Feb 2, 2025

Brooklyn Burlesque New York

Premier Brown Girls' Burlesque

""Brooklyn Burlesque" or brASS (brownRadicalASS Burlesque) in New York empowers artists of different genders & body types. It's curated by women of color..."

I read that Brown Girl's Burlesque, a troupe that performs a monthly revue --- Compost Bin --- often performs at Joe's Pub, near the Astor Street Station.

Then I read a quote by Chicava HoneyChild: “The work of brASS (brownRadicalASS Burlesque) empowers me because I’m a trans person of color… I had thought that I would have to be an old, white, straight man to be considered an artist. Because brASS shows are curated by women of color you'll see lots more kinds of bodies, genders and abilities than you would see anywhere else.”

Then I read this: Burlesque was brought to the United States in the 19th century, and was transformed following the Civil War when entertainment began to be seen as a lucrative business. Styles of performance like burlesque, vaudeville, (which includes varied theatrical acts) and minstrel shows (designed to mock people of African descent using comedy, dance and music) became popular. Actors began to find work.

And finally, this: performer/entrepeneur Chicava HoneyChild holds degrees in Fashion Design from Parsons and Fashion Marketing from Hampton University. She blends burlesque history, burlesque performance, dance and costume design into every brASS show.

That’s a baited hook worth biting, so I've been figuring ways of tracking their slightly spontaneous schedule to let you know how to find their unique shows.

Start here, then follow their links: Becoming Betty Page, was at the Coney Island USA Shooting Gallery / Arts Annex, home of The Mermaid Parade, the world's largest Art Parade.

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Surf Avenue 1208

Ticket:

US$

20

2125398777

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