Come explore the choreography of retro-style “shake dancing”, a style of movement commonly associated with Black nightclub and burlesque dancers in the 1930s-1960s!

Shake dancing has always been marked by wild displays of joy, freedom, abandon, and unbridled sensuality. Participants will learn how to spice up bump-and-grind acts by incorporating aspects of shake dancing into their performance style.

This class is for all levels and all bodies, with no dance experience required!

What to expect:

• Lots of movement!

What to wear:

• Comfortable clothing you can move in.

• Heels optional.

Level: All levels!

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!