themichellelamour

Walking Away and Walking Towards

Added 2023-10-15 21:45:47 +0000 UTC

I'm obsessed with a good walk. To me, the walk is EVERYTHING in performance. Not only is it a transitional step to get you from one move to the next or from one part of the stage to the other, it is a move that is full of personality and intention. The walk can vary from act to act depending on the intention of the piece. It can be cutesy, sultry, predatory, flirty, bouncy, etc. I can dissect a walk all day!

I feel that I didn't fully understand burlesque until I understood the importance and power of the walk. I was at Exotic World (now called the Burlesque Hall of Fame) in 2004. I was in the desert in Helendale. It was Legend's Night. I think it was at a Holiday Inn in a room with drop ceilings, bad lighting and a sequined curtain as a back drop. There was a performer named Marinka (RIP). She got on stage and all she had to do was walk and the audience was captivated. In that moment, I understood the power of connection. The power of the walk. She famously would say she 'Fucks the cuuuuurtain' in an accent that only elicits sexy imagery...like fucking a curtain.

The point here is about transition. A lot of times we can dismiss transition to get to the good stuff. But transitions are SO good! One of the reasons why people rush a walk or throw it away is because it opens them up to being seen. Being seen in transition can be really uncomfortable. I'm speaking about life here if you haven't already guessed. But we can handle transition with grace, ease and style. It's not about being perfect. It's about connection. And in times of transition it's important to stay connected to ourselves.