Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Festival rejections are not a judgement on your worth as a performer.

It’s burlesque festival season, which means it’s also stress and rejection season. Please remember, my dears, that we do burlesque because we love it, not because we want a crown. We should be striving to improve our performances and entertain our audiences, and if a festival happens to like our submitted act, great.

Remember, often it’s not you, it’s them. You never really know what the festival committee is looking for. That act on which you have worked so hard and for which you have received so much praise may not suit the festival’s needs. Maybe one of the invited guests is using the same song. Sometimes it’s just a small thing that tipped the balance. Perhaps something else in your arsenal would have been accepted, but you just don’t know that at submission time and you can’t know that.

Also, remember that festival performances are often for other burlesque performers. An act that may wow your fans may be seen as not new or different or innovative enough for a particular festival. That doesn’t doesn’t diminish the act’s worth. It just means it’s not right for that festival.

Rejection hurts. It’s true. I myself have been rejected by more festivals than I care to count, even ones to which I had been previously accepted. I know some brilliant performers with splendid acts who have been rejected by festivals. Take some comfort from knowing that you are not alone.

If there’s a particular festival that you really, really want to perform at, it’s worth it to attend as an audience member (or even better, as a volunteer) and see close up what sort of acts they like.

While you can tailor your submission to try to fill the bill, please remember keep your style, your uniqueness, your personal stamp on the act, because no festival is worth losing that.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When doing leg work, keep your legs strong and your toes pointed.

When your legs are supposed to be straight, keep them straight. If they’re bent, bend them at an attractive angle. What you don’t want are mushy knees. You don’t have to get your legs up very high or open very wide, if flexibility is an issue. As long as you’re making a nice line, your legs will look lovely.

Photo by Cassandra Mia at The Great Burlesque Expo of 2011

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

I’m so tired. My trip to New Mexico was wonderful, but the travel home wasn’t. I’ll tell you all about everything once I’ve gotten some rest. However, that won’t be soon. Tonight I’ll be performing at “Kiss Me, I’m Not Irish“, a variety show featuring performers from all over the globe.

But it’s Friday (I’d almost lost track of what day it is) and time for your tip.

When traveling, pack at least one more outfit than you think you’ll need.

Most times you’ll take it home unworn, but one day you’ll be really glad to have the extra clothes.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! As you read this, I’m winging my way to The Land of Enchantment (that would be New Mexico) for a few days of performing, sightseeing, and catching up with friends. but I wouldn’t neglect your tip.

Bring your music to a gig in multiple formats.

Now, a good producer should have had you submit your music ahead of time and everything will be all set when you arrive for the show, but stuff happens*…

Bring your music on a flash drive, so it can be imported again, if necessary. Also, bring your music on your phone. You’re going to want to listen to it on your headphones backstage anyway. In a pinch, your device can be used for playback.

And of course, if you come so prepared, none of your careful created backups will be needed. Such is the way of things.

*At our New Year’s Eve show, Betty’s song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, started only playing one channel. As half the lyrics were inaudible, this made for a problematic performance. Fortunately, it was re-imported and played the next night without mishap.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I just got back from a lovely little vacation to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico only to have the temperature in Boston plummet. Brrrr… In just one week, I’ll be performing at A Night of Classic Burlesque in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Maybe it will be spring when I get back.

And here’s your tip!

Take risks!

If you only do what’s safe on stage and in your life, you won’t really process as an artist. Try something new, something daring. It might not work, but you’ll definitely learn something along the way. In the best case, you’ve challenged yourself and improved, perhaps in an unexpected way.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

If you have an injury, take the time you need to let it heal.

As dancers and physical performers we are, unfortunately, prone to injury. While there may seem something heroic about ignoring the pain and going on stage anyway, you’re not doing yourself any favors. It’s frustrating to be sidelined, but you don’t want to make your injury worse by going back to your normal activities before it has healed properly.

That doesn’t mean you can’t continue to work on your art; you just need to be creative about it. Practice facial expressions, embellish costumes, do a modified version of an act where you can baby the injured body part*, &c.

*After spraining her ankle, Betty created a number she could do while sitting down.
Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Here it is, Friday again. Time for your tip.

A variety of decorative elements, not just rhinestones, will add depth and texture to your costumes.

Try a mix of beading, ribbon work, appliqués, fabric painting, &c. to add interest to any costume piece.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! The Expo starts today, which means I’ve been in a whirlwind of preparations and stress (and snow shoveling, can’t forget that). But despite all that I would not deprive you of your tip.

Take progress photos as you work on a big project.

It’s great way to see how far you’ve come when working on a costume or a prop or whatever it is. Also, if you want to replicate the project or need to fix something, you have a record of what you did. And you can give your adoring fans a sneak peak along the way.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Look at that! It’s Friday again. Time for your tip:

When working with balloons, make sure your nails are smooth, without chips or breaks.

If you do a balloon act, it’s not a bad idea to keep an emery board with your balloon supplies.
Filing down jagged tips will help save you from unscheduled popping.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.