Dear Constant Reader,
I had a hard time coming up with a tip today. Everything sounded too frivolous on such a weighty day.
Take a little time today for quiet contemplation.
I’ll be thinking of those I love and of everything for which I am grateful. That includes you, Constant Reader.
Be well.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s a great Friday! The American Burlesque Collection opens today! I’m at the museum in Salem as you read this, which brings me to your tip.
Schedule your social media posts in advance.
There are a number of them out there, some built in to platforms and some separate apps. It’s so much easier to create a bunch of posts when you have the time and energy, then set them up to go out whenever you want. It’s important to stay connected to your fans, but also not to burn yourself out.
Speaking of staying connected… check out Burlesque Galaxy, premiering September 25th, to keep you connected to burlesque even in these socially distant times.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Tonight I’m teaching Blonde Bombshell, a one-hour on-line workshop as a fundraiser for BurlyCares. Go here for more information and to register. It’s pay-what-you-can and every penny goes to BurlyCares to support our Legends!
Also, in just one week the American Burlesque Collection opens to the public!
Now on to your tip!
Your costumes will be happier in the dark.
Sunlight is no good for fabric. It will fade and degrade in the light. (Take my class Caring for Your Costumes to learn more!) The best place for your costumes are in a closet or inside drawers. I know that’s a luxury not everyone has. Storage boxes are one option. If you keep your costumes on a freestanding clothing rack, just toss a sheet or a similar cloth over it. Added bonus is that it keeps out dust as well!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
This week really got away from me! I had so much I was going to share with you. Here it is Friday and those missive are still on my desk, unfinished. Ah well, perhaps next week. Here’s your tip!
Shoulders down and back!
My mother was constantly saying that to me when I was a kid. When you let your shoulders hunch, not only is it terrible for your posture, but you look uncertain and like you’re trying to hide. So push those shoulders back! Even if you don’t feel confident, especially if you don’t feel confident. Changing your posture can change your mood!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Here we are — Friday again! How does that keep happening?
Here’s your tip!
When working with stretchy fabric, stretch it before applying decorations.
If you stretch the fabric to the size it will be when you’re wearing it, your decorations will lie flat. I like to pin flat fabric to my ironing board and use a form for things like gloves or garters (a one liter soda bottle works nicely!). If you’re gluing rhinestones, make sure there’s plastic or a silicone mat under the fabric, so the glue doesn’t stick to your work surface or another section of the garment.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday again! How did that happen?
This week’s tip comes from Mr. Scratch who has been shooting a lot of video for our upcoming show (tomorrow!) The Underwear Academy.
Good lighting can improve a bad camera, but even a good camera can’t fix bad lighting.
There’s another tip about lighting for video here.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Here it is, Friday again. Time for a tip! But first a few announcements…
On Tuesday, B.A.B.E. will be presenting “Burlesque” Means “Comedy”, a brand-new workshop from Mr. Scratch. Some of the most famous American comics got their start on the burlesque stage. Burlesque has its roots in a long comic tradition — and a lot of modern comic traditions have their roots in burlesque. This class is a look at the evolution of burlesque from the commedia dell’arte of the 16th century to the modern day. Through video, readings of actual burlesque comic scripts, and a discussion of the rise and fall of the comedian in the world of burlesque, students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for what burlesque was and can be.
Please fill out this survey about classes at B.A.B.E.! Help us bring you the class experience that you want!
The Boston BeauTease have a new show premiering in just a week! To celebrate the second season of The Umbrella Academy, we are presenting The Underwear Academy. This streaming show is like nothing we’ve ever done before, in so many ways! Join us Saturday, August 1 at 8pm. Get your tickets here!
Note: All tickets are exactly the same regardless of price. Once you purchase a ticket you will be emailed a link and password to access the show. You also get access to a post-show Zoom with the cast!
And now for your tip!
Make a pattern to cover your bra cups.
Sure, you can work free-hand to cover the cups, but making a pattern beforehand in scrap fabric reduces the chance of mistakes which will end in tears. It’s especially recommended if you’re working with expensive fabric or doing any kind of pattern matching or mirroring.
Also, if you use a particular style of bra a lot, you can save yourself a lot of work by having a pattern ready to go! When I cut out my tags, I tack them to the pattern, so I know the size and style.
If you want more information about converting a commercial bra, check out Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Burlesque Costuming
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Here it is, Friday again. Time for another tip…
When wearing a mask, use your stage voice. Project, speak a little slower, enunciate a little more.
Not only does the mask muffle your voice, your mouth is hidden. We “hear” more from facial movement than you might think.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday again! A few notes before we get to your tip.
If you haven’t read my post on forgotten burlesque chorine Buddy Wade, please do. I’m quite pleased with the research that lead me to her story.
I’m teaching on-line workshops every week at B.A.B.E. Check out the schedule!
The Boston BeauTease have a new show next month! To celebrate the second season of The Umbrella Academy, we are presenting The Underwear Academy. This streaming show is like nothing we’ve ever done before, in so many ways! Join us Saturday, August 1 at 8pm. Get your tickets here!
Note: All tickets are exactly the same regardless of price. Once you purchase a ticket you will be emailed a link and password to access the show. You also get access to a post-show Zoom with the cast!
Now here’s your tip!
Check your angles.
When you’re performing on stage the audience members see you from differing angles, depending on their locations in the venue. A filmed performance is only going to be seen from one perspective, as thought there were a single seat, so you can control the audience’s gaze. You have a lot of power over what they see (and don’t see). Make sure your angles show you to your best advantage!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! If you are celebrating Independence Day this weekend, I hope you do it safely. Here’s your tip!
Research your research.
Jo Weldon recently talked about burlesque history and some of its problems, which inspired this,
When researching anything but let’s focus on burlesque history, don’t take anything at face value. Even primary sources, like newspaper articles and autobiographies are full of exaggerations and grandiose statements. Publications wanted to sell copies and performers wanted fame (or notoriety). A good story, particularly a salacious one, was preferable to reality. And some of these have been handed down as fact by publications about burlesque. It’s hard to blame them — I’ve heard stories directly from legends that change over time or don’t match up with documented facts. (If every
So what can you do? Rather than just citing a source, check its sources. The easiest way is to follow the footnote trail. If there are no footnotes or other citations, dig a little deeper. Check contemporary sources. Accurate dates are so important! You may find yourself going down an Internet rabbit hole or buried in a library research collection to discover the actual facts and probably some things you didn’t expect (I’ve spent many fascinating hours doing this!). If you still can’t corroborate, it doesn’t mean don’t use the information, but make sure you note that the source may not be reliable.
Just do due diligence before presenting burlesque myth as burlesque fact.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 