{"id":655,"date":"2026-05-20T12:09:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pomegranatemag.co.uk\/?p=655"},"modified":"2026-05-20T17:16:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T16:16:03","slug":"the-empowerment-of-burlesque-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pomegranatemag.co.uk\/?p=655","title":{"rendered":"The Empowerment Of Burlesque"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Burlesque is a dance form that often involves dramatic production and a strip tease. This is perfect for body empowerment and boosting confidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This form of entertainment is something that has been fully embraced by members of the University of Sheffield Burlesque Society, The Steel City Sirens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Empowerment of Burlesque\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nhdnXEP5Ptc?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The society runs regular classes and shows for their members to perform, offering an open and inclusive environment for anybody who wants to try out the artform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indie Driscoll, 20, from Worcestershire said: \u201cI\u2019ve always loved to dance but I have no technical training so burlesque seemed like the most relaxed way to express myself in that way and it definitely has been. The majority of us don\u2019t have training, we\u2019re just there to shake our butts and have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt really does empower you in a way that nothing else does. I\u2019ve done public speaking before and even that doesn\u2019t get anywhere near burlesque.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Steel City Sirens encourage their members to create performances inspired by anything they choose, whether that be a solo, duet or group performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They often create their own costumes, pick out songs and choreograph their own routines. This makes it a great creative outlet for those who choose to get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nicole Allen, 24, from Sheffield said: \u201cIt\u2019s a dance form with no set boundaries, you don\u2019t have to be able to dance. It\u2019s more of a creative thing, it\u2019s a very open form of art. You could make a routine inspired by anything. You can do whatever you want to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt has really changed how I see myself, I\u2019ve become so much more confident since joining burlesque.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Privacy and consent are a huge part of burlesque, with both the performers and audience members adhering to rules around touching and respect during a performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of their members choose to stay anonymous on social media but embrace the openness of burlesque through dance and performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This form of dance empowers body confidence and personal growth for many people in the society, allowing them to embrace creativity and sexuality in a supportive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aphrodite DeVille, 22, from Leicestershire, who is choosing to go by her stage name for privacy, said: \u201cI\u2019ve always been quite quiet and sheltered and it\u2019s been amazing for my confidence. The fact I can think I\u2019ve got on stage and taken my clothes off in front of a crowd of people, what can\u2019t I do now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s amazing for body confidence, I\u2019ve always been slightly on the larger size and struggled with my body but burlesque and being able to walk on stage and have people cheer for you feels so supportive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You feel desired in a way that you want to be. You don\u2019t feel objectified, you feel in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the best thing in the world, I love it so much and it\u2019s grown my confidence so much. It\u2019s the best thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Steel City Sirens speak to Pomegranate about why burlesque is empowering and how it builds body confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232,"featured_media":637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20,22,53,47],"tags":[105,48,95,41,108,107],"class_list":["post-655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body","category-culture","category-must-reads","category-top-story-of-the-day","tag-art","tag-body","tag-burlesque","tag-culture","tag-empowering","tag-sheffield"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Empowerment Of Burlesque - Pomegranate<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pomegranatemag.co.uk\/?p=655\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Empowerment Of Burlesque - 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