Burlesque in a Time of Coronavirus

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time.” - Baron John Lubbock, The Use of Life

This was supposed to be a post about my return to the stage after taking a couple months off, but life has a funny way of letting you know when it's NOT time.  In this case, "funny" actually means "really awful for a lot of people". I'm sure the lasting effects of these cancelled events and struggles to find substitutes will reach me eventually, but let's rewind to before all of this, when I was on hiatus.

Burlesque Bushfire Benefit cast
Photo by Moore Lightworks

Early February, I made my way to Colorado for the Dew Tour.  Although this was a dream vacation in the mountains, I contemplated performing in a new city.  In the past, out-of-town gigs helped revitalize my passion for burlesque.  The opportunity popped up in the form of Warrior Wake Productions's Burlesque Bushfire Benefit: I couldn't resist performing for a good cause.  Georgia May Wake, the producer, loved "Black Glasses", an appropriate number to make my return with, and I planned my trip with an extra day in Denver to hang with my old buddy Tristan Von and do the show.  Being in the historic D&F Clocktower and getting ready next to Midnite Martini's BHoF trophy made the experience even cooler!  Everyone in the show was super nice, and although the show was a weekday, turn-out was great.  I'm glad we could help the relief efforts in Australia.


Coming home, I felt good, but work in the lab and behind the curtain started to pile up.  I was producing more shows than before, and while I have really come to enjoy producing, the responsibilities were becoming overwhelming.  I will also confess to being envious of performers who had more stage time.  My problem was that I couldn't do more shows lest I wind up in last year's situation.

As I tried to keep going at a reasonable pace, All-con crept up on me.  Out of frustration in scrambling to prepare for a con while still doing lab work and producing, I had wished that I had contracted the novel coronavirus that was starting to spread in the U.S. in order to take a true break (since apparently my mountain vacation wasn't enough).  A half-hearted wish was spoken into fruition somewhat.  I wound up being exposed second-hand.  I hung onto to the hope of still being able to debut my new act at Glitterbomb, but the responsible thing to do was to self-quarantine for 14 days.  No con (it was cancelled after the first day), no shows, no lyra or pole dancing, no other forms of socializing.

Only fake coughing here.
"So Long and Goodnight" - Mustache Envy: Gothic Prom
Photo by Cher Musico Photography

To be honest, I'm enjoying this extended break.  The hardest part initially was trying to workout without the lure of lyra or pole and my usual work day of running between labs.  Thankfully several performers have come up with on-line classes, giving me an opportunity to learn from people I normally don't get to.  The struggle has shifted to find the same level of motivation to rehearse and refine my existing acts.  There's no future show in sight to help me focus.  I have taken the time to clean and repair costumes so that's a step forward.  Really this is a sign to to reflect on what I want out of burlesque, especially without the producer angle distracting... and maybe to stop relying on the stress of a deadline to get me creating and working. 

How will I emerge from this pandemic?  I don't know, but I'm not ready to quit... yet.  I just have to figure out how to turn these smoldering coals of desire back into flames of passion in whatever new form they may take.  It's not an easy endeavor, but it's not a bad work-from-home activity either.

Please continue supporting your favorite performers.  The links to Glitterbomb and on-line classes are just a couple of ways you can contribute.  I'm doing fine so please help my comrades who are financially struggling.