Dear Constant Reader,
You can curl ostrich fronds just like you curl ribbons on presents. Use a scissors or a dull knife and briskly run the frond across the blade. It’s time consuming, but presents a luxurious look.
More on Gifts
Dear Constant Reader,
After seeing my gift guide, someone asked me what I wanted for the holidays.
My first thought was “Peace on Earth; goodwill towards man” (name that movie!), but I figure a girl’s allowed to be a little materialistic once in a while…
* Any of the books on the Boston Babydolls’ Library Wishlist (scroll down). Bonus points if you buy them at an independent bookstore.
* Wonderful confections at Secrets in Lace, Fabulous Feathers, Stop Staring, or Vogses Haut Chocolat.
but really, more than anything, I’d like you to vote for Scratch in the Burlesque Top 50. It’s for people who have “made an outstanding contribution to burlesque this year” and if you’ve been to The Wrathskellar, you know he has. And then there’s the Expo and the Burlesque Marathon, just to name a couple of his other projects that benefit the entire burlesque community.
I’m in the newspaper (naked)
Dear Constant Reader,
The Boston Metro did a little piece on the upcoming NGR salon that I’m hosting.
Naked Girls Reading may change your thoughts on Dickens
SAM SWEENEY/METRO BOSTON
Published: December 13, 2011 5:57 p.m.
It’s that time of year again: a time for baking cookies, attending tree lightings and wrapping gifts. And don’t forget to attend a reading of your favorite holiday tale, “A Christmas Carol,” by Naked Girls Reading. Baby Jesus shouldn’t be the only one allowed to go bare this December.
Naked Girls Reading was founded in Chicago and is an international group, with chapters in most major cities. The name says it all: It’s a group of naked women who love to read.
“We’ve had a lot of interesting themes, but this is the first time we’ve done Christmas,” says Boston chapter hostess Mina Murray, who has been a reader since NGR hit the Hub.
The Girls’ holiday event is at Outpost 186, which only seats 35. Murray says this suits their birthday suits.
“I think it’s a much more intimate space,” she says. “There is very little barrier between the audience and the performers.”
That’s what Murray likes about reading: No matter the size of the audience, the lack of clothing gives listeners fewer distractions.
“I find that people in the audience, after the initial ‘Oh my goodness, they’re naked,’ I think they hear the words better. Nothing stands between the reader and the book.”
If you go
‘Do you look fabulous naked?’ Who cares?
Mina Murray isn’t new to bearing it all onstage. Her history with burlesque dancing and sitting as a nude artist model gives her the confidence to read clearly and calmly on stage.
“Appearing before an audience with little to no clothing on is not new,” she says. “I really enjoy speaking out loud. What’s great is getting other people involved.”
It’s not all about how good one may look without any clothes on, either.
“We’re not so much interested in the ‘Do you look fabulous naked?’ but how good of a reader you are,” Murray says.
Naked Girls Reading ‘A Christmas Carol’
Saturday, 8 p.m.
Outpost 186
186½ Hampshire St.,
Cambridge
$20-$30,
http://www.nakedgirlsreading.com/boston
Gift Giving
Dear Constant Reader,
The winter gift giving occasion of your choice is almost upon us. May I suggest a few ideas for those gifts to give?
The obvious answer is a class at The Boston Academy of Burlesque Education! Just send me an email and I can prepare a lovely gift certificate for one of our class series or even a private lesson.
If you’re a hands-on sort, consider taking our Fabulous Fascinators workshop and learn to make 2 beautiful hair ornaments, suitable for gifting (or keeping). Register right now — the workshop is tomorrow!
For a little something to get you in the holiday spirit, how about Naked Girls Reading: A Christmas Carol this Saturday? There are only about a dozen tickets left for this intimate event.
It’s never to early to think about Valentine’s Day. If you buy tickets now for Unlucky in Love, the Boston Babydolls’ next show, and use the code xmas you can get $20 tickets for half price.
But enough self-serving suggestions…
Personally, I feel the best present is a good book. I’m fortunate to count amongst my friends several talented authors. Please take a look at the Supporters section of the Boston Babydolls Library and consider one of the books (and ebooks) there. There’s science fiction, fantasy (of the sorcery variety), fantasy (of the erotic variety), true crime, history, paranormal romance, and at least one that defies categorizing. Something for everyone on your list!
Friday Tip! (and a little more)
Dear Constant Reader,
I am so sorry not to be keeping up with actual content here. Between a lovely trip to sunny Mexico (you may all be jealous now) and then falling ill (now you may be smug), I’ve not found it possible to take pen in hand. I’m working on a couple more book reviews and maybe I’ll show a few pictures from my trip. In the meant time, here’s today’s tip:
If you’re concerned about dropping your costume on the floor, arrange for a “catcher” to stand in the wings or at the side of the stage and toss her your costume bits.
Friday Tip!
Dear Constant Reader,
When buying bras for burlesque performance, it’s helpful to wear pasties, particularly the pasties you’re planning to wear for the number, in the dressing room. They could change how the bra fits and you can see if the pastie is going to peek out.
Friday Tip!
Dear Constant Reader,
When removing a pair of something, take off the second item in a different way from the first. Surprise the audience.
Review: Striptease
Dear Constant Reader,
If you could only read one book on this history of burlesque, this is the one I’d recommend.
Striptease: The Untold History of the Girlie Show by Rachel Shteir (2004).
Ms. Shteir looks at the entire history of burlesque in America and its foreign influences. She begins with the earliest days — minstrel shows, travesties and tableaux vivants — and the introduction of the striptease. She continues through the golden age, the decline, and finally the introduction of the topless (and more) club. There’s a little bit about the burlesque revival at the end.
The endnotes are extensive and reveal an academic bibliography. The book may originally have been her Ph.D. dissertation, but it’s quite readable. Illustrations sprinkled throughout.
UPDATE: Use with caution. There is unreliable information in this book.
Naked Girls Reading: A Christmas Carol
Dear Constant Reader,
Please join the literary ladies of Naked Girls Reading Boston for a little holiday cheer!
On December 17th NGR Boston takes over the intimate confines of Outpost 186 for an evening of holiday cheer with a reading of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.
Doors open at 8:00 p.m. for a pre-reading reception, and the reading begins at 8:30 p.m. The reading is about two hours long and there will be two breaks.
There are only 35 tickets, so we recommend you get them in advance (and you’ll save some cash too!).
Friday Tip!
Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s tip comes from legendary coach, Vince Lombardi.
Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Now, Coach Lombardi was talking about football, but it certainly applies to burlesque (and lots of other stuff too). As you practice your routines, you’re building muscle memory. If you’re distracted or sloppy you’re going to be building bad habits too. Don’t just go through the motions when you’re rehearsing; really focus. Check your form, consider your facial expressions, wear the right shoes, &c.
Conversely, if you’re having a really bad day and nothing is working, recognize that and give it a rest for a little bit. You’re better off just dancing for fun for a while than beating your head against a proverbial wall. When you feel relaxed and focused, come on back and have a perfect practice.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 