbank, or what locals call the Wank. What was conceived as possibly a one-time-only event has blossomed into the city’s only school specializing in the modern art of burlesque.
There are one-hour walk-in classes every week that are open to all. Just shove your insecurities in a small (or massive) box and go on in. Yes, men are welcome too. Classes start at a mere $10, and you can learn everything from dance steps to costume creation to character development. The school offers ongoing workshops and frequently has renowned performers from the city and beyond as guest teachers. The private group sessions have become popular as energetic alternatives to traditional bachelorette or birthday parties. (Note to conference or convention attendees: this would be a hell of a lot more fun than any of those boring “team building” activities being planned by your HR director.)
Info
Address 2732 St. Claude Ave. Ste 256 (inside the New Orleans Healing Center), New Orleans, LA 70116, +1 504.912.1734, www.nolaschoolofburlesque.com | Hours Check website for class schedule; private sessions by appointment| Tip Now that you’ve silenced your inhibitions, you might want to hit the karaoke bars. Kajun’s Pub (2256 St. Claude Ave) has more than 50,000 catalogued songs, including some by Pee-Wee Herman. It is considered New Orleans’ top spot to get your karaoke on.
The school was founded and is led by headmistress Bella Blue. Bella is a native New Orleanian who’s been dancing since the age of three (obviously more naïve than naughty in the early years). Today she’s considered one of the international stars of burlesque, and was even named one of the world’s top 50 burlesque artists by 21st Century magazine. Which is all to say: learning burlesque from Bella in New Orleans is akin to being taught how to throw a football by Drew Brees.
Locally, Bella is the artistic director of numerous burlesque shows around town, including “The Dirty Dime Peepshow,” “Strip Roulette, ” and “The Blue Book Cabaret.” The last was the subject of a much publicized story when Lucky Pierre’s fired one of the performers for being too voluptuous. Bella moved her show to another venue in what was seen as a virtuous “girl power” moment.
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