We got the beat, we got the beat
I braved the cold and the dreaded OC Transpo to get all the way downtown for my first-ever belly dancing lesson.
Without any dance experience at all (well, unless you count that six-class hip-hop program at the community centre in the sixth grade), I walked into Dance Studios, nervous as heck.
It was then that I realized I had been directed to the intermediate class.
I was faced with the decision of staying and potentially looking like a total fool, or waiting for the beginner class.
Finding sensuality and humour in burlesque
Burlesque is a form of tongue-in-cheek theatre that involves a keen sense of irony and a whole lot of sex appeal. According to Toronto starlet Coco Framboise, burlesque is – pardon the pun – cheeky. Framboise says the hallmarks of burlesque are a focus on character and costume, use of body humour, song, dance, sketchy comedy, physical comedy and striptease. The Charlatan’s Elise A. Milbradt spoke with the burlesque dancer about the sexy art form and it’s appeal. Below is an abridged version of their chat.
Do you swing that way?
In today’s liberal society, Canadians are given many choices about the type of lifestyle they choose to live. In a world so bold, we are now free to explore different sexual possibilities; swinging is one such lifestyle that some adults are choosing to follow.
Conquering the pole
Toes pointed above her head, positioned upside down and trying her best to whirl down a pole with swan-like grace, the Charlatan’s Sabrina Jade Doyle gets the spin on pole dancing in Ottawa.
Lying on my back, legs spread above me in a wide “V,” I smile at the irony: I'm surrounded by women. It's the warm-up to a beginner's pole dancing class. With the candles lining the walls and Shakira pumping out of the speakers, everything has a fun, sensual spin to it.
Dr. Mario’s secret addiction
Not many people lose their homes, jobs or relationships to Dr. Mario, but video games can still produce addicts.
Before you jump to conclusions about a friend’s gaming habits, there are criteria that have to be met to label them an addict. A modification of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) test is used to determine if a person is addicted to video games.
