Burlesque group fights stripper tag

A Calgary dance troupe says the province is unfairly censoring their performances by classifying them as nude entertainment.

The Garter Girls bill their shows as a form of burlesque, an often risqu style of musical and variety show often involving striptease that was popular in the early 20th century.

But according to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, the performers are exotic dancers. As such, they are subject to a number of regulations including limited interactionbetween performers and the audience.

"When you're referring to women with bare breasts, women wearing pasties, under the AGLC's policies, that is nude entertainment," said AGLC spokeswoman Christine Wronko.

But there is a big difference between burlesque and a strip show, according to Garter Girls manager Arielle Rombough.

'Putting these regulations on burlesque keeps it from being the very thing that defines it from exotic dancing.' Arielle Rombough, Garter Girls manager

"Putting these regulations on burlesque keeps it from being the very thing that defines it from exotic dancing," she said.

"By not allowing us to interact with each other or our audience even in a non-sexual manner we can't be theatrical," she said.

"So really it's kind of putting us inside a box that makes us more like exotic dancers, which is something we're not interested in."

The Garter Girls have started an online petition to change how burlesque is classified in Alberta. But the AGLC said it has no plans to changeor even review itspolicies.

Burlesque has seen a ressurgence in popularity recently in North America. There are annual festivals devoted to it in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

And Burlesque, a Sony Pictures film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, opens on Nov. 25.