My Grandma Was an Exotic Dancer?!
Class Overview:
- Title: My Grandma Was an Exotic Dancer?!
- Presenter: Leslie Cunningham
- Class Description: A look at early Black Burlesque through a glimpse into the lives of the Bates Sisters, three brown-skin showgirls who helped innovate exotic dance from the American carnival stage. Created for The Harlem in Havana Project: Burlesque Education Series.
- Delivery Format: Virtual class includes a pre-recorded storytelling video; discussion questions; review/questions.
- Audience: global audience interested in American entertainment history, Black life, Women’s Studies, and Dance history.
- Prerequisites: None.
- Virtual class access needs: Internet for streaming and viewing a 28:00 video via computer or mobile phone; a class journal for answering discussion questions if you are watching this presentation alone.
- Virtual class fee: $29.99 Click here to pay via PayPal – (Once you purchase the class, you will be redirected to a confirmation page with materials. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.)
- Book Leslie for an in-person class.
Class Objectives:
1. Meet the Bates sisters who helped innovate exotic dance.
2. Learn about their influences, like the Cotton Club and legendary exotic dancers.
3. Consider a brief history of exotic dance.
4. Discover how the Bates sisters left their mark from the American carnival stage.
Class Presenters:
Leslie Cunningham is a Durham-based storyteller extraordinaire. As the creative force behind TRIBES Entertainment, Leslie wears multiple hats—artist, writer, filmmaker, and owner of this boutique digital media haven that crafts narratives from the frontline of urban music, arts, and culture. Read more.
The Harlem ihttps://harleminhavana.com/burlesque-education/n Havana Project: Burlesque Education Series – Dive into the captivating world of burlesque with The Harlem in Havana Project Burlesque Education Series! Led by the dynamic Leslie Cunningham, these classes are not your typical history lessons. Join us for an exploration of American burlesque history, specifically from the traveling carnival stage. Expect a lively mix of fun, passion, and energy as Leslie shares new and classic burlesque material, personal experiences, engaging book reviews, exciting film clips, and much more. Uncover the rich tapestry of this art form in a way that’s both informative and entertaining. Get ready for a journey that goes beyond the ordinary – this is burlesque education with a flair!
TRIBES Entertainment is a dynamic digital media company nestled in the heart of Durham, NC. Our passion lies in the alchemy of storytelling, where urban music, arts, and culture converge to create a kaleidoscope of narratives that pulsate with life. At TRIBES Entertainment, we don’t just tell stories; we choreograph experiences that resonate, provoke, and inspire. Welcome to a world where every frame is a brushstroke, every sound is a melody, and every story is a masterpiece waiting to be unveiled. Learn more at tribesmagazine.com.
Contact us to learn more.
Harlem in Havana Project 