Tallahassee is home to an array of performing arts, but one people might not expect to find is a burlesque troupe. The troupe has been dancing in the city for just over a year.
Shaken Not Stirred is a local burlesque troupe in Tallahassee.
Rachel Moseley, who goes by the stage name Diamond Dahl, is the group’s Head Mistress. She says burlesque is a style of dance with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s.
“Honestly to 'burlesque' something means to make fun of, and so any satirical art-form all the way back to Greek and Roman times would also be considered burlesquing if you’re making fun of something. Usually socio-economical and political goings on at the time,” she says.
Moseley has taken dance classes ranging from cabaret, a Broadway inspired dance, to pole fitness. But the variety of styles stemming from different eras is what keeps her interested in burlesque.
Lyndsey Woods, who goes by Gylda Silverman on stage, says what she likes about burlesque is how it combines several art-forms.
“Costuming, the choreography, the physical action of the dance, the acting involved, musical performance also,” she says. “So, burlesque for me kind of ties all those things in together and allows me to do them all at once.”
Woods began dancing ballet when she was six years old, and joined Shaken Not Stirred because of the distinct group of performers involved.
Meanwhile Ashkin Dalke, also known as Ruby Rapture, says she joined for the excitement.
“It always pays off when you hear the audience cheering! It’s thrilling,” she says.
Dalke says dancing makes her feel inspired. She’s been with the troupe for over a year now.
Meanwhile, it’s a similar experience for the audience. After a recent Shaken Not Stirred performance, Marco Marotta was grinning.
“I think it was fantastic. It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before I’ve never been to like a burlesque show, and it was definitely something new and exciting and very, like a very different culture that I’ve been exposed to,” Marotta says. “So that was very, it was really cool. I really enjoyed it, the whole thing.”
Marotta says he especially enjoyed the funny improv the troupe engaged in with the MC.
To learn more or find out about upcoming performances, visit Shaken Not Stirred Burlesque’s Facebook page.