Video Project Week 3

Dear Constant Reader,

Here’s my third week of videos. A few thoughts:

I’m finding it hard to pick only performers I’ve never seen, but I am sticking to acts I’ve never seen.

I originally planned only to watch contemporary videos, but I stumbled upon a vintage act I’d heard of, but hadn’t known had ever been filmed. I still don’t know what it looked like on stage, since this is full of sooper-high-tech camera trickery.

I’m trying to break out of the classic rut and watch a little neo-burlesque too. I’m unlikely to do a neo-style act, but that doesn’t mean there’s not inspiration there too.

Sometimes I don’t know what the camera person/video editor was thinking!

The biggest thing I’m taking away is that I have got to up my game!

  • Miss Cherry Delight – The Evil Queen
  • Lady Shanime – Bombshell Betty Bump
  • Lili VonSchtupp – Vampire
  • Wham Bam Pam – Pam’s Magic Wand
  • Lili St Cyr – Cinderella’s Love Lesson
  • Medianoche’s winning performance at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival
  • Flora Gattina – Shoe Love

    • M2

    Published in: on 21 July 2015 at 10:40 am  Leave a Comment  
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    Friday Tip!

    Dear Constant Reader,

    Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

    If you frequently cut sticky things, like, say, pastie tape, invest in a pair of scissors with Teflon-coated blades.


    I love these little scissors and always carry them in my makeup kit. On the rare occasions I’ve had to cut my pastie tape with regular scissors, I’m always surprised at how quickly they get gummy.

    M2

    Published in: on 17 July 2015 at 10:33 am  Leave a Comment  
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    Halfway

    Dear Constant Reader,

    My Constant Critic complained yesterday that my post was less than interesting. I confess I was pressed for time and only sent out the list of videos I had watched over the past week.

    So, as it is now half way through the month, what have I learned? Let’s see…

  • Some days it’s hard to find something I want to watch. Suggestions, please!
  • True love of music and concept comes through in the performance.
  • If you are going to have a really big prop, really work it.
  • Simplicity can be mesmerizing.
  • I need to continue to work on my core strength.
  • Cheap magic really does work.
  • Atmospheric lighting doesn’t always film well. (I knew this, but there were some clear reminders)
  • I should do more floor work and stocking removes.

    • Plus some intangible inspiration that I hope colors my upcoming performances.

    M2

    Published in: on 15 July 2015 at 2:43 pm  Leave a Comment  
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    Video Project Week 2

    Dear Constant Reader,

    I’m sticking to my resolution to watch one burlesque video a day for the month of July. Here’s what tickled my fancy over the past week:

  • Imogen Kelly’s Step-Down Performance at BHoF
  • Mr. Gorgeous – Ice Cream
  • Ray Gunn – Morpheus
  • Kalani Kokonuts – The Geisha
  • Catherine D’lish – World’s Largest Feather Fans
  • Vicky Butterfly – The Imperial Faberge Swan’s Egg
  • Inga Ingenue at Viva Las Vegas #14

    • In case you’ve just joined us, the Week 1 videos are here.

    M2

    Published in: on 14 July 2015 at 11:47 am  Leave a Comment  
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    Even More Cherries

    Dear Constant Reader,

    First of all, I’ve been sending out missives for 4 years now (as of yesterday). Thank you for being my constant reader!

    The orchards at Stately Babydoll Manor continue to produce cherries, so I continue to make stuff. There’s a reason I was dubbed The Martha Stewart of Burlesque…

    Cobbler, from a recipe from 1934

    Dried

    Preserves

    Pickled


    Granita

    And then there was this…

    That was roasted pork loin in a Pyrex dish, after pouring in Scratch’s lovely Russian sauce of sour cherries, orange zest, and fine Madeira. There was an earth-shattering kaboom that scared the heck out of me and shrapnel scattered around the stove. Fortunately, no one was hurt, the pork and the unpoured sauce was salvaged, and the oven hasn’t been this clean in years.

    M2

    Published in: on 13 July 2015 at 12:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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    Friday Tip!

    Dear Constant Reader,

    Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

    When rehearsing an oft-performed number, do something new to keep it fresh.

    Rather than sleepwalking through the same moves, change things up. A fun way to do this is change your character. If you’re usually sexy, try being goofy. If it’s a light-hearted number, do it with drama. Just something different to shake things up. This doesn’t mean you can be sloppy!

    Once, after the umpteenth rehearsal of “Is You Is“, Scratch told half The Boston Babydolls to do the dance as though we were pirates, the other half were zombies. It was silly fun and the next time we ran it seriously, we were all a little more focused.

    M2

    Published in: on 10 July 2015 at 2:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
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    What Ever Happened to that Evening Gown?

    Dear Constant Reader,

    About a year ago you voted in my Dress Me contest and I selected the 1933 evening gown for me to make.

    And since then, I haven’t done a heck of a lot. There always seemed to be a more urgent piece of sewing. And yet that pile of fabric just wouldn’t go away. It kept taunting my lack of dedication. This past weekend I buckled down to make the mock up.

    Volia!

    The real thing won’t be that hideous green. It will also be floor length. I only cut the skirts long enough to check the fit in the hips. It looks a little askew in the picture because I’ve folded the seam allowance in on one side, but not the other.

    It definitely needs to be fitted under the arms and maybe a tiny bit of ease in the hips. Also, I need to find a bra that will work with that low back. I tried it without a bra and the results were not pretty. Also, I need to get up my courage and dye the silk. And eventually I need to pick a couple of buttons for the back. It could happen before next year…

    M2

    Published in: on 8 July 2015 at 2:59 pm  Comments (1)  
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    Video Project Week 1

    Dear Constant Reader,

    As part of continuing to improve as a performer I decided to watch a burlesque video a day for the month of July. I’m aiming for some inspiration, to break out of my comfort zones, to learn more, and what better way to do that than watch other people’s performances.

    I don’t actually like watching videos on my computer so this is a bit of effort. But there are only so many live performances I can get to and without videos I’m missing out on so much. My rules are that it’s got to be an act I’ve never seen before and I’m trying to watch mostly performers I’ve never seen live.

    This week I watched:

    What are your favorite performances? I’m happy to hear suggestions. I have 24 more days!

    M2

    Published in: on 7 July 2015 at 11:51 am  Leave a Comment  
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    Cherry Season

    Dear Constant reader,

    It’s sour cherry season at Stately Babydoll Manor and the orchards are simply dripping with fruit. We’re picking every day and have hardly made a dent.

    It’s hard to tell from the photo tell how large the big bowl is, but that’s probably four or five pounds of cherries and it’s so full that there was no room to add the cherries in smaller bowl Scratch is holding.

    I’ve been cooking like mad to take advantage of this precious fruit. So far I’ve made:

    clafouti

    sour cherry flamingo

    syrup

    sour cherry-rhubarb mousse

    crumb cake

    I’ll probably make cobbler tonight. There are also cherries drying in the dehydrator and preserves planned soon. Any cherries that don’t used will get frozen. The season is all too short and a little frantic, but so delicious.

    Now back to your regularly scheduled burlesque.

    M2

    Published in: on 6 July 2015 at 11:31 am  Leave a Comment  
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    Friday Tip

    Dear Constant Reader,

    Happy Friday! I hope all of my American Readers have a great Independence Day tomorrow and everyone else has a pleasant Saturday.

    This week’s tip harks back to last week’s about tissues.

    Handkerchiefs are classy.

    I stand by my tip that having a packet of tissues to hand is a useful thing, but also consider carrying a handkerchief. They are so much nice for weeping into, patting your glowingly damp brow, waving farewell, flirtatiously dropping, and surreptitiously wrapping up leftover petits fours.

    Gentlemen, this goes for you too!

    It’s thoughtful to give a crying friend a tissue, but so much more of a gesture to hand over your hanky. (If you’re on the receiving end, offer to launder it after you’ve used it. It’s a great excuse to get together again.)

    It’s not so easy to find handkerchiefs for women these days. Men’s are usually available where suits are sold. Just make sure they are actually handkerchiefs and not pocket squares. Pocket squares are excellent and should be worn, but they are for decoration only.

    Vintage handkerchiefs are easy to find and often inexpensive (I can usually find nice ones between $3 and $5). Here’s a few from my collection:

    Hankies are also very simple to make. Cut a square of fabric (linen or cotton are traditional). 13×13 is a good size for a lady’s handkerchief, I’ve found. Add a narrow hem and you’re all set! If you’re that sort of person, you can add all sorts of embellishment — lace, embroidery, &c.

    I’m still rather proud of this “something blue” handkerchief I made for my sister:

    It has an embroidered initial, decorative hemstitching, and handmade tatted lace. Obviously you don’t have to go all out like that.

    M2

    Published in: on 1 July 2015 at 3:03 pm  Comments (2)  
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