Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Wednesday and I hoped to have a book review for you, but I’ve been busy getting ready for this:
Brigitte, Devora, and I (and stage kitten Scratch) will be making a guest appearance at Burlesque-a-Pades, Holiday Inn tonight at the Iron Horse in Northampton.
We’ll be presenting “Factory Girls”, dressed up for the holidays! It’s going to be so much fun!
Dear Constant Reader,
A little backstory first. A couple of years ago there was this terrible movie that was called “Burlesque”, but actually had nothing to do with burlesque. Scratch decided he wanted to raise awareness of actual burlesque and hold an overnight marathon show the week before the movie opened. He recruited a ton of burlesque performers from all over the East Coast and we did it. We started at midnight and performed through until morning. It was exhausting, exhilarating, and a ton of fun.
Scratch had only planned it to be a one time thing, but so many folks were saying “next year…”, that, despite his better judgement, he did it again… and then again.
This year, after volunteering at Coney Island, Scratch decided to make the marathon a fundraiser with raffles to benefit Coney Island USA. He gave away a bunch of great prizes, but I don’t yet know what the final total raised was.
It was great to share a dressing room with old friends like BettySioux Tailor, Blitzen von Schtupp, and Corinne Southern. We were honored to witness the debuts of Minnie Holiday, Ginny Nightshade, and Ava Estrella (who all would have looked familiar if you saw The Wrathskellar). And first time MCs Reyn, Nick, and Ginny did a fantastic job! Some of my students, Amber Rane, Dagny Vanderlust, and Delilah Springs took the stage — with some of the acts they created last year in Burlesque Your Way.
We ended about an hour shorter than planned due to some last minute drop outs, act cancelations, and no-shows. But the audience still got an excellent show and those who stayed through the whole thing got breakfast at the end.
I brought my camera so I could share pictures with you all, but failed to unpack it. I especially regret not getting a picture of Mother Mischief (Mimi Mischief brought her mom!) asleep under Mimi’s pink balloon costume. I know there was video shot, but I don’t know about photos. If any turn up, I’ll let you know.
And Scratch swears he’s not doing it again next year.
Dear Constant Reader,
A little treat for you from The Wrathskellar!
Photo by Hans Wendland
Dear Constant Reader,
At the moment Boston is being visited by the much-dreaded storm Sandy. However, last night it was just a little rainy and we were all prepared for our penultimate performance of The Wrathskellar.
Then we got the call from the theatre. There was a flood.
Not storm-related at all, but there was a problem with the sewer pipe. All day long we kept getting one message after another – some dire, some positive. I was convinced The Diva’s dressing room had gotten the worst of it — it’s actually the lighting closet and when we were in the theatre in February there was standing water in it. The thought of all the set dressing in there was making me sick — I used my personal collection of vintage and antique dressing table accoutrements.
Finally, we were allowed in to discover the flood had hit right in front of the stage (where the cabaret tables are) and in one of the dressing rooms, but only some personal stuff that was left on the floor got wet. None of our lovely new costumes or set pieces or props or lighting equipment were damaged.
However, there was water trapped in the ceiling and the city said it was unsafe to be in the theatre. We canceled the performance and the cast & crew commiserated at Stately Babydoll Manor over wine and cheese.
I’m hoping with all my hope that the ceiling is drained and repaired in time so we can have our last performance on Halloween as scheduled.
Dear Constant Reader,
Remember when I said I couldn’t remember much of Thursday night’s show at the New York Burlesque Festival? Fortunately J.D. Oxblood of Burlesque Beat wrote it all down.
Of your humble correspondent, he writes: “Boston’s Miss Mina Murray doing a straight-up traditional stocking peel, lying on a bench, legs up, the whole bit”
And there are great photographs from Melody Mudd. I love this one of my end pose.
Dear Constant Readers,
A couple of weeks ago I headed to Brooklyn for the 10th Annual New York Burlesque Festival and my first solo festival appearance.
Your humble correspondent hates to drive and will do almost anything to avoid it. However, I was performing my tribute to April March and that requires a large set piece (aka The Prop). There was no way around it — I had to drive. So, I rented a car and hit the road with The Prop in the back seat. Those of you who were following my adventures on Twitter now understand why I gleefully tweeted every time I found parking.
I was performing in the Thursday Tease Party at The Bell House. I’ll be honest with you; I don’t recall a lot of the show. I was either thinking about my upcoming appearance, getting ready for it, or giddy after it was done. I did hear Dot Mitzvah singing her operatic heart out with her award-winning “Glitter and Be Gay” number while I was backstage putting on my wig.
And then it was time for me to go on. I was nervous, of course, but strangely calm as well. The MC didn’t mention anything about the tribute, so I hoped the audience would appreciate the act on its own merits as a recreation of early 1960’s striptease without the backstory. The whole front row was photographers, it seemed. One of whom (John Paul Bichard) caught me unclipping a garter, as you can see. The audience was fantastic — engaged, cheering, easy to flirt with.
After my act, I headed back out to watch the remainder of the show, still wearing my wig. This was partly so people could recognize me and partly because I knew my hair was a disaster under there. I got a lot of compliments on the act from fellow performers (someone called it a “beautiful leg show”) and audience members.
And then it was time to pack it all up and head out. It had started to rain at this point and I am eternally grateful to the gal whose name I have forgotten who helped me schlepp my prop back to the car. It breaks down and none of the 3 component parts are particularly heavy, but it’s not easy for one petite burlesque dancer to carry all three at once. And as I said, it was raining.
I think my adventures on Friday will wait for another missive.
Dear Constant Reader,
One of the glamourous things about being a burlesque dancer is getting to wear pasties — those tiny ornaments of rhinestones and tassels, magically clinging to our breasts like dazzling limpets.
When asked how we keep out pasties on, Scratch usually answers “Staple gun.” The reality is double-sided tape. Every Babydoll has her own favorite brand, but we all use tape. It’s the fastest method for changing, since you can have your pasties all prepared in advance and you just peel & stick and don’t have to wait for an adhesive, like spirit gum, to dry.
We all change our pasties at least once in The Wrathskellar. Stella & I wear 4 different pairs each over the course of the show. The tape can be a little irritating, especially as the weather gets drier. And it’s worse for those who have sensitive skin in the first place. I moisturize like crazy during the run of a show. And move the position of the tape around, so it’s not alway sticking in exactly the same place. But peeling off the tape can take a little skin with it.
So, after several days of show, I can end up with abrasions on my breasts.
I call them “boob-boos”.
Dear Constant Reader,
I know you want to hear all about the New York Burlesque Festival and I will tell you all about it, but first I want to talk about load in for The Wrathskellar.
Brigitte, Stella, and I were late to the theatre. We’d gone to Brigitte’s salon to have her stylist design hairstyles for us and give us tutorials. All I’m going to say is that I should be a whiz at pincurls by the time the show is over.
We’ve played the Davis Square Theatre before, so we knew what to expected when we got there. Except we didn’t. The place was a disaster. Mylar confetti strips, spilled beer, broken light bulbs, empty cans & bottles (mostly cheap beer, some energy drinks), guitar picks, abandoned umbrellas, overflowing trash cans, broken drum sticks, mouse droppings, and just general trash. And our people had been cleaning for almost 2 hours before we got there. So much for the “broom clean” our contract specified.
Of course, because we are glamourous burlesque dancers with smashing hairdos, we got right to work, scraping mylar off the floor (it likes to stick, especially when beer is involved) and other less than savory items. Meanwhile the tech crew were hanging lights, building the stage, and creating the “backstage” areas (they’re part of the set that the audience can visit before the show and during intermission).
It was much better by the time we left for rehearsal, and when *we* load out the place will be more than ready for the next show. I can’t believe anyone thought it was all right to leave the place in that condition.
Dear Constant Reader,
Saturday was a flurry of activity in Babydoll Land. We were hosting a very generous Kickstarter backer for dinner and performing in the 3rd Annual Salute to Bettie Page. Simultaneously! Babydolls can be in two places at once (since there are 7 of us…)
Scratch already wrote about the fabulous feast. Go read it and come back here to read about the show.*
Just as the kitchen at Babydoll Manor was in full swing, Brigitte arrived in her adorable yellow sports car to whisk us away to Providence. I had the pleasure of modeling in the first Salute, but had to miss last year because of our tour schedule. It was Brigitte’s first time. And we were performing burlesque as well.
On our arrival we found BettySioux Tailor, as usual, humming around doing a thousand things. She pulled a couple of outfits for us to try on and made the pick. Brigitte got a red bustier and slinky pencil skirt for her first look and a blue leopard bra and retro-style garterbelt for the second. Quite hot, I must say.
I had a cute pink and orange sundress for my first look and the world’s most uncomfortable clear plastic heels. They looked good, especially with the pink bows on the toes but I was so glad to get them off. For my lingerie look, I really loved a sheer black bra & tap pant set with attached purple rhinestone pasties, but the bottoms weren’t cut right for me. Instead I wore an adorable sailor bikini with an anchor appliqued on the butt. Yachting cap included.
We all wore Bettie Page wigs for the fashion show. Brigitte had never worn one before, but BettySioux took a few moments out of her busy evening to make sure it was on just right. We also had the luxury of having stylists do our makeup. Such a treat!
I do hope someone got pictures — I had left my camera with Scratch.
There were some fine performances. BettySioux led off the night with a classic-style bump & grind with fantastic facial expressions. Corrine Southern performed a tribute to Bettie Page’s iconic Playboy photo, complete with Christmas tree. Acacia Spinstress amazed me with her skillful hooping (3 hoops!).
And then it was our turn. We performed “Mistress & Maid” from The Wrathskellar which was partially inspired from Bettie Page and Tempest Storm in Teaserama. Brigitte wore her Bettie wig, which just added to the fun. It went over very well. Girl/girl spanking always does.
Part of the Glamourous Life is making sure you leave with all the costume that you arrive with. I realized my bra was not in my heap of clothes. I knew what had happened: I drape it over the screen that I change behind during the act and it was probably still there. You can see it in the above picture.
Except the screen was now gone from the stage. After frantic hunting all over the club, we found it neatly folded up on the other side of the stage, with my red satin bullet bra neatly folded up inside it.
After saying goodbye and receiving some lovely goodie bags (that BettySioux is such a doll!), we headed north. Babydoll Manor was quiet and restored to pre-feast order. They’d even saved me a piece of Charlotte Russe.
It was a great night, tons of fun, and the audience appeared to have a blast. We’re already looking forward to next year!
* [EDIT] The blog post has disappeared with the old Babydolls website, but for posterity, the grand menu was:
Zakuski platter
Herring in dill sauce
Cheese spread
Black bread
Pickled onions
Mushroom salad
Vodka
First Course
Blini with dill, sour cream, chopped hard boiled egg, and caviar
Second Course
Cold cherry soup
Main Course
Kasha with mushrooms
Roasted cabbage
Carrot and cumin salad
Fried bone-in chicken breasts with garlic sauce, sour plum sauce, and walnut sauce
Dessert
Charlotte Russe
P.S. Please nominate me for The MacGyver Award (for the performer who can fix any costume malfunction anytime, anywhere, and with anything) at the Golden Pastie Awards! Nominations close September 3rd.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 
