By Kristi Alexandra
@kristialexandra
For a festival that lauds taking ownership of Indigenous identity, Indigifemme was the perfect introduction to Talking Stick Festival.
The 10-day fete celebrating Aboriginal arts and culture kicked off on February 14, but my first foray into the 17-year-running event was on Friday night (February 16) with the Virago Nation burlesque troupe.
Considering Virago Nation’s manifesto is “to show that Aboriginal women will not be confined to the virgin-whore dichotomy, but will forge a new reconciliation with their bodies, through humour, seduction, pop culture and politics,” the six Viragos definitely did their job.
In less than two hours, I laughed. I cried. I felt turned on.
Introducing the all-Indigenous burlesque troupe was poet and spoken word artist Taran Kootenhayoo, as DJ Kookum (Cheyanna Kootenhayoo) provided the backing music for the show.
Opening the set was the six core dancers with Pow Wow a-Go-Go, a sixties style go-go performance playfully incorporating each of the women’s burlesque personalities: Ruthe Ordare, Shane Sable, Scarlet Delirium, Manda Stroyer, Sparkle Plenty, and RainbowGlitz.
A special appearance by Lilac Lust brought a blues-rock change of pace to the evening, while mainstay members of the group stepped up in later songs to deliver their very own performances.
Glove removals, snap off bras, feathers and tons of fringe kept the burlesque performances classic, while the women’s varied personalities shone through, showing that Virago Nation really is reclaiming Indigenous women’s sexual identity.
The evening was punctuated with sexual confidence and comedy, as Sparkle Plenty co-hosted the show, giving tons to admire.
If sexual empowerment is the aim of Virago Nation, Indigifemme gave us a generous taste of what that might be like. Luckily for inspired onlookers, Virago Nation is generously offering to share its knowledge in the group’s upcoming workshops KISS: Keep It Simple Showgirl and Dangerous Curves.
Keep It Simple Showgirl is a simple striptease class for femmes and female-identifying beginners and burlesque lovers. It takes place on February 21 at 8 pm at Jim Green House Studio (1885 Venables St, Vancouver). The class is pay-what-you-can with no voyeurs allowed. Find out more here!
Dangerous Curves is a workshop class for beginner showgirls and showboys to learn how to use every inch of their body to its full potential. Rooted in voluptuous movement, this class will focus on smooth body rolls, sexy hip sways, bumps, grinds and embracing the jiggle. Pay-what-you-can, no voyeurs allowed on February 21 at 7 pm. Find out more here!
Kristi Alexandra is an unabashed wino and wannabe musician. Her talents include drinking an entire bottle of cabernet sauvignon, singing in the bathtub, and falling asleep.
