Strasbourg: "clandestine summer", burlesque stripping as a remedy for the gloom of this month of July

Tired of the weather that looks gray? Tired of raincoats and rain boots? Relax: thanks to the Strasbourg dance school "La Clandestine" directed by Luna Moka, we spend hot hot hot evenings! on the program, burlesque stripping, French cancan and cabaret at the Colod'Art space.

Come rain or shine, to be sure to gain a few degrees in temperature, head to the Colod'Art space, located at Plaine des bouchers in Strasbourg. It is there that the Clandestine dance school has taken up residence in the summer for a series of shows until July 31.

All you have to do is let yourself be carried away to an extravagant universe, carried by dancers called Rouge de Porcelaine, Pixelle Fury, Tiger Lili, Les Charmantes Carrousels, Claire Obscur, or the Minuit Sisters . In a white-hot atmosphere, we no longer hesitate to remove a few layers of clothing. It is even recommended.

Show must go on

It's the revenge of the cultural world, confined for too long. Because of the coronavirus epidemic, at the “La Clandestine” dance school, it was necessary to replace classes with video meetings. “We lost a lot of students on the way,” recognizes Luna Moka, the director. The school has grown from 120 students to around 50. So, to reward the most diligent, she offered them to perform in public.

With intensive training since the resumption of face-to-face classes, the result is such that the initial objective of a single weekend of performance has been exceeded. Finally, the programming will last the whole month of July. "I wanted to mark the occasion, show what we can do," explains Luna Moka. It could also rekindle those who had given up, and why not, seduce other girls.

An escape during confinement

For Eva Polak, 25, confinement and video lessons were certainly not a deterrent. "Even if it wasn't always easy, even if the connection was sometimes bad, these classes helped me to hold on. They were an escape from confinement" she says.

Someone here doesn't know how to use ratchet straps. They're digging out the mash tun in a wetsuit when I find them. https://t.co/htrS3AaR9V

— Daz Mon Nov 02 15:45:38 +0000 2015

Eva Polak has always danced: classical, hip hop, modern jazz, she has alternated all styles. "But I wanted to find myself in tune with myself. The universe of rhinestones and sequins clearly attracted me. I had been watching what girls were doing on social networks for a year, so I decided to take the leap". A bit like a challenge launched to oneself, with the satisfaction of having dared to take it up.

Feathers, hats and boas

A burlesque striptease show is much more than dancing, confirms Luna Moka. Her students are between 20 and 55 years old, "Most want to reclaim their bodies, to feel beautiful" she specifies. Of course, there is the sporting aspect, but in this discipline, the costumes, the accessories are decisive. The school keeps a stock of feathers, hats and boas available to students.

In contrast, lingerie is always personal: “I just make sure they choose items they feel good in,” says Luna Moka.

To prepare for the shows, there were also costume customization workshops: moments of complicity and also of frank laughter: because in burlesque stripping, humor and self-mockery are worn like a second skin.

Feeling free

The prospect of going on stage really motivated the troops. "Meeting with the public is great, it breathes new life, it's a lot of emotion!" exclaims Eva Polak.

She participates in several choreographies, but the one she prefers is a Charleston dance, 20s atmosphere "It's clearly a time when I would have liked to live, she says. The costumes are very classy, ​​the hairstyles stylish , and the choreography has a lot of pep"

What about the eyes of others? Benevolent, summarizes Luna Moka. She, who trained in burlesque stripping in London, before opening her school in Strasbourg ten years ago, saw mentalities evolve. Today's spectator is no longer at all shy, he freed himself. He dares to intervene, support, applaud, which was much less the case a few years ago.

Looks change, but there is one constant: the public is mostly female. Women who want to have fun, and who incidentally bring their husbands.

Upcoming shows: