The more you know the more there is to learn. Knowledge and experience create a better understanding of the world and its complexities. As you learn, the world unfolds around you displaying infinite detail that you would have never thought possible. So, what better reason than to get up and dance? Sometimes sitting and watching isn’t enough. To really experience something you need to immerse yourself in it, you have to become it.

I think Bruce Lee said it best: “Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

If you want to appreciate something more you need to learn as much about it as you can. This goes for anything in life but, because this being Tuesday Tease, today we are talking about burlesque and how you can can not only watch but also experience it in a more fulfilling way than you can just sitting in a chair. The first and most important step in learning how to do something is finding someone to teach you. This can be a difficult task, especially with something as specialized as burlesque.

Luckily for you I’ve gone ahead and done all the hard work so you don’t have to. All you need to do now is find a class near you and dive into a world of sequins and glitter!

Seattle, Washington

Featured in the Documentary film “A Wink and a Smile”, Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque has been the prominent Pacific Northwest burlesque school for years. At the Academy of Burlesque you can develop your skills in a 6 week workshop or take classes as specific as Walking In Heels, Connecting with an Audience and, most importantly, How To Get Booked. If you are anywhere near Seattle and are interested in burlesque  Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque is a very necessary starting spot. And who better to teach you than 2012’s Miss Exotic World!

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Playful Peacock Showgirl Academy founders, Gina Louise and Ophelia Flame, have been holding workshops since 2005 to performers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. You can find people who have attended their classes preforming all over the Twin Cities. They have a wide range of class topics, from Introduction to Burlesque to group choreography, Beauty Make-up for Stage and more.

“You don’t have to ‘act sexy,’ you already are. Burlesque just helps you find and release what has been hidden. Adults of all ages and shapes are welcome at The Playful Peacock, and no experience is necessary.” – Gina Louise

Phoenix, Arizona

Burlesque University‘s beginning and intermediate classes can help you build up the necessary burlesque performance skills.

Several of their courses are drop in classes so if you just want to get your toes wet and see if burlesque is for you, without making a commitment to a long series of classes, this is your chance!

Allston, Massachusetts

As the educational end of the Boston Babydolls, the Boston Academy of Burlesque Education offers a variety of classes and workshops for introductory and  advanced students.

They also host Burly-Q parties, burlesque classes combined with a party. Great for birthday or bachelorette parties.

Austin, Texas

The Austin Academy of Burlesque holds group classes and workshops for burlesque beginners and has individual classes and choreography brainstorming sessions for more seasoned performers.