Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

How is it Friday again? Also, how it is March? Here’s your tip!

Be good to your regulars.

You know, those people who frequently come to your shows. Learn their names. Make sure to thank them for coming. Maybe once in a while single them out for a little special treatment during an act, like if you’re tossing something into the audience. Just a little something to show you appreciate their continued support.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 4 March 2022 at 2:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Once again it’s snowing, although we had almost spring-like weather midweek… Here’s your tip! This one is for producers and stage managers:

Print out the order of the acts. Make sure at least one copy goes back stage for the performers. There should also be one for the host, one for each tech person, and one for the stage hand(s).

If you’re really good, the list for the sound person will have notes for them, like “fade down host’s music” or “start performer’s music when she picks up the bottle”. The stage hand list should note anything special that needs to be set or cleared.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 25 February 2022 at 2:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! I have been so busy with shows and teaching, but I would not forget your tip!

However, this tip is not for you, Dear Reader, for I know you are not the sort who would just leave their gig bag packed between shows.

If your bag is still packed from your last show, even if you’re doing the same acts, unpack and check everything over.

You wouldn’t want to get to the venue and discover that a costume piece needed repairing or that you are missing something you thought you packed the first time.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 18 February 2022 at 11:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! We have a show tomorrow! We’ll be at AS220 in Providence, RI with our Valentine’s Day show, Bad Girls Need Love Too. There are only 20 seats, so if you aren’t lucky enough to snag a ticket, you can watch it on any of AS220’s platforms.

Here’s your tip, courtesy of Scratch:

Before putting away anything battery-powered — your wireless microphone, your light-up costume, your vibrator — take the batteries out.
Put the batteries in a ziptop bag and store them in the same place. This will make everything last longer.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 11 February 2022 at 12:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! And it is a happy Friday as our dinner show tomorrow is sold out! Here’s your tip!

Take time for self-care, especially when you are incredibly busy.

Carve out a few minutes to relax — have a cup of tea, snuggle the cat, read a chapter of your book, listen to a couple of soothing songs, &c. And don’t do anything else for that time. It’s all about you.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 4 February 2022 at 3:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! If you’re on the East Coast I hope you’re ready for the big snow storm! I’ve got some costume pieces to rhinestone, acts to rehearse, baking to do, hot chocolate bombs, and of course, Albert A. Cat to snuggle.

Here’s your tip, suggested by Mr. Scratch:

If one item in a pair needs repair, do it on both pieces.

So, if the heel is going on one of your dance shoes, even if the other one seems okay, replace it anyway. You’re eventually going to need to fix it as well, maybe just a little later. Save time by doing both at once. You’ll also be secure in knowing the other one isn’t going to suddenly fail.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 15 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 28 January 2022 at 1:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! For this week’s tip, I’m drawing on something Betty taught us during Wednesday’s rehearsal.

Have a go-to move or combination you can draw upon if you get lost in the music or forget your choreography.

Confidently go forward with that bit of dance which you know so well while you figure out where you are and then jump back on track again. The audience will never know anything was amiss.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 15 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 21 January 2022 at 1:51 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday again! How does this keep happening? Here’s your tip!

Clean your iron.

The sole plate can get caked with starch and other residues and the steam vents might be clogged with mineral deposits. A dirty iron can transfer schmutz to your beautiful fabric or garments.

First clean the tank by filling it and then turning the iron on. Hit the steam until all the water is gone.  Ironing an old towel helps catch any deposits that are flushed out. Turn the iron off, let it cool, and empty any remaining water. If there’s any crud in the steam vents, use a cotton swab to get it out.

Then clean the sole plate. I recommend checking the manufacturer’s directions here.  You might need to  use a commercial iron cleaner — just follow the directions. Otherwise, dampen a soft cloth with distilled white vinegar and wipe off the sole plate. Rub with a clean cloth. More persistent stains can be removed by gently rubbing with a paste of baking soda and water. Wipe off with a damp cloth and then rub with a clean one. The important thing is never to use anything that might scratch the sole plate.

I’ve always been told that you should clean your iron once a month. Like that’s going to happen…

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 14 January 2022 at 4:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! It’s snowing like crazy here in Boston! I hope you’re snug and warm where ever you are today. Here’s your tip!

There are no mistakes, only happy accidents. — Bob Ross

Sometimes something we think is a bug turns out to be a feature.

For example, the other day Betty was rehearsing a new number. She mentioned she had forgotten her gloves and would pantomime removing them. However, she got so wrapped up in her dance that she completely forgot about the gloves until she realized had extra music at the end. So, she threw in the glove remove at the end.

It looked really good and Scratch told her to keep it in. She reworked the number to have the gloves come off last and it’s a stronger act now.

Don’t discount mistakes — they may be opportunities for creativity and improvement!

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 7 January 2022 at 2:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

At last we have reached the end of the year! Today I have more of a wish than a tip for you.

May 2022 be a better year for us all.

Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. Thank you for continuing to be here!

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 31 December 2021 at 4:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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