Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! We’re just one week from Not Just Sitting Pretty: Intro to Acro Chair Flow with visiting instructor Kerri N’Fuego and I can’t wait. And that brings me to this week’s tip…

Try a new skill.

If you have the opportunity to try something new, take it! (like acro chair…) You never know if it’s something you might use in a future act or you might just think is fun. Even if you decide it’s not for you, you’ve still had a learning experience.

I once took a class on rope tricks (yeah, like spinning a lasso). Not something I’m probably ever going to use, but now I have an appreciation for the skill of those who do it and make it look easy. And who knows, there might be a situation where I can use or share the knowledge I gained.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 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,

Happy Friday! B.A.B.E.’s second Student Showcase is this Sunday and I’ve heard that there are only 4 tickets left!

So many classes in May: Introduction to Burlesque with me, Floorwork with Devastasia, Intro to Acro Chair with Kerri N’Fuego, and Shimmy at the Speakeasy in Salem.

Onward to your tip…

Posture check!

I’m talking to you (and me)! Are you hunching, slouching, shrimping, or otherwise sitting or standing with poor posture?

Stand up. Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders down and back. Lift your chest. Pull in your core. 

Now, don’t you feel better? You look better too.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 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,

I am so excited for the B.A.B.E. student showcase tomorrow! I’m doing a little last minute costuming, which brought this tip to mind…

Keep the humidity in mind when working on a project.

Ah, humidity! The bane of summer — frizzy hair, runny makeup, sticky costumes… and slower drying times. If you’re painting or gluing or dying something, just remember that it’s going to take longer to dry. Factor that into your timeline along with everything else.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 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,

Happy Friday! I recently spent a couple of days in New York (but that’s a separate missive) and found myself in the Garment District with some time to kill, which brings me to your tip.

Keep a wish list for impromptu shopping.

You never know when you’re going to find yourself in a fabric store or a thrift shop or some other emporium of goodies that might have some component for a project or an act or a costume. Are you going to remember what it was you wanted?

Thus, a list, not only of the items, but quantities or sizes. I used to keep my list on paper in my wallet, but now I just have it on my phone. That’s how, when I saw the rhinestone zippers, I could confidently buy a 7″ zipper to replace the boring one on my NYE gown.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 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,

We’ve got so many exciting events coming up at B.A.B.E. — student showcases! acro chair workshop! floorwork classes! I can’t wait!

And now for your tip!

You are the only one who knows your choreography.

This is a tip I like to give students creating a burlesque solo. When you are performing, if you forget something, miss a cue, or otherwise deviate from your intended routine, the audience will never know unless you tell them.

So, don’t break character or show panic or annoyance on your face or in your body language. Keep that inside (no matter how hard that may be) and go on your merry way with confidence until the well-earned applause at the end.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 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! I don’t know about the rest of you, but things have been stressful and uncertain for many of the people I know and care about. This week’s tip is:

Go out and enjoy the nice weather.

As spring has sprung, I find spending even a little time in the fresh air can really help me relax and stop fretting. As the weather gets more pleasant, I’ll start having breakfast outside and carry a little of that pleasure into the morning. I hope this works for you too.

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