Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Vote for the Boston Babydolls!

A number of my friends have recently blogged about training and improvement (most of them were taking about business, but I apply everything to burlesque), which inspired this tip:

Never stop learning. There will always be something new that will help you improve your art.

I love taking classes. My definition of a successful class is one in which I learn one useful thing. More than that, and it’s a great class. And I don’t just restrict myself to burlesque classes — next weekend Betty Blaize and I are taking a bellydance workshop on Wings of Isis.

The 6th annual Great Burlesque Expo is coming up Easter weekend (that’s April 6-8) and the Conference is full of great classes for new & experienced burlesquers and performing artists in other disciplines. There will be teachers from all over the country! It’s a great opportunity to learn something new.

Published in: on 9 March 2012 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Vote for the Boston Babydolls!

If you’re having trouble unfastening your bra, the hooks might have gotten squeezed shut. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to bend them back into shape.

Published in: on 2 March 2012 at 11:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Vote for the Boston Babydolls!

I love giving you these tips. I have a whole pile of them and accumulate more every day. I’m often tempted to post tips more than once a week, but so far I’ve resisted.

To shape an ostrich plume, heat the shaft with an iron on the highest setting. Then gently bend it into the shape you want and hold it until it cools.

Don’t iron the fronds of the feather!

Published in: on 24 February 2012 at 10:05 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Please vote for the Boston Babydolls!

If you are planning a stocking remove, pumps slip off easily and you don’t have to worry about unfastening buckles or untying laces. And you can put the shoes back on with little fuss.

Published in: on 17 February 2012 at 10:50 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Please vote for The Boston Babydolls for “Best Burlesque” of 2012. You can vote every day. Thank you!

Never pick up your own costume.

If there’s absolutely no other option, bring an attractive basket (decorate it if you have time) and drop your garments in it. It’s still not fabulous for you to carry it off stage, but it’s better than crawling around at the end of your act grabbing all your costume bits.

Published in: on 10 February 2012 at 11:25 am  Comments (1)  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Please click and nominate the Boston Babydolls for “Best Burlesque” and Naked Girls Reading for “Best Literary Gang”. Thank you!

This week’s tip comes from Betty Blaize:

Dance is not just movement, it’s motivation. Whether you move fast or slow, small or big, in circles or straight lines – it all depends on why you are moving. A dance number doesn’t have to be a story, but any dance has a mood or tone. Understanding the desired spirit of the piece lets you refine your moves and puts the finishing touch on any number.

Published in: on 3 February 2012 at 3:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,


Please click and nominate the Boston Babydolls for “Best Burlesque” and Naked Girls Reading for “Best Literary Gang”. Thank you!

This tip is courtesy of some parasol repairs I made this week. (See the parasols in Unlucky in Love, opening tonight!)

When using with E6000 or similar adhesives, work in a well-ventilated area and let the item stay some place well-ventilated and far from your bedroom overnight.

I know E6000 is a favorite amongst the burlesque community for attaching rhinestones. Sometimes it is the only choice, but its vapors are toxic!

Open your window when you’re working with it. Then stash the stuff to dry somewhere far from where you’ll be breathing, like the garage or porch. Or at the very least put it near an open window.

Published in: on 27 January 2012 at 11:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Please nominate the Boston Babydolls for “Best Burlesque” and Naked Girls Reading for “Best Literary Gang”. Thank you!

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s your Friday tip!

Always be aware of your hands. Having energy and liveliness through your hands will improve a number, even if the audience doesn’t notice why – they will notice if your hand seems limp or “dead”.

Published in: on 20 January 2012 at 2:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Heavy-duty zip ties make good light-weight bones for corsets.

Published in: on 13 January 2012 at 2:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip!

Dear Constant Reader,

Checklists are your friend. Make one for each act and use it to pack your costume and props before the show. Then use it again to make sure that you got everything back after your performance.

We’ve all had that moment — that panic when you get to the show and realize part of your costume is still sitting on your bed. Or that sinking feeling when you discover later that you’re short a rhinestoned glove. Checklists can help prevent that heartbreak! You may find yourself crawling under the stage with a flashlight after the show looking for that missing glove, but you’ll go home with it! And you won’t be rushing around begging someone to loan you a g-string either!

Published in: on 6 January 2012 at 1:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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