Everglowing showcase review: "If someone takes their clothes off, you scream!"

Fishnets, corsets, and a side of feminist rebellion on a Sunday?
It can only be the Everglowing showcase!

With sold-out matinee and evening performances, I came, I saw and I was thoroughly blown away.

If you’ve ever been to an event run by Ivy Rose, the founder of Everglowing, you’ll know you can expect opulence, oodles of charisma and a daring ambience channeling sensuality and drama. As soon as the tickets were released on Headfirst, I immediately snapped some up and roped in as many of my friends as I could to share this epic experience with.

After stopping at the Old Market Tavern for an aperitif, we made our way to the Brunel-built tunnels of Loco Club, Bristol’s ‘home of alternative arts’ – with somewhat of an infamous reputation. The venue’s cobbled floor and bricks steeped in history provided a befittingly dramatic and secretive setting to an atmosphere electric with pre-show anticipation. Many of the performers were dancing in and out of the crowd, greeting friends and family who had come to support them – easy to spot, as they were fabulously clad in multi-coloured outfits of silks and lace, with kohl-drawn eyes peeking out of wispy eyelashes.

"Burlesque is a fuck you to the male gaze"

After collecting a few lagers and Club Mates from the bar, we settled into our seats and the lights dropped. The tension was taut, a hush fell across the chamber…and was suddenly broken by the introduction of a roaring rendition of the Cell Block Tango from Chicago. Wowed by the iconic anthem and monochrome swagger, the audience were left in an awed silence before breaking into thunderous applause.

"It’s time for us to reclaim agency and sexuality"

Awestruck, we fall into the safe hands of our host for the evening, Bella Ciao, who strides onto the stage next – a pocket rocket with curls for days, biker boots and rocking a floor-length sparkling gown that Beyonce would approve of. In between each act, she cracked jokes with us, illuminated the history of burlesque, educated us on the etiquette of a burlesque show ("If someone takes an item of clothing of, you scream!"), and highlighted to the audience the political context behind the show with messages such as: "Burlesque is a fuck you to the male gaze", "it’s time for us to reclaim agency and sexuality", and "if you liked this, go check out Fagbutt or Sexsquisite events". Bella makes it clear: Everglowing is a fun, rebellious community that supports inclusivity and continues to honour the allegiance between the burlesque, drag and sex work communities. In a world where women are encouraged to compete against each other for male validation and perceived limited opportunities, Everglowing’s ethos is all about creating a queer, sex positive space that honours everyone’s sexual expression and welcomes everyone to come as they are and be themselves.

"Inspiring to see people step into their power"

The whirlwind continued with a sassy rendition of Too Darn Hot, a technical musical theatre piece delivered with equal measures of joy and sexual tension. I was particularly proud of this performance, as it featured many of my classmates who had never performed before. This is a testament to the empowering spaces that Ivy and her team of dance teachers creates. The teacher and choreographer of the Too Darn Hot performance, Charlie, was very moved, telling me “It’s really incredible to have an opportunity to facilitate people’s growth from a dance perspective. The people in my group had never performed before and it was a real honour to be able to coach them and support them to the point where they were performing really confidently. I feel like I got to play a small part in their journey, that’s an incredible feeling.”

Touching on the showcase overall, Charlie also felt that these moments are particularly precious, given today’s sociopolitical climate: “It struck me how special it felt to spend a day in a space that was so unapologetically celebratory of female or feminine sexuality. The world is a scary place right now, and the political backdrop we’re in is very conservative, very right wing, not progressive, it feels like we’re going backwards, almost, and it was really empowering but also strengthening, inspiring, bolstering to see so many people step into their power and unapologetically be sassy and confident and sexy. And for that to be celebrated by the audience felt really special, because it’s certainly not to be taken for granted at this moment.”

Every solo act and group performance was bold, unique and precise. The iconic looks, the slick routines and transitions, the immaculate staging; all of this was due to hours of training, creativity, preparation and graft. Each solo performer choreographed and styled their act from scratch – stand-outs included Cushla’s self-made costume-based striptease to Goldfrapp’s Oh Lala (a lampshade never looked so sultry), Arachnia Noir’s juxtaposition of pastel cutesiness with fiercely sexy cake-sitting, Freya’s iconic nod to 00s legend Gwen Stefani.

There were rockstar group performances galore, with each highlighting a new language of feminine empowerment and expression: it seemed extremely fitting that the finale of the show was Moulin Rouge’s Lady Marmalade, leaving us dazzled with red lace and showgirl sass.

"Unapologetically celebratory of female or feminine sexuality"

Each audience member left with the experience of what it is like to be part of not only a dance school, but also a community. The founder, Ivy, with many events, performances and showcases under her belt, was very moved: “The showcase is just an incredible reminder of the beauty and strength we have when we self-express together. The support you all give just proves that we don't need to see other people as competition but an opportunity to be inspired and feed off each other's uniqueness and energy.” As a part of Everglowing, I can confirm how welcoming and unique the community is, all stemming from Ivy’s values of inclusivity, expression and supporting each other. If we take away anything from the glamour, the sensuality, the bravery, the discipline, the drama and the spectacle of this showcase, it is a gratitude for this common thread that binds us; a community of creative expression and human connection – which is now more important than ever before.

Intrigued to find out more about Everglowing events, courses and workshops?
Find their website here, where you can follow their socials, book classes or sign up to their newsletter.

If you're ready to bring a little more sauce and sparkle to your life, Burlesque Tarot (founded by writer Emily Cook) and The Velvet Peacock (co-founded by Ivy Rose of Everglowing) are holding events in October. Don't miss out!

Photography by Emily Parker @emilyparker.photography