A Loving (though late!) Farewell to spICE!
The spring session of Intermediate “Hips Don’t Lie” was spICE!’s last class at the Academy. We are so excited for her future endeavors, and so proud of her accomplishments this past year, which include being crowned the 2019-2020 Bronze Beauties of Burlesque Ambassador Queen. It is with great appreciation that the Academy acknowledges spICE! for her pedagogical contributions to the school and her consistent and dedicated student-centered teaching style.
spICE! brought with her a wealth of knowledge about teaching, the teaching of dance and a style of teaching that puts the needs of the students first and is rooted in the African aesthetic.
In addition to restructuring “Hips Don’t Lie” to make it more accessible, spICE! is excited to continue creating video burlesque work and collaborating with Seattle artists whom she loves and admires.
[… a note from the Headmistress: In January spICE! shared with me her plans to leave the Academy in May. Although I had *plenty* of time to create a transition process and have this announcement out in a timely fashion, I didn’t. I did not attend to this important communication to our community. I apologize to the teachers, students and other community members. spICE! has been an amazing teacher, colleague, and collaborator and I apologize for the way in which this unacceptable delay did not honor her contributions promptly and with the timely respect she deserves. We have discussed it. I apologized and my apology was accepted. I would also like to express my gratitude for spICE!’s recommendation to create an outgoing notification procedure for future teachers, which is now in our company files – and this misstep will not happen again.]
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]]>Academy of Burlesque Headmistress Update 6.12.2020
Our Actions Through June
Dear Ones,
This is a personal note from my desk. I’ve cross published this on my FB and IG profiles.
I write this from Seattle where I live on the occupied land of the Duwamish and Coast Salish people. (links & references to people & organizations mentioned are in comments of the post on my Indigo Blue FB page) At this moment there have been 12 continuous days of protests in Seattle in what’s now being called the CHAZ or Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone at 11th & Pine. (It’s awesome and messy and complicated and important)
The revolution is here. This is a time of awakening, activating, and mobilizing. Both the personal/internal revolution and the external socio-political revolution are required of us all right now. If you have not yet heard the call, please listen, and practice your resilience. I’m learning A LOT at this time. Exponentially more than ever before.
(As a white person I am on an ongoing anti-racist journey. I am committed to doing the internal work to peel back my complicity in and unlearn racism. I understand the inherent imperfection of this process. I understand it’s not enough, and that amends and reparations for past behaviors are still due. I am keeping track and accept responsibility for making them.)
The Academy of Burlesque has been operating online since March 9 due to Covid-19. Last week we stopped all business as usual – initially in observance of Blackout Tuesday, but ultimately for the whole week – because our instructors (a) felt uncomfortable teaching at this time (b) wanted to protest, and (c) needed time for rest and self care.
We’ve resumed some classes this week, but marketing and promotions are also not “as usual”. If most of my staff is white and photos of staff are our primary images, this does not support Amplifying Melanated Voices. Or it tokenizes staff members of color. And, promoting Burlesque classes in general can feel somewhat frivolous or off-topic to the Issue of The Day (ie Black Lives Matter). While I work to address this, I accept responsibility for the slowness of our communications and actions.
What I’ve decided to do so far is to make all of our drop-in classes available at no cost to Black folks using the code “REPARATION” through June. It’s also an option for folks to donate an additional amount when they purchase our classes, which I will match and donate to the King County Equity Now Coalition.
The Academy is not very profitable at this time so I’m personally matching the donations and also covering any shortfall in instructor pay. I share this in the spirit of transparency so that it is clear that I am accepting personal responsibility for what my business purports to do, and for the financial accountability to the instructors who have chosen to work with me.
I appreciate the patience, heart, and labor of the instructors and staff at this time. I am indebted to the patience of our students as you have endured the imperfections in service delivery, and delays in communication.
More is to come, but for now I urge all to heed the call for the #GeneralStrike on June 12.
With love and tassels
Headmistress Indigo
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]]>Academy of Burlesque Health Update 3.16.20
Studio Blue Closed as of 3.17.20 – All Classes Now Offered ONLINE.
Dear Ones,
We have closed Studio Blue to the public as of Tuesday March 16, 2020 in accordance with the recommendations of City and State Officials. We are not holding in-person classes at this time.
The Academy of Burlesque is continuing to hold all scheduled classes ONLINE using ZOOM.
We realize this may be an unconventional means of taking classes for many of you. We are doing everything we can to ease the transition to an online format for our students and teachers during this time.
We want to thank you for your ongoing support, enthusiasm, and adaptability! Also, we want to thank you for supporting our wonderful instructors, who are all working artists!
FAQ:
Why are you closing the Studio?
The City and State are recommending closures of all non-essential businesses, so we are complying with these policies. It is of utmost importance to keep our students and instructors as healthy as possible during this time – and that means limiting their exposure to other people.
Are you stopping classes?
No! Classes are continuing – over the internet! Teachers and Students will meet using ZOOM, an online web conferencing/meeting platform.
Why did you decide to do Online Classes?
Our students want to keep dancing and learning! And we want to help ensure our Instructors continue earning income they need!
We have been offering select classes online for almost two years now, so we’re thrilled to put our experience to a wider use. We are actually excited to hold large group dance classes in an online format!
How do Online Classes work?
You’ll need to have access to the internet!
Students who are already registered for a class will receive an email update, with a link to their Online Class Room.
When you newly register for a class, you will receive an email notification with the link to your Online Class Room.
Before your class time, make sure you have downloaded the free ZOOM client for your computer (zoom.us), or the free ZOOM app for your phone. YOU DO NOT NEED A PAID ACCOUNT.
15 minutes before your class starts, click the link for your Online Class Room. Indigo or another staff member will be on hand to provide tech support.
You will have the best experience using a desktop or laptop!
You’ll need a video camera (usually included in your laptop) and a mic (same) so that your teacher can see and hear you if you have questions. You can still participate from your phone, but your view of the instructor will be small!
You can participate in your living room! Try to make sure that you have uninterrupted time during class so you can focus (we know, this is a challenge for everyone!)
There might be quirks: slow connections, technical glitches, audio or video issues. We’re all learning! Prepare to have fun and practice patience.
What Classes Are Being Taught Online?:
- Bump & Grind Dance Class with Indigo Blue, INGA and Ruby Mimosa (FREE through March!)
- Zumba with Elsa Von Schmaltz
- Visioning with Indigo Blue
- Advanced Chair Work with Moscato Extatique (FULL)
- Burlesque 202 with Waxie Moon (FULL)
- Wig Styling Basics with Ruby Mimosa
NOTE: Stay tuned for info about Nox Fall’s Gutter Glamour and Inga’s Floorwork Intensive.
Will the Studio be open for private lessons and rentals?
At this time we are considering the Studio closed. We may rent out the studio on a case by case basis.
We prefer that you schedule your private lessons via Zoom at this time.
The Studio codes will be changed upon closure.
When will the Studio re-open?
We will be closed through the end of March and will reassess at that time, taking into consideration the recommendations of the city and state.
How can we support the Teachers even if we don’t want to take classes?
If you’d like to support the Instructors, please feel free to contribute to the Academy’s Venmo account (@academyofburlesque) with a note indicating “teacherlove” and we’ll distribute it equally to all our teachers bi-weekly with their paychecks.
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]]>Here at the Academy of Burlesque, health is our #1 priority!
At the Academy of Burlesque the health and well-being of our students and staff is at the top of our thoughts. Along with everyone, we’re concerned about the spread of coronavirus. We are especially concerned about the members of our Burlesque community who are immune-compromised, elders, or otherwise vulnerable. Classes are still happening at this time, but we want to make sure everyone who comes into the studio stays healthy.
Therefore, we are initiating a series of Studio Protocols that are intended to help keep our community as healthy as possible:
STUDIO PROTOCOLS
1. All surfaces in the studio have been newly sanitized.
2. Wipes are at the front desk for students, teachers, and admins to wipe off equipment and surfaces that after each class.
3. Should anyone not attend class due to illness, future class credit is always available. During this time, if the class you were attending was a specialty or guest instructor class, we will issue refunds on a case-by-case basis.
4. Should any of our instructors be ill, they will not come to the studio to teach class. Another instructor will fill in if available, and the ill instructor will receive a wellness stipend.
5. All props and shared costume pieces have been throughly washed, and will now be one-time use and washed after every class.
6. During this time, class sizes will be capped at a lower number.
We ask that all students and teachers adhere to these Health Policies during this time:
HEALTH POLICIES FOR STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS
1. If you feel sick, have even a slight fever, or are coughing, please refrain from coming to the studio.
2. If you are immune compromised, please come to the studio only if you feel comfortable about being able to take sufficient precautions to keep yourself safe.
3. Please wash your hands completely with soap upon entry to the studio, and frequently as needed.
4. Please use the antibacterial wipes at the studio to clean any surfaces you touch while you’re at the studio. This includes props like chairs and yoga mats, as well as door knobs & handles.
5. While at the studio, please lovingly refrain from extra hugs, handshakes, and person:person contact. While these measures are NOT part of the CDC and WHO’s recommendations, we would like to ask you to be extra precautious at the studio during this time.
Note From Indigo:
We are looking into a pilot program of live Virtual Classes broadcast via the internet to our students using Zoom.
VIRTUAL CLASSES
Over the last 18 months I have been teaching online classes as a means to expand our reach to communities who don’t have access to Burlesque in their area. While it was not my primary intent, I can now see that our experience with Virtual Classes may help us to continue providing a high level of service while protecting our teachers & students from inadvertent exposure to illnesses such as coronavirus. I’m investigating it now, and we will keep you posted as we have more information.
With love and healthy tassels,
Miss Indigo Blue
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]]>Mitzy Sixx is a graduate of the Academy of Burlesque who took a chance by trying Burlesque. She experienced major transformation and more confidence!
How would you describe yourself before you started burlesque?
Pretty darn sheltered (even in my 30s).
How did you hear about Academy of Burlesque?
I participated regularly in Bacon Strip. Iva Handfull and Waxie Moon had been in the shows at certain points, and one day at brunch Sylvia O’Stayformore just flat out asked me “Why don’t you get into burlesque?” It just so happened that Shanghai Pearl was joining the brunch later, and Sylvia said I should pick her brain about it. I did, and she suggested enrolling in Burlesque 101 just for kicks. If it was something I ended up enjoying, great! If not, well, at least I tried it out and I knew for myself.
What was it that you found intriguing?
The creativity when some performers stripped out of their costumes was cool. Also, I liked the fact that people could be goofy yet sexy at the same time.
What were your fears?
I was afraid that maybe this was yet another route of artistic expression that would once again refuse me. I was at the tail end of my modern dance career and I couldn’t handle more rejection. That was my lack of confidence, basically.
What was it that made you decide to do it in spite of those fears?
Again, at least I tried it. I had to find out for myself.
How long did you think about it before you took the plunge?
Not very long, maybe a couple of months. I had to wait that long because the next round of classes didn’t happen until then.
What was it like learning through Academy of Burlesque?
It was a lot more laid back than I thought it would be. Very supportive, and I think that was ultimately what led me back to Academy of Burlesque for the 202 class. That was a support I had never experienced.
What about the recital? What was it like for you performing?
I remember still not being too confident about my body until we did the dress rehearsal. Some students forgot their pasties and just stripped topless (just for the class). That made me think, “If they’re performing with nothing to lose, who am I? What am I trying to preserve?”
I only invited people I knew wouldn’t take pictures (people do because they’re excited for their friends, I get it), and people that I know I could still look in the eye if my pasties popped! I remember liking performing.
What’s the most powerful transformation that has happened in your life as a result of burlesque?
Weeeeeeeeeell, I met this guy after his Burlesque 202 recital. I just had to meet him because his performance to “Miserable” by Lit was so F*****G spot on to how I was feeling about love, and I just had to tell him. That was Eddie Van Glam. Fast forward 7 years and we are married with a child (we refer to him as Baby Van Glam). That was kinda huge.
How did your experience of your body, sexuality, and femininity shift?
I realized femininity doesn’t mean “weak”. I realized it’s ok if I want to dress sexy, and tell jerks to F off because I’m not doing it for them. I did go through a spell there where I cried about my body, but I realized it was because I was trying to please a producer with standards I was never going to fit, so I stopped associating with them.
What were you suffering from that burlesque healed?
I still have problems with confidence, but not as much. I still have problems opening up to people (new people especially), but I accept that and don’t make myself feel worse about it. That always led to a downward spiral that was hard to get out of.
Any advice for people who may be on the fence about learning burlesque?
Think of it as a bucket list item. If you like it and decide to pursue it, great! If not, at least you know that about yourself.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Coming back after pregnancy has been a challenge. However, I remind myself that it isn’t always going to be this way. My first year back I did one show when I was three months postpartum. I was pumping backstage, still dealing with massive hormonal changes to my skin, attitude, hair, shoe size, all the stuff they don’t go over in your “child preparedness” classes. And it occurred to me: I didn’t need to be a super mom. If I don’t do many shows, people will still remember me.
So don’t worry if you can’t make every show, even as an audience member. Keep in contact, drop a “good luck” message to other performers because it still means a lot, but please don’t beat yourself up because you can’t juggle it all. It’s a major transition, and burlesque will always be there to go back to. Take your time, come back healthy (mentally and physically), and show off those tiger stripes wherever they may appear.
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]]>You Learn More at Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque Than the Art of Taking It All Off—Although You Learn That, Too.
Matt Baume from the Stranger spent time at Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque to learn about the experience from students as well as Headmistress Indigo Blue.
The story that comes from Matt’s time at the academy strips away the common ideas around what motivates people to take a big step into the unknown and the impacts it has on their life’s.
“I am excited and terrified and everything at the same time,” Gino said as he prepared to strip down to his underwear before strangers, friends, and his boss.
With the weather getting nicer, Sabrina is looking forward to applying her classroom experience to real life—though not necessarily in the context of a performance.
“We always go camping, and we go to this one spot on a river,” she said. “And this year, I know I’m not going to be like, ‘I’m not going in.’ I’m just going to strip and get in there. I’m not getting any younger. Why not enjoy what I have now? I’m alive.”
“I was never gonna take it,” Sabrina said of the class. “I’m kind of a chickenshit. I probably would’ve made excuses.”
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