Dear Constant Reader,
Replace standard garment zippers with jacket zippers — the kind with the big, chunky, plastic teeth. They’re not as pretty or subtle, but less likely to get stuck or break. And they do less damage to your skin than metal zippers, just in case you zip yourself (ouch!).
Dear Constant Reader,
The Boston Babydolls have been busy preparing a new number for the Rhinestone Revue at The Great Burlesque Expo. We’re also busy preparing to teach. Most of us are teaching at least one class and part of each rehearsal is set aside so the instructor can try out her material.
So far, Betty has taught us about planning a choreography schedule, Devora has shown us ballet basics, and last night Brigitte got us all tapping (well, she was tapping; we were soft shoeing it).
Upcoming, we limber up with Evie, although it’s unlikely we’ll ever be as flexible as she is. Then it’s my turn and I’ll introduce everyone to fan dancing and then it’s Betty again with a class on facial expressions.
It’s been a great experience — the teachers get to practice their classes and get feedback before the real thing. We all get to take classes we might otherwise at the event. Win-win!
And this is just a fraction of the classes available at the Expo! If it sounds like fun, you should probably sign up for the conference.
Dear Constant Reader,
I’m sorry for my silence this week, especially after you got so used to me pestering you to vote every day. Things have been so busy with The Great Burlesque Expo just two weeks away. And immediately after it, the exhibit of costumes that I am curating opens at The West End Museum. So please forgive my lack of posting. But I couldn’t forget your Friday tip!
Rehearse at least once in full costume with all of your jewelry, makeup, and hairstyle. You might discover some issues you hadn’t considered.
It’s no fun to discover that something doesn’t work when you’re on stage, like your false eyelashes and your domino mask are incompatible or that your dangly earrings get caught in your necklace when you turn your head. Try it all out together in advance and you’ll have time to make other plans.
Dear Constant Reader,
Betty Blaize with Wings of Isis
On Saturday Betty and I went to a master bellydance seminar on Wings of Isis with Ayshe. Betty has danced with wings before, most notably in the 2010 edition of The Wrathskellar, but it was all new to me. Well, it’s not like I’m unfamiliar with manipulating large, floaty objects…
In the first workshop we spent a lot of time on an anatomy lesson, discussion of the proper position of the spine and use of the muscles in the back & shoulders. Positioning the arms is very important in using the wings. We also spent a lot of time on expansion and contraction of the body. I know everyone was itching to get the wings on, but this groundwork was necessary.
In the second workshop we learned a short choreography. Betty might have actually learned it — I was just doing the best I could at the moment. I’d been a little nervous about how long it had been since I practiced bellydance, but Ayshe is more a fusion dancer than a traditionalist and most of her movements were strongly ballet and modern dance influenced.
After the workshops, there was a student showcase where Betty and I both performed — but not bellydance, either traditional or fusion. She presented a tilyana (I’ve probably spelled that wrong), a classical Indian dance piece her teacher originally learned in 20 minutes. Betty’s been working on it for 6 months, but don’t think the less of her — her teacher is Superdancer. It’s all about very precise footwork and hand gestures, with a touch of the expressive storytelling that enlivens all of Betty’s dancing.
Betty encouraged me to show a fan dance, but I was in a quandary about the costume. I don’t usually wear one (well, pasties & a g-string) and this was *not* a burlesque audience. I ended up in my “Blue Angel” middle layer — bra & panties with silk panels for a skirt. It looked really nice with the white fans.
We had a long discussion on the ride back about teaching and choreography. A day well spent!
And I did get my own set of wings…
Dear Constant Reader,
Vote for the Boston Babydolls! Last chance!!! (Really. I think.)
Today’s tip comes from Devora Darling:
For good posture, keep your collar bones lifted. Imagine you’re wearing a sparkly necklace and you want it to reflect light onto your face.
Dear Constant Reader,
Vote for the Boston Babydolls!
A number of my friends have recently blogged about training and improvement (most of them were taking about business, but I apply everything to burlesque), which inspired this tip:
Never stop learning. There will always be something new that will help you improve your art.
I love taking classes. My definition of a successful class is one in which I learn one useful thing. More than that, and it’s a great class. And I don’t just restrict myself to burlesque classes — next weekend Betty Blaize and I are taking a bellydance workshop on Wings of Isis.
The 6th annual Great Burlesque Expo is coming up Easter weekend (that’s April 6-8) and the Conference is full of great classes for new & experienced burlesquers and performing artists in other disciplines. There will be teachers from all over the country! It’s a great opportunity to learn something new.
Dear Constant Reader,
Vote for the Boston Babydolls!
If you’re having trouble unfastening your bra, the hooks might have gotten squeezed shut. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to bend them back into shape.
Dear Constant Reader,
Vote for the Boston Babydolls!
I love giving you these tips. I have a whole pile of them and accumulate more every day. I’m often tempted to post tips more than once a week, but so far I’ve resisted.
To shape an ostrich plume, heat the shaft with an iron on the highest setting. Then gently bend it into the shape you want and hold it until it cools.
Don’t iron the fronds of the feather!
Dear Constant Reader,
Please vote for the Boston Babydolls!
If you are planning a stocking remove, pumps slip off easily and you don’t have to worry about unfastening buckles or untying laces. And you can put the shoes back on with little fuss.
Dear Constant Reader,
Please vote for the Boston Babydolls!
In response to my Friday tip, my esteemed colleague, Mr. Scratch, asked why performers shouldn’t pick up their own costumes. Well, in my opinion…
You want to leave your audience with a strong positive impression. Scrambling around, partialy clad, trying to quickly pick up your discarded costume before the next act comes on is probably not how you want the audience to remember you. Exit in character.
Also, bending over or crouching down to pick things up puts you in a subservient posture. Burlesque legend Toni Elling said to never look like you are ashamed of what you do. She wouldn’t even lower her head to acknowledge the audience’s applause. Also, you’ll look better standing up straight.
My mother (who reads this blog) asked how to wish a burlesque performer luck rather than saying “break a leg”. I’ve heard “break a nail” and “break a heel”, but most commonly “pop a pastie”.
Scratch tends to say “Good show”, which works for any kind of performance.
When we were in a commedia dell’arte troupe, we stopped saying “break a leg” because someone did. Then we used “In bocca al lupo” (“into the wolf’s mouth”), which is the Italian equivalent, without the fear of fractured bones. The proper response is “Crepi il lupo” (“may the wolf die”).
What good luck phrase do you use? Does any one use “merde”?
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 