Dear Constant Reader,
Today I like to reflect on all the things I am thankful for and there are many. One of the most important to me:
I am thankful for the on-going friendship, support, and creative collaboration within the Boston Babydolls.
You gals & guys are the best!
What is something you are thankful for?
Dear Scratch,
Happy birthday to the best producer/director/MC/partner a glamour gal could ever want!
Kisses,
Dear Constant Reader,
You have been so patient waiting to hear about the New York Burlesque Festival, but I’m going to make you wait a little longer.
The Wrathskellar finally opened and that means I’ve finally had a chance to breathe. Perhaps I’ll even get back to my usual writing schedule here.
The best review of The Wrathskellar so far comes from the local theatre aficionado and Photoshopper extraordinaire who perpetrates the Sleep No More Crossover Fan Fiction blog: “The Wrathskellar is fucking fantastic. Go see it!”
Normally Wednesdays (that would be tomorrow) are my day for writing book reviews. However, I am completely out of burlesque books to review! Here are the options:
I could get more burlesque books and review them. Please go to my Library and scroll down to the Wish List. Let me know which of those books you’d like me to review. A truly generous soul would send me said book…
I could review books on other related topics, such as vaudeville, dance, beauty, and fashion.
I could review burlesque DVDs, instructional and otherwise.
Faithful readers, I am asking you to let me know what you want to see on Book Review Wednesday and will do whatever you want (within reason).
Yr humble servant,
Dear Constant Reader,
Tomorrow night I have the honor of performing my tribute to April March, The First Lady of Burlesque at The New York Burlesque Festival. I’m staying to see the Friday night show and then racing back to Boston on Saturday for load-in of The Wrathskellar.
I’m sorry to be missing The Golden Pasties and all the attendant fuss on Sunday, especially since I’m a nominee (Fingers crossed for me!), but a Babydolls show has to trump everything else.
Dear Constant Reader,
Have you ever had one of those moments where, in a heartbeat, everything changes?
Saturday night, I returned to Babydoll Manor late and full of good cheer. Billie von Bon Bon, former Babydoll songbird, was back in town for her bachelorette party. I’ve missed her terribly since she moved to San Francisco and it was so good to see her, especially on such a festive occasion.
One last check of my mail before bed, I thought. And that’s when I read the message I wish had never been sent.
Devora Darling was in an awful accident. She’s in the hospital with a broken arm, broken hip, and broken jaw. Scratch wrote up more details here, if you care for such things.
Scratch & I visited her and it was heartbreaking to see our usually cheerful D.D. so miserable. She tried to keep her outlook sunny, like she always does, but it was obvious she’s in a lot of pain, physically and emotionally. The Wrathskellar opens in a month and she’s devastated that she won’t be able to dance. She originated the role of The Lost Girl, created the iconic “Creepy Doll” act, and has a new danse Apache with Evie that’s stunning. I can’t imagine the show without her.
All the Babydolls have pulled together to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. The show will go on and Devora will be involved somehow, but right now we’re holding emergency auditions for a new Lost Girl. I’ll keep you posted.
Tearfully,
Dear Constant Reader,
It seems that there are a lot more of you today. Apparently Neil’s Twitter Wife mentioned my little scribblings here.
Well, welcome all. I send out missives a couple times a week. Fridays are reserved for Friday Tips — snippets of advice about burlesque, which means performance, costuming, hair & make-up, business, and anything else I feel can benefit the burlesque entertainer. Wednesdays were usually book review day, but I’ve recently commented on the last burlesque book on my shelf. (See Wish List for what I hope to review in the future.) I’m usually quiet on the weekends because I’m performing and/or rehearsing and on Mondays because I’m too tired from the weekend.
This Saturday Brigitte and I will be performing at The 3rd Annual Salute to Bettie Page while Scratch cooks and the rest of the Babydolls serve a delicious dinner at Stately Babydoll Manor to our most generous Kickstarter patron. On Sunday I’ll be taking some workshops with Princess Farahana of Hollywood and then racing back for rehearsal. Don’t expect to hear from me on Monday.
Again, welcome to my glamourous life.
Dear Constant Reader,
Today I was going to write you a lovely missive about things like my weekend and Naked Girls Reading.
However, I have changed my mind.
Today I wish to inform you that The Improper Bostonian has recognized The Boston Babydolls as the Best Burlesque Company in their Boston’s Best 2012 issue.
Yippee!
Dear Constant Reader,
You might remember my friend Sarah (aka former Babydoll and future Naked Girl, Vita Lightly). I mentioned her in a missive a while back about how I won a Breil watch in her first ever giveaway.
She’s been very busy lately, what with graduating from college and flying back and forth to Germany for modeling jobs. So she’s only just gotten around to announcing my excellent good fortune. Thanks, Sarah!
You should consider reading her blog, Erratic in Heels if you like fashion, cake, silliness, and wacky modeling adventures.
Dear Constant Reader,
You know I love burlesque and burlesque history. You may also know that I love costumes and I’m pretty good at making them too. You may not know that I have always wanted to work in a museum. It’s true. I even went to school for Museum Studies. Recently, Scratch allowed me to indulge in my passion for all these things by setting up an exhibit of burlesque costumes at The West End Museum here in Boston.
The folks at Pin Curl Magazine were good enough to do a little feature on the exhibit.
If you want to see the costumes for yourself, they’ll be at The West End Museum until May 12. On May 11th at 7pm there will be a closing reception, which is free. I’ll be there and I’m happy to give you a guided tour of the exhibit.
Dear Constant Reader,
Vote for the Boston Babydolls!
Do you know this charming creature? Scratch found it wandering the streets, but it’s clearly a house cat. We’d like to find its owners. Drop me a note if you know anything about this cat.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 