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Showtime: Burlesque performance entertains, educates

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POLSON — Eleven ladies in shimmery satin, colorful lace and feather boas dancing and singing isn’t an everyday sight in Polson. But the women of the Black Satin Revue hope to make it a more common one.

After a wildly successful opening weekend with their “sassy, classy burlesque” show, organizers Julia Roberts and Kjersti Day say they’ve got plenty more entertainment in store for Western Montana, possibly moving into other dance styles besides burlesque.

“We really want to do a couple weekends a month and travel around the (Mission) Valley,” Day said.

In early December, Roberts, owner of Polson’s Mission Valley Dance studio, and Day were brainstorming how to put on some local entertainment that would get adults into performing, and they decided to give burlesque a shot. It wasn’t long before they had a group of 11 women and several musicians rehearsing about 15 hours a week for a two-hour production featuring a variety of humorous, sexy and even poignant songs, dances and skits. While the show is undoubtedly based in fun and entertainment, the women have a message to share, too, Roberts explained.

“Anytime I do a show I like to address issues that make people think,” she said.

This time, the issue Roberts and Day chose was domestic violence, a huge, although often hidden, problem in rural Montana. A three-song medley, “Tea for Two,” “Skip a Rope,” and “Do Right,” brings attention to the issue, pointing out how damaging domestic violence and abuse can be.

“I think that music and dance is a really powerful way to bring a message to people,” Roberts said. “And it’s also really fun.”

The other dancers agree, saying putting on the show was thoroughly enjoyable, but what they’ll really take away from the experience is something a little deeper than just fun memories.

“It’s empowering; it’s liberating,” Whitney Mills said. 

When Day and Roberts began planning the show, they intended to use the Black Satin Revue to share a valuable message with the community, but as it turned out, the dancers themselves had an educational experience. Not only did they bond with each other, they also experienced a new freedom through the performance.

“What we found was that the women we affected the most were the ones that were part of the group,” Day said.

The sassy, sensual style of burlesque is a perfect medium for women to express themselves freely, Day explained. As dancer Cyndi Elliot put it, “This is truth.”

“Being sexy, being alluring and attractive is just as much a part of us as anything else in human nature,” Day added.

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