We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Solis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Running The Aphrodisiacs, my Burlesque Dance Troupe, has been the most meaningful creative project I’ve ever worked on. I was raised as a Southern Baptist down in Georgia. While there was some passion and beauty within the community there was also a lot of shame around sexuality and especially homosexuality. As a young queer woman with a raging libido and a strong need to express myself I was constantly Sl*t shamed by my peers and family and forced to essentially stay in the closet until I could be financially independent.
The same attitude pervaded much of my young dance career as well. When working with mainstream shows, events and choreographers I was constantly told to cover my body more, move less sensually and be more “appropriate”.
Almost Every message I received around my sexuality was negative until I created my own community around body positivity and sensual expression.

Upon first moving to Oahu, Hawaii I auditioned for a budding Burlesque group founded by Pretty Peacock Productions. I didn’t know what burlesque was but my friend who invited me told me that it was some type of Dance. I was new and in town and had nothing to lose so I auditioned, was hired for the show and soon realized that I had found my passion.
By blending my classical dance background with the art of striptease I am able to heal from all the shame and guilt attached to my erotic nature as a youth. I’m able to honor my sexuality on an artistic level. I am able to not only embrace but elevate my relationship with my body and hold space for my audience to do so as well.

When our founder moved away I took over running the Aphrodisiacs and started producing Dance & Burlesque Shows wherever would allow us. Yes, many venues reject us initially or ban us completely for our sensual content because they don’t understand the artistry and the empowerment that fuels it. But the longer I create and share shows like ours the more I realize the huge Impact that we have on our community and in changing our culture’s overall outlook towards feminine sensuality.
I thought we were just shaking a*s and having a good time but I’ve been shocked at the amount of people that continually reach out (both in person and online) to tell me how we have changed their lives.

Most of us grow up with some kind of oppressive attitude around our sexuality or general shame around our naked bodies. This shapes so much of our subconscious attitude towards our most primal instincts and basic nature and often leads to a lot of guilt or a disconnection from ourselves. When fully imursed in a space that celebrates sensuality and honors the beauty of the human body, years of rigidity melt away. When watching a dancer step fully into their power and share intimacy with us we are inspired to embrace the full spectrum of our own unique erotic energy. By casting a diverse range of body types and gender expressions we are able to make Everyone feel seen, heard, represented and liberated at our shows.
My passion is creating sensually empowered Dance Shows that make people feel the love and positivity of pure girl power. My mission is to challenge the patriarchy by elevating feminine sexuality and queer expression. My pleasure is to do at the same time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Susie Scorpio and I run a Performing Arts group with my partner, Lacey Midnight, on the island of Oahu. We primarily host Dance classes, Burlesque Shows and sensual empowerment events geared towards women and the local queer community.
As a collective of artists from various dance backgrounds We strive to push ourselves artistically, athletically and emotionally to create the best sensually empowered performance art that the world has ever seen. We hold a unique space for our students and audiences to fully embrace themselves in a fun and lighthearted atmosphere as we celebrate life to its fullest. We are Queer womxn founded and run and we are proud to host an artistic spectacle where all feel welcomed and valued.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To change the cultural outlook around feminine sexuality through Dance and Artistically Empowered Sensual Expression. I’m so tired of being belittled and put down for my sexuality.
People constantly try to disempower women via body shaming or sl*t shaming when in reality body positivity and s*x positivity are completely empowering.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is having the power to voice unpopular/counter-culture views in a way that’s easy to receive. When your message is paired with astounding beauty and unparalleled creativity it’s no longer hard to swallow and people are able to integrate it in a positive way.
One deeply touching positive experience negates 100 bad experiences. As an artist I am able to change connotations around personal aspects (like human sensuality) and change peoples outlooks via an emotional experience.
It’s a very vulnerable yet powerful position to be in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/susiescorpioart/?fbclid=PAAabOPg96U894IKXQw6uS5EgAx-FOfYRyQ5VkLYM0tzyQMxxoBspWQYneqrI_aem_AaUPaEjunBrDaKidXdT9bdtj6OdQJdlTOqin9mjtR3nYqm3JBTY3XR3UsaFNOAjaDOY
• Instagram: @the_aphrodisiacs
• Facebook: The Aphrodisiacs Burlesque Revue
• Linkedin: Rachel Solís

Image Credits
Alden Fukushima & Wide Aperture Media