Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
Just keep going.
If something goes wrong on stage, just keep going as best you can. You may be thinking very fast on your feet, but don’t let the audience see that you are and chances are they’ll never know there was a problem.
Dear Constant Reader,
Here’s my third week of videos. A few thoughts:
I’m finding it hard to pick only performers I’ve never seen, but I am sticking to acts I’ve never seen.
I originally planned only to watch contemporary videos, but I stumbled upon a vintage act I’d heard of, but hadn’t known had ever been filmed. I still don’t know what it looked like on stage, since this is full of sooper-high-tech camera trickery.
I’m trying to break out of the classic rut and watch a little neo-burlesque too. I’m unlikely to do a neo-style act, but that doesn’t mean there’s not inspiration there too.
Sometimes I don’t know what the camera person/video editor was thinking!
The biggest thing I’m taking away is that I have got to up my game!
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
If you frequently cut sticky things, like, say, pastie tape, invest in a pair of scissors with Teflon-coated blades.
I love these little scissors and always carry them in my makeup kit. On the rare occasions I’ve had to cut my pastie tape with regular scissors, I’m always surprised at how quickly they get gummy.
Dear Constant Reader,
My Constant Critic complained yesterday that my post was less than interesting. I confess I was pressed for time and only sent out the list of videos I had watched over the past week.
So, as it is now half way through the month, what have I learned? Let’s see…
Plus some intangible inspiration that I hope colors my upcoming performances.
Dear Constant Reader,
I’m sticking to my resolution to watch one burlesque video a day for the month of July. Here’s what tickled my fancy over the past week:
In case you’ve just joined us, the Week 1 videos are here.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
When rehearsing an oft-performed number, do something new to keep it fresh.
Rather than sleepwalking through the same moves, change things up. A fun way to do this is change your character. If you’re usually sexy, try being goofy. If it’s a light-hearted number, do it with drama. Just something different to shake things up. This doesn’t mean you can be sloppy!
Once, after the umpteenth rehearsal of “Is You Is“, Scratch told half The Boston Babydolls to do the dance as though we were pirates, the other half were zombies. It was silly fun and the next time we ran it seriously, we were all a little more focused.
Dear Constant Reader,
As part of continuing to improve as a performer I decided to watch a burlesque video a day for the month of July. I’m aiming for some inspiration, to break out of my comfort zones, to learn more, and what better way to do that than watch other people’s performances.
I don’t actually like watching videos on my computer so this is a bit of effort. But there are only so many live performances I can get to and without videos I’m missing out on so much. My rules are that it’s got to be an act I’ve never seen before and I’m trying to watch mostly performers I’ve never seen live.
This week I watched:
What are your favorite performances? I’m happy to hear suggestions. I have 24 more days!
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! I hope all of my American Readers have a great Independence Day tomorrow and everyone else has a pleasant Saturday.
This week’s tip harks back to last week’s about tissues.
Handkerchiefs are classy.
I stand by my tip that having a packet of tissues to hand is a useful thing, but also consider carrying a handkerchief. They are so much nice for weeping into, patting your glowingly damp brow, waving farewell, flirtatiously dropping, and surreptitiously wrapping up leftover petits fours.
Gentlemen, this goes for you too!
It’s thoughtful to give a crying friend a tissue, but so much more of a gesture to hand over your hanky. (If you’re on the receiving end, offer to launder it after you’ve used it. It’s a great excuse to get together again.)
It’s not so easy to find handkerchiefs for women these days. Men’s are usually available where suits are sold. Just make sure they are actually handkerchiefs and not pocket squares. Pocket squares are excellent and should be worn, but they are for decoration only.
Vintage handkerchiefs are easy to find and often inexpensive (I can usually find nice ones between $3 and $5). Here’s a few from my collection:
Hankies are also very simple to make. Cut a square of fabric (linen or cotton are traditional). 13×13 is a good size for a lady’s handkerchief, I’ve found. Add a narrow hem and you’re all set! If you’re that sort of person, you can add all sorts of embellishment — lace, embroidery, &c.
I’m still rather proud of this “something blue” handkerchief I made for my sister:
It has an embroidered initial, decorative hemstitching, and handmade tatted lace. Obviously you don’t have to go all out like that.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
Always carry a packet of tissues.
They are so useful! Besides blowing your nose or drying your tears (something I’ve had to do a bit today #lovewins), you can use them in all sorts of pinches: to blot sweat, remove your makeup (you are using Drag Eraser, right?), pick up icky things, separate your toes for pedicure repair, as emergency toilet paper, &c.
I got this charming pocket-sized tissue case from Pinky Shines at BurlyCon and it’s been in my purse ever since.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
To help quell motion sickness, have a piece of candied ginger.
Whether it’s a dance with a lot of fast turns, touring in a crowded van, aerial spinning, or doing burlesque on a boat, sometimes one gets a bit queasy. Ginger helps soothed a troubled stomach and the candied version is delicious, not messy, and easy to keep on hand.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 