Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

If you have an injury, take the time you need to let it heal.

As dancers and physical performers we are, unfortunately, prone to injury. While there may seem something heroic about ignoring the pain and going on stage anyway, you’re not doing yourself any favors. It’s frustrating to be sidelined, but you don’t want to make your injury worse by going back to your normal activities before it has healed properly.

That doesn’t mean you can’t continue to work on your art; you just need to be creative about it. Practice facial expressions, embellish costumes, do a modified version of an act where you can baby the injured body part*, &c.

*After spraining her ankle, Betty created a number she could do while sitting down.
Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Here it is, Friday again. Time for your tip.

A variety of decorative elements, not just rhinestones, will add depth and texture to your costumes.

Try a mix of beading, ribbon work, appliqués, fabric painting, &c. to add interest to any costume piece.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! The Expo starts today, which means I’ve been in a whirlwind of preparations and stress (and snow shoveling, can’t forget that). But despite all that I would not deprive you of your tip.

Take progress photos as you work on a big project.

It’s great way to see how far you’ve come when working on a costume or a prop or whatever it is. Also, if you want to replicate the project or need to fix something, you have a record of what you did. And you can give your adoring fans a sneak peak along the way.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Look at that! It’s Friday again. Time for your tip:

When working with balloons, make sure your nails are smooth, without chips or breaks.

If you do a balloon act, it’s not a bad idea to keep an emery board with your balloon supplies.
Filing down jagged tips will help save you from unscheduled popping.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday. Here’s your tip:

You are allowed to take up space.

Women are often told both subtly and overtly to minimize ourselves, not to take up too much space, not too be too loud or too shrill. You can see the influence in some women’s posture — holding their limbs close to their bodies, hunching, slouching, slumping, contracting, trying to be small, to be invisible.

You can be big. You may be big. Take up your fair share of space.

As performers, especially as burlesque performers, we have an obligation to be expansive. Use the whole stage. Make your facial expressions big so they read in the back row. Make your gestures broad so there is no doubt about your intention. If you sing or speak, be loud and clear so you will be heard and understood. Let your emotions be seen by the entire audience.

Be splashy, be flashy, be whatever you want, but claim your space and use it. Bring your heart forward and stop hunching. Stand tall and proud without slouching.

It’s your space. Take it. Use it. Revel in it.

I’ll see many of you tomorrow.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip:

When at a festival or similar large gathering, wash your hands often.

Burlesque festival season is starting — Vermont is next weekend and The Expo is (*yikes*) about a month away — and I’m going to a SF con this weekend. They’re great places to pick up and spread sickness, so protect yourself and those around you. The best way to do that is to wash your hands frequently, especially before handling food or touching your eyes or mouth, like putting on your makeup.

Make sure you get all the surfaces of your hands soapy and lather for 20 seconds — that’s how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice — before rinsing. All that handwashing can be drying to your skin, especially in the winter, so I slather on a little lotion while my hands are still slightly damp. Mrs. V and the Bees makes a solid moisturizer that’s nice for keeping in your bag.

Sometimes it’s not possible to actually wash (I remember an airplane bathroom where the sink had no water. Ick.) and that’s when you turn to hand sanitizer. It’s not as effective as a good wash, but it’s so much better than nothing. I love Working Girl from Atomic Cosmetics (I swear, I have no affiliation other than being an utterly satisfied customer), which has moisturizer built in! And you can get it in tiny purse-sized tubes as well as big bottles.

Wishing you health this winter,
Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! It’s the first Friday Tip of 2017!

Consider a paper appointment book.

There’s something so delightful about a fresh appointment book at the beginning of the year and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the year, flipping through the pages. I just love putting pen to paper (but you all knew that).

This is my lovely new book for 2017.

I’m particularly fond of this style. It has one week per two pages, plenty of room for notes, a month by month calendar, a clever next year calendar, all sorts of useful information lists, and two ribbon bookmarks.

I find I’m more likely to remember appointments when I write them, as opposed to type them. I carry my book in my purse and refer to it often. And I get to say “I’ll pencil you in” and mean it.

By all means, use the calendar function on your phone — I do. It has all sorts of useful functionality, like alerts and sharing and things. This is an addition, rather than a replacement.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

We’re almost at the end of 2016! What a year it’s been! I can’t say that I’m sorry to see the back of it and I’m hoping for better times in 2017.

Here’s your tip!

Make a list of self-improvement goals for the coming year. Next year at this time, see how you did.

I don’t like New Year’s resolutions. They are, in the words of Mary Poppins, a pie crust promise — easily made, easily broken.

People set themselves hard, quantifiable goals like “I will go to the gym 5 days a week.” They’re probably good about it for a little while and then life gets in the way, the resolution is broken, and maybe the resolver feels guilty, maybe not. I prefer things like “I want to go to the gym more often.” It’s open ended. Think of it as things you want to work on, not things you must achieve. You’re trying to be better, not perfect.

Just for accountability, I’ll share my own list in a separate missive.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! It’s extremely cold here in Boston. I hope you’re keeping warm!

Before I get to your tip, a few notes…

The Boston BeauTease will be presenting a fabulous New Year’s Eve show, which we’re calling Twenty Seven-Tease. Already have plans on NYE? Join us the night before for an early celebration!

I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be appearing in A Night of Classic Burlesque in Albuquerque, NM in March. The show is produced by Holly Rebelle and featuring Lola van Ella. I’m so excited to make my first trip to the Land of Enchantment and for such a wonderful show!

B.A.B.E. classes will be starting up again on January 3rd!

Here’s your tip, courtesy of Mr. Scratch:

If you want big sparkly balls for the ends of your boa, now’s the time to buy them. The store may think they’re Christmas decorations, but we know better!

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque. It makes a great holiday gift!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! This is a time of year when we are encouraged to be generous and think of others, so here’s your tip:

Put your money where your mouth is.

If you don’t like the state of the world or the direction you think things are going, don’t just fret or complain — do something. Donate to a cause you believe in. If money is tight, donate time by volunteering (after all, as they say, time is money). Or donate your skills. A friend of mine will be running a charity auction and is soliciting nifty items from people to auction off.

If you want to make a difference, there’s something you can give to help. It doesn’t have to be a lot; even something small can have an impact.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.