Upcoming shows: Viva Dallas Burlesque and Fierce!

 I promise I'll get back to actual blog posts, but I've been busy with some new duties in lab and my first LIVE show in over a year!  Yes, you heard it right.  I'm returning to the stage TONIGHT with Viva Dallas Burlesque's Dirty Sexy Funny show.  Tickets are still available at the door, and they're keeping things safe by maitaining social distancing and masking requirements.  So if you're free tonight and in town, get on over to see a revamped version of my Crazy Rich Asians act!

 If you're not free or in Dallas, I still have plans to submit to virtual shows as long as the opportunities come up.  Tony Fo-Hawk is making his return to performing (he's been having a chill 2021 so far) with the Fierce! Queer Performance Arts Festival.  He's specifically appearing in the July 18 POC showcase, but the virtual festival takes place all month, every Saturday so go to their website for both tickets and additional show info.  All the line-ups are amazing, and I'm so excited that Tony is a part of this.  I might make a cameo too. ^_~

A Rare Orchid Blooms on Earth No More

Three months has passed since I got the horrible news, and I'm still trying to process it.  The morning after I had reached out to Black Orchid to get some advice and maybe a coaching session for my first pole competition, I learned that she died in an accident while walking to her pole studio.  The timing, plus the fact that I had a close call walking home from work the same day, rattled me.  I'm not completely sure I've shaken it off.

Black Orchid and I first crossed paths when I did the San Antonio Burlesque Festival in 2014.  Being a newbie, I was overwhelmed, but I think Orchid and I felt a mutual kinship as two Asians performers in Texas.  Later I'd learn that she was also queer, nerdy, an activist, a writer, and a fellow bus rider (very uncommon in Texas).  We had our differences too, and as a Singaporean of Indian descent, Orchid helped broadened my views on the Asian experience beyond my narrow East Asian perspective.

Post-show selfie of two winter queens
(she portrayed Skaid while I was Elsa)

After crossing paths through the years at SABF and the Texas Queerlesque Festival, we shared the stage at the end of 2019 in Viva Dallas Burlesque's Festivus Follies.  We were in different dressing rooms, but we made sure to take a selfie, something that I had been trying to do more often.  I didn't get a good pic on my phone, but she did on hers and I'm grateful that we had the moment together and that I did traverse to the other side of the stage to talk to her.  I'm also grateful that social media kept us in touch.

Orchid wasn't afraid to speak up about political and social issues, but she also knew how to pick her battles.  One of the things I miss the most is her posts about current issues and the frequent "angry possum scream" that appeared in the caption.  I often wonder about the things she'd say with what has happened in 2021.  There would definitely be a lot of screaming, but I know she'd be rejoicing over an Indian woman as our VP.

I also contemplate what she might say to me as I continue to pursue pole dancing.  When I contemplated the idea of entering a Pole Sport Organization competition with doubts about my readiness, she was one of the pole dancers who encouraged me to give it a shot.  I regret not reaching out to her sooner—it's one of many regrets— but I know her spirit will be rooting me on, as she has always done in life.  One day I'd like to create a tribute act on the pole, but in the meantime, I'll keep learning and practicing.

Black Orchid won Most Original
at the 2015 San Antonio Burlesque Festival.
Photo by JPL PRO

 

One of the last performances of Black Orchid's I saw was a virtual nerdlesque show that paid homage to Supernatural.  She portrayed Billie, a grim reaper, and now that number lingers in my mind.  Death is forever around us, and who knows when our time will come so we have to do as much as we can.  That's what Orchid did, and she inspired so many of us.  Now it's up to us to make sure the seeds of art and activism she sowed will grow and flourish.

 

3 upcoming shows

I've got three shows in a row, which is completely bonkers.  However, this is right before I'm going on performing hiatus so gotta go big before I go out.  I might submit to one more show, but it'll be out-of-town and we'll see how I feel after this marathon.

 

No tickets necessary for Glitterbomb.  Bring some extra money for merch, as I'll be selling stuff and donating things to the Genesis Women's Shelter.  (You can also get them on-line here.) 

 

I will only be performing in the Denton stop of the Holiday at Hogwarts 2019 tour.   Show starts at 9 PM and is at Dan's Silverleaf.  Click here for tickets.

Tickets for Viva Dallas Burlesque's Festivus Follies is at this link.

Upcoming shows and film debut

My hectic month for lab work, burlesque, and conventions has started.  As a result, I've pushed back posts again, but Bazuka Joe is starting his #NoseToTheRhinestone challenge this Monday and hopefully that I will make me rearrange my schedule better so that I'm not falling further behind.

If you get a chance, please come to Viva Dallas Burlesque tonight.  I know Dita is also in town, but I bet her show doesn't have so much fabulous nerdlesque.  Not that there's anything wrong with classic but we like to have an alternative for people who want more geekiness in their burlesque.

Then on Friday, I make my return to Denton AND my short film debut with Tim Stevens Films.  I will performing with some musicians and a belly dance before the premiere of his short film, The House Beyond the Hill.  Catch my little role.  Performances start at 9:30 PM.

Firsts and Lasts at the Lakewood

Phew, it's been a hectic couple of months.  I spent much of November and December working on improving one routine and creating another for two auditions.  On top of that, I was cast in Viva Dallas Burlesque's DC vs. Marvel show.

It was the last live performance (that we know of) at the Lakewood Theater, which had changed owners.  I had attempted to put together a new routine for that show early in the fall, but I didn't have much of a costume at all.  Maybe next time…  The producers, however, loved "Black Glasses", and thus I got the opportunity to step foot on the Lakewood stage.

Allan Hayslip Photography
www.alanhayslipphoto.com

The first time I was in the theater was in February 2012.  Back then, I had not even started burlesque classes and was just nurturing a love for watching it.  I went to that Viva show, Gadgets and Gobstoppers, because my friend's band, Marquis of Vaudeville, was performing.  Despite being a newbie, I was inspired by all the performers I saw, but I never expected to be on the same stage.

A year of doing "Black Glasses" had cemented the routine in my mind so I focused on the auditions until they were filmed.  I am thankful to have opted out of some holiday festivities so that I could improve on the routine (which will always be a work on progress).  However, even if my mind was sharp from repetition, the time gap and holiday stress left me a little out of shape.  Lesson learned: don't let school breaks and costuming projects keep me from working on my strength and flexibility.  I also discovered that I probably shouldn't go to the chiropractor the same day of a performance, particularly when I'm still new to the procedure.

I tried to stretch as much as I could backstage—in between chatting with the dancers.  I enjoyed working with Janie Slash again, meeting Shan de Leers, and having all sorts of great conversations with the entire cast.  It alternated between silly nerding out and discussing serious issues like body positivity and the need for more diversity.  I really admired Shan de Leers for challenging the norm when it comes to body hair.  You know what though?  She was so awesome on-stage that most people probably did not notice.  She made me want to work harder on my dancing and my confidence.

All of my castmates made me want to improve on my fitness and skills.  I enjoyed seeing everyone's unique take on a superhero, and the crowd did too.  I couldn't have asked for more enthusiasm.  

By Ben Britt

Later in the evening, I talked to two ladies from Women Who Write Comics about my inspiration.  I was stoked that they recognized that it was a challenge to the concept of the "fake geek girl" (who can't be both nerdy and sexy), as well as a parody of some sexist tropes.  Yay for all the feminism!

For curtain call, I decided to wear my Death cosplay.  It was my personal compromise with the DC vs. Marvel showdown since I read Amazing Spiderman on-stage.  All the past Viva Dallas Burlesque performers in crowd joined us for a toast.  Even though this was my first time performing, I felt the same pride and joy at them moving on and sadness at the end of an era.  I wish Shoshana the best on working towards a new chapter, and I hope I can be a part of it.

By The Naked Lens
nakedlens.org

Upcoming shows: Viva Dallas Burlesque presents DC vs. Marvel

 

I feel very fortunate to be performing at the Lakewood Theatre before Viva Dallas Burlesque moves to a new location.  Will I be DC or Marvel... or both?  Click here for tickets so you can find out.