Purple Whale

Or, strictly speaking, “Purple Wail,” which is a jazz number by Red Prysock that happens to be the warm-up routine in my dance class, thus demonstrated by an expert …

… but I find “Purple Whale” a more apposite description of my own elegance at said routine (or any other) after the mere two lessons I have thus far had. Hopefully this will be amended in due course, especially since the group is performing in March. Never let it be said that I don’t like to dive in at the deep end …

It has been a good few years since I last attempted dance classes, and the first time since transition. The idea has been on my mind again for some time, but it was always one of those things that I could see myself coming around to in the indeterminate future when transition was completely out of the way. Since, however, I still have no clear estimate on how long that will be, since I have known people stuck in the system for over ten years (and a fair average of five), and since one never knows what if any future the NHS will enjoy under the tender loving care of the Tories, I finally decided that there was never going to be any time like the present to live a few dreams.

Why Burlesque, you may ask? The hubby having introduced me to Amanda Palmer’s music may be partly to blame. I definitely feel the need for more Brechtian Punk Cabaret in my life … Also, I have been aware of the Cardiff Cabaret Club (formerly Burlesque Cardiff) for some years, knew that they staged regular classes and events, and were a safe space for LGBT+ people. Not to mention that since the news these days seems to be strongly hinting towards the view that we are heading towards a re-enactment of Nazi Germany, now feels as good a time as any to embrace some good old Weimar Republic decadence while we have the chance.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum … or possibly an ocean.