Burlesque 101

Get ready for your Burlesque stage debut!

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Take to the stage with our most popular class! The Burlesque 101 course will start you with the basics and help you to develop your very own burlesque character and act! You will also learn a group routine with your classmates and both performances will be debuted on a real stage as part of a graduation show. Class meets every Sunday for 6 weeks from 7-9pm at the dance studio at Colourfield in downtown Asheville. Students will provide their own costuming for acts.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: After their graduation performance, certified graduates of Burlesque 101 are eligible to perform at Risque Monday burlesque shows for experience.

Week 1
-We start things off with an introduction to Burlesque discussing it's varying styles, history and picking a name to fit your character.
-Bring your heels and learn how to strut your stuff with sexy walk and strut exercises!

Week 2
-Creating your act and what goes into it. We'll talk about music, themes and telling a story through your routine.
-Bump, grind and shimmy your way to the stage! Learn these classic burlesque moves and how to connect to your audience.
-Practice your sexy prance as we begin choreography for a strip-free group routine.

Week 3
-Bring gloves and stockings* and learn the basics of peels with these burlesque staples!
-Continue choreography for the group routine.
*some gloves will be provided for exercises, but please bring your own stockings

Week 4
-How to use the stage, keep things moving and handle when things go wrong.
-Finalize choreography for the group routine.

Week 5
-We will do a quick demonstration on making pasties as well as learning how to get your tassels twirling!
-Individual acts will be debuted and workshopped with Deb.

Week 6
-Get stage ready with tips and tricks for hair and makeup!
-Full dress rehearsal with group routine and individual acts!

Graduation Show - Monday, August 6th, 2018

Must be 18 or older to join.

• Next Start Date: July 1st, 2018
• Prerequisite: None
• Spots Available: 10

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Burlesque 102

Continue your education and perform on the big stage!

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This series is for graduates of the Burlesque 101 course or new performers wanting further education. This is not an introductory class, some burlesque knowledge is necessary. Afterwards, the graduates will have the opportunity to perform for a paid show! The class will meet every Sunday for 6 weeks from 5:45-6:45pm at the dance studio at Colourfield.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Graduates of Burlesque 102 are eligible to perform at Risque Monday burlesque shows for compensation as well as consideration for other potential show opportunities.

Week 1
Let the music move you! We'll discuss how to use music to guide your movement, storyline and overall feel of your act as well as what to avoid and how to make unconventional songs work with burlesque.

Week 2
You've learned the bumps and grinds, now learn more advanced moves to give your routine that extra punch!

Week 3
Rhinestones, and feathers and fringe, OH MY! Learn all the tips and tricks to creating a stage-worthy and unique burlesque costume without breaking the bank.

Week 4
How to become established in the burlesque scene and get bookings! We will discuss the importance of branding for your burlesque persona and what not to do on social media. We will also have a short photo shoot, so come camera-ready!

Week 5
Acts will be debuted for the class and workshopped with Deb.

Week 6
Full dress rehearsal

Must be 18 or older to join.

• Next Start Date: May 20, 2018
• Prerequisite: Burlesque 101
• Spots Available: 6

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Chair Dance Fitness

Get fit and have fun in this weekly dance class!

This is a strip-free class that will give you a fantastic workout! Learn some sexy moves and simple routines in this follow-the-leader style dance class! This weekly class will definitely make you sweat and moves learned in class can also be incorporated into burlesque routines!

Class meets Wednesdays from 2-3pm.
This class is suitable for any level of fitness or dance background.

$15 - drop-in / $50 - 4 Class Pass / $80 - 8 Class Pass



Must be 18 or older to join.

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Sass Class

Take your act from memorable to unforgettable with Queen April's Sass Class!

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You've learned the bump and grind, now add the personality! This class adds the finishing touches to your act, as well as helps you to enhance your stage presence. You'll learn tricks and tips for owning any stage, capturing the audience and keeping their attention, and why smiling isn't always necessary. This 4 week series focuses on how to incorporate improv acting into your burlesque, facial expressions and more to take your performance to the next level!

Class meets Tuesday nights from 7-8pm.

Week 1
This class focuses on the essentials needed for success as a performer and creating memorable acts by using creative and act-appropriate costuming, hair, and makeup and unique ideas. We talk about the importance of character development - both on and off stage, marketing your brand, and basic act outlining.

Week 2
In this class, we work on facial expressions, eye contact, and connection with the audience. You'll learn tips and tricks for captivating your crowd with the right expression and body language, as well as simple techniques for building confidence.

Week 3
This week is all about movement. We use inprov and acting exercises to demonstrate good flow, work through common problems, and build confidence.

Week 4
In this final class, we put the skills we've learned to use. Students will perform a short improv act and are required to come to class with their best costume and stage-ready hair and makeup. You will receive constructive feedback on your performance, as well as your appearance, to help you determine what works for you and what doesn't.

Must be 18 or older to join.

• Next Start Date: TBA
• Prerequisite: None
• Spots Available: 10

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Act Workshopping Class

Feeling stuck on an act? Do you have an act that you like but can't figure out how to take it to the next level?

From costuming, to choreography and even music selection, let Deb au Nare help you to work through those bumps (and grinds!) to make your act really SPARKLE! Bring the act you want to work on to this 1 hour act workshopping class! Limited spots available to make sure everyone gets enough one on one time with Deb. Peer review and critique is also encouraged!

Class meets Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15pm.

$15 - drop-in / $50 - 4 Class Pass / $80 - 8 Class Pass

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Private Classes

Private instruction to fine-tune your tease!

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Are you interested in getting one on one help with a current burlesque act to bring it to the next level? Or maybe you'd just like to learn a sexy striptease routine for someone special at home?

We offer private lessons at Colourfield Studio for all different levels and circumstances! Private lessons start at $45/hour and vary depending on the clients needs. Some prices are listed below, but message Deb au Nare at info@debaunare.com if you don't see what yu're looking for.


Regular Class - $45/hour
Get private help with an existing routine or just learn the basics of burlesque..

Routine Class - $55/hour
Learn a choreographed routine created by Deb au Nare.

Custom Routine Class - $75/hour
Have a routine choreographed for you to any song of your choice (5 minute maximum song length).

Must be 18 or older to join.

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Advanced Sass

Take your sass to the next level!

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Perfect your stage presence, facial expression and more while learning a fully choreographed strip routine to perform for a live audience! Queen April teaches a new sultry striptease routine each series, so you can take it as many times as you'd like!'

This is a 6 week series that meets on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm.

• Next Start Date: February 6th, 2018
• Prerequisite: Burlesque 102 and Sass Class
• Spots Available: 10

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How to be a Poised Goof

with Mary Strawberry

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This class combines ballet and clowning for unique choreography. We will discuss the history and development of ballet dancers and clowns and do some group exercises that combine both disciplines. Participants will explore the importance and joy of juxtaposing opposite performance forms for unique character and choreography development and the benefits of improvisation as live performers. All bodies, abilities, and skill levels welcome. Please dress to move, wear dance slippers or bare feet, and bring your imagination!

This class will be held on Sunday, June 24th from 8-9pm
$30 for the one class, or sign up for both of Mary Strawberry's classes for $50 total!
Buy Mary Strawberry Class Package!

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Developing and Building the Best Costume for Your Act

with Mary Strawberry

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With two decades of costuming and sewing experience, Mary will discuss the important things to consider when creating the right costume for your act- including functionality, durability, materials, and building methods. Mary shares some of the unique pieces she's created for herself in a show-and-tell format for inspiration and hands-on learning.

This class will be held on Sunday, June 24th from 7-8pm
$30 for the one class, or sign up for both of Mary Strawberry's classes for $50 total!
Buy Mary Strawberry Class Package!

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Classics Class

Learn the art and history of classic burlesque with Sue Meringue

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A six week journey into the history of burlesque with focus on the classic style of performance, what defines it, and how to construct a professional routine in this fashion, with a scheduled performance date to showcase the classic inspired acts. This series will be held on Tuesday nights from 7-9pm for 6 weeksstarting on June 19th.

Week 1
History - class will "peek" into the beginnings of burlesque and how it became what we know today. We'll place emphasis on the defining characteristics of a classic performance and look at archival performance footage as photographs and discuss some of Burlesque's biggest icons and how to use their style as inspiration for a brand new act.
Homework: Choose your classic performer or other inspiration to present to class and be prepared to discuss ideas as to how you will bring this idea to life.

Week 2
Present your classic inspiration - students will give a brief presentation to the class on who or what they would like to pay homage to and discuss an action plan as to costuming and routine. Class will go over professional etiquette and performance tips in order to enhance classic performance.
Homework: rough draft of routine and basic pieces of costume obtained.

Week 3
Movement - Class will discuss classic movement as well as costume styles design to enhance a performer's moves, personality and music. We can also go over music choices and discuss how to decide if modern music can work for a classic act.
Homework: work further on bringing routine together as well as any questions you would Like to discuss in class.

Week 4
Props- I'll present some of classic Burlesque's defining props and how to acquire them and incorporate their use into classic as well as neo performances. We'll cover fans, boas, balloons, and giant props.
Homework: hustle your literal bustle, 2 weeks til workshop!

Week 5
Classic Accoutrements - I'll show you ways to enhance your basic costume with classic accessories, makeup and hairstyle. We'll talk about how to put everything together for an upcoming Risqué Monday or classic showcase performance, as we prepare for final draft workshopping next week.

Week 6
Work your shop! - Class will take turns presenting each final draft performance and will offer feed back of how to mold all acts into a cohesive, professional show!

• Next Start Date: June 19th, 2018
• Prerequisite: Burlesque 101 or previous burlesque performance experience
• Spots Available: 10

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