New 'Jewish' burlesque takes off
Burlesque was the popular art form that mocked through imitation and provided humor, satire and hints of sexual teasing. In last decade, it has become popular again, and Jewish performers are at forefront of how burlesque has been reinvented in 21st century
They go by stage names such as Minnie Tonka, Raven Snook, Dottie Lux, Goddess Perlman, Darlinda Just Darlinda and Little Brooklyn, and between them, these 20-something and 30-something women are giving burlesque a kosher flavor.
With events such as Kosher ChiXXX, Red Hots Burlesque, Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad and Surf Burlesque, these women mix their Jewish backgrounds with sex, humor and entertainment.
And New York is the epicenter of Jews performing burlesque.
Burlesque, of course, was the popular art form that mocked through imitation and provided humor, satire and a hint of sexual teasing. In the last decade, it has become popular again and Jewish performers are at the forefront of how burlesque has been reinvented in the 21st century.
Bra and panties
In August, as part of the recent 14th Street Y's Jewbiliation! event, Dottie Lux performed Hava Negilah on the accordion while doing a striptease.
Dottie was there with others to put on the Kosher ChiXXX show. The event drew more than 100 people. The brainchild of Raven Snook and Alyssa Abrahamson (aka Minnie Tonka), the event allowed these Jewish performance artists to express themselves and express themselves they did with a variety of teases - but nothing too strong.
"In general, women strip down to panties or a bra," Alyssa says.
So what's attracting Jewish women to burlesque?
"I don't think it has anything to do with being Jewish. It's about being an artistic and creative woman who is comfortable with her body and is intrigued and inspired by this comedic art form that has a rich history," she says.
And what about men performing?
"In the neo-burlesque movement that's happening now in NYC, men perform burlesque," Alyssa says.
So there you have it. If you want to see Jews doing burlesque head over to New York and if you don't want to go to the Big Apple, subject to demands, Alyssa hinted they while they don't have plans to go outside the U.S., it's something they would love to do.
Reprinted by permission of U.K. website Daily Jews
