Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Carry some cash.

…at least a little.

It’s so easy these days to pay for things with cards and apps that it almost seems silly have cash on you. Nevertheless, there are times when you want some good old-fashioned greenbacks (or whatever you call your local currency).

If you pay cash, no one knows what you bought. You can’t say “keep the change” when you’ve used a credit card. It’s easier to stick to your budget when you have to haul out your wallet to pay. It’s hard to storm out of a bar if you have to wait to sign the credit slip instead of flinging down a handful of bills. How else are you going to tip the go-go dancers?

I recommend the emergency twenty (or fifty or hundred, depending on how you roll). Stash a spare bill in the back of your wallet for those desperate occasions when there is no other option but cold hard cash.

When there was a possibility that I could be breaking a local ordinance with my g-string-clad behind at the first Vermont Burlesque Festival, I showed up with a $50 bill in my wallet to pay the fine on the spot. (Fortunately, it turned out to be a non-issue.)

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Would you look at that? It’s Friday again! Today’s tip is inspired by some recent events in the burlesque scene*.

Knocking someone else down is not the way to build yourself up.

Instead, work on improving your skills and your attitude. You won’t have to make yourself feel better about yourself at the expense of someone else — you really will be better.

I spoke about horrible behavior in a previous Friday Tip, but it seemed worth mentioning again.

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

* There are those who call it “the burlesque community”, but it’s not a community, as events demonstrate, so I won’t.

Dear Constant Reader,

I know you have a big heart and a generous nature and that’s the topic of this week’s tip:

Give to those in need… and make sure they are going to get it.

I know we were all devastated by the news from Texas. Donate or volunteer if you can, but be wary of scams. Disasters do seem to bring out the best and worst in people. It’s worth it check out an organization on Charity Navigator before giving.

Here are some reputable organizations, as recommended by the New York Times:

Food Banks: Houston Food Bank and Food Bank of Corpus Christi.

Animal Aid: Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Houston Humane Society, and San Antonio Humane Society.

Medical and Health Supplies: Direct Relief, AmeriCares, and Texas Diaper Bank. Also, blood donors are needed nationally.

LGBTQ Community Support: The Montrose Center

General Relief: United Way and Catholic Charities.

Thank you.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When sending large files, like music or photographs or video, use file sharing, not email.

There are so many ways to share files (for free!) these days that there’s no reason not to. You don’t always know the recipient’s email situation or what device they might be using. Sending a link instead of a massive file is just more courteous. Thinks of it as delivering a note to pick up a parcel at their leisure instead of thrusting said parcel, which may be too heavy, into their arms without warning. (How’s that for an overly extended metaphor?)

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When removing garments, position the removal downstage.

You want the audience to see you remove the garment, so you should avoid blocking the action with your body. On the other hand, if you’re trying to remove something more covertly, turn it upstage.

I am clearly lacking in performance photographs* because this photo by RDJ After Dark is the only picture I could find even close to illustrating this tip, and you can’t see the stocking I am removing from my downstage leg because black on black…

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 7 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

*If you happen to have any performance photos of me or my troupemates, let me know!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’m at the Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival this weekend, but I wouldn’t forget your tip!

Wear a watch when you teach.

A good class is well paced. Keeping an eye on the time ensures that you don’t have to rush through or run out of material. Of course, you can never guarantee that an unfamiliar classroom or studio is going to have a clock. But wait, you say, my phone has a clock. Yes, but you have to periodically run over and poke it to see the time display, which can break the flow of class. A wrist watch allows for a subtle time check. And it can be a charming fashion accessory as well as a useful tool.

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is the Mini BurlExpo! Will I see you there? Here’s your tip!

To remove deodorant streaks from clothing, gently rub them with a nylon stocking.

Every once in a while it happens, you look smashing except for those white streaks that have mysteriously appeared on your lovely frock. I don’t know about you, but for me they always seem to end up right on my bust. Oops…

Just grab a stocking and gently rub the mark away. No need to use water! Dryer sheets also work, but how often do you have one of those in your boudoir (or backstage). As when dealing with any stain, don’t scrub — rub gently, with a circular motion, until the mark is gone.

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Meet your deadlines.

Even better, beat your deadlines!

Nobody likes having deadlines hanging over their head! Unfortunately, sometimes the reaction is to panic and ignore them, which is the worst thing one could do.

Deadlines are a cascading thing. You need to send your music to the producer. The producer needs to get the music to the audio person. The audio tech needs to check the music file and get everything properly set up for the show. One break in the chain causes failures down the line. Scrambling at the last minute is no fun for anyone.

Do what you need to do to make sure those deadlines aren’t forgotten. Maybe that’s a reminder on your phone (there’s plenty of apps out there to help with scheduling). Maybe it’s a big note on the calendar hanging over your desk. You know how fond I am of appointment books.

Whatever method you use, meet those deadlines. It feels so good to mark that item as “done”!

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

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 7 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.