The Virtual Evolution of Burlesque in Philadelphia

BY GABE CASTRO (She/Her/They/Them) ON JULY 15, 2021

Burlesque performance 2016. (Photo: Prague Burlesque/ Flickr)

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected art programs and performances throughout Philadelphia quite drastically. According to the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the loss for these communities is around $371.7 million in revenue which could lead to 41% of the organizations that responded to the survey not surviving beyond fall of 2021, due to lack of resources. While there are various grants and funding opportunities from the city, the need is high. And with the amount of  organizations, groups, and troupes competing for grants,  many individual performers had to get creative. And that is exactly what Burlesque performers did by evolving their numbers to fit on screen.

Philly has always had a vivid and unique burlesque community with shows taking place all throughout the city and ranging across genres from nerdlesque to gothic/noir. Last year, performers VinChelle, Icon Ebony-Fierce, and Amber Hikes held the Philadelphia Black Queer & Burlesque Town Hall online to discuss lack of diversity in shows and to purposely highlight the phenomenal Black and brown performers in Philly.

With the stay-at-home order, necessity drove performers to quickly adjust to a virtual venue. But, new challenges were revealed thanks to limitations on the different platforms they worked with. Though great for live interaction with audiences —which provided performers with direct feedback through the chat functions— many platforms were unsuited for burlesque. Instagram and Facebook would mute or shutdown shows that featured copywritten music, and Twitch developed a strong anti-sex work policy that restricted their work. 

HoneyTree EvilEye performing on floor, with her cat. (Photo Provided by HoneyTree EvilEye)

However, as people became more comfortable with taking work meetings in Zoom, they also became accustomed to joining virtual performance spaces where they could interact with the performers and other audience members online. It quickly became a safe space to reconnect and indulge in human interaction, something we all craved during the quarantine. Performer and

Producer, HoneyTree EvilEye (she/her), worked along with her tech-savvy partner to create a virtual space for herself and other performers. 

“The first shows had incredibly generous audiences. They were just happy to have something to do and wanted to support. They just really needed an opportunity to chat with others and have that connection,” HoneyTree EvilEye shared about the great turnout at the beginning of the pandemic.

HoneyTree EvilEye’s shows grew in production value. Her show, “Get You a Babe Who Can Do Both,” combines intellectual and sensual stimulation. Performers give educational lightning talks and then perform their numbers. The virtual production features audience games and post-show group discussions, all accessible from the safety of your home. One of HoneyTree EvilEye’s biggest highlights was that when performing from home, she can hang out with her cats. 

The transition from in-person shows to virtual was difficult but exciting. Renaissance Noir (she/they), has taken the virtual world by storm with their inventive and fun videos. “I didn’t know how to do it at first and had to teach myself a whole new skill. Video shows gave me a chance to do things we couldn’t ever do live. It inspired me to approach my art differently, to try different styles,” stated Renaissance Noir. Launching their #OneWomanArmy series of videos, featuring Renaissance Noir as every member of the K-Pop group BTS, allowed them to try out seven different looks and acts within one show. 

Renaissance Noir, behind the scenes of #OneWomanArmy BTS production. (Photo Provided by Renaissance Noir)

The pandemic has revealed just how accessible the world could be and despite being quarantined, people were able to connect in a way they never had before. Virtual shows meant performers and producers could tap into audiences otherwise inaccessible. Some venues, due to age, are not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant meaning they couldn't access the space to see the performances. Audiences from outside of Philadelphia or individuals unable to get into the city could now watch and appreciate the performances. Burlesque performers were able to participate in international productions. Even in the creation of the content, virtual content made for better accessibility. 

Performer, Rita Brujeria (they/them), had been involved in a car accident earlier this year. They suffered some harm and had limited mobility with their arm. Rita Brujeria explained, “I really wanted to give up. And that broke my heart. I had to pause my performances and focus on physical therapy. But I looked to my fellow performers with disabilities and learned from them how to continue. Through the process of learning to create virtual content I really came to the realization that burlesque is for every single body. The stage always called to me as an outlet for creativity. So I did what I could to continue.”

Rita Brujeria with performer Sinnamon. (Photo Provided by Rita Brujeria)

There are challenges with creating virtual content. It is not financially accessible to all performers and others don’t have the tech support to create the videos. But for those who could take the time and manage the cost, the experience was transformative and allowed them to explore a new approach to their art. “It’s a bit more intimidating. In a bar, people are drunk and loud, they go crazy. With virtual shows, you don’t get that direct feedback. So your performance anxiety bubbles up. Still, the experience is overwhelmingly positive!” says Rita Brujeria about the online shows. “It’s nice to not have to rush to get ready. You can sit back, have a drink, and watch your video play.” 

Burlesque can be used as a mouthpiece to critique issues affecting marginalized communities. They are celebratory, humorous, and at their core, expressive. After a year fraught with civil unrest, social distancing, and a massive spike in unemployment, what people truly needed was an escape and an excuse to reconnect. Now that the city is opening up, the evolution of burlesque continues as performers are now shaping their shows around a hybrid approach, integrating pre-made videos into their live numbers. Not wanting to lose those new, remote audience members or waste their newly obtained video-editing skills, performers are leaning into this approach. Renaissance Noir has an upcoming show, Director’s Cut, which will feature a video and then a live act from the performers. Renaissance Noir stated, “Performance is always evolving! Performers should have an outlet to show off their new work!”

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Catch these performers live or virtually at these upcoming shows:

HoneyTree EvilEye:

Slut Church at Tabu, once a month. Follow on social media for updates - @slutchurch.show

Get You a Babe Who Can Do Both every Tuesday at Tabu & once a month, virtually. 

Renaissance Noir:

Director’s Cut Friday, July 30th at Tabu

Rita Brujeria:

ShadowWerk every 4th Thursday at LevelUp Bar and Lounge

Juicy Froot featuring Renaissance Noirevery 2nd Tuesday at Tabu

Editors note: This article was updated on 7/19/2020 to include Renaissance Noirevery on the Juicy Froot show