From 2009 to 2010

I've had a great second year as a professional burlesque performer.  Here are some highlights:

• Fifty professional performances.  I got 60 under my belt in 2008, but I also performed in three plays this year, wrote a few short plays and directed a play.  Not too shabby for stage time.
• Joined Striptease Symposium.  As a perpetual dance student and a performer of 28 years, I'm pleased to have the opportunity to help bring out the inner performer from the unsuspecting yet willing.  I helped teach tassel twirling to some ladies in Lancaster this year, some floor work to gals at our holiday party, and look forward to teaching the beginner session in 2010.
• Created less new acts.  This may not seem like a highlight, but it is.  I saved money and refined ideas this year.  Last year I tackled seventeen new acts plus two group numbers, and three of those acts had big props.  This year I tackled nine new acts and revamped an act from 2008 twice to fit different themed shows.  Considerable savings.
• Got my website and Snapper-only blog up!  I know officially own property on the web. :)
• Performed at two festivals - Boston Burlesque Expo and New Orleans Burlesque Festival.
• Did a little travel as a performer in Southern California, dancing in San Diego for Comic-Con the second year in a row, and bringing burlesque to Lancaster.
• Danced at Dr. Sketchy's Las Vegas during Burlesque Hall of Fame reunion weekend and got some totally kickass art from it!  It was wonderful performing as part of the weekend.
• More study.  I took ballet from January to December (and danced in the ballet recital) and tap during the fall.  I took a special workshop with Tigger! when he visited from New York.  I took workshops from legends April March in Boston and Tee Tee Red in New Orleans.  I had a nice sampling of classes in Boston from various performers, and I learned how to shake my ass from Kellita and more fan dance technique from Catherine D'Lish in new Orleans.  It was a great year for study.
• Produced my own show.  In fact, I produced the Los Angeles Burlesque Hall of Fame benefit in May, then put up my for-profit Sassy, Classy Burlesque Revue in October and December.
• Danced as a stripper stripper stripper at a topless joint in North Hollywood and had an absolute blast.

I'm excited about 2010.  I'm beginning my third year as a professional!  Here are some goals:

• Performing in two or three festivals.  I really want to return to New Orleans because that was an absolute blast.  I'd also love to dance in Paris or London (if I get in and can afford to go).  I also hope to hit a festival or two as part of Kubrilesque.
• Sharing my love with the South.  I plan to visit the Dallas area in May to teach and perform.  I'm also hoping to teach in Hot Springs in March (if I can secure a studio) and dance in Memphis that weekend (if I can get a gig).  I'm working on setting both up.
• More dancing as a stripper stripper stripper.  I hope I get to return to Star Garden because that was sooooo fun.  I'm bringing a pole number to the next round.
• More dance class.  If my schedule and finances permit, I'll be back in ballet and tap in February and back in pole class (if even for a single series) in January.  I'm very excited about this.
• Cleaning out my closet.  I think I'm going to drop a couple numbers from my repertoire that are rarely performed and don't meet my growing standards.  I'm also going to set about repairing costumes I'm keeping and improving numbers I already perform.
• More Sassy Classy.  I have six shows scheduled for 2010.  This will permit me the time I need to promote each show.  With only six shows on the calendar as a producer, I will still have the attention units needed to perform in other shows and continue with my other activities.
• Some surprises full of awesomeness.  I don't want to spill the beans too soon, but my artist friend Sebastian and I have something up our sleeves.

2009 has been very good to me.  I appreciate the opportunities and guidance I've been given.  Thanks to you for your part in my journey.

Beginner Burlesque with Red Snapper

(There's still time to sign up at the discounted rate!  Be sure to mention Snapper sent you!)

START THE YEAR OFF WITH BURLESQUE CLASSES

Striptease Symposium, LA’s ongoing burlesque classes, brings you classes for both the beginner and advanced student. These classes make a great Christmas gift for your curious kitten, closeted showgirl, housewife, princess or rockabilly babe… you get the idea!
 

STARTING JAN 31st
BEGINNER BURLESQUE WITH RED SNAPPER

From the burlesquer who brings you class, sass, and a whole lotta ass, become versed in basic striptease techniques like bump and grind sexy walks, glove tease and boa play. In this 6 week series, learn a fun choreography to release your veiled vamp and showcase your inner showgirl. Free gloves and boa to every student.  

Sundays, Jan 31st to March
7th, 11 am to 12:30 pm
$95 if you register by Jan 1st,
$110 after Jan 1st
at Evolution Dance
4200 Lankershim Blvd. (between Caheunga
and Riverside), in North Hollywood


Questions? Contact Penny Starr Jr. at
Augusta @ itsachick (dot) com
818.404.9459

www.itsachick.com
 

About Striptease Symposium 

Striptease Symposium’s mission is to celebrate the feminine form by developing creativity, confidence and positive self-image through the highest quality burlesque instruction.

Award-winning burlesque dancers Jewel of Denial and Penny Starr, Jr. offer performance, instruction and private events featuring dance and choreography, glamorous hair and make-up techniques, costume design and construction, character design and so much more! Allow them to unleash your inner showgirl.

About Red Snapper

Known for “sass, class and a whole lotta ass!” Red Snapper has studied burlesque with Bump and Grind 101, Academy of Burlesque, New York School of Burlesque, Striptease Symposium, Princess Farhana, burlesque legends Wild Cherry and April March…the list goes on. She is a regular performer at Monday
Night Tease, Victory Variety Hour and Peepshow Menagerie, and has taught pole and chair dancing with Aphrodite Strip-N-Pole in West Hollywood, as well as coached a number of actresses in the art of striptease, has choreographed for Theatre Unleashed, and even held a tassel twirling clinic for men.
www.SnapperBurlesque.com

Spec Commercial Shoot

I was approached at Peepshow Menagerie last week to dance in a spec commercial for pay.  It was a pretty easy and hilarious shoot.  I had to get my boobs going in circles as if I was twirling tassels, but I had to do it under my t-shirt without tassels.  I also had to do it with a straight face.  It was fun.  When I get a link to the finished video, I'll post it here.

As an interesting side note, we shot in a store that was open.  I waited until the male patrons cleared out to finish my wriggling and interested the female patron in burlesque.  Hopefully she'll take classes with me!

Peepshow Menagerie Presents TELEVANGELESQUE II

It's the "Second Coming Of The Fire And Brimstone Burlesque Revival!" - Our annual charity event that pokes fun at greedy televangelists and brings you sexy Burlesque interpretations of Bible stories, all while raising money for full arts programs for inner city children.

See Holy-Moly Burlesque from:

VENUS DeMILLE
Winner of the 'Legend In The Making' title at Exotic World 2005

DIZZY VON DAMN!
Miss Viva Las Vegas 2008

SCARLETT LETTER
Winner of the 'Most Classic' title at the 2007 Boston Burlesque Expo

POLLY PEABODY
RED SNAPPER
JOSIE BUNNIE
BETSEY BOSEN
SUMMER STARDUST
MISS HULA-LA
MR. SNAPPER
HOLLY ROCK-IT
VESTAL VIXEN
M.C. SNAPPER

with a Baggy Pants
Comedy pre-show by
DOC AND STUMPY

with a special
musical performance by
DIME MUSEUM

Hosted and Produced by the Ir-Reverend
CHRIS BEYOND and SCARLETT LETTER

Burlesque! Live Music! Sinners! Saints! Comedy! Healings!

Our show last year raised over $800 and this year we hope to raise even more! (We have to be coy online and in print about the name of the program because some parents might be upset about a burlesque show donating money to this particular fund. We will, however, have full info about this great arts program in Los Angeles at the show itself.) We chose this particular charity because, especially in these times of economic recession, Arts funding is one of the first things to be cut when the government creates a new budget and people understandably don't think of these kinds of things during the holiday season. We really appreciated all the work put in by our performers last year and that the audience was there in full effect and hope you can join us to make it an even better year!

Live at BORDELLO (formerly 'Little Pedros')
901 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Doors open at 9pm with the show starting at about 9:45pm (But we always advise being there early in order to get the best seats and/or view of the stage.)

Admission is only $10 at the door
(cash only for the door, but the bar itself takes cards)

21 & Up / Full Bar

Go to http://www.peepshowmenagerie.com for more info as it comes.

Snapper Essence

My friend John Nelson who did behind-the-scenes photos at the first Sassy Classy did a portrait session with me at the theater.  He's an incredible photographer who is great at photographing the essence of a person.

We met at the theater before the dancers arrived for this shot.  (The other shots on his blog were from another afternoon.)  Before the shoot, he got to know me enough to figure out I'm a huge John Mayer fan.  I'm made up for a show with fishnets, frilly panties and dance shoes, but I'm wearing my fourteenth John Mayer t-shirt.  It's incredible.

John shoots portraits and editorial-style photos in the Los Angeles area.  I highly recommend checking out his work at the links above.

Open House & Burlesque Bazaar

Yelp

I was on Yelp looking for reviews of burlesque classes and I got sidetracked by the reviews of venues that had burlesque shows.  I was kind of mentioned in one review:

The place exudes sex, exotic and refined taste, and is a bit ghastly in its appeal.  Or perhaps it was that there were half nude girls pouring out blood from their chests, dancing with bunny masks on, and coming to life after being murdered from a town called Twin Peaks.

And then these was the one that mentioned me as a terrorist:

Highlights were a girl who did a whole jewish princess dance (friggin hilarious), a lady who re-enacted Lily Von Shtupp from Blazing Saddles, and a girl dressed as uncle sam beating up a terrorist, then undressing to reveal a sexy Ms. America.

It's nice to see that I was memorable enough for a mention in their reviews.

Ballet Recital

Yesterday I danced in my first ballet recital at school.  I've been taking ballet for the past year and a half to improve my form and grace.  I was a scrappy kid who climbed trees and fought the neighbor kids yet got good grades, and dance classes were not on my parents' agenda for me.  I've gotten a late start in dance classes.

I recognize in class when my form isn't perfect, when I mess up a move or get dizzy while trying to spot.  I also recognize how easy it is to just follow the music and stay aware of the other dancers.  I think that's why the teacher asked me to dance in the recital.  At noon yesterday, I joined a handful of other students from the beginning ballet class in a dance phrase with leaps and turns.  I'm proud to say it looked good.  I hope I can fit the class into my schedule in the spring.

Stripper Stripper Stripper

I use the term stripper stripper stripper to refer to those who work in strip clubs, or as an adjective to describe things that are akin to what one might see in a strip club.  As a burlesque performer, I am a stripper just like those who work in the strip clubs.  I don't look down my nose at those who make a living in these clubs and I don't claim to be performing something more elevated than what they do.  I simply use the term stripper stripper stripper so people can understand my frame of reference.

Last night I did Scarlett's show at a strip club in North Hollywood, and for one glorious night I was a stripper stripper stripper.  I did burlesque numbers, but I did perform in the space and I did give the audience what they expected to see in that venue.  I wasn't used to being confined to the 'topless zone' (vice line on the stage) when I performed parts of my first number, but I was acclimated to the space for my fan dance.  It was a very friendly club and I'd love to return.  I think that would be the venue where I'd want to work if I was always a stripper stripper stripper.

Second Episode of Sassy Classy

I'm posting this a little late.  I've been very busy in the theatre, burlesque, educational and real world lately.  The second episode was Sunday night, and it was a fantastic show.  The line-up was amazing and varied.  I was very satisfied as a producer.

I debuted my new panel skirt number at this show.  It went very well.  There are costume modifications I'll do before I perform it again, but that's the joy of doing burlesque -- learning how to make improvements on a number so it can be even more stellar.

The Letter Follies

Tonight at the Star Garden in North Hollywood.  The Letter Follies presents both neo and classic burlesque.  I'm debuting my new fan dance there.

New Fans A-Comin'

I shot a promotional video for Striptease Symposium over the holiday weekend.  Saturday we taped me doing a fan dance, and my fans (in photo by SH Photo) are looking pretty ragged.  You see, the fans staves are junior Sally Rands from my first pair of fans. They were once a lovely light blue.  When I did Pin-Up Girls last fall, the costume designer insisted on putting me in an emerald and pearl costume for my fan dance and my fans didn't match.  I deconstructed the pretty fans and bought bigger feathers to create the fans seen in the 2010 L.A. Burlesque calendar.  My peach and green fans that are looking pretty skanky so I'm really looking forward to the replacements.

The new fans will be ready Wednesday and I'll get them Friday.  They're from Fabulous Feathers, a local company endorsed by Catherine D'Lish.  They're so well-constructed.  And my new fans are light blue, replacing the original junior fans I first had.

Monday Night Tease

Bar Opens: 9pm
Seating Starts: 9:30pm
Show Starts: 10pm

Cover charge: $12
****$9 with flyer****

Ask about the $5 drink specials!!!

3 Clubs
1123 Vine St.
(Vine at Santa Monica)
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hosted by:
Mr. Snapper and Mr. Buddy

Burlesque performances by:
Red Snapper
Lily Soleil
Holly Go Darkly
Angelita Purrvertina
Vestal Vixen
Scarlett Letter
Crystal Swarorski

More Muppet of Burlesque

Here are a few great shots of my number by S.H. Photo.  He also shot me for the L.A. Burlesque Calendar for 2010.  He's an incredible photographer.  You can see more work here.

He's especially great at the action shots.

Slideshow from Muppet Burlesque 2009

L.A. Weekly came to our show Monday night.  You can see more photos here.  I grabbed these two photos shot by Shannon Cottrell to show you how Mr. Snapper and I spent our evening.

This is the end of the act.  The crocodile strips me as I don the Elton John "Crocodile Rock" costume from "The Muppet Show."  We have a dance break in the middle, and then the croc takes my top at the end.  This year I chased him off the stage as he ran with my top.  Last year I ran off the stage with him biting my ass.  It's a crazy good time.

The really delightful part of my act is when the audience joins in with the crocodile puppets we made (with decorating help from our Los Angeles burlesque family).  They sing along for the la-la-las.  This year the crocs were joined by their operators who weren't satisfied just letting the puppets sing along.  You can tell by the happy, open mouths that they loved singing along.  The puppets were souvenirs for the audience to take home and enjoy.

Monday Night Tease presents the Muppet of Burlesque Show!

MNT! presents: The Muppet Burlesque Show! Nov 16th, 2009

Bar Opens: 9pm
Seating Starts: 9:30pm
Show Starts: 10pm

PLEASE NOTE TICKETS FOR THIS SHOW ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE IN ADVANCE!

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/81339

Cover charge: $15
****$18 at show if available, this show sold out last year****

Ask about the $5 drink specials!!!

3 Clubs
1123 Vine St.
(Vine at Santa Monica)
Los Angeles, CA 90038


"The Muppet Burlesque Show
with an all star parody of
The Muppet Show

Hosted by:
Waldorf and Statler (Stumpy Putz and Rex the Impossible)

Starring:
Dizzy Von Damn! as The Great Gonzo
Vixen Violette as Fozzie Bear
Scarlett Letter as Sam the Eagle
Lux La Croix as Rizzo
Anastasia Von Teaserhausen as the Swedish Chef
Isabella Star as Miss Piggy
with additional performances by
Jewel of Denial and Emmet Otter's Riverbottom Nightmare Band
Vixen Magdalene and the Dr Teeth Show
Red Snapper as Elton John with the Crocodile Rock Puppets
Anna Bells and her twin
Kimberlee Rose the Muppet of Burlesque!
Read our review in LA Weekly here:

http://blogs.laweekly.com/style_council/nightlife/last-night-monday-night-tease

See photos here:

http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/view/206447

NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted.

No photography. Performers subject to change without notice.

Free Gift With Purchase

I like thanking my audience because they keep me employed and I couldn't do what I do without them.  At Monday Night Tease's Muppet of Burlesque show last year, Mr. Snapper and I made more than thirty crocodile hand puppets to give to the audience to participate in my number.  The puppets were decorated by me, Mr. Snapper and several performers from the Los Angeles burlesque scene.  (Why crocodiles?  I dress up like Elton John from his Muppet Show appearance and dance to "Crocodile Rock" and conduct the choir of little crocs as I'm chased around the stage and stripped by a big croc puppet.)

This year we made more than fifty to share with the audience.  While they're cheaply made from leftover fabric, trim & glue, the audience loves that they get to participate in the show and take something home with them.  People still have them from last year's show.  We had help decorating forty of them last night at craft night.  You can see personalities in these creations.  The photo represents about half of the creatures.  Personalities you can spot above: Satan, Edgar Winter, nerd croc, Mister T, bondage croc, beaver croc, cardinal croc, Miss Angie Cakes, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, angry Indians fan croc, cyclops croc and Marge Simpson.

If you're in Los Angeles, you don't want to miss this show and my little gift of appreciation for your support.  Go here for advance tickets.  You'll know when it's time to participate.

Quality of Performance

I read a great article on how to become a headliner.  Even if one doesn't become a headliner (or want to become a headliner), there are great tips in the article for improving one's quality of performance and building better acts.  The major points I'm going to try applying are:

• Keep studying the art form and related arts.
• Maintain a characterization through an entire piece, not just the snippets where it seems important.
• Keep the message the audience is supposed to get from the piece consistent.
• Push the boundaries.
• Put my own spin on everything I do.
  

Chipping Away

I pride myself on being completely honest with my readers.  I'm struggling as an artist.  I remember a discussion in my college humanities class about how Michelangelo was trying to free the slaves from the marble.  While I'm not working with marble, I am working with a body that's not getting any younger and a mind that's in creative overdrive.

How does one strike a balance between artistry and athleticism?  I'm always studying some kind of dance technique or other.  I want to put all those skills to use when I confidently have those techniques down cold.  I want to reach the highest aesthetic I can with each piece.  I read an article in Dancespirit magazine about balancing artistry and athleticism.  It seems that most dancers and choreographers agree to use technique to the degree that it still serves the story in each piece.

The communication of the story or concept is the most important part.  When one doesn't achieve that communication successfully, it's time to regroup.  I'm focusing on my communication for my new act, what I want the audience to take from it, and molding the technique to that.  Hopefully my own marble will be as beautiful as Michelangelo's.

Dancer Emergency Kit

Over my brief career so far as a professional dancer, I've found a handful of things useful to myself and others.  I've needed these things and/or have been asked by other dancers for these things on more than one occasion.  These are the top six things asked for in the dressing room:

1. Safety pins.  The strap on my character shoe broke a second time during my last show.  I used a safety pin to fix the shoe before I danced.  Broken bra straps, busted zippers, torn dresses all benefit from a well-placed safety pin.
2. Bobby pins.  Hair falls down, wigs need to be secured, hair accessories need to be attached.
3. Hair spray.  This is something I always forget to carry with me and always seem to need.
4. Lady supplies for when Mother Nature doesn't care about one's schedule.
5. Eyelash glue.  It seems like the edges of my strip lashes always come up before I perform.
6. Spirit gum or double sided tape.  These are both for pasties.  It's important to have secured pasties to comply with the rules of the venues.

I also recommend carrying bottled water.  Nothing hydrates quite like it and it's perfect for those times when the venue doesn't provide a drink ticket.

Movie Starr Model

I am pleased to announce that I'm the face of Movie Starr burlesque costumes.  (Actually, I'm more like the body of Movie Starr burlesque costumes, but that sounds a little strange.)  Check out these wares, designed and constructed by Penny Starr, Jr.  I have a Movie Starr bra and shimmy belt that I wear as part of two numbers and I love the products.

Backstage

My friend John Nelson, amazing portrait and editorial photographer, shot backstage photos at October's Sassy Classy show.  Check out a few of the photos and get his thoughts on being backstage to shoot here.

California Nights

October is a big burlesque month in Southern California.  I was originally booked for two shows in October but I wound up dancing five gigs and turned down a couple others because of my play.  I think it's the busiest work month of the year.

Early in October, I was booked last-minute for a private party.  (Note: I'm not complaining about being booked last-minute.  This was one of the three added gigs.)  I knew very little about the party because it was booked through a friend who passed it to another friend.  I was doing my fan dance in the emerald and pearl costume, so I was very surprised to find out we'd be dancing outside by the swimming pool.  That costume is a bra, shimmy belt and thong, and I had two feather fans.

California has warm days and cold nights.  We don't have the humidity to hold the day's heat at night.  It's also windy.  I danced by a swimming pool in my sparkly skivvies on a windy, cold night.  I was happy to be dressed at the end of the night, an unusual thing for me.  Fortunately I had a fancy robe to keep me free from drafts before and after I performed.

You never know everything about private parties.  We were a surprise for the birthday girl so we had to be sneaked into the house to dress when she wasn't looking.  We also got dressed in the bedroom that had all the coats and purses of the guests so someone knocked on the door every two minutes to come in to check a cell phone or lipstick or something.  It was crazy.  But these adventures are great story fodder.

Slideshow from Famous Monstergirls of Burlesque

L.A. Weekly came to Peepshow Menagerie last month and posted a few photos from the show.  They got some great action shots of me.  Check out the slide show to see my walkaway dress in action and to see a tassel mid-twirl.  Here's one action photo shot by Erin Broadley.

Baring All

I'm a nudist.  Specifically, I spend as much time at home naked as I can.  I used to go to the nude beach before they shut them all down in California.  (I went to a nudist resort once and had such a terrible experience I haven't gone to another.)  I'm very comfortable in my own skin.  In fact, I'm more comfortable being naked than I am wearing a swimsuit.

While I'm comfortable being naked, I know I have to be smart about nude photos.  I only shoot nude or apparently nude with people I trust.  I usually have a helper there (Mr. Snapper) to make sure my exposed parts look as good as possible.  I also like having control over my naked images so I know where and how they're being used.  I don't want bad photos all over the internet, and I don't want my pictures used to endorse something I don't endorse.

My advice to new performers is not to do naked shoots unless you know and trust the photographer (or if that person is highly recommended for what you're shooting).  That is, unless you're willing to have the bad photos appear everywhere.

This photo was taken by Crazy White Lady Photography with hair and makeup by Eva Woodby.

Project List

I built a lot of costumes and acts in my first year as a professional burlesque performer.  It was an expensive time.  I had more money to burn and I don't regret spending any of it.  I still use costumes and numbers from my first year.  When someone would ask me to do their show (even if it required a completely new number or a "one-off" number that I probably would never do again), I would say, "Absolutely I will."

Because I had so many numbers to build my first year, I put a list on my wall so I could get everything done on time.  I'd put the month the number had to be ready with a to-do list for each number below.  It helped me keep my head straight and prioritize my activities.  That ensured everything would get done on time.

I have plenty of numbers to cover any upcoming gigs.  I'm not worried about quantity of numbers in my arsenal.  I'm now focusing on quality because I can with my current job situation.  I'm taking my time building costumes and working out new numbers.  And to return to a successful action, I'm writing down due dates for all of my new numbers along with to-do lists.  When I have time available at home, I can just tackle items on the to-do lists so my numbers are ready with the quality I now demand.

Creative Stretches

My husband is a creative hyphenate; he does everything.  He's a writer-director-actor-musician-puppeteer who designs-hosts-builds and strips.  I try to acquire hyphenates and strengthen the hyphenates I already have.  Everything I do makes me a better burlesque performer.  Here's what I did in the past week to contribute to my creative hyphenates, making myself a better performer in the process:

• Ballet class.  I take a 90-minute ballet class every week.  I got a late start studying ballet so I know I'll never be a prima ballerina.  I do know that ballet will strengthen my dance frame, bring more grace to my performances, and improve the height and form of my kicks.  Ballet class forces me to concentrate on what I'm doing.  I'm sure the year plus of ballet classes have influenced my burlesque.
• Tap class.  I take a two-hour tap class every week.  I had about six months of tap class ten years ago from a terrible teacher.  Kismet landed me in this class, and I'm learning so much.  I have to concentrate on the combinations so I can get them right.  I have to change my posture for tap class because we're learning down and dirty tap, not show tap.  I hope one day to incorporate tap into my burlesque.
• Acting.  I opened a play on Saturday.  I play a best friend-love interest type.  This is very different from what I usually portray in my burlesque numbers because it's very naturalistic.  Of course, I get to show something I don't otherwise -- vulnerability.  Assuming any kind of role as an actor gives me more options in burlesque.
• Writing.  I wrote a short play that opened Friday night.  On Friday night, I wrote a short play that ran just Saturday night as part of a 24-hour play festival.  Writing forces me to create stories rapidly, keeping my idea generator hot for creating acts.

Sharpening one's other skills keeps the mind in shape for being creative.  All of these activities are influencing my next acts.  I can't wait to see how it all pays off.

Shop Snapper!

My mother was a homemaker when I was very small, and I learned the fine womanly arts of baking and sewing from her.  She really didn't know what kind of monster she was creating when we sat down at her sewing machine together when I was five.  I make many components of my costumes.  I also make products for my Etsy store.

This is my latest creation.  It was inspired by my part-time homemaker status.  It's a wonderful multi-size apron that's utilitarian and fancy.  In fact, I made one to use in my "Bewitched" act at Peepshow Menagerie a few days ago.  I'll be cranking out more aprons in my spare time because I think everyone needs one for the kitchen.  It's also a great way to put my sewing skills to work when I don't have a costume in front of me.  Anyone need an apron?

Peepshow Menagerie presents Famous Monstergirls of Burlesque

I'm representing witchy housewives at this show.  I guess I've really been getting into my role as part-time housewife so it shows in my work.

Monday Night Tease

Bar Opens: 9pm 
Seating Starts: 9:30pm 
Show Starts: 10pm 

Cover charge: $12 
****$9 with flyer****

Ask about the $5 drink specials!!!

3 Clubs 
1123 Vine St. 
(Vine at Santa Monica) 
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hosted by: Patrick The Bank Robber

With burlesque performances by:
Jolee Blon'
Ida Claire
Estella Detroit
Scarlett Letter
Red Snapper
Vixen Violette
a duet by Truffles Mcclure & Pheonix Briar
and the insanity that is Scot Nery

Private Parties

I enjoy dancing at private parties.  I danced at a private party last night for this tattoo shop in Azusa.  (The only reason I'm sharing who hosted the 'private' party is because they had a flier.)  It was my first time dancing behind a tattoo parlor and it was a lot of fun.

The curious thing about private parties is that you never know how the audience will react.  At established burlesque shows, the crowd knows how to behave and when to cheer.  At private shows, you don't know if the people in the audience know what burlesque is or if they've ever seen it before.  Last night's crowd was great.  The music was so loud that it was hard to hear them cheering until the end, but I did hear someone say early in my number, "I love this song!"  That was great.

Another great thing about private parties is finding a new audience and making new fans in that audience.  The gentleman who booked us saw our Quentin Tarantino show at Monday Night Tease and wanted to bring burlesque to this crowd.  There may now be a demand for our talents in this area after last night's show.

Making a Triangle Bra

I created a pattern for my triangle bras last year when I had to have one for a number I did.  I made the pattern with an old manila folder so it will hold up because I know I'm going to make a number of these over time.  I drew the triangle based on the amount of coverage I wanted and I left an extra inch or so at the bottom for a channel for the underbust tie.  (I don't like permanently attaching ties to each side because I like versatility and sometimes wear my triangle bra so it ties in the front.)

I showed you the fabric I bought in yesterday's entry.  It's mesh and a bit stretchy.  For opacity, I used two layers of fabric for each cup.  The fabric was so stretchy that it was difficult to cut and get a decent seam allowance.  To solve that problem, I folded the fabric and drew the cup on one side.  I pinned it together so I had two layers and stitched on the line I drew.  I then trimmed the sides, folded them in and stitched again so the edge would be clean.

I wanted the bottom of this cup to be neat so I used bias tape to create the channel for the ties.  I usually fold the bottom edge under to create the channel but you can see the ties inside when I use mesh.  I had bias tape to match the bra so I used it as directed and made a neat channel that adds a smidge of extra support.  I'm attaching a tiny bit of bias tape at the top of each cup so my ties are sturdy and the mesh doesn't get damaged from the torque of my breasts.

The rhinestones follow my rendering.  I want lots of sparkle but the bra isn't sturdy enough to support being fully encrusted with rhinestones.  That's the one drawback to lightweight fabric.

Costuming on a Budget

When I first started dancing professionally, I designed my costumes before I went shopping for components.  I studied costume design in college and was taught to sketch out designs before spending any money.  We had to use our costume budgets wisely in school, and that training was so valuable.

I'm not going to spill the beans on every part of my next act, but I will share some tidbits as I work on it.  I was inspired to put together this act last month.  I found a wonderful costume component at a very reasonable price and made my color selections around that piece.  I sketched out the costume on a ready-made fashion design figure, jotted down what I had and what I needed to complete the design.  I knew I'd have to match the color of the base piece (the first component I purchased) for a few of the other pieces.  What's really great about sketching it all out before going to the store is that I know how much of everything I need to get.

Fortunately this new act won't require a ton of fabric.  I knew what I needed first so I could work the act as I continued building and embellishing the pieces.  I had to match the base piece (on the left) with some mesh fabric.  Since I am on a limited budget, I had to be very smart about my purchase.  I matched the color in my rendering to the base piece.  I used the rendering to select the matching fabric.  My husband and I hunted through the discount section of Michael Levine in downtown Los Angeles first in hopes to find a deal.  We seriously scored.  I got the fabric on the right for $1.50 a yard.  There's plenty of it to make all the pieces I need with a little leftover.  (I bought all 2.5 yards that were available because that was too good of a price.)

While I enjoyed spending my first year as a professional burlesque dancer going to the store and buying fabric and trim with just an idea in mind, it's much wiser for me to design the costume on paper first and create a shopping list, especially in this economy.  This means I have less "waste" at the end.  Sure, I tend to use leftover fabric and trim for other projects, but I run out of space in my home office for leftovers and I don't have the same money to buy things I don't use right away.

Time With Twyla Tharp

I went to a workshop at USC yesterday with Twyla Tharp.  Her book, The Creative Habit, was part of the reason me and my husband bailed from the stale acting class we were taking to pursue actual acting work.  I was excited to have the opportunity to hear her speak.  When we got there, I found out it was a problem solving workshop of sorts; people would throw out their creative problems and she would give feedback.  The questions I had were answered when she addressed other people, so I didn't have the need to raise my hand.

Here are some key things from Twyla, all applicable to burlesque:

• Don't expect people to pay while you're learning your lessons.
• Figure out your strengths and interests.  Cut your ambition in half for your first venture.
• Find a way to accommodate what your body will do.
• Where have you been?  What have you learned.
• If you're "kind of" about it, you're not going to expose yourself the way you should.
• Really want to do it or don't bother.
• You'll only get back what you put in.

Having read her book and applied parts to life, the workshop was very validating.  Of course, the best part for me was at the end when I carried my well-loved hardcover book up for her to sign.  I gave her my name, handed her the book and pen and said, "I'm a burlesque dancer."  Twyla said, "Good girl."  That was some incredible and unexpected validation from someone I really admire.

Coming Soon: International Snapper!

I have accepted the invitation to perform with Cherry Kiss Burlesque in Costa Rica in January 2010.  More details will be released as I have them.  If you'd like to share some love to help me with my trip, pop over to my store to pick up some Snapper merchandise.

My First Very Own Show - Sort Of

Sunday night was the inaugural installment of Red Snapper's Sassy, Classy Burlesque Revue.  It was my first very own show in a theater - sort of.  That statement requires a little unpacking.  Last fall I produced High Jinks Burlesque in conjunction with Theatre Unleashed as a fundraiser and late-night show to follow Pin-Up Girls.  I brought that show to Monday Night Tease earlier this year.  I've co-produced a couple nights of Peepshow Menagerie.  I also produced a fundraiser for the Burlesque Hall of Fame in May, but I had lots of help at my fingertips to have a huge show.  This night was just mine.

I'm so pleased with the talent I got for the show.  It really was a sassy, classy line-up.  I got the date of the show secured right before I flew to New Orleans, so I didn't have as much promotional time as I would have liked.  However, we had a nice turnout and I think everyone had a good time.

Theaters are very different from bars.  There are plenty of seats in the audience so the patrons don't have to stand the entire night.  There's a backstage so the performers make a formal entrance and don't reveal their costumes to the audience before their performance while trying to get from one place to another.  There's the opportunity for a formal curtain call.  And there's the possibility of nudity without breaking the law.  Sunday night's audience got to see a little more than permitted at a bar.  Who knows what extra peep December's show will hold.

Since I produced the show, I could control the backstage activity.  Specifically, the brilliant photographer John Nelson was backstage before the show to shoot the process -- on film.  He and I did a photo shoot a little more than a week ago in the theater.  The image on this blog is one of the few digital images he shot that day.  If you visit his website, you can see he has an incredible way of capturing the essence of people's personalities.  I'm eager to see what he shot before the show.

Video from New Orleans!

The good folks of New Orleans Burlesque Festival have uploaded oodles of video from the shows!  While I can't embed it, you can find my cutesy number and a slew of others here.  I performed this number at last night's inaugural show of Red Snapper's Sassy, Classy Burlesque Revue.  Spend an afternoon catching up on an incredible festival!

I'm a Button

I love merch.  This is quite evident with my collection of 20 John Mayer shirts.  I love supporting fellow performers when I can by purchasing their merchandise.  As a theatre and burlesque producer and performer, I've spent a lot of time pondering what merchandise people are interested in purchasing, fair price points, good exchange for the money they spend, etc.  I'm still pondering it and I doubt I'll ever stop pondering it.

I talk about merchandising with fellow performers and producers.  My chum Chris Beyond has started rolling out buttons to sell at shows.  Here you can see some designs for Peepshow Menagerie.  The second row is Pinky Petite.  The third row is my cover for Chris Beyond's Bootleg Stag Party Vol. 2.  The fifth row is my naked butt from the centerfold of the bootleg.  These buttons will only be available at Peepshow Menagerie.  Perfect for guitar straps, backpacks and jackets, each pin is $2.

Other Los Angeles shows will carry their own buttons soon.  Keep an eye out.  Maybe I'll even start carrying them for Red Snapper's Sassy, Classy Burlesque Revue!

Making the Family Proud

As I've mentioned before, I grew up heavily influenced by music.  I love live music.  It's no wonder that I married a man who is a multi-instrumentalist.

When I saw the shower at the House of Blues, my clothes flew off my body and onto the floor.  I found myself posing for a photo in the shower.  (Photo shot by Vagina Jenkins.)  All those years of legendary rock star funk were now on my feet.

Tee hee hee!

A Mini-Tour of House of Blues

You probably get the impression that I had fun at House of Blues.  You are correct.  Let me give you a little tour of the place before the show started.  (I'm still hoping to find someone with photos of me from the show.)

This is the artist entrance.  This is where the rock stars arrive.  You can see how I classed up the place with my sweaty hair from the dance class I had with Kellita no more than an hour before.

This is the exterior of the building from the street.  I have another photo I'll share later demonstrating my keen promotion sense in this very location.  I was very impressed that the venue was so close to the hotel.

This is the sign that was overloaded with incredible shows for the month of September.  It was stashed in a window at House of Blues near the box office.  You can see on the right the listing for the Burlesque Bash with Catherine D'Lish.  I noticed this the day after the event when I bought a couple souvenirs from the venue.

This is the green room where I made new friends and got ready for the show.  They really took great care of us there.  Incredible hospitality.  Since I was one of the last acts of the night, I spent a considerable amount of time in that room.  I was able to slip out to watch a few of the acts early in the night.  I also hit my head at least three times when coming out of the nook where the makeup mirror was placed.

Lastly we have the main floor of the venue for the audience.  There's a makeshift thrust stage there in the photo (white) but it was gone for the show.  When I went on at 1:30 AM, the floor was still packed with people and the balconies were full.  The acoustics of the venue were awesome.  The cheers sounded so loud!  Not everyone gets this perspective so I hope you enjoyed my little tour.

Naked Snapper!

I found out that my performance as the dead Laura Palmer at Peepshow Menagerie's "Beneath the Surface" tribute to David Lynch made a fan message board.  The show was in August and I just found it today.  The writer just summed up the evening for those who didn't make it out, but here's the blurb about me:

Nude Laura Palmer is unwrapped from her plastic by two cops. Then she is rolled back up and they walk away backward. She comes to life, writes BOB in a diary, brushes her hair backward, and puts on lingerie. 

My number was also mentioned in a review by performance artist Chuckles.  This is my blurb from the Peepshow Menagerie blog site:

Laura Palmer came to life from her plastic wrapping and danced in her bedroom with hot teenage underwear and ‘secret red button touching’, and she showed us what was written in her diary.

It's a smidge of press but it tells you what I did.  Special thanks to my cops, Mr. Snapper and Sebastian Kadlecik.

Legends Class: Panel Skirts

About two weeks ago today, I took a panel skirt class from burlesque legend Tee Tee Red.  There were a few numbers at the festival that incorporated panel skirts.  I've been interested in learning how to perform with a panel skirt since I first saw one in a book.  Panel skirts also have that Princess Leia Return of the Jedi appeal.

There were so many things I didn't know about panel skirts before I took the class.  I learned how to properly wear them, how they should be constructed and how to use them for maximum effect.  It was an incredible class.  I learned a lot in the hour we had.  I've started working on a panel skirt number for my December burlesque show.

What I learned from Tee Tee Red were things I could probably never find in a book or video currently on the market.  There's an incredible oral history available only through burlesque legends that needs to be learned by the new generation so we can appreciate our artistic lineage and pass it down to the next generation.  I hope to become the kind of performer that is teaching people about the neo-burlesque movement when she's in her seventies.

New Show!

This is the promo for my new show in a theater!  October 4th.  I hope you can make it.  I'll be sure to remind you. :)

Kid in a Candy Store

As I mentioned in my last post, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to perform at House of Blues in New Orleans.  I grew up listening to live music and went to my first rock concert when I was four or five.  I love going to concerts so this was the perfect place for me.  I took a photo of one of the many walls of bands that sold out the venue before.  Foo Fighters sold out twice.  I love me some Foo Fighters.  (I dance to two Foo Fighters songs.)

Being in such a rock star environment, I felt a little like a rock star myself. I found myself in the bathroom before the show with a Sharpie in my hand. I don't know what happened next, but somehow my name appeared not far above my finger in this photo. You can see a little "Ms. Red Snapper" if you really look. I know rock stars do this sort of thing all the time. The walls and the ceiling of the bathroom were covered with signatures like some kind of crazy yearbook. I think this might be the House of Blues photo I share with my dad.

Lancaster Success

I performed in Victory Variety Hour's premier show in Lancaster, CA, on Friday night.  I helped host, ran an audience-participation game and danced two numbers.  It was a mini-tour with the other instructors of Striptease Symposium.  You can see me, Jewel of Denial, Penny Starr, Jr., Big Top (our pick up girl) and our lovely blue-haired hostess who shall remain nameless for the sake of intrigue. :)

Three people in the club had been to a burlesque show before that night.  The audience was so warm, appreciative and interactive.  We had a great time and are planning to return.

Exploring the House of Blues New Orleans

A little more than a week ago I had the extreme pleasure of performing at the House of Blues as part of the New Orleans Burlesque Festival.  One of the joys of performing was getting there early to explore the place before there was an audience.

Many amazing artists have performed at House of Blues.  I felt like I was on hallowed ground.  I have to confess that I was absolutely delighted just to be there.  I almost made snow angels on the floor but I fortunately realized that the floor maybe wasn't very clean.  I did, however, do what any Snapper would do when confronted with a vacant bar; I took off my shirt and posed for a photo.  I hope you enjoy my first trip to House of Blues as much as I did.

Cover Girl

I'm the cover girl and centerfold of Chris Beyond's Bootleg Stag Party Volume II.  It's a wonderful collection of naughty music.  Chris is great at crafting liner notes like an old school album.  I really enjoyed the first album and am looking forward to finding the time to listen to this one.

You can't buy this album.  It's only available as a prize at Peepshow Menagerie's monthly show.  Visit the website for details on the next show if you want a copy.

Article on David Lynch Burlesque

I performed as the dead Laura Palmer in Peepshow Menagerie's "Beneath the Surface" last month.  My act got a mention in The Guardian UK.

It's almost midnight in downtown Los Angeles and at the Bordello bar, a near-naked woman wrapped in plastic sheeting writhes onstage, gyrating to the theme tune from Twin Peaks.

That was me, near naked yet again.  I hope to have photos soon.

Burlesque Classes in the Antelope Valley

Saturday classes in Lancaster! Learn to Sashay Like a Showgirl and Twirl Baby Twirl. More details at http://www.bluescarab.org/index_files/burlesque.htm.

 (I'm helping teach tassel twirling.  I hope you can join us!)

Burlesque in the Antelope Valley

Tonight the instructors of Striptease Symposium take it off at the first burlesque show in Lancaster, CA! It’s
a Chick Productions LLC and Blue Scarab studio are proud to bring you
the first ever burlesque show in the Antelope Valley! Join us September
18th at 9:00pm. At the Back Door located at 1255 West Ave. I Lancaster, CA. 93536 for what promises to be an amazing show! Tickets are $10.00 at the door.

(I'm performing my classic 1940's fan dance and the number I performed in New Orleans.)

Whoops!

This is a rendering of one of my favorite numbers by one of my favorite artists, Sebastian Kadlecik.  I did this number last night to close my evening of hosting at Peepshow Menagerie.  I love this number because it incorporates a number of lessons learned from many teachers.  It's a Foo Fighters song I absolutely love, and it's the only number I have where I get to wear a hoodie.

Last night something happened.  My music was skipping.  I knew the cd worked because I practiced to it in my living room before the show.  I later found out a second cd player was on a the time and it was trying to mix or something.  Anyway, my song kept skipping.  I didn't freak out.  What ran through my head was "If the music stops and I keep going, what happens if the music starts up again and I then have two minutes of music but no clothing left?"  So I played with it.  I tried milking it and making the audience laugh about it because it was pretty hilarious.  If I didn't know the song so well it might have been a real problem.

I think it worked.  People seemed to enjoy it, and the last third of the song didn't skip after the sound guy spotted the problem.