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Boston Babydolls Burlesque
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Performing Arts, Dance Schools [Edit]
119 Braintree StSte 208
(between Penniman Rd & Hano St)
Boston, MA 02134
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
(617) 869-2000
- Nearest Transit:
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Cambridge St @ Hano St (501, 503, 64)
Cambridge St @ Craftsman St (501, 64, 66, 9701, 9702, 9703)
Arthur St @ Guest St - Stop & Shop (64)
- Good for Kids:
- No
9 reviews for Boston Babydolls Burlesque
9 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa W.
Watertown, MA
10/16/2010
I haven't been to a Babydolls show myself, though I plan to remedy that soon. I did just finish up a month-long set of classes for beginners, however.
The dance studio is located in an easy-to-get-to building in Allston, pretty close to the Pike.
I think the only thing I have to complain about was the sheer size of the class, though we worked around it well. I think we had something like 16-18 girls? There's nothing wrong with a lot of supportive company when you're learning and that was a plus, but the physical practice space was hard to deal with when so many people were trying not to bump into each other.
Miss Mina is awesome. She demonstrates well, explains methods performers use, answers questions and is generally supportive. She kept the tone light and fun, which is how a burlesque class should be.
I'm shy and was always one of those girls who had a panic attack in a public-changing situation or even before a doctor's physical. I've lost tons of weight, but I'm still a heavier girl. Somehow, I felt comfortable enough to take it all off when the time came. I surprised myself.
The classes were broken up into warm-ups, a short review of what we'd learned, intro of some new moves, practicing those, putting everything together and then a 30-minute "lecture" about burlesque, like the history, music, costumes or whatever. These classes were engaging enough to keep me excited to go and interested in them, even after a long day at work. That says volumes.
This was fun, empowering and worth every penny. I hope to take more classes with B.A.B.E. and eventually get in on some amateur shows. Thanks guys!Comment from Boston B. of Boston Babydolls Burlesque 2/28/2011
I'm glad you enjoyed the class. We cap our class… More » -
Review from Urdentist X.
Medford, MA
7/10/2011
Just saw the Baby Dolls last night at the Cambridge YMCA theater. My girlfriend and I were motivated to see this show after watching Burlesque (the movie). WOW- not at all what we were expecting. What we got was a cheap feeling strip show.
#1 Most of the women were out of shape. I'm not saying they have to be sports illustrated models- But, REALLY: if your job is to strip and show your body i think its a fair expectation that it be reasonably slim and shapely. And for the women that had descent bodies the facial expressions were horrible! (Think: severely constipated)
#2 The theater was hot, dingy, and had a not so pleasant smell.
On the positive side the singing number was quite enjoyable. Also some of the dancing numbers were good, but to be honest they were spoiled by them taking their clothes off. -
Review from Trish F.
Boston, MA
6/19/2008
$20 pasties with tassels.. $20? Is that the going price? I mean I know they're not charging for the fabric.. them things be tiny! Perhaps for the pure titillation of it all (yeah I went there). The Babydolls baseball themed show last night had some heart shaped pasties (which the woman said I should totally go for.. hey hey..my face is up here!) and other tassels that looked like they should be on the top of a graduation hat. I was considering buying a pair to wear on the outside of a shirt (very Madonna for the Yelp Prom), but alas the money was low from dinner and from tipping these gifted women. Darn.
I enjoyed the show as a whole. I thought the routines were cute and the lingerie was fabulous, but I kind of wanted more (not that way dirtyhead). I guess coming from a theater background I wanted more pizazz. haha But more power to these ladies for getting down to their skivvies and shimmy shakin what their mama gave them. I always wonder what they do for their day jobs. When I was in grammar school I was picked as a "feather fan girl" for a belly dancer at some big birthday party for a friend of the family. I remember this half naked woman telling me about how she was an algebra teacher during the day. I thought about my math teacher and probably threw up in my mouth a little bit.
I'd definitely love to come and see another themed show. I love the look of the time.. bright red lipstick.. glitter everywhere.. corsets.. hotness! And I got the tickets for free because I RSVPed early so that was a major plus. They actually taped the show last night because they're doing some sort of reality show or competition.. so if you see it advertised in the future, go and show these ladies some love! -
Review from Samantha M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
7/22/2007
I can't believe this troupe hasn't been reviewed yet.
I've been to a few Babydolls shows and each one is different. I think that is my favorite thing about this performance troupe. I highly recommend the "women only" shows. The audience gets more rowdy :) Even the more "reserved" women.
Shows are typically low cost and last between 1-1 1/2hrs. They sometimes perform with other, very interesting acts. Their merchandise is also great. Tell Scratch I sent you.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Lolita W.
Boston, MA
9/11/2009
I really like this group...I took a 4 week class and loved it! It takes some nerve to get up there and really perform for a crowd-which i don't...yet.
I'm totally into it and going back for more!Comment from Boston B. of Boston Babydolls Burlesque 9/12/2009
Thanks for the warm feedback. We've got a four-week,… More » -
Review from Jo O.
Somerville, MA
8/18/2011
I've been to see the Boston Babydolls at least a dozen times since I first learned of them five years ago. This is a talented group of performers who embody the spirit of burlesque. Burlesque is about the tease, the seduction, and sometimes humor. They recognize that burlesque is not just about stripping (it is theatre that involves removing articles of clothing rather than getting down to pasties and a thong as fast as possible) and the troupe empowers women to feel beautiful no matter what their body type is, which explains how they pack the venues with men and women alike.
Mina, Betty and Scratch are the founders of the group and they are dedicated to bringing back the original burlesque. The recent Madame Burlesque show was completely dedicated to recreating the experience of seeing the legends who used to perform in the city's Combat Zone (in fact, they have befriended a few legends and bring them back to the city every Easter for the Burlesque Expo). At a Boston Babydolls show, you can expect to hear music from the era (or music from the swing revival in the 90's), costumes that reflect the styles worn during the heyday of burlesque, and routines that recall that classic burlesque. If you want to see someone dance to Lady Gaga or Marilyn Manson, there are other troupes that do that, but if you want to step back in time to when sequins and pasties, a little bit of class, a lot of naughty, and a wink and a smile ruled the day, the Boston Babydolls should be your first choice. -
Review from Ukyo T.
Waltham, MA
5/22/2009
Upon taking one of Miss Mina's course, I did not feel that she was comfortable to be around. She was socially awkward, and I did not feel welcomed in her studio.
I also do not like the fact that they often send out emails regarding how their business is having problems /w the city of quincy, and are frequently soliciting volunteers to help them clean up their place. It seems rather needy for a business to be asking all the time. Please get your stuff together. -
Review from Amanda B.
Framingham, MA
8/17/2011
I've been going to see the Boston Babydolls since 2005 and I've never been disappointed by a show. These fabulously talented performers always seem to be having a good time and make the audience have a good time right along with them. The troupe has only gotten better over the years. I recommend all their shows to anyone (I've even gone with my own parents to a few). I especially recommend their Wrathskellar show in the fall, it's amazing!
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Review from D C.
Brighton, MA
9/18/2008
I am puzzled by the other reviews. All I can imagine is that many people haven't seen good burlesque, and so don't know any better.. I set up a private Babydolls burlesque class for a party. The group's manager, Mr. Scratch, repeatedly quoted me different prices for the class, and expected me to provide the venue for the class, at cost. Fine. Did that, and the class was instructed by Miss Mina, who looked as though she'd been up all night and stared akwardly into space while she danced. Additionally, she accosted certain guests of mine who preferred to keep their bras on during the class, though she'd specifically informed us ahead of time that nudity wouldn't be necessary. She then quoted the entire group yet another price, we all paid, and then I received an e-mail from Mr.Scratch informing me Miss Mina was mistaken, and I was personally responsible for the balance. Fine. After some time, I got over the unprofessionalism and bad customer service, and decided to give the Babydolls a second chance, and attended their show at Boston Billiards.. Now, burlesque embraces a variety of body types, but that doesn't mean a couple crunches, a tanning session, or a little microdermabrasion wouldn't be a good idea before you bare your ass to a room full of strangers. Some might think me harsh for saying so, but burlesque is partially about the beauty and elegance of the female form, and a pronounced C-section scar or flapping puckered thigh flab can be really distracting. The entire show was made up of akward, unsexy women with poorly done makeup and unfortunate amount of cellulite making odd coquetish faces, and one of them partially lost her pastie (it managed to hang on to her nipple by an errant sticky tassle thread) during her routine. The music was stale and boring, the moves were lethargic and poorly executed. And yet, I saw the Babydolls a THIRD time, for a charity show. Terrible. But I was introduced to "Babes in Boinkland" at the show, who seem to be a much more talented, sassy, unique burlesque group, who understand that burlesque is more than just twirling pastie tassles. I wouldn't ever discourage a person from trying something for themselves and drawing their own conclusions, but i wish i'd taken a pass on this one.
