Upcoming shows: Flux Inq Productions and Worlds' End Burlesque Revue

It's Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage month, and I am incredibly honored to be a part of Flux Inq Productions: Slaysian Fusion showcase.  This takes place in person at Sabbath Brewing in Atlanta on Sunday, May 22.  Only standing room tickets are allowed, and they are $10.  Scan the QR code below or click this link.  I'm super stoked to be making my Atlanta debut!

If you're not in Georgia, you still have a chance to catch me this month.  I am appearing in Worlds' End Burlesque Revue, a Neil Gaiman-inspired burlesque show by Purple Devil Productions.  This virtual edition, Worlds' End: Through the Other Door, will premiere on May 28 at 9:30 PM CST with an opportunity to chat with the cast afterwards.  If you've got plans at that time, there will be rewatches available the next day at 12 PM CST and 4 PM CST.  Tickets start $10 and can be found here. 

A Glittery Unicorn Gone

Life is short.  It's a cliché thing to say, but I've lost enough friends to know that it's true.  I recently was reminded of this, as I got the unexpected, heart-breaking news that another wonderful burlesque has left us too soon.

I met Bre von Buxom early in my burlesque career.  She came to Dallas from Texarkana with Puss Powerbottom and Spyke Styletto, who was performing in Texas Burlesque Peepshow's first-ever show, Oh Rocky.  I was stage kittening and happened to share a dressing room with them.  Bre was Spyke's burlesque mom, and I remember her giving advice on pasties and backstage jitters.  She also helped some of my peers get a taste of performing out-of-town with her show in Texarkana.  I wasn't able travel back then, but I appreciated that she made a space for us newbies. 

I don't have any pictures of us together, but I'm happy she came out for Texas Burlesque Peepshow's Spectacular Burlesque! which I was in.  We had some good times at the after-party too.

 Although I never got to see her perform, she was a familiar face at shows in Dallas, and she also supported the Arkansas scene.  I never felt awkward when she was around.  On top of being caring and fun-loving, Bre was unapologetically queer, sex-positive, and nerdy.

I hadn't seen in a while, and her death is such a shock to all of us.  We'll never forget her lively spirit, and I hope she's having a blast, dancing away, wherever she is now.

Photo by Stand Up Photography

Tony Fo-Hawk's upcoming appearances

 It's been a while since Tony Fo-Hawk has hit the stage (live or virtual), but he's coming back in a big way.  Tomorrow night, he'll be at the 4th annual Texas Women's University Drag Show: Kings, Queens, and Non-binary Beings.  The show takes place in the Student Union at Hubbard Hall and will start at 7 PM.  However, you'll want to come early to visit the queer vendors set up.  There's also a livestream option for people wanting to avoid crowds.  Tickets are $5 for non-students and can be purchased at the Student Union.

Then later this month, on April 29, Tony will be premiering a virtual rendition of his Alolan Raichu act as part of Irish Lashes Productions' Gotta Strip Them All!  It's a hybrid event so if you're in Seattle, you can attend and enjoy the live performances at The Give Inn.  Show starts at 7 PM PST.  Tickets begin at $10.  Click here to purchase.

Upcoming shows: Danger Dames Productions and Wilde May Productions

I've got a busy weekend up ahead.  First is my return to performing live with an out-of-town show!  I'm joining Danger Dames Productions in Jacksonville, Florida for their special Pasties for Pérez show.  We're celebrating the work of George Pérez, and proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of his father-in-law.  Show is March 26 at 7 PM EST at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum.  Today is the last day for $10 advance tickets (click here) .  They're $15 at the door and $20 for VIP.

Unfortunately George will not be there in person, but the show will be recorded so if you want to show off your cosplay, this is your chance!  I'm incredibly honored to be a part of this cast and so excited to debut my new act.

If you're not Florida, fret not.  I have a second brand-new act that is debuting virtually in Wilde May Productions' K-Pop That Tastie Pastie.  We're doing a food theme, and I invited Venessa Vesper to join in on the fun with me.  The live stream is March 27 at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST, but if you have an early Monday, there's an option to purchase the recording.  Click here for tickets ($10 for the stream, $5 for the recording).

Performance While Neurodivergent and Mentally Ill

"Are you feeling what I'm feeling?
I haven't had a shower in the last nine days (Ah-ah, ah)
Staring at the ceiling and waiting for this feeling to go away
But it won't go away." - "Shit" by Bo Burnham, Inside

I had a different post planned, but I wound up watching Bo Burnham's Inside while crafting and although it's not my favorite comedy/dramatic special, there's parts of it that resonated with me.  It made me feel like I should switch to my planned post about being a performer with a mental illness, which recently has been expanded with "and neurodivergence".  The Muses must be at work since it's also Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Let's start with my latest diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder.  I've suspected that I've had it, which is partly why I sought evaluation (from The Gracious Mind in case anyone in North Texas would like a resource).  However, I never considered how it might affect my life as a performer until now.  My experience isn't the same for all performers on the spectrum. I'm also contending with ADHD and anxiety, which contributes to the struggles.  

I appreciate Hannah Gasby even more now that I know I'm on the spectrum.

One of my greatest frustrations is knowing that I can do more to sell myself and my art, but really not having the energy for it.  It's very difficult for me to connect with people, whether they are audience members, producers, or fellow performers.  My style of performance is akin to presenting a thesis, and I can only hope that people find it interesting.  Shows where I have to interact with audience members are harder for me since the one-on-one interaction bring me great anxiety.  Unfortunately I can't really fake confidence or even interest so hustling for tips or the schmoozing after shows is lost on me. 

It's a bummer since I do want to make more burlesque friends and get more gigs.  And yes, I do want to reach more people (as in getting more fans, but also I really like the few conversations I have where people like my Easter eggs or just the overall theme of my act).  It sounds a bit contradictory after what I said about one-on-one interactions, but finding a way to connect makes me value the experience.

I'm not your typical burlesque performer off- and on-stage, and I stopped hiding it early in my career.  The idea of having a persona was appealing because it's how I could comfortably present part of me I usually felt too self-conscious to share.  However, at some point, I realized that I have zero interest in being what others want even if they're the ones paying the bills.  As a result, Hana Li the performer is pretty close to who I am (just maybe less anxious and loves her body more).  It's exhausting to perform as a neurotypical individual on a daily basis so I like being able to turn that part off.  I often joke about how several of my acts involve me having some crisis on-stage, and I think that's the result of being authentic.

A lot of performers shared the last 2/3rds of this meme (sans red text), but I added another hoodie Rami Malek since my act usually starts with angst or awkwardness. 

Something I am trying to work on is my procrastination and lack of focus, which leads to unprofessionalism.  While my ADHD diagnosis is relatively as well, I know I've struggled with time management and a pre-show state of panic that makes me forget something or be grouchy at The Companion.  Now that I have more insight on how my brain works and am resuming, I can figure out how to break this cycle (since all the tricks and tips I've tried have never stuck) and be someone better to work with.  Also on the producer side, I recognize that I am very oblivious to things around the show because I am focused on the production itself so I can directly ask for help to watch for potential issues.  I am very sorry to cast and crew who have been hurt by my inability to be aware of surroundings and am grateful for stage managers and co-producers who have stepped in.

No performer is an island even if we produce a solo piece like Inside and our brains tell us that we're alone.  I'm probably going to write more about my neurodivergence and mental illness, but for now, I'll just let this peek behind the curtain suffice.  While burlesque performers look like we have it all together and want all the attention, we might actually be wanting to hide under the covers in our PJs.

Tuesday night, there may be more candid conversation, as I am appearing on Papi Churro's Twitch talk show, Papi's Friends.  There will be videos of performances in between the conversation.  Show starts at 10:30 PM CST, and there's a $10 suggested donation.

All-con 2022 announcements

I have some big news!  I am co-producing the All-con burlesque show with Black Mariah. 

3-D photo by Mike McGee

 

This year's show will take place March 12 at 8 PM in the Amethyst Ballroom of Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center.  Mariah will be emceeing while I am stage managing/kittening. 

We will also be doing our History of Burlesque panel twice: Saturday, March 11 at 5 PM in Quartz and Sunday, March 12 at 11 AM in Monarch.

Additionally, I have a new panel about Critical Role called "How Do You Want to Do This".  You can catch it Friday, March 10 at 7 PM in Monarch and Saturday, March 11 at 4 PM in Topaz.

And just added, Tony Fo-Hawk will present his panel about skateboarding's influence in pop culture on Sunday, March 12 PM in Longhorn!

Upcoming shows: Ellie Quinn Presents and Cosplay Burlesque

I took a bit of break to recover from COVID and catch up on work in lab, but it's February and I'm back on the virtual stage!  For those of you who want to stay in during Valentine's Day weekend and prefer something not so mushy, Ellie Quinn Presents has got the show for you.  My Bloody Valentine premieres on February 12 at 8 PM EST and is available for a week.  Click here for tickets.  It's gonna be a night of horror-filled fun!

 If you want a little less gore and more nerdiness (I can't guarantee that there won't be blood), Cosplay Burlesque is having another CPB-eyond the Screen show on February 26.  What's rad is that there will be some live performances on the stream, which starts 9 PM EST.  There is an option for a recording to be e-mailed later, but you do have to select it when you purchase tickets.  Click here to get tickets.