Burlesque and the New Bump-N-Grind

by Michelle Baldwin

Though burlesque has survived in the back of our cultural consciousness after being pushed aside by modern stripping in the ’50s, the revival that began in the early ’90s has finally brought burlesque back to the forefront of popular culture. Evolving from an underground movement to a nearly mainstream fetish, neo-burlesque embraces a wide variety of modern interpretations all based on the classic bump and grind and “taking it off” with a wink and a smile. From classic tributes to punk rock revisionists, women of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds are rediscovering burlesque and reinventing it. A sense of heightened imagination, empowerment and energy are being delivered to the stage, perhaps even more so than during the historic heyday, the Golden Age of Burlesque. Slipping behind the scene, Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind undresses the issues of feminism, modern popularity, and what exactly draws the unique and varied audience members to the shows. The women—and men!—of burlesque also receive their fleshed-out dues by a categorized peek into the various troupe styles including classical, re-creationists, revivalists, modern, circus, performance art, political, queer, bawdy singers and comics. Peppered throughout the book are full-color and black-and-white photographs that fully instill the picturesque dance into the reader’s mind. Founder of one of the first neo-burlesque troupes, author Michelle Baldwin (a.k.a, Vivienne Va-Voom) has helped to bring the lost art of burlesque back to the forefront of pop culture. Baldwin has served as the creative director, choreographer, music director, costumer, financial head, and performer for her troupe, “Burlesque As It Was.” Her deep immersion into this art form has provided her with a rare view into the growth and evolution of the revival.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Feminism

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Founder of one of the first neo-burlesque troupes, author Michelle Baldwin (a.k.a, Vivienne VaVoom) has helped to bring the lost art of burlesque back to the forefront of pop culture. Baldwin has served as the creative director, choreographer, music director, costumer, financial head, and performer for her troupe, “Burlesque As It Was.” Her deep immersion into this art form has provided her with a rare view into the growth and evolution of the revival.

Reviews

[Dana]

Loved this! A great historical, visual look at the history of traditional burlesque, the bastardizaton of it in the dry years from the 1960s to the 90s, and then the full-swing neo-burlesque movement. Also, on a personal note, it validated the statement I made after seeing "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert": "I want to be a drag queen!" According to this book, "Burlesque performers, like drag queens, are more woman than the average woman. Both wrap themselves in corsets and stockings, jewels and fabrics, wigs or coiffed hair, and stage makeup--the trappings of stereotypical femininity... Drag queens are sometimes parodies of women, but more often they are superwomen." This book gave me the language to talk about that performative aspect of femininity and gender, and gave me a bit more history on the subcultures of burlesque... I was giddy when I closed this book.

[Lindsay]

This is more of a coffee table book (and as such, does not fit on my bookshelf, which is annoying), but it's a very quick and fun look at burlesque in its heyday and the new burlesque revival. It covers everything from the venues to the music to the costumes, and also gives a nod to the acceptance of everyone in the burlesque community, no matter what your shape or size. If I had a coffee table, this would certainly be a book I'd be happy to display!

[Jeanne T.]

I am editing my review of this book. I had read just about every book on burlesque in a short period when I read this book and I confused this with another one on the subject. This was the one I really liked. In retrospect, the scene moves so fast that this book is pretty outdated now, but there are great photos and writing about the neo-burlesque scene from a nice insider perspective.

[Aradia V]

Great coffee table book.

[Sarah]

Of all the books I've read on the subject this was probably the most interesting.

[Dave Blevins]

One of my friends appears a few times in this book, she gave it to me as a gift! Love it!

[Lola Montgomery Marley]

One of the very best overviews of burlesque present and past. Proud to be included in this work

[J C Mitchinson]

An interesting and oftimes thoughtful review of burlesque today and in the past.

Recommended for those interested in the genre and/or just starting out in burlesque.

[Kirsten]

Indy research...