Dear Constant Reader,
On Friday I post my Friday Tip and send out the B.A.B.E. newsletter and this Friday was no different. There was a little B.A.B.E admin too.
I also did my Challenge and starting looking through the endnotes in Goddess of Love. A typical day, really. Nothing special.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
When making pants tear-away, start with a pair that is at least one size larger than usual.
The easiest way to make tear-away pants is to cut open the outside seam and add snap tape (we’ve used velcro and don’t like it). However, the creates an overlap and thus reduces the size of the pant leg. Your leg is going to create pressure on the snaps if the pants are too tight and you’re at risk of premature poppage.
The picture to the right shows Brigitte and me in our “Factory Girls” overalls. Because I’m leaning over and putting some tension on the fabric, you can see the line of snap tape at the overlap. It would have been better if those overalls were maybe one size bigger, but they were originally made for someone other than me.
You can always make pants fit better with a larger overlap at the waistband. We like to use a whopper popper at the top to keep everything nice & secure and then release them right before the tearaway.
Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.
Dear Constant Reader,
I picked up the newly-cut staves for my Faerie Queene fan at the fabricators. If you need anything weird made, I recommend Danger!Awesome. They did a good job and when my order wasn’t what I wanted the first time (because of a now-former employee who thought she knew better what I needed), they made it right. Next up, test assembly and off to the artist for painting.
I did a little costume work. Finally got the right color elastic for an old-school g-string I made for another performer. Added some rhinestones to the ties of my bathtub costume panties, so I can tell which ribbons are the front one by touch.
And I did my Challenge and finished reading Goddess of Love. I still need to take a look at her bibliography and notes before I can call it done.
Dear Constant Reader,
I’ve gone back and forth about whether I include work-out time in my count. Yes, I do it for general good health, but also so I look good on stage. In any case, every Wednesday before rehearsal I go to a barre class, and this day was no different.
At rehearsal we all did our Challenge (14 days!) and worked on acts. I spent some time on one of my magic tricks for The Faerie Queene. The trick is finally starting to be where I want it. And then I ran the act, incorporating a suggestion that Scratch had, which really improved things.
There was also a little B.A.B.E. admin work and, of course, a couple of chapters of Goddess of Love. Lili’s life in retirement makes me so sad and angry.
Dear Constant Reader,
My victory today was taking care of the issues with the Faerie Queene prop. It turns out that the employee who convinced me that what I wanted was not what I wanted no longer works there. I was not the first person to come back dissatisfied with their order. However, the fabricator is going to make good for only the cost of materials. Yay! That’s good customer service. I’ll probably use them again.
In the evening was Burlesque your Way. I think everyone left with solid ideas and inspirations for their acts. I’m looking forward to seeing the acts evolve.
And, of course, I finished off the day with my Challenge and a couple more chapters of Goddess of Love. I’m heading into the home stretch of the book. I’ll have to review it soon.
Dear Constant Reader,
A light day. I submitted 3 class proposals to the Windy City Burlesque Festival. I did my Challenge and read Goddess of Love.
There were a couple of simple costume alterations I wanted to do and easily could have done while I was watching Daredevil, but just failed to even think about it. Bad burlesque dancer; no biscuit.
Dear Constant Reader,
Scratch and I went down to RI for the Mode Merr open studio and on the way listened to Dita’s “Soundtrack for Seduction”. Does that count?
Whether it does or not, we had rehearsal in the evening. In which we tossed around ideas the group number for the next Expo. Brigitte had had a brilliant brainstorm which set everything in motion. Then we all* did our Challenge (that’s 11 days running for me!). After that Scratch suggested a rousing series of “Standing, Sitting, Kneeling”, a theatre improv game we adapted for dance. We ending up doing 3 songs.
Then we ran solos. Even though I had carted my Faerie Queen stuff over, I decided to dust off my bathtub act. Even though the tub still needs work, that’s no reason to let the act languish. I can’t wait to get my Glorious Pasties unders (I should check with Cheeky and see how she’s doing), although I’m a little concerned that the bra won’t fit over the pasties, since they’re going to be on a HardCore base. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
* By all, I mean Brigitte, Pearl, and me, because Betty is in California preparing for her Bharatanatyam Arangetram and both Evie and D.D. had family things.
Dear Constant Reader,
Light day today. I did my Challenge. I read Goddess of Love. I listened to a song Scratch suggested for my new act. That was it.
It wasn’t laziness. I spent most of the day in the kitchen at Stately Babydoll Manor assisting Red with the construction of one of these:
An enormous Napoleonic-Era meat pie. Nothing to do with burlesque, but I think it’s rather impressive. It was tasty too.
Dear Constant Reader,
Well, I tried to set in motion a fix to the problem with my Faerie Queene prop, but was thwarted. The fabricator was closed, despite their posted hours. I settled for an email outlining my issue. Waiting to hear back.
Also, I posted my Friday Tip and sent out the B.A.B.E. newsletter.
And the usual: I did my Challenge despite having a severe case of the I-don’t- wannas and fell asleep reading Goddess of Love, despite a fairly early hour.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! By the way, the weather is kind of nuts here in New England. Last week we had one of the warmest days on record and it’s supposed to snow next week. If you’re coming for a visit, just pack everything. That’s not your tip, though. This is!
Consider your venue when selecting an act for a show.
Some acts are more appropriate for some venues than others. A big stage in a theatre calls for an act that can fill the space — this is a great time to use your big props. A bar wants something a bit more streamlined. Raked seating means the audience can actually see your floorwork. Performing in the round isn’t the best for a fan dance (although I’ve done it!). If the only “backstage” is the ladies’ room, choose a costume that’s fairly compact. &c., &c., &c.
Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 