Looking for a great hen night activity? Perhaps it's your birthday? Or do you just want to get together with the girls?

Newcastle is the latest city to fall under the spell of the current dance sensation that is taking the world by storm, burlesque, with a series of courses being run at Aspers at The Gate.

Burlesque has roots in the Victorian era and originally was a risqué dance style designed to mock established upper-class conventions. By the 1950s, Hollywood was in on the act and recently acts such as Dita Von Teese has brought it back into fashion, as well as a return to the silver screen with recent film release Burlesque.

The Burlesque dance style will typically see ladies learn dance routines whilst wearing Burlesque attire sequins and feather boas, is making a comeback in Newcastle and is a unique way of getting fit, to say the least.

At the heart of Newcastle's immersion into burlesque is Ellouise Hempstead who runs a class called Etrois at Aspers at The Gate. She said she is particularly thrilled to see the dance increasing in popularity:

"In this day and age a lot of women are feeling more empowered and are exploring their sexuality. As well as helping you get fit and toned, our classes will deliver a huge confidence boost which will have you walking away feeling fantastic. The classes are for women of all shapes and sizes.

"Burlesque is becoming a huge part of Newcastle's emerging culture and women are starting to realise that it's the perfect way to celebrate individuality and female empowerment. Here at Etrois, we believe that burlesque is the perfect way to boost your self-esteem and self-image by celebrating the body you're in whilst having fun, meeting new friends, and trying something new and creative."

Whether it is the Hollywood influence, or the desire to take part in something glamorous, women from all walks of life from across Newcastle are putting on their feather boas, red lipstick and high heels to gain their confidence back. Etrois classes include a variety of women who are all there for their own personal reasons, whether it is regaining their self-confidence after having children, wanting to meet new people, or just to have fun and try something new and exciting.

Amy Burrell who attends regular Etrois classes at Aspers at The Gate explains the effect learning burlesque has had on her life: "Burlesque has had a massive impact on my life. My friends and I were so in awe of what burlesque dancers were capable of doing we immediately wanted to get involved. We've loved every minute of the experience and have met some truly wonderful women on the way who I know will be friends for life."

Julianty Noble is also a regular at Etrois classes. She said: "Etrois has become a major part of my life, I feel completely different, sexier and more confident about myself. I have met new friends, have an amazing social life and I feel really good."

Etrois run a beginners class in the luxurious surroundings of Aspers at The Gate, spanning four weeks, where participants learn a different burlesque routine each week enabling them to get a feel for the various burlesque styles and become familiar with the ones that are more suited to them as individuals.

"We believe that four weeks allows the women to have a proper introduction to the dance and really get a feel for which style suits them best. Whether it be the military week, where female empowerment is at the fore-front of the routine, or showgirl burlesque, where the women become Marilyn Manroe for the session, there is a routine that everyone can relate to and enjoy," said Ellouise.

There is also a second class for those wanting to develop their routines and knowledge of the art, which runs for six weeks. Ellouise added: "The women show their true creativity by producing their own routines to run alongside an overall weekly theme. The women choreograph their own routine, to their own choice of music and then get to perform it at the end of the six weeks, it's their chance to be burlesque stars for the night."

Richard Smith General Manager at Aspers at The Gate added:

"We love having the Etrois classes taking place here at Aspers. We are a venue where the public come to experience a good time, and with the burlesque classes taking place here, it just adds to the enjoyment factor."