Upcoming shows: 2014 Dallas Burlesque Festival

Photo by Miss Missy Photography
http://www.missmissyphotography.net/

Just a reminder that I will be performing at the Dallas Burlesque Festival's Big D Burlesque Show on February 13!

The Valentine's Day show is headlined by Perle Noir is headling in the Valentine's Day show, and Claire Sinclair will be making her debut on the 15th.  Click here for all the performers and links to purchase tickets.

Honoring Bettie and Belly Dance

I=m getting off to a great start on my resolution for 2014.  Bettie Page Reveals All made its way to Dallas, and I got to stage kitten for the mini burlesque show on opening night.  It was fun working with familiar faces.  The experience did teach me that sometimes you just have to accept things not working out.  Like my Hulk strength manifesting itself when I was struggling with the zipper on my corset.  The whole thing wound up coming right off.  Thankfully I had decided to pack a black bra with my strapless nude one.  Those two items will always be in my bag from now on.  As I=ve mentioned many times before, you have to roll with the punches.  That's what everyone did, and we pulled off a successful show.

Photo by Cher/Musico Roots
www.facebook.com/musicoroots.creative

We all changed into pin-up dresses as the movie got started.  I didn't have a real pin-up dress, but my gothic lolita jumper skirt was a nice substitute (it feels like sacrilege, but hey, I'm a fashion rebel).  Instead of watching the film, I wound up hanging with the dancers and their friends and partners.  I figured it was better to get to know people even if I saw some of them on a weekly basis.  There would be other chances for me to see the movie, and I knew that I'd go into awkward turtle mode when the rest of the crowd came out for the after-party.

I never do well with large crowds and starting/joining conversations.  Or photoshoots for that matter.  Thanks to Cher Musico though, I did make my way into the pre-show cast photo.  Eventually I wound up ducking into the dressing room because I needed to clear my head and grab my coat.  Also my partner, who had to work, wanted to know where to pick me up.  Of course, the post-after party (in Japan, this would be known as the "nijikai") plan was to hit up Velvet Taco.  It was an nice little finale to cap off a great night.

Photo by Doc Strange
seligfilmnews.com

A week later, I got to attend a workshop by Jodi Waseca, also known Oleeander Moon from the Hubba Hubba Revue, on fusing burlesque with belly dance.  Even though I had not been belly dancing on a regular basis for a couple of years now, I was curious as to how the line between to two could be blurred— especially when extreme strong ideas about how they should be distinct were instill in me… and probably every other beginner belly dancer.  The truth is, however, that belly dance came to the U.S. around the time burlesque did so the similarities cannot be denied.  Jodi focused on the burlesque as it was back then: tongue-in-cheek satire.  She used her "Dance of the Seven Failz" routine as an example, as it pokes fun at the mishaps that can happen in a performance.  At the same time, she did not deny that both dances can be flirtatious and sensual.  The message that I took home was theatricality.

Although belly dance is an important part of my dance career, I don't know if I'll ever incorporate it into my burlesque acts, aside from utilizing moves that span the genres.  I'm okay with others doing it, but at this point, I would feel like I was disrespecting my former teachers.  Plus there's a lot of cultural weight that I am not prepared to bear despite belly dance having evolved into something different from traditional Middle Eastern dance.  Nevertheless, I really loved Jodi's fan dance-belly dance fusion from the performance that came after the workshop, and the potential for cross-talk is very exciting.

North Texas Vintage Life Expo

This Saturday I will be hosting the burlesque table at the North Texas Vintage Life Expo at the Farmer's Branch Manske Library.  Since this is a family friendly event, I'll be focusing less on the stripping and more on the overall history.  However, it'll be a good preview of my All-con panels in March.  Plus there will be lots of other fun things to check out.

More details can be found here: http://ntvintagelifeexpo.com/

Bettie Page Reveals All - Dallas premiere

I'm going to be stage kittening for the burlesque pre-show at the Dallas premiere, featuring Black Mariah, The Dirty Blonde, and Vivienne Vermuth, on January 3 at the Texas Theatre. I've been studying Teaserama so that I can do my best Bettie impersonation. For tickets and more info, please click here.

I did it! (blog version)

Over on my Tumblr, I made a post titled "I did it!" when I submitted the video of my routine to the Dallas Burlesque Festival.  A couple days ago, I followed it up with a second "I did it!" post upon receiving news that I was accepted.  Yes, you heard right: I am performing in the Dallas Burlesque Festival!

post-filming shot

On filming day, I was both really nervous and excited.  It wound up being a weird evening as my classmates were absent for various reasons and a fire alarm had gone off in the complex when I arrived.  While we waited for the firefighters to shut it off, I asked The Dirty Blonde about shows that I ought to submit my routine to.  After naming a couple, she brought up the Dallas Burlesque Festival.  I was hesitant because it is such a big event and I have no experience with dancing burlesque solo.  Dirty said that it couldn't hurt to apply.

After waffling on the subject (and actually being so hesitant to see myself on camera that I had to wait until my partner came home to watch the video), I eventually realized what she meant.  Yeah rejection sucks, but I face that as a writer all the time.  I didn't think I would be accepted as a stage kitten with no experience last year, but it happened because I gave it a shot.  Go big or go home, right? 

That mentality has gotten me really far with burlesque, and looking back at the past year, I am impressed with all the chances I've taken, as well as the work I've put in.  Not to say that I've always had it easy, but I do tend to pursue hobbies that I happen to be good at.  I've had to work for this; even if the dance steps were easy to learn, getting them to look effortlessly sensual took effort.  I'm proud of myself, and I've learned to not be afraid to say it.

My resolution to be more naked has been beyond successful.  It's transformed me, and I hope that burlesque continues to have that impact.  I'm super excited to see what 2014 has in store and to be in the Dallas Burlesque Festival!

More Than Just Stripping

Now that I've filmed my routine (it got moved to last Wednesday because of Thanksgiving), I can resume blogging.  How many times have you used the qualifier "more than just stripping" when talking about burlesque?  I know I have, and while I mean no insult to my stripper sisters, burlesque does have a history that involves zero clothes being shed.  Last month I got to be part of a variety show that evoked the old time burlesque performances that had comedy, music, and sideshow acts along with the striptease.

Oops the Clown and The Famous Mr. Cheeze
By Josh B.

Because I work in a lab with early birds, I generally avoid burlesque shows that are on Sundays through Thursdays.  I've come to realized that I'm missing future opportunities and have decided to make exceptions. The first was "Look What I Can Do Variety Hour", which was presented in partnership with Clever Girl Cabaret.  In addition to wanting to stage kitten for the lovely ladies of Clever Girl and to see a different side of burlesque, I saw that the cast included a cute little dog named Mr. Cheeze. How could I resist?

Black Mariah told me to go circus for my outfit. At first I wasn't sure I had anything, but I started throwing together pieces from my closet.  I wound up using the bra i made for the pride parade, these whimsical shorts I bought in Taiwan that have been the subject of many butt shots, striped tights, and a mini top hat. It definitely was not practical for the cold front that had moved in, but stripper life isn't always glamorous. . . or comfortable.

One of the aforementioned butt shots
By Josh B.

The folks from Look What I Can Do were extremely friendly and helpful.  Ooops the Clown and Kitty Kaos actually wrote out a setlist (when we couldn't find a spare copy) and marked when they would need me to pick up. I was also impressed by their ability to adapt to many unexpected variables. When you have a tiny animal and audience volunteers, you need to be able to think quickly on your feet.  It's something I've talked about before, and I discovered that there's definite room for improvement.  Mr. Cheeze was just way too fast.

Ratty Scurvics doing curtain call
Photo by Josh B.

"Look What I Can Do Variety Hour" was a huge hit because everyone was over-the-top and had the crowd enthralled.  Since my classes focus a lot on choreography and technique, I've been trying to approach burlesque from a theatre perspective. Despite doing drama in college, acting is one of my weaker points, and I started to worry about that aspect of my solo routine.

Fortunately the Ruby Room held a workshop by Paco Fish that tackled character development and expressing emotions. It was just what I needed. Even though the exercises seemed simple, they managed to convey all the things I learned in theatre classes and doing plays in a way that made so much more sense to me. I needed something more tangible than thinking sad or happy thoughts for the emotion to come across on my face. Paco gave me a whole new way to view theatre, and it helped me approach my routine in a different light. I'm still working on making my facial expressions and gestures bigger, but I think the emotions translate across my face and body a lot better now. I'm also thinking that his workshop will also be useful in conveying emotions on paper when I get back in the habit of writing fiction again (which I plan on doing as I take a breather).

Going Solo and a Hairy Predicament

Over the summer, I realized that I had to start thinking about whether I wanted to join a troupe or strike out on my own.  Belonging to a troupe provides a lot of resources and opportunities that may be hard to find.  On the other hand, I’ve always been a loner, one with a unique approach that might not fit a group’s aesthetic.  Plus my schedule and lack of car doesn’t always work with rehearsal times.

Then the question became: what would be my debut solo act?  I won’t reveal too much, but one of my favorite J-pop artists has a song that I really identify with.  It has moments perfect for both striptease and poking fun at nerdy tropes.  However, I didn’t want to fall into clichés, and I wasn’t sure my one plan to prevent that would work.

a sneak peek

I decided to sign up for The Dirty Blonde’s “Create Your Own Burlesque Routine” class, and it was the best thing I could’ve done.  Not only did I have another perspective on my vision, the class forced me to actually choreograph a routine and make a costume.  The latter was particularly important because I am a huge procrastinator and this costume wound up being a monster of a project.

My obsessive tendency to never want to waste anything, including a few inches of thread, has made sewing a terrible task to undergo.  In my attempts to avoid it, I wound up making some things more difficult.  Iron-on transfers are not the way to go.  I really have to thank my friend Tina and costuming goddess Black Mariah for all their help.  Also deserving of my gratitude is my partner who has shown me how to sew more than five times now and dealt with a few meltdowns over botched construction.  I did discover a love of rhinestoning.  My technique is messy, but I always feel accomplished after I glue a few stones down.  I also don’t find E6000 noxious at all.  Yay sparklies!

my first rhinestone job

As for choreography, the song’s looseness proved to be a challenge.  I’m so used to eight-counts and marking every single step that I got a little lost at first.  While there are still kinks to work out, I’ve learned that giving myself some leeway is important for when a stocking gets stuck or I forget a step.

This act has turned out to be really “cute”, a word I hate being called.  I just associate with bad memories and condescending attitudes of people who think I’m 15.  With this routine, I’ve learned to embrace my inner cuteness, but I’m redefining the adjective to better fit my identity. Nobody is going to confuse my burlesque for being an innocent little girl, and I want to challenge people’s ideas.

That being said, I came across another issue: body hair.  I had assumed I would shave, like I do for cosplay.  However, I really loathe the process and how women are expected to be hair-free.  It’s ridiculous, and if I want my performances to be satirical and provocative, what better way to do this than to defy beauty standards?  I don’t want to be conventionally pretty, and this routine isn’t classic.  At the same time, I know body hair is distracting (which is why I shave when I wear tank tops to dance class).  I don’t want to squash opportunities on such a trivial matter even though my sensitive skin is beginning to make this problem much bigger.  The community overall seems okay, but I don’t know about Dallas specifically.  I’m reminded of a quote from Ender’s Game that really kept me going during my rough adolescent years: “There's only one thing that will make them stop hating you. And that's being so good at what you do that they can't ignore you.”  The question is: as a newbie, am I good enough?