Winnipeg native Meagan Funk began dancing at the age of four.

“I’ve always loved moving my body to music […] ever since I was little, ever since I can remember walking, I have been dancing,” she recalled.

After training in various styles throughout childhood and adolescence, Funk moved to Toronto to study dance at George Brown College, after which she danced professionally. During that time, she began teaching dance to children part-time and found that she enjoyed it. It was during her time in Toronto that she discovered burlesque fusion.

“It was more sensual and just like embracing who you are […] really all about self-love, and I really liked that […] We didn’t really have anything like that here [in Winnipeg] other than pole dance, there wasn’t that style, so I wanted to bring that style here to Winnipeg,” she explained.

In 2014, Funk returned to Winnipeg and opened Prairie Diva, a dance school, along with a professional dance company, M. Funk Dance Productions. Drawing from her own experiences in the dance industry, she wanted to create an environment that fostered self-love and provided a space where dancers could feel confident in their own skin.

“As I was auditioning in Toronto, I found […] it was always about what you look like to get the role, which makes sense, but it could take a toll on your self-esteem,” she reflected. “Also, once I would get the jobs we had weekly weigh-ins and you could see how so many of the women in the industry, it was kind of beating them down […] I will never do weekly weigh-ins. I will never judge someone. It’s a judgment free zone with both our professional company and our dance school.”

Prairie Diva and M. Funk Dance Productions have staged showcases at the Park Theatre for 10 years, each featuring a different theme. On April 6, they will present the Spring Fling Burlesque Fusion Cabaret, featuring performances from M. Funk Dance Productions and Prairie Diva’s students.

“It’s a celebration of love,” Funk said. “So, every single dance routine has something to do with love, like the excitement about love or heartbreak or, you know, self-love as well.”

The performances will feature dancers of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. The cabaret will also feature solo, duo and trio performances created by Prairie Diva students, local guest artists, an aerial hoop performance and showgirl-themed performances by M. Funk Dance Productions.

Funk hopes audiences will enjoy the cabaret’s energetic atmosphere and appreciate the diversity of dancers on stage, representing a range of ages, shapes and sizes. She also expressed pride in the close bond shared between the company’s members and students.

“I’m just so proud that we’ve built this sisterhood and sense of camaraderie,” she said. “It’s nice to see the students feel confident in their skin and just embrace who they are, to be able to foster a community where we can all work together […] I hope people can come out and enjoy it with us, and then maybe they will want to step on the stage as well.”

Prairie Diva’s Spring Fling Burlesque Fusion Cabaret will take place on April 6 at the Park Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m., with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ticketweb.ca/event/spring-fling-burlesque-fusion-cabaret-the-park-theatre-tickets. For information on future events, please visit mfunkdance.com.