This course takes a deep dive into the vibrant and thriving history of Black performers and their influence on the “art of the tease” throughout time.

We will explore the roots of movement from African dance traditions, to American minstrelsy, vaudeville, and the “Golden Age” and neo-burlesque eras of modern burlesque while examining the themes of Black femme sexuality, race, ethnicity, colorism, respectability politics, and more.

What to expect:

• Lecture and discussion.

• You will be seated for the 75 minutes in either a chair or on the floor. You are of course welcome to take breaks and move around as needed.

What to wear:

• Anything!

Level: All are welcome!

Registration

$30 General Admission

Free for black students and those of the African diaspora in celebration of black history month.

Registration required:

Click the link below and enter code BHM26 during checkout.

REGISTER HERE

Can’t make it after you have already signed up? Please cancel your registration! Spots are limited so please free up the spot by canceling so another student may participate! Thank you.

Bebe Bardeaux is the award-winning Doll of DC! Also known as the "Bite-sized Bibliophile", she is a librarian, blogger, and published historian with a research focus on shake dancers in the 1930s-1970s. Bebe is the founder of the Chocolate City Burlesque Academy, and she was voted #19 in the worldwide 2024 Top 50 of Burlesque presented by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine. In 2019, she won the Golden Smile Award at the Golden Legends Champion Challenge. Bebe competed in the 2018 Burlypicks World Championship after taking home the top prize in the D.C. regionals, and was nominated for the New York Burlesque Festival's 2018 Hottest Freshman Golden Pastie Award. A vintage glamour girl at heart, Bebe has also been featured in several pinup magazines including Retro Lovely, Delicious Dolls, and Pinup Life. She's the shake dancer of your wildest dreams!