Burlesque: An empowering experience for all to enjoy

By Zoe Sorrentino

Caption: Peaks and Pasties

Burlesque Troupe logo.
Photo by Lindzey
Martucci of Colorado Springs,
Colorado.
Twirling tassels. Sparkling sequence. Flowing feather costumes. Entrancing theatrical
performances. A growing number of men and women are finding Burlesque a new, engaging and
fun source of creative expression.
Burlesque is an empowering experience for women and men alike. It features a striptease
highlighting satire, comedy and drama without revealing full nudity.
Burlesque embraces women and men of all races, sizes, and shapes, giving them an
opportunity to develop and showcase their individual performing talents in a new way.
One of the beautiful things about burlesque is that it doesnt matter who you are, Peaks
and Pasties Burlesque Troupe cofounder, April Robinson said. Some people just love having the
spot light and burlesque gives everyone the opportunity to be creative, be sexy, and embrace
your body to be fabulous!
In the late 1800s, burlesque was brought to America by Lydia Thomson and her British
Blondes. The country was fascinated with this new way of performing because before this often
times female characters on the stage were played by males.
By the early 20th century, Burlesque was seen as a popular theatrical movement that
blended adult entertainment with broad comedy acts to create a saucy edge. After experiencing a
gradual decline in the 1940s, Burlesque has enjoyed resurgence in popularity over the past few
years.
When Lindzey Martucci founded Peaks and Pasties in 2007, it was the first ever
burlesque troupe in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Starting off with only 8 girls, they put on their
first show by March 15, 2008. Peaks and Pasties now has over 80 members with an off branch
called Boylesque that includes 25 male performers.

Burlesque is not just a ladies art form anymore; many men do take part in it. Anything
goes in what is known today as Neo-Burlesque, the modern term for the classic and traditional
American way of Burlesque.
Martucci said one of the best parts of the experience was picking her stage name. She
chooses to go by Lola Spitfire because it represents her eccentric personality.
I am Bunny Bee on stage but much of that creation comes through my own works of art
and emotions I have attached to my burlesque life, said Judy Mattie-Brackel, Peaks and Pasties
cofounder.
By contrast, Robinson makes herself an alter ego. She said: In my real life I am April, a
hairstylist, wife, and mom. In burlesque, I am Boopsie, a side show clown who branched off
from the dark circus to show off her derriere to all.
At the end of the day, the men and women of Peaks and Pasties use their popularity to
give back to the community. We are constantly participating and holding events to support
notable organizations such as the Suicide Prevention Society, American Diabetes Association,
and local LGBT and arts organizations, said Martucci.
If you ask any news station within our community who Peaks and Pasties is, they all
know us very well not just because of our performances but because of the many different ways
we contribute to society, said Mattie-Brackel.
Burlesque allows the performers to be sensual, sexy, and funny. The artists creatively and
dramatically removes articles of clothing to music on stage. What they reveal can be anything
from a bra and panties to pasties and a thong. It gives them the opportunity to enjoy the
emotional response they wish to receive from the audience.
If someone wishes to partake in an empowering, free-form expressive entertainment
with no boundaries, then burlesque is for them, said Martucci. Burlesque is theatrical, it is
imaginative, it is uproarious and lewd, and arousing and weird. It is art!
Interviewees Contact Information
Lindzey Martucci (719) 651-6847
Judy Mattie-Brackel (719) 243-2985
April Robinson (719) 999-5837