Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday!

Here’s your tip:

Help others when you can.

My gentle readers, Whisper de Corvo, who won Most Beautiful at the 2014 Expo, and her family have suffered devastating losses recently. Dr. Jen of Atomic Cosmetics wants to help them out. In her own words (with real names redacted):

Sometimes bad things happen to really good people. Sparkle tribe, something bad has happened to one of our own. Our beloved Whisper de Corvo and her partner need our help-they have experienced a loss in the family, followed by losing their housing (A giant F**K YOU to Capitol Hill Housing Authority). Their situation breaks my heart, and I simply can’t sit by and do nothing. That said, I am asking all of you to please come to Atomic on Saturday, April 4. We will be donating every single dollar we make that day to Whisper and family. If you can’t get to the store, please shop online at colorsthatgoboom.com. We will be donating every dollar made online as well. You guys, PLEASE help however you can. I know no one has a lot of money, but this is our sparkle family, and they need us. When I was down and out, the community came out in force to help me. Now it’s time to help them.

and

Glitter folk, I want to put this out there: if you saw my earlier post about Whisper, you know we’re donating every dime we make on Saturday to them. Well, I don’t want to stop there. If we can hit $3,000 in sales that day, I will personally donate another $1000 to them. Please share Saturday’s event with everyone you can. Let’s make this happen!

You’ll not only be helping out some lovely people who have had a heart-breaking tragedy, you’ll be treating yourself to some great cosmetics and skin care products too. As Scratch said “It’s good for your skin and good for your soul.”

M2

Published in: on 3 April 2015 at 11:27 am  Leave a Comment  
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Expo 2015: The Conference

Dear Constant Reader,

(My slowly on-going reporting on The Great Burlesque Exposition. Read the previous entries here and here.)

One of the great things about The Expo is The Conference. Attendees get two days with multiple tracks of classes on so many different topics — dance, stage craft, business, costuming, &c. — taught by amazing instructors from all over. I try to take as many as I possible can. It’s such a valuable experience for improving all facets of our art.

Saturday
Get Tight: A Guide to Corsetry (me): I was surprised to have students at such an early hour! I educated them on this history of corsetry (with examples), different types, what to look for when you buy, tips for making, and of course, how to wear and remove. I’ve proposed it for BurlyCon, but with some changes so I don’t have to bring a shopping bag full of examples and tools.

#whatdatbootydo (Nina La Voix): This class was all about the butt. We started with a warm up of squats (mercifully she didn’t make us do lunges too). Then we learned the finer points of cheek isolations, twerking, and ass clapping. We wrapped up the class with a short routine. I’m rather booty challenged, as it turns out. I see you looking completely unsurprised, O Gentle Reader.

Floorwork (Bella Blue): I’m not sure what I was thinking, taking another intensely physical class right after Nina’s, but I was not going to pass up the opportunity to learn from one of our special guests! Someday I will master the stripper pushup, but not that day…

Big Hair, Don’t Care (Maggie McMuffin): We learned how to get enormous volume through fillers and through teasing plus the secret ingredients. I probably won’t even try it on my thin, fine hair, but The Wortown Bombshells took the lessons to heart for the Pool Party that night. (Photo by Beau Blush)

What Do I Do With These? Boa and Glove Strip Technique (Bella Blue): Two of my favorite accessories! (I say that, but my boas don’t actually come out & play much. I should change that.) I was particularly delighted to see some of my advanced students in the class. I think one of them added something she learned in this class to her performance the next night. I learned a few new tricks, was reminded of some that I haven’t taken out in a while, and found some inspiration. In other words, a good class.

Sunday
Introduction to Fan Dance (me): I didn’t actually expect anyone this early on Sunday. And that was indeed the case.

Stalking the Stocking (me): But I was surprised not to get anyone here either. Had I known, I would have taken Angie Pontani’s Master Class instead.

The Body of Work: Longevity in Burlesque (panel): I was supposed to be on this panel, but Scratch took my place to give me a break in the midst of what we thought was going to be 4 hours of solid teaching. It was fun listening to long-time performers talk about leaving a legacy and how to stay in burlesque for the long haul. Honestly, Scratch was probably a better speaker on the topic than I would have been.

Your Way Student Session (me, Scratch): This was a final review session to give the students in the Burlesque Your Way class some last-minute feedback before they performed that night. We don’t normally do this, but two regular classes *and* two make-up classes were canceled because of all the freaking blizzards we’ve had.

The Hands and Arms of a Dancer (Willy Barrett): I think I’ve taken this class 4 times now and every time I learn something new. I love Willy’s classes — there’s always a huge “ah-ha” moment for me. And it’s so much fun watching people’s minds get blown. I’m really excited that in a couple of weeks I get to take *nine hours* of class with him!

Go-Go Robics (Angie Pontani): This class is so much fun! Angie’s enthusiasm and the goofy moves almost makes one forget what a workout this all is. Those pony steps are killers! This time the song was Nancy Sinatra’s “The Last of the Secret Agents”, so we got to start in our favorite spy pose.

And just a reminder that this year was pretty terrible for The Expo’s coffers. You can help make next year amazing!

M2

Published in: on 31 March 2015 at 2:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Test your hairstyle in rehearsal.

Repeatedly pushing your hair out of your eyes is not a good thing. It makes you look nervous, sloppy, and unprepared. Deliberately moving your hair away from your face, like after a head roll or hair tease, is sexy. Either way, make sure you hair stays or goes where you want it to by rehearsing your act with your hair done the way you plan to have it on stage. And wigs count as hairstyles.

M2

Published in: on 27 March 2015 at 1:55 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip.

Cut false eyelashes to fit your eyelid.

Lashes are one-size-fits-all, but, of course, that all lids are not the same size or shape. Don’t be afraid to give the lashes a little snip to make them flattering and comfortable.

M2

Published in: on 20 March 2015 at 2:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday everyone! Today’s tip comes from Samuel Beckett (the playwright, not the time traveler).

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

M2

Published in: on 13 March 2015 at 2:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Last week I groused about audience members taking authorized photos during shows. Now I’m going to turn it around with a tip for performers.

Always credit your photographer.

It’s just the right thing to do. Just a small line on a poster, a link on your website, a tag on your Facebook, where ever you’re using the photo. Just something so your admiring fans know who took your great photo. And do make sure you have the rights to use it before you do.

M2

Published in: on 6 March 2015 at 2:28 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Never fear, my multi-part Expo report is coming. I’m just waiting for the photos to start coming back from our official photographers.

Here’s your Friday tip!

Live entertainment should be enjoyed live. No pictures please!

This is a special tip for audience members. Stop taking photos and video at shows. Just stop it. You’re annoying the performers and producers, getting crappy pictures, and missing the actual show.

Many shows arrange for their own photographers and/or videographers. Their job is to get the best shots that showcase the performers in the most flattering way. They are professionals with professional equipment who are often allowed special access to get those good shots. The producers, venues, and performers can then control what goes out into the wide world. Wouldn’t you rather see a clean, crisp, attractive shot of your favorite performer than your dim, blurry cellphone picture?

The Boston Babydolls are happy to pose for pictures after the show and we’ve started letting the audience take pictures of our final lineup at curtain call. But not during the show. As Scratch often says, we don’t come to your job and take pictures of you making fries, please don’t take pictures of us while we’re working.

We promise, we’ll make good photos and videos available to our fans, but they’re going to be ones we are happy with and have control over where they’re posted. We have actively gone after folks who post unauthorized video and the results weren’t pretty.

Assume that no photos are allowed at any burlesque show, even if the MC doesn’t specifically make an announcement forbidding it. I forgot to make that announcement when I was hosting on Sunday at The Expo and Security had to tell a lot of people to put their damn phones away. Even on nights when the announcement was made, some audience members ignored it. There were even signs posted at the Reg Desk/Box Office reminding people of the no photo/video rule. It’s just rude to think you’re so special that the rules don’t apply.

Besides, don’t you want to enjoy the show while it’s happening?

Next week, a related tip for performers.

M2

Published in: on 27 February 2015 at 2:07 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

The Great Burlesque Exposition of 2015 is here! I hope I see you this weekend.

Here’s your tip:

Volunteering is sexy.

Events like The Expo run on volunteer labor and you can be part of what makes the event great. Just donate a few hours of your time and you can make a big difference. As they say, many hands make light work. You can put your skills to use, learn new ones, see behind the scenes, meet new people, and generally get that sense of satisfaction from having done a good thing. Sometimes you get a reward, like a t-shirt or a free ticket, but the real reward is a successful event, thanks to you!

M2

Published in: on 20 February 2015 at 11:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! We’re currently bracing for *more* snow this weekend. I’ve got my fingers crossed as we’ve got two shows on Saturday: Bumps Upon a Grind immediately followed by our annual appearance at The Mardi Gras Ball. I’m particularly concerned about Sunday. Our Burlesque Your Way students missed their last two classes, plus a make-up class because of the snow. We’re trying to hold yet another class on Sunday, but I fear for it.

Anyway, enough fretting, on with your Friday Tip!

A plastic cup makes a tiny trash can for your make-up station.

During a show, there are lots of showgirl droppings — the backing from pastie tape, cosmetic pencil shavings, spilt glitter, snack wrappers, broken hair pins, &c. I like to keep my space clean & tidy. Rather than make a trip to the trash can (if there even is one in the dressing room) with every little bit, I just sweep the detritus into a cup as I go and toss everything before I leave for the night.

M2

Published in: on 13 February 2015 at 12:51 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here in Boston it’s sub-Arctic outside, but I don’t care. I’ve got woolly leopard-print mitts to keep my hands toasty while I write to you. And tonight is the first performance of Bumps Upon a Grind, where I know our loving audience will cheer for us warmly.

Here’s your tip!

Use the right needle for the job.

When you’re sewing, make sure the needle you’re using is appropriate to the material. The wrong size or shape needle can really screw up your project. Today I’m going to talk about machine needles. Maybe another time I’ll hold forth about hand-sewing needles.

This is a really crummy picture I yanked off the Internets, but at least it shows some of the different kinds of machine needles.

They’re color-coded*! Isn’t that great? Orange bands are for delicate fabrics, blue bands are for medium-weight, and purple are for heavy-weight. You can also get super-light-weight (green) for those really fine sheers and super-heavy-weight (grey).

Red-topped needles are sharps for woven fabrics; yellow-topped needles are ballpoints for knits. There are also special needles for denim & canvas and for leather.

Lay in a good supply of the kind you use most because there is nothing more frustrating than breaking your last needle and seeing the project come to a grinding halt. You might be tempted to use one of the other types or sizes you have, but resist!

M2
* This is the Singer color-code. Other brands of needles have different coding. I have a vintage Singer machine, so those are the needles I use. Singer surely doesn’t pay me to endorse their brand…

Published in: on 6 February 2015 at 12:16 pm  Leave a Comment  
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