What better way to celebrate the end of the week by going to First Friday, relaxing, and enjoying a little artistic striptease?
What better way to celebrate the end of the week by going to First Friday, relaxing, and enjoying a little artistic striptease? Gallery 5 will be opening their February art show, the burlesque-inspired “The Art of the Tease,” on Friday, February 7 during First Friday (7pm-midnight).
American burlesque, a risqué form of entertainment involving comedy and striptease, became popular in the United States during the 1860s. With the revival of the burlesque scene, called neo-burlesque, in the 1990s, many places around the country, especially in urban areas, have been putting on small-scale burlesque shows all the way until today.
According to Richmond burlesque performer, producer, and instructor Deanna Rose, the Richmond burlesque scene can be dated all the way back to 2006. “You can almost find a show every single weekend,” Rose said.
Rose, who goes by the stage name Deanna Danger, will be performing at Gallery 5 on opening night along with Melody Magpie, Moxie LaBouche, and others. “We want the audience to witness this and more, to come to Gallery 5 for all of our shows and also support the other venues that have burlesque,” Parker Galore, coordinator of “The Art of the Tease” said. The burlesque performance will start at 9pm.
The show will display various homemade items used by performers such as customized costumes, jewelry, pasties, and more. It will also include photos from Dave Parrish and Lauren Lyon, posters, and even a video installation by Todd Raviotta. The displays will hopefully draw the audience to “get a closer, even more intimate look at some of the costumes, pasties, and props that they may see for only a couple of minutes when each performer is on stage. Most of what the audience sees is handcrafted, homemade, and full of creativity and we want to raise awareness of this,” Galore said.
The opening night will include a market in the first room of Gallery 5, selling handmade gifts as well. Tables from Boom Boom Basics Burlesque & Performing Arts Studio, Deanna Danger Productions, Saffron Soliel, Cupcakes by Winter, Pink Photography, and more will be participating.
What’s not to love about a special burlesque-y something for your special someone?
Gallery 5 will continue to have burlesque performances throughout the month. “The plan is for ‘The Art of the Tease’ to be a jumping off point and for this to happen every February, grow into an annual event where we have a month of visual celebration to hone in on and spend some time with the artistic aspects mentioned above. We’ve tried to gather a variety of things to showcase for this first outing, but we just can’t house it all. That being said I think everyone is going to be surprised at what’s in store,” Galore said.
The First Friday Artwalk will be held on Broad Street and its surrounding areas in the Arts District. Gallery 5 is located on 200 W. Marshall Street. Admission to Gallery 5 and “The Art of the Tease” is free.
