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By day, Eva Avarice studies law with an undergraduate degree in women’s studies, a background in college debate and volunteer experience at the Women’s Outreach Center. By night, she trades in her casebooks for rhinestone-encrusted lingerie as a tassel-twirling, feather-shaking burlesque dancer.

Avarice is the head mistress of the Sweet Crush Cabaret burlesque troupe of CU. The troupe, which assembled in November 2009, consists of Avarice and three other burlesque performers ranging in age from 22 to 29. Avarice, Nova Amorous, Lolly Trollop and Peter Priapus will perform their second local performance Tuesday, March 16, at 9 p.m. at Memphis on Main in Champaign.

buzz sat down with Eva Avarice to explore the CU world of neo-burlesque dancing.

buzz: How would you define burlesque?

Eva Avarice: Generally, I start by saying, “Think cabaret, with feathers and fringe and tassels.” Then [people] are like, “Oh, like Moulin Rouge!” and I’m like, “Yes.” The easiest definition is that it’s classy, choreographed stripping.

buzz: How would you differentiate burlesque from exotic dancing?

EA: We don’t allow any kind of touching. Tips go into the tip jar, not into our panties. The biggest thing is we want to look like we enjoy it when it’s happening. People say that about stripping too, but that’s a job, and what we do is definitely a hobby — we really don’t make any money. We put real time, energy and effort into creating an artistic output, and we expect it to be treated like a performance.

buzz: Your performances seem to be a sensual experience for the audience, but do you feel arousal when you perform?

EA: When I first started performing, if it started to feel good, I freaked out and stopped because I was like, “I’m touching myself! In front of people! That’s weird!” Getting to accept that is a big step as a performer. There’s a huge part of sexuality in all really good burlesque. For everyone, it is pretty sexual. But I’m so tired when I get home that I just collapse on the couch, and I’m lucky if I even take my false eyelashes off and wash my face before I pass out.

buzz: It seems like burlesque may be taboo to some people. How did your family react to you performing burlesque?

EA: My mom loves it and my sisters think it’s hilarious. My dad still doesn’t need to know. He doesn’t want to know about my life, and I don’t want him to.

buzz: How does it feel to be partially nude on stage in front of complete strangers?

EA: It’s the best feeling ever. You know, obviously it’s a little weird, but it’s really great to just feel that sexy. It takes away all your insecurities. For a minute, it doesn’t matter if you feel fat, or feel ugly, or if you’re not tall enough, or your boobs aren’t big enough or whatever. For that moment, you’re the hottest thing in the room and everyone wants to look at you.

buzz: Some feminists on campus argue that burlesque objectifies women. How would you respond to that?

EA: I’d tell them that I spent four years getting my undergraduate in women’s studies and I feel strongly about the neo-burlesque movement, that it doesn’t make us just valuable for our bodies. I think it would be one thing if we were saying that only the six-foot tall models with the 22-inch waist would be allowed in, but the neo-burlesque is about accepting all types of bodies and all types of sexy. Also, feminists have to know that you can’t just pretend sex doesn’t exist and say that all sex is bad and dirty and that all sex objectifies women. Sex, for women, is about learning how to utilize that positively.

buzz: As a student of law, how do you plan to incorporate burlesque into your life once you graduate?

EA: I really hope I can keep doing it, and it’s honestly just going to depend on where I get hired. If I’m working for the American Civil Liberties Union, it’s totally cool for me to do it. But if I’m working for some giant firm, then I may or may not be able to continue doing it. Although there is a really big trend right now for burlesque women to wear a mask constantly so no one ever knows who they are. It’s a romantic idea, sort of like a secret burlesque performer.

buzz: It seems like there is much more to burlesque than we can capture in a single interview. What do you want buzz readers to take away from this?

EA: The big takeaway is that it’s not a strip show in the traditional sense. It’s a good time to have a good laugh more than anything, and that’s what spurs us to do it — their enjoyment. And our love of feathers.