Keep dancing with viral challenges

Finding motivation to dance in the absence of shows and classes can be hard.  In this time of sheltering-in-place, performers and producers have found ways to provide on-line content.  Since I am still working and was on hiatus, I haven't done any of that.  However, I have wanted to utilize my time at home in some fashion that's related to drag or burlesque, as well as not sit at the computer all day.

In addition to taking classes, I started doing some challenges on-line.  Assorted athletes and dancers have done variations on the handstand, and since I have no means to do lyra or pole, I could at least work on my headstand (eventually handstand).  I haven't done too much, as I am trying to avoid injury and apartment damage, but I was able to figure out the doorway handstand.

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A post shared by Hana Li (@hanaliburlesque) on Mar 24, 2020 at 6:51pm PDT

Then a really fun challenge came my way.  The Asian diaspora burlesque and drag community was inspired by the #DontRushChallenge created by Toluwalase Asolo and her friends.  This required me to get into costume and make-up, something I hadn't done in a while.  However, as I was feeling disconnected from my local community, I thought this was a good way to feel like I was a part of something as a performer.  I wore my new Sean Burns tribute shirt from Props BMX as a nod to Tony Fo-Hawk who wasn't gonna be in it, and then I decided to change into Tuxedo Mask to represent nerdlesque and androgyny (plus he's an Asian character!).  The Totoro fan added more nerdiness although that wasn't originally intended.  I actually broke a wooden hand fan in a failed attempt at throwing and catching.
Viva Lamore did a wonderful job of editing 32 clips, and Filipina DJ/percussionist/vocalist Gingee provided the music.  Miss Catwings compiled all the names and links of the performers below:
Temera T'Tease
Miss Catwings
Ruby Corvette
Agent Wednesday
Joyen Santos
Misty Lotus
Viva Lamore
Kaajel Patel
Bea Lissima
Miso Honey
Diamondback Annie
Marianne Cheesecake
Black Orchid
Jaeda Mei
Juniper Lai
ChiChi Roniz
Hana Li
Alisa Evelyn
Siomai Moore
Mx Tzo
Miso Pretty
Flux Inqueerior
Minx Arcana
Lilly SnatchDragon
Elsie Marley
Jason Kwan Music
Phoenix A'Blaze
Orchid Mei
Wang Newton
Coco Ono
Bessie Snow
Calamity Chang "The Asian Sexsation"

Lastly I wanted to share an earlier on-line challenge I did when I was trying to find ways to reignite my creative spark. Snowboarder Stale Sandbech called upon his followers to create videos inspired by his innovative edit StaleLINES, which has him doing one line (the snowboarding equivalent of a section of choreography) in many locations edited to make one transformative sequence. I was super inspired by his and the filmer Spenny's creativity so I wondered if I could do a dance version. Unfortunately I didn't have a filmer following me so I did different costumes instead of locations. (Music by Marquis of Vaudeville)


It was hard to condense everything to less than a minute. On the flipside, I learned so much about transitions and creating different moods. I want to revisit this challenge again, and this quarantine provides a good opportunity...

2019 in photos

I'm using this time of shelter-in-place to catch up on blog posts although I do still have to work (just mostly at home instead of the lab).  Therefore, updates aren't going as fast as I'd like.  Nevertheless, I'm slowly reorganizing my priorities and getting back into writing and dancing.

This year I decided to stop using Tumblr.  It was a time suck, and the new censorship rules meant most performers were leaving the platform.  When I finally made the announcement, I realized I was in the middle of my year-end recap so this is the last Tumblr year-in-review you'll get: part 1 and part 2. 

Don't worry, I'll find something more suitable to replace it.  I'll make a separate post about my modeling endeavors from the past year, but you get a glimpse of some in my Instagram Best Nine (not all were taken in 2019):

I think I've covered enough of my thoughts about 2019 with my last two full-length posts, and I'll definitely share some of the happier memories in the near-future.  As Texas is still in quarantine through the middle of May, I should have the time.

Lastly, I want to announce a special livestream series Tuesday Tease is planning.  We know how our fans appreciate the sense of community and miss seeing their favorite performers, many of whom are in tight financial situations.  Therefore, we (namely Vivienne Vermuth) are bringing 2 hours of programming on our Facebook page every Tuesday starting this week.   You'll see a different side of performers as they host a workshop, give you a peak on how they get into face, or even do a long-form act.  Click here to join us every Tuesday from 7 PM to 9 PM!