Burlesque dancer Evana De Lune hits back after Monash University apologies to staff for witnessing her performance at a staff Christmas party: ‘No one should need counselling after my show’
- Christmas department offends some employees
- Monash Uni apologizes and offers advice
- Now burlesque performer is defending her show
A burlesque dancer who performed at a university department’s Christmas party has defended her performance after the educational institution apologized to staff and offered them advice.
Evana De Lune performed at the Monash University Department of Banking and Finance end-of-year celebrations at Le Bar Supper Club in Beaumaris in Melbourne’s south-east on December 1.
Some staff members were reportedly shocked and horrified when De Lune stripped down to just a G-string and nipple tassels.
“It’s so Wolf of Wall Street,” said an anonymous visitor The age.
Some staff were reportedly shocked and appalled when De Lune (pictured) stripped down to just a G-string and nipple tassels. The university later apologized and offered personnel counseling
Evana De Lune (pictured) performed at the Monash University Department of Banking and Finance end-of-year celebrations at Le Bar Supper Club in Beaumaris in Melbourne’s south-east on December 1.
The event organizers were reportedly unaware that a live performance would take place.
University bosses went out of their way to apologize to staff for the ‘break in standards’ and offer them advice.
“Going forward, the department will be committed to conducting a more thorough examination of location choices to better reflect the values and preferences of our department and the Monash Business School,” said an emailed apology to all department staff.
Now De Lune has hit back at the furore surrounding her show.
‘As far as I know, the venue hired me because burlesque was on the menu. And I’m not cheap!’, says De Lune.
“But no one should need guidance after my show…I hope.”
De Lune, who has performed around the world and runs burlesque workshops, said some Monash University staff had made their concerns clear that evening.
“After my first act, someone politely told me he was worried about the striptease… so for my second act I kept my bra on and did a fan dance instead,” she said.
Monash University’s Banking and Finance Department (pictured) said it would investigate future locations
‘But everyone was very nice and respectful, people were still clapping and cheering. Afterwards, a few more came forward to compliment the performance.
“I’d say it was about 50/50 between enjoying and not enjoying.”
But De Lune sympathized with those who were shocked by her actions.
“If people didn’t know they were going to do that, I can empathize with that,” she said.
‘It must be clear in advance. Consent is very important. So I understand why there is some outrage among Monash University staff. Burlesque is not for everyone.
“Still, I did do that performance at the State Library, so you can’t say that all academics don’t like burlesque,” she laughed.
“…no one should need guidance after my show…I hope,” De Lune said
Dina Fergadiotis, the owner of Le Bar, a Parisian restaurant and bar for adults that hosts jazz, cabaret and burlesque evenings, would not comment on the party’s booking for privacy reasons.
“We were asked to organize an event,” Ms Fergadiotis said.
Monash University previously said: ‘The staff involved regret the unintended consequences resulting from this collapse.
‘They have been well supervised. The Head of Department has sincerely apologized to all staff who participated in the function.”
No disciplinary action was taken.