SEXY, fun and a great way to challenge yourself is how Dorothy Farmer describes the burlesque dance classes she attends every week.
The retired 66-year-old from Adelaide enjoys spicing up her life and strutting her stuff with fans and gloves while training with the Choo la la burlesque-fusion dance school at Woodville.
Dorothy is one of a number of senior ladies who like to express their inner showgirl and take classes with the dance school, which has 14 locations around Australia; and the fact she's dancing with women of all ages doesn't worry her at all.
"I don't think age should be a barrier for anyone," she said. "I like meeting new people, doing new things and challenging myself."
Recently Dorothy joined fellow dance students for performances at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the sixth year the dance school has appeared there.
She has been learning burlesque-fusion, a combination of burlesque and other dance styles, for the past year. She also does weekly burlesque singing classes and really enjoys performing, dressing up and the "bit of bling".
No stranger to hoofing it, Dorothy has also learned belly dancing and flamenco.
Choo la la founder Mel Cherrett describes the dance school as a "special place where women can come and feel safe to express themselves and feel empowered by all the girls around them".
She whether you were a complete beginner or had danced your whole life but wanted to try something new, burlesque was the perfect way to spice up your life while being a great alternative to fitness.
"It's a sisterhood, a tribe of women who support each other, laugh and have fun," she said. "We started Choo la la in a small church with five women. Now seeing 300 beautiful local ladies performing at the Fringe was just a dream come true and we hope to spread the Choo love with more SA women."
Classes are held in the Adelaide CBD, Woodville, Tea Tree Gully, Fullarton, Old Reynella, Gawler and Payneham. There are also classes in NSW and Victoria and it is hoped to open 16 more dance studios by the end of the year.
