Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Today’s tip comes from the wisdom of Mr. Scratch.

If you apply to that festival or reach out to that producer, you may not be accepted or hired, but if you don’t, you surely won’t.

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

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! You’ll be pleased to know that your Faithful Correspondent is almost back to normal health, although still coughing most annoyingly.

But that’s not important. What is important is your Friday Tip. And here it is!

A cotton pillowcase makes a great storage bag for a boa.

It allows the feathers to breathe while protecting them from dust and sunlight. You could sew a loop of ribbon to the top of the case and hang it up. Also, to quickly fluff the boa, tie the end of the pillowcase shut and throw the whole thing in the dryer on air dry (no heat!) and tumble it for just a couple of minutes.

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

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! It’s a glorious warm day here in Boston and one can finally believe that spring is here. The sour cherry tree at Stately Babydoll Manor has begun to blossom and in a few months I’ll be hard at work picking and cooking!

Here’s your tip!

Carry a foldable bag with you. You never know when it will come in handy.

I’m very fond of the sort of string bag that Russians call avoska (“perhaps-bag”, as in “perhaps there will be something at the store to buy”). They’re great for holding produce from the farmers’ market and of course I like best the one that my mother knit.

However, I always carry this nylon bag which folds in on itself until it’s about the size of my fist. It was from the swag bag at the Improper Bostonian “Best of 2012” party, hence the Patrón logo. I particularly like this one because it’s waterproof and every now and then I’ve forgotten to pack a plastic bag for wet costume items after one of my water acts.

Also, if you shop in Cambridge, where they’ve just started charging for bags, you’ll always be covered.

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

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Get to know your local thrift store.

They are a gold mine for costume pieces, accessories, and props. And for cheap. It’s a great place to get things you’re going to destroy, modify beyond recognition, or experiment with. Some garments are worth getting just to rip off the trim and use it on something else.

My best success was half a dozen champagne coupes for my “French Champagne” act for three bucks total. But this pales in comparison to Scratch’s super-shopping abilities.

Tuesday he arrived at The Teaseday Club without his suit (long story) and certainly couldn’t host a show in his civvies. He went over to the Goodwill across the street and scored a pair of pants, a dress shirt, a checked sport coat, and a Hawaiian-print tie. And they all fit.

And of course, if you’ve got stuff you don’t need any more, it may become someone else’s treasure!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! By the way, the weather is kind of nuts here in New England. Last week we had one of the warmest days on record and it’s supposed to snow next week. If you’re coming for a visit, just pack everything. That’s not your tip, though. This is!

Consider your venue when selecting an act for a show.

Some acts are more appropriate for some venues than others. A big stage in a theatre calls for an act that can fill the space — this is a great time to use your big props. A bar wants something a bit more streamlined. Raked seating means the audience can actually see your floorwork. Performing in the round isn’t the best for a fan dance (although I’ve done it!). If the only “backstage” is the ladies’ room, choose a costume that’s fairly compact. &c., &c., &c.

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