Lottie the Body at BurlyCon 2012

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Lottie The Body.  Lottie is an 81 year old burlesque dancer from Detroit, Michigan.  I have to say that upon first glance, Lottie does not look, sound or move like she’s 81.  She needs a little help, her gate is short and slower and she wears those lovely orthopedic shoes.  My first encounter with Lottie was her address at the opening ceremony of the convention we attended.  She was making jokes, and laughing all the same.  She had no problem grabbing people from the audience and embarrassing them, either.  She meant it in the form of a compliment (she was telling a current dancer that she embodies burlesque) however Lottie either didn’t care, or didn’t notice the obvious embarrassment and discomfort of the other girl.  To Julie’s credit (the woman receiving the compliment) she was gracious and respectful while desperately trying to sneak back to her seat.  I noticed this behavior from Lottie occurred often over the weekend.  She seems to lack a certain public awareness, or care for what other people think of her.  She was also extremely polite in that her hearing is not amazing, so she makes up answers to the question she thinks you asked.  I think it is possible that she may be developing presbycusis.  It seems that the difficulty with which she communicated with her assistants and others when there was music on could point to a bit of pneumonic regression.  Considering her race (African American), her age and her time spent dancing in loud clubs in her youth, it is highly likely that she struggles with presbycusis.  While all of this could seem like confused behavior, I think that Lottie is just trying to be nice.  She still has the most outgoing personality, kissing people and making dirty jokes (which are in no shortage in our world). 

Lottie and Tigger in Vegas 2010

            Lottie dropped in on a particular class I took about classic bump and grind technique.  Lottie came in late with her escort, and made a grand entrance.  To be fair, it’s hard not to make an entrance when people clap for you everywhere you go.  My favorite thing about Lottie is that she doesn’t expect that kind of treatment.  She eats it up and she is appreciative.  Lottie seems to be a full believer in reciprocal social exchange.  All the love that the new generation gives to her, she gives back with kisses and waves and “I love you babies!”.  The whole class is about bumping your hips to the music and doing a proper walk.  Lottie was sitting and cheering for us, making comments about girl’s physical features (in a good way) and shouting exclamations at girls serving especially sexy bumps.  There was a lot of polite laughing on the part of the class and the instructor, but all in all it was a treat to have her there to contribute.

            I had the pleasure of taking a class from Lottie on entrances and exits.  While it wasn’t exactly clear to her that she needed to, in fact, teach the class, she was very excited to be with us and show us her moves.  She taught us the importance of kegals and how men find these exercises especially pleasing in certain situations.  I find myself especially impressed by Lottie’s willingness to share.  From what I know about the community of burlesque 60 years ago, it was not a particularly friendly place.  I am reminded of the socioeconomical selectivity theory, in this sense.  In the beginning of her life, Lottie probably concentrated most on gathering all of the information on how to be a good stripper (much like all of us are doing now).  However, after you have gathered enough knowledge it seems to be much more about emotional ties and community.  She is willing to impart her knowledge on to us, in exchange for our love and admiration. 

Lottie and I at BurlyCon 2012

Lottie is selecting the adaptive sides of Erikson’s later stages of development.  While many dancers choose isolation and become hermits after their physical beauty fades; Lottie has clearly chosen intimacy.  She wants to be around people that care for and respect her.  She also chooses generativity over stagnation when she recognizes her worth in terms of being able to pass on what she has learned over the years to the younger generation.  In fact, she meets all 5 dimensions of gernerativity according to Erikson.  By traveling to Seattle for BurlyCon, Lottie is demonstrating a desire to pass on knowledge, contribute to the community by teaching classes, leaving a legacy by introducing herself to us, being creative and productive by selling her wares at the convention and showing us she cares by taking the time to talk to us and give us advice.

            While our community loves and adores her, even if she is loud and inappropriate at times, I definitely wonder how her peers might receive her.  I certainly get the idea that with Lottie, what you see is what you get.  I would be willing to bet her personality hasn’t changed much over her life.  She has the hard shell one would require to be a black stripper in 1960.  Certainly she doesn’t sugarcoat or tone it down for anyone, in the true spirit of sassy black ladies everywhere.  Perhaps I am thinking a bit ethnocentrically, but my grandmother is in her 80’s and I can’t imagine the things she might say about someone like Lottie.  Solely based on her personality, let alone that she is a stripper.