The New York Burlesque Festival

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.

nybf-2012---john-paul-bichardAnd 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.

Published in: on 17 October 2012 at 4:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Owie

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”.

Published in: on 15 October 2012 at 10:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

You can’t please everyone.

Don’t even try. You’ll lose your mind, and maybe your soul. One of the wonderful things about human beings is that we have diverse tastes and opinions. Therefore, the same act is going to evoke a different response in different members of your audience. Unfortunately, people who don’t like something are generally more vocal (and more negative) than the ones who were happy with it.

Just concentrate on being polished, professional, and poised. Give the best performance possible. And make sure you’re pleasing yourself.

Published in: on 12 October 2012 at 3:09 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Miscellany on a Tuesday

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,

Published in: on 9 October 2012 at 12:57 pm  Comments (2)  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

As we open The Wrathskellar tonight, I am reminded of this:

The Boston Babydolls’ Me-plus-one rule: Take care of yourself first, but think about your fellow performers. If you need something for a show, chances are good someone else will too. Bring an extra and you might just make someone’s day.

Published in: on 5 October 2012 at 10:31 am  Leave a Comment  
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Almost There

Dear Constant Reader,

Just a quick note. Tonight is our preview/final dress rehearsal for The Wrathskellar and we’ve been busy, busy, busy getting ready. It’s hard to believe we open tomorrow!

As a little treat for you, we’ve been making video diaries of the rehearsal process. You can see some of them here.

Published in: on 4 October 2012 at 11:39 am  Leave a Comment  
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Load In

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.

Published in: on 1 October 2012 at 11:52 am  Leave a Comment  
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NYBF!

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.

Published in: on 26 September 2012 at 12:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Last Chance!

Dear Constant Reader,

Today is your last change to vote for me for The MacGyver Award Golden Pastie! No silly promises today, just that I’m thrilled and delighted to be nominated. Almost as thrilled and delighted as I am to perform my Tribute to April March, The First Lady of Burlesque Thursday night at the 10th New York Burlesque Festival!

Published in: on 24 September 2012 at 11:48 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Today’s tip comes from my good friend, master costumer Rae Bradbury-Enslin, the one who taught me most of my costume MacGyver tricks.

If someone is close enough to see a mistake in your costume and comment on it, they’re close enough to punch in the nose.

P.S. And don’t forget to vote for me for The MacGyver Award !

Published in: on 21 September 2012 at 10:00 am  Comments (1)  
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