It’s nearly graduation time. For a display of higher learning, check out the Academy of Burlesque May Alumni Spectacular Friday night, at 9 PM in the West Hall Theatre of the Odd Fellows Building.

The Odd Fellows venue is a new and permanent venue for the Academy. The Academy was founded in 2003 by Miss Indigo Blue and offers courses in basic through intermediate burlesque arts.

“We wanted the Academy to have a home. After operating out of multiple spaces for several years, the time was right for us to move in to a space that not hold could accommodate all of our curriculum, but also serve as a venue for performances,” said Polly Wood, assistant to headmistress Indigo Blue. “We now hold all of our recitals [...] in the same space where we teach the 101 class, which gives the students a level of comfort with the venue. We also have a dedicated office space now, which has made our operations much more efficient.”

The event is part of a monthly series that gives Academy of Burlesque students the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of a live audience.

Upcoming courses at the Academy include an “Art of the Tease” class on Sunday May 23, a belly-dancing course hosted by Fuchsia FoXXX beginning June 1, plus  the ongoing “Bump & Grind” dance class every Thursday night.

Burlesque students who want to learn more about the history and culture of the art can listen to lectures from professionals. Workshop topics include “Nouveau Feminism and the Seattle Peep Show Industry,” “The Queering of Burlesque” and “The Nipple as The Contested Domain of Performance Art.”

 You can learn more about the Academy of Burlesque on their website.