Featherstone Follies A Look Back At Our Fabulous Second Year…

Happy 2nd Anniversary to all my Featherstone Follies! What a magical year it has been filled with incredible memories and amazing performances. As we celebrate our second year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all the highlights and achievements we have experienced together. Thank you to all the fabulous ladies of Featherstone Follies for being a part of this wonderful journey with me. Here's to many more years of fun and empowerment ahead!

Celebrating Our Burlesque Ball Highlights…

The anniversary celebrations wouldn't be complete without reminiscing about our Burlesque Ball Show, a dazzling spectacle that unfolded on the 9th of November 2019 at Drax Social Club. This evening marked a significant milestone for us, showcasing the immense talent and hard work of our Featherstone Follies. Each performer, whether part of the class routine, engaging in small group performances, or captivating the audience with solo numbers, contributed to creating an unforgettable experience. With 240 guests filling the venue, the atmosphere was electric, their applause and admiration a testament to the spellbinding performances on stage.

This event was more than just a show, it was a celebration of the journey we have embarked on together, highlighting the progress and dedication of every Featherstone Follie involved. The evening’s success was not only measured by the applause or the number of attendees but by the personal achievements and breakthroughs of our performers. It served as a vivid reminder of why we do what we do – to bring joy, to challenge ourselves, and to create art that resonates with both the performer and the audience.

A Year Of Dazzling Routines And Props…

This year, the Featherstone Follies truly embraced the art of burlesque, experimenting with an array of props that added layers of intrigue and glamour to their performances. Our journey through the world of props began with the seductive swish of boas in "I Just Want To Make Love To You", creating a visual spectacle that captivated our audience's imagination. The elegance and grace of ostrich fans came to life in "Feeling Good", allowing the Featherstone Follies to explore the delicate balance between reveal and conceal, a fundamental aspect of burlesque artistry.

Over the year our students in Featherstone Follies have mastered and learned…

I Just Want To Make Love To You - Boas

Feeling Good - Ostrich Fans

Cell Block Tango - No Props

Santa Baby - No Props

Bump And Grinds - Burlesque Ball Show Routine Gloves And Boas

But I Am A Good Girl - Gloves, Skirts, And Chairs

Overcoming Challenges The Lockdown Period…

The onset of the lockdown on 17th March presented an unprecedented challenge for the Featherstone Follies, compelling us to suspend our cherished classes. This period was marked by uncertainty and adaptation, as we navigated through the constraints imposed by the pandemic. Yet, it became a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unyielding spirit of our group. Embracing the power of technology, we transitioned to virtual platforms, ensuring that the connection and camaraderie among the Featherstone Follies remained unbroken. Online classes and meet-ups became our new stage, a place where we could continue to share, learn, and grow together, albeit in a different format.

The lockdown, whilst physically distancing us, paradoxically brought us closer in many ways. It fostered a sense of community and mutual support that transcended the physical boundaries of our usual rehearsal spaces. Through shared experiences, laughter, and the occasional technical hiccup during our online sessions, we discovered new strengths and learned to appreciate the value of flexibility and innovation in our practices. This period of enforced separation highlighted the importance of our art not just as a form of entertainment, but as a vital source of joy, strength, and connection in challenging times.

I am filled with gratitude for the amazing journey we have been on together. From the sparkly costumes to the sensational performances, this past year has been nothing short of magical.

As the Featherstone Follies embarks on its next chapter, the invitation is open for new faces to join our vibrant community when our classes reopen.

Our classes are designed to embrace diversity, welcoming individuals of every age, shape, size, and skill level. It's a space where every participant is encouraged to flourish, discovering newfound confidence and abilities they may not have realised they possessed.

Tuesday Nights

7.15pm - 8.15pm

Girnhill Working Men Club, Girnhill Lane, Featherstone, Pontefract.