by Luke Shanafelt
Tasseled titties spun in circles as the host, Mr. Gino, emerged onto the stage in an emerald crusted blazer. The swing band filled ears with waves of roaring twenties jazz tunes. A pastel pink haircut bounced to the beat, waiting for a dancer to throw shreds of underwear upon them.
Burlesque entertainment uses elements of comedy, music and striptease to create a feminist counterculture rooted in tradition. On the night of Saturday, Feb. 7, more than 10 dancers, including Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel, took the stage at the Eagle House.
Harry Sass closed the show with a flamboyant display of unapologetic swag. He came in hot dressed with a funky white suit and a long silver wig. As the crowd begged for more, that white suit began to dematerialize. With an array of stringed disassembly, pasty white quadrecepts revealed themselves in the red light.
“Burlesque was kind of like women taking back their power,” Sass said. “It’s about celebrating the beauty in everybody. The perfect body is what society says it is, and it’s unattainable.”
In Humboldt County, people use burlesque to express themselves without feeling shame. The host for the evening, Mr. Gino, helped highlight why Humboldt is a great spot for drag and burlesque.
“We have so many performers who feel safe putting themselves out there because we have love and support from our community,” Mr. Gino said.
Mr. Gino’s hosting skills kept the momentum of the show beating like a pulse. Backed by an incredible talent of jazz musicians and two beautiful singers, Mr. Gino could do no wrong. Cheers rang almost every minute. It was the same enthusiasm some give to the Super Bowl.
Ryan Citro, an organizer and performer in the event, talked about the style associated with drag and the time period it comes from.
“When I dress up, I want to look like Marilyn Monroe,” Citro said. “I just love old Hollywood glamor, I love being on the stage and I love creating costumes.”
Citro took the stage with the attitude of a burlesque seasoned veteran. Her personality came through in her act with a calm confidence. Her peacock inspired attire also reflected her leadership and owning her own body, flaunting it not to attract mates, but to impress herself beyond her own expectations.
“Burlesque gives me a lot of confidence,” Citro said.
Stripteasing takes some guts, especially performing to a sold-out crowd of more than 50 people. Citro created the peacock costume herself, something she tries to do with most of her costumes when she has the time and money. When she doesn’t, she looks to the community for help. Burlesque has themes of mocking high society, so hand-made costumes are not only sustainable, but also mimic the incredibly expensive culture of high fashion.
To striptease for a sold out crowd of people takes major skill, practice and confidence. These artists work hard to own their body and their style, and embracing themselves makes it easy for outsiders to come in and find confidence as well.
Burlesque dancers express themselves in a way that inspires. It’s an art form that shines light on glistening nipple pasties of all shapes, colors and sizes. In times of heated political turmoil, Americans have always had the freedom of expression to fall back on. Humboldt county’s hippie transplant origins gave the performers a comfort that holds them soft like a fern.
Humboldt is artistically rich. Whether it’s finding confidence in yourself by watching your favorite dancer, getting inspired by the epic costume design and music, or supporting the people who work hard to create events like this.
Mr. Gino had some final comments for the students of Humboldt regarding drag and burlesque.
“Get out into your community,” Mr. Gino said. “A lot of times students come up here just for school. Don’t just come to school and leave, w. We have a beautiful place here. It really is a special little bubble.”
Luke is a senior journalism transfer from Socal who enjoys video editing, music journalism, and man on the street interviews. Contact him at ls432@humboldt.edu.
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