Dear Constant Reader,
Be responsible and responsive.
If someone contacts you about a gig, get back to them in a timely fashion. If you don’t want the work, say so (politely, of course). It’s rude to leave someone hanging.
Martha’s Vineyard
Dear Constant Reader,
On Wednesday we performed at the Sand Bar in Oak Bluffs as part of their Full Moon party. We were only on the Vineyard for about 18 hours, but they were terrific ones.
We arrived by ferry in the late afternoon and unloaded our trunk of costumes at the venue — fortunately very close to the ferry dock, because of the aforementioned trunk of costumes. Figured out where we were going to perform (indoors or out) over a delicious dinner. They’re supposed to have the best sushi on the Vineyard. Betty & Devora thought it was rather amazing. Scratch and I were more traditional with a lobster roll and crab cakes, respectively.
Then went to the hotel to rest before the show. Our contact at Red Bull had booked us into the Wesley Hotel. I had seen the building from the ferry and fantasized that it was our hotel, but knew we couldn’t get that lucky. But no, we did. I should have known from the sign that I was expected to stay there. 
The show was what I think of as a typical bar show: less than optimal performance space with less than optimal lighting, using the manager’s office as a dressing room, &c. But we’re used to that and made the best of what we had.
Our first set was classic burlesque. Devora danced to “Blue Prelude” with her new blue boa (which she named Grover), Betty performed to “Night Train”, her standard, and I did a fan dance to “Harlem Nocturne”, my standard.
Then we changed both costumes and mood for the second set, a sampling from The Wrathskellar. I started with Mackie Messer. Devora and Scratch did Creepy Doll, and Betty performed her Knife Dance.
A photographer from a local magazine was snapping away and said it was the best show he’d seen. The manager seemed pleased, so maybe the bar will book us again. We’d love to come back.
We were staying on the edge of the Campground and in the morning I strolled around taking pictures of the fabulously painted gingerbread cottages. Each one was wonderful — the use of color, ornate woodwork trim, architectural details. I was inspired to embellish Stately Babydoll Manor just a little bit more. While not of the same vintage as these, it’s still technically a Victorian house.
After a nice breakfast, we had just enough time for a ride on Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest carousel in America. It’s quite beautiful and relatively recently restored. The horses don’t go up and down, but you do get to try for the brass ring! I was so excited since I thought there were no carousels left with rings.
Every time you go around, you can try for a ring, which are just ordinary metal, held in a wooden arm. There’s one arm for the outside horses and one for the inside horses. There’s a spike sticking up out of the horse’s head on which to stack them. During the last round, they announce that the brass ring is in the mix. And I got it!
We didn’t have time for my free ride, but that was okay. Really, just getting the ring was a huge thrill and the ride would have been a little anticlimactic. I bought a souvenir brass ring instead. It makes me smile every time I see it.
On my way out, one of the carousel attendants politely asked if I was a burlesque performer. He’d seen me, not at the Sand Bar the night before, but at The Devil’s Carnival in Boston. Fame!
Another smooth and quick ferry ride back and our whirlwind trip was over.
Review: The Lady is a Stripper
Dear Constant Reader,
This week marks the birthday of a lovely and truly magical lady, Dusty Summers! This is her story.
The Lady is a Stripper by Dusty Summers (2001).
To say that Donna had a lousy childhood would be an understatement. Her father was abusive, both physically and psychologically, and her mother refused to see it. Donna loved school, so her father made her quit. Finally, she ran away, and after she found someone who would listen to her woes, instead of just sending her back to her parents, she had a few years of happiness in foster care.
After an early marriage and divorce, at 18, in 1966, she found herself at the Airport Inn in Tucson applying to work as a bikini go-go dancer. Dusty Summers was born.
That was only the beginning. There were more marriages (nine total!), children, and a change from go-go to exotic dancing. Then Dusty met Professor Turban and her life changed again — she married him and he taught her magic. Abracadabra! She became Las Vegas’s Only Nude Magician.
And there’s even more, but I’ll leave that to the reader to discover.
Dusty’s story is often hard to read. The abuse she suffered from her parents and some of her husbands is heartbreaking. However, her determination, her accomplishments, and her love for her sister and daughters are inspirational. Throughout it all she was always classy, never raunchy, unashamed, completely a lady.
She’s still performing today, and if you have the chance to see her, don’t hesitate. Her magic is amazing and her performance skills are top-notch.
Friday Tip!
Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s tip comes from Betty Blaize (and her hairstylist):
When trying to get body in your hair, do the opposite of how the hair naturally falls – if it falls left, brush, curl or gel it to the right. If it falls right, go left. Hair in the back goes toward the front, hair in the front goes back.
Review: It’s All That Glitters
Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s review is particularly timely as there is a big party in L.A. tomorrow to celebrate the release of this book.
It’s All That Glitters: Portraits of Burlesque Performers in Their Homes, by Brian C. Janes (2012).
Photographer Brian Janes traveled around the country photographing burlesque performers in their homes, as the subtitle says. The performers were asked to be in costume and in some room of their house. Some are in the bedroom, some the bathroom, some their burlesque room. Some have been carefully styled to create a lovely backdrop for the performer’s personality, others were just as it is. All say “performer in her/his natural habitat”. Occasionally pets or children make an appearance.
Accompanying each full-page portrait is the performer’s own words, explaining what burlesque is to them.
I’m privileged to be one of the performers featured, along with Scratch and Betty. So if you get the book you’ll see my naked rear (I’m posing with my fans, of course) and well as my disaster of a sewing room. Brian really liked the overflowing bins of fabric, the overflowing book cases, the extension cords snaking across the floor (my overhead light needed to be replaced) and generally clutter. I think it’s funny that you can’t see my sewing machine, the usual centerpiece of the room, because it’s hidden behind me.
The July Project
Dear Constant Reader,
In the space between winding down A (Re)Movable Feast and ramping up for The Wrathskellar, the Babydolls and interns are working on what we’ve come to call the July Project.
We each have to create a new routine with specific parameters. It has to be classic burlesque. It’s for a nightclub/bar audience. Minimal props. No set pieces other than a chair. Music is restricted to the songs on Shim Sham Revue.
Everyone drew cards to determine who got to pick their song first. Betty & I went last to be fairer to the newer ladies. I think everyone got at least one of their top 3 picks. I know I got my preference: “The Mooche”.
At rehearsal on Sunday we presented at least a minute with as much costuming as we had. Some people had almost a whole act ready, some more like a loose concept. It was fun seeing what everyone came up with.
I myself was somewhat less than prepared, as the time I had set aside for development was eaten up by rehearsing for The Devil’s Carnival. Still, I know that music extremely well and I managed to pull together something Scratch liked (and he’d let me know if he didn’t!).
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s further progress. I’m also looking forward to trying to find some time to make the last bit of my costume.
Late Night Fun
Dear Constant Reader,
Yesterday was gorgeous here in Boston, sunny, clear, and just warm enough. Scratch decided it was just the right day to put in an arbor to support the grapevines that are taking over the back fence at Stately Babydoll Manor and escaping. Somehow this planning involved lunch at a little deli with enormous sandwiches. As we were enjoying them on the patio, Scratch got a call.
Short version — The Devil’s Carnival was playing at The Coolidge Corner Theatre and they wanted an burlesque act to open things up. Yes, I would. How about a fan dance? Back to Stately Babydoll Manor to prepare (with a pause for the installation of the grape arbor).
I thought the best fit for the creepy carnival theme from my fan dance repertoire would be “Toccata und Fuge in D Minor”. You know it: it’s the Phantom of the Opera organ music. I spent the afternoon rehearsing it.
As the show was at midnight, and I’m not much of a night owl, I took a nap. Upon rising and starting to get ready for the show, Scratch had decided, having seen clips of the film, that the fan dance was not the best fit and I should do “Macker Messer”. (It was my opening act for The Wrathskellar last year). Well, never let it be said that I’m not flexible. I put away my fans and packed up my “Mackie” costume (top hat, tail coat, switchblade, &c.)
I must say the screening was an impressive event. Many people there had seen the film before (and were singing while they waited) or were fans of Repo! The Genetic Opera (from the same creative team) and there were lots of costumes. Once the regular ticket holders were let in (there was a private Q & A for some VIPs first), the theatre filled up fast and things got started.
Their adorable MC introduced Scratch who introduced me. I’m always a little worried about “Mackie” out of context. It’s so deadpan and pretentious, and the song is in German. Scratch gave it the proper warm up: “Are you ready to be ignored by a beautiful woman?” And away we went. The crowd loved it.
Now we could relax and enjoy the festivities, like a short film about the making of Repo!, a costume contest with some pretty elaborate entries, and a Q & A with the creators.
The movie itself is quite good and so are the songs. It would definitely appeal to fans of The Wrathskellar. Although it is obviously a carnival while we are a cabaret, there’s a kinship in the aesthetic. In fact, when handing out leaflets afterward I told people just that: “It has a similar feel, only more boobs.”
Friday tip!
Dear Constant Reader,
Always carry a notebook and a pen – and use them! You never know when inspiration will strike. Or when you will need to jot down an important bit of information.
Review: Fox’s Folly
Dear Constant Reader,
Despite being so close to reviewing the last burlesque book in my collection, today’s book is not about burlesque at all.
Fox’s Folly: a Duals and Donovans story by Teresa Noelle Roberts (2012).
Full disclosure, the author is a friend of mine from way back. Teresa writes erotic paranormal romances, which means hot sex with a side of supernatural.
Her Duals and Donovans series is set in a world very much like ours, but with The Different — that is, witches, ghosts, demons, fae, and duals (shape-shifters) — mostly hidden from us “normies”. Fox’s Folly is the story of how Paul Donovan, a witch specializing in sex magic, and Taggart Ross, a fox dual, met while on the trail on a supernatural murderer. The attraction between the two men is instant (not surprising for readers of Foxes’ Den in which they are a long married couple) and the sex is steamy. But the murder mystery never gets forgotten, even when the sparks are flying.
There’s a lot of passion in her stories, both erotic and romantic. The author clearly believes in true love, although not necessarily with only one person (check out Lions’ Pride)… or creature… (see A Satyr for Midwinter, the last book in her Seasons of Sorania Cycle for some of that). You’ll sigh over the romance as much as over the lust (well, maybe not sigh).
The best part of Teresa’s books is that while the sex scenes are sizzling, the characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging. Well, that and that they are all available as ebooks, so you can be discrete about your reading. (wink)
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 