Risqué business

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This article was published 14/02/2017 (3334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For those reeling from Valentine’s Day and the sugar induced headache it can cause, Meagan Funk has a holiday hangover cure.

The professional dancer and instructor is hosting Valentine’s Hangover: A Burlesque & Dance Cabaret at The Park Theatre (698 Osborne St.) on Sat., Feb. 18. The variety show will feature 20 acts including pole dancers, singers, male and female professional burlesque performances, drag queens, and members of Funk’s Prairie Diva burlesque fusion classes.

Funk jokes that if your significant other didn’t follow through on that Valentine’s gift or missed out on making a reservation for dinner, the show might be the perfect way to make up for the folly.

“It all revolves around Valentine’s Day and love,” Funk said. “If you still want that fix of Valentine’s Day you can still check out the show afterwards.”

And for the cynics and singles, it’s also an opportunity to check out a seldom staged form of entertainment that’s exciting and empowering.

“Burlesque is for everyone and it’s not meant to segregate anyone,” Funk explained. “It’s for any age, any gender, any lifestyle and it’s basically for anyone who wants to get out and see some entertainment. It’s good clean fun.”

Funk has been teaching burlesque out of Ted Motyka Dance Studio in Winnipeg’s downtown for about three years and has seen interest in the striptease performance grow steadily. Since establishing M. Funk Dance Productions, her professional burlesque company, and Prairie Diva, the instruction arm of her business, Funk has introduced a new style dance in Winnipeg called “burlesque fusion” for those who want to take on the sexy performance without taking it off.

“Classic burlesque is about the art of strip tease, and teasing the audience not so much with dance moves, per se,” Funk explained. “Burlesque fusion, I like to say that it’s burlesque and modern day style of dance set to popular music.

“It’s made to make women get out of their comfort zone and feel sexy and confident doing these moves, especially up on a stage.”

Of the 20 acts performing at the Valentine’s Hangover, a number will be members of the Prairie Divas showing off the skills they’ve gained since practising burlesque.

“For some it will be there first time dancing on a stage and they just want to get out of their comfort zone and try something new,” Funk said.

Tickets for Valentine’s Hangover are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The show starts at 9 p.m. and is for ages 18-plus. Funk said her last burlesque cabaret sold out and expects a similar crowd for this year’s love affair.  

“Some people didn’t really know what to expect or were just excited to see what was out there. I remember there was a buzz in the audience with everyone cheering and screaming,” Funk said. “There’s a huge buzz and a really nice energy.”

For tickets and more information go to mfunkdance.com

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