Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’ve been having a wonderful time working in my garden, but I wouldn’t forget your tip. Here it is!

When cast in a theme or other one-off show, think about the reusability of your act.

Your time and creativity are valuable. Spending a lot of time on an act that you’re only going to perform once is kind of a waste. Throwing one together because you’re never going to perform it again is a disservice to yourself and the audience. Consider how you can create the act to be used in other shows or how you can adjust an existing act or costume you already have to fit the theme.

And while we’re talking about themed shows, mark your calendars for Secrets of the Illuminaughty on July 8 at a redacted location (okay, it’s at Deacon Giles Distillery).

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much, especially Rob who just rejoined! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s a lovely Friday here at The Manor! Mostly because I don’t have to be anywhere — a welcome change from the past six weeks or so.

Here’s your tip!

No idea is stupid.

When trying to come up with a new act or costume or show, there is no such thing as a stupid idea. It may not be feasible for certain reasons — budget, space limitations, technology, your own skills — but maybe it’s a jumping off point. Maybe it’s something you can come back to later when circumstances have changed. Or maybe it’s just a great idea. It took seven years after Brigitte suggested it, but eventually we did have The BeauTease Go Bananaz, the all-banana show and Betty still does one her acts from it, even in non-banana themed circumstances.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons, especially Sinister Sarah who just increased her pledge! Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Tomorrow night The BeauTease are appearing in Spring Fling, our post-Expo celebratory show, at Deacon Giles. Get your tickets now because you know how limited seating is! You’ll get to see the act that I performed at Booklover’s Burlesque in Oregon plus a fan dance that has not seen the light of day for many years.

Here’s your tip!

If you are renting a venue and you need to leave it in exactly the same condition and configuration as when you arrived, take lots of photos before you do anything.

Not only will the pictures help your crew return it to the same state, but it also documents any issues that were already there when you took possession (e.g. a cracked mirror).

This tip, like so many, inspired by Scratch.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday! Tip time!

Organize your photos and videos.

Decide on a system that works for you and stick with it. Whenever you receive your pictures, take a few minutes to put them in your photo storage place, whether that’s on your computer, on storage media, on-line or somewhere else, but they should all be in the same place, so you always know where to find them.

I make sure each photo can be identified by date, event, and photographer. If I’m feeling really virtuous, I also tag them as “like”, “love”, and “no”.

Like I said, use whatever system works for you, but have a system. If you apply it when the photos come in, it won’t turn into a huge task. You’ll thank yourself later when then images you want are right at your finger tips.

And don’t forget to back them up!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Just a quickie today…

If you’re using magnets on your costume and they’re proving too strong, swap one of the pair for a steel washer.

The magnet-to-metal connection is weaker than magnet-to-magnet and will make it easier to remove.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

You may notice this missive is going out very late in the day. There is also no tip.

I’ve been crazy busy of late. My biggest project is finishing my second costume book. I really, really want to have it ready at The Expo, and it’s getting closer and closer. Look for a Kickstarter real soon now to preorder your copy!

I’m also getting the Little Book of Better Burlesque back into print, which I’d also like to have ready for The Expo.

Speaking of The Expo, not only will I be teaching and hosting and judging, but I’ll be performing one solo and in two group numbers. Rehearsals are also keeping me pretty busy. And I’m also rehearsing my act for Booklover’s Burlesque in April.

If that weren’t enough, I’m also going to the much delayed Costume-Con 39 in San Jose to compete in the Historical Masquerade with a (no surprise) burlesque-related costume. Historical costumes not only have to be well-made inside and out, but you also have to submit documentation.

This is a very long way of saying that I’ve got a lot going on and in trying to do everything I needed to today I just couldn’t think of a tip

Sometimes you need to look at your to-do list and prioritize what’s critical and what can wait.

Oh wait, that was a tip, wasn’t it?

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

A very happy Friday to you! I’ve been exceptionally busy with a number of projects that I hope I can share with you soon. If you’re interested in getting updates before the rest of the world, consider joining my Patreon — I usually share news there first.

Here’s your tip!

A few moments before you head out of the dressing room to go on stage, do a quick check of your costume. Are you wearing everything you’re supposed to be?

Do you have on your pasties? Your g-string? Your gloves? Your headdress? Your shoes? Sometimes we leave the more uncomfortable or cumbersome parts of our costume until last and sometimes… we forget to put them on.

I have too many stories to share here. Ask Betty why she sometimes yells “Pantie check!”

A quick inventory of what you’re wearing compared to what you are supposed to be wear could just save you from standing on stage thinking “If I were wearing gloves, I’d be removing them right now.”

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.