Afrotease, Virginia’s longest running burlesque showcase for performers of color, came to its creator on a whim. Venessa Chevelle hadn’t had any aspirations of producing, but when the producer of the Richmond Burlesque Revue decided to step away from burlesque in 2016, Chevelle was offered the show’s regular time slot at Gallery 5. As producer, host and performer, she’ll be celebrating Afrotease’s 7th anniversary this Saturday at Gallery 5.
Inspired by shows like Gigi’s Chocolate Lounge in D.C. and Jeezy’s Juke Joint in Chicago, Chevelle knew that if she intended to produce a show, it had to mean something to her. “I wanted to be different, and I wanted my fellow BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of color] performers to have a place we could feel celebrated and safe, a place to call our own,” she explains. “I thought, why can’t we have that here? Richmond is so diverse, and having been here my whole life, I wanted my stage to reflect the voice of Black and brown performers locally and subsequently, nationally.”
Afrotease is different because it was the first show of its kind in Virginia. It was the first show to highlight BIPOC performers, and the first show run by a queer Black femme. Significantly, it was the first show to implement American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. “It was a lot of firsts for Richmond and Virginia,” Chevelle says with pride. “It’s been great to see how Afrotease has paved the way for other Black and brown producers to make their own creations for the masses.”
While primarily showcasing burlesque-specific entertainment, Afrotease has also featured singing, drag, belly dancing and pole dancing in the past. “I really just love entertaining my audience,” she says. “So if I find a performer I think is dope and will fit well with the vibe of the show, I’m always excited to have them.”
Afrotease is part of a broader burlesque renaissance. Chevelle attributes that to people needing a creative outlet, as well as looking for ways to express themselves and feel comfortable in their skin. “You also have the uptick of burlesque in media and social media,” she explains. “Especially during the quarantine part of the pandemic, a lot of performers shifted to a more visual representation of the artform and were seen anywhere from TikTok to music videos to online shows.”
Since its start in 2016, Afrotease has seen a notable change in that the audience now reflects the cast, an accomplishment Chevelle is particularly proud of. When she first began producing the show, the audience was overwhelmingly white patrons. “Although I’m always happy to have white audience members, it can feel uncomfortable or like you’re just ‘for show’ when you have a performance like this,” she says.
Having a diverse audience was the first thing she set out to change, making sure that Black and brown folks knew about Afrotease’s shows, and could see themselves reflected on stage.
“Representation matters and that goes both ways because I want my performers to see themselves in the audience too,” she says. “It’s hard to explain, but it just feels different when you’re doing something that impacts the communities and intersections you hold, and I wanted my audience to reflect me, a queer person of color.”
The other major difference is the added staple of having ASL interpretation. Over the last couple of years, Chevelle has made it a priority to have an interpreter at every show and to have seating for the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as accessible seating for anyone who needs it.
Another point of pride is changing tipping culture for Afrotease, but also for Richmond in general. Chevelle recalls going to shows in other cities and seeing the floors littered with bills, only to return home to hear producers say that tipping is tacky or not fully committing to allowing tipping during the shows. “Let me tell you, everyone loves tipping, and they really get into it as a way to be a part of the show,” she says. “And obviously the performers love it because it’s just another way that we feel appreciated and like our work matters.”
So what’s a first-timer to expect at the upcoming Gallery 5 show besides a fun time? Chevelle says it’s an experience that takes the audience on a journey of empowerment, self-love and a deeper appreciation of the vulnerability of being a marginalized person on stage.
“There will be partial nudity, so please expect that, and we do really stress the importance of informed consent so that all parties involved have a safe and good time,” she says. “The crowd is enthusiastic and honestly are just as much a part of the experience as the performers. Bring friends, bring lots of bills and have a good time!”
Afrotease 7th anniversary performance takes place on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. at Gallery 5, 200 Marshall Street. Gallery5arts.org
