High heels, revealing dresses and jazzy songs are some characteristics the Shoals’ own burlesque troupe, Basement Burlesque, has experienced since its 2010 inception at the End theatre.

Basement Burlesque started as a way for its founders to gain income while still being creative and theatrical. However, it has changed into a fundraising platform that embraces self-expression, body acceptance and good Samaritan-ship, said creators of the group.

The organization donates money in secret, said Betty Brazen, one of the troupe’s founding members.

“We don’t really like to make it known who we donate money to,” Brazen said. “Not because of what might be thought of a burlesque troupe donating money, but because we want to keep it quiet, period. I think it is better that way.”

The money acquired from Basement Burlesque’s Feb. 22 show, Kings and Queens, will be given in secret to a local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer organization, Brazen said.

Basement Burlesque has helped troupe member Charlotte Scarlett accept her body, she said.

“It has made me feel better about myself and my body,” Scarlett said. “To get on stage and perform and say, ‘This is what I got,’ I’m using it to express my confidence.”

Burlesque dancing is not just a strip show, said Evie Daylight, co-founder of Basement Burlesque.

“Burlesque really isn’t what society thinks it is,” Daylight said. “It is more about revealing a part of yourself that you may want to keep hidden from everyone else. We have kids in college that have wonderful skits and shows, and they are able to express their artistic and, sometimes, slightly scandalous, side.”

Attendance has steadily been growing, Brazen said.

“We usually have between 60 to 100 people per show, and that number is rising,” Brazen said. “We’ve never had a show with empty seats and usually there are so many people here that we run out of chairs. We’ve had a show in which there were about 50 people standing and watching.”

Basement Burlesque changed venues in 2013 and now performs at Pegasus Records in Downtown Florence.

Daylight said she hopes Basement Burlesque may change a few minds on what burlesque really is.

“I hope that through this community, people will see that we are a group of brave people who go out on stage and find something in ourselves to show the world for five to 10 minutes,” Daylight said, “and that burlesque isn’t just a strip show.”

Editor’s Note: Betty Brazen, Charlotte Scarlett and Evie Daylight are the troupe names of Heidi King, Savannah Comer and Katherine Grisham, respectively.