Great Hair for Dummies

I guess I could've also titled the post "Great for Hair Dummies."

A few years ago when I was very new to burlesque, I learned that one of my favorite performers wears a lot of falls that match her hair. My hair is a bit more multicolored by nature, so it was harder for me to find a good match. I've since found reliable sources and visit those for my faux hair.

I love fake hair for the days when I'm in a hurry to get ready for a show or I'm performing more than once. This was my look for the second Letter Follies show last night. I bought this clip-on curly ponytail when I was in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago for $17. It matches my hair well and totally changed my look in moments.

A decent fall is a good investment for a dancer. Make sure it feels smooth if it's not human hair. Falls look terrible when they're crunchy. Another trick is to blend it with your actual hair so no one knows it's faux.

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Monday Night Tease! presents Mister Robber's Neighborhood

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Monday Night Tease!
presents:

Mister Robber's Neighborhood

Hosted by Mister (Patrick the Bank) Robber

with burlesque by:
Miss Angie Cakes
Bevey JuJubee
Iza La Vamp
Red Snapper
Miss Josie Bunnie
Lili VonSchtupp
Marial A La Mode
Glama Sutra

and special musical guests
PONY DEATH RIDE

Bar Opens: 6pm
Seating Starts: 9:30pm
Show Starts: 10pm

Cover charge for April 4th, 2011
$15 advance limited VIP seating through Meet up
http://www.meetup.com/MondayNightTease/events/qplqqypgbgb
$12 (tickets available at the door)


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

No photography. Performers subject to change without notice.

21+, full bar, no food.

Need help?
Email Lili with any questions: lili@burlesque411.com

Reservations available for parties of six or more, 818-378-8866 or lili@burlesque411.com

Follow us on twitter: @MNTease
You'll get updates and flyers for discounts.
http://twitter.com/MNTease

Dance Class Challenge: 14/100 - Pilates

I know I've mentioned on more than one occasion that I was really fit back in 2006 and 2007.  I was in pole classes several times a week, and I supplemented those with Pilates classes at Studio Soma in West Hollywood.  I was very active and could keep pace in Pilates mat classes with little effort.  Then I hurt my tailbone (maybe broke it) back in 2008 and things changed for me.  Soma also housed my pole classes and belly dance classes, and those things both moved out of the studio so I didn't find myself in the area as much.  Today I went back to Pilates class to get back into some kind of physical groove.

I don't have the core strength I had before but the gist of the movements came back like second nature.  I really felt my body working.  It's an intense 60 minutes.  I felt positively challenged and I'm glad I didn't eat more sausage before class.  This class has been very good for me in the past.  I look forward to returning for another round.

I have to give props to my workout buddy, Evie Lovelle.  It's very encouraging when you have a friend who wants to go with you to different classes and try new things.  It helps me feel less alone on this challenge.  It's also helped me get motivated enough to crawl out from under mounds of crafts on my couch to do something physical.  Let's see what I can talk her into taking with me next week!

Dance Class Challenge: 13/100 - Jazz Dance

I was pretty warm and sweaty after Stretch Zone, but Evie and I committed to taking a second class with Bill tonight.  Since it's Thursday, everything started on the left foot and gave me a great challenge.  The temperatures dropped as night fell, but I'm sure I burned off my dinner and post-class popcorn snack in class.

Bill teaches fluidity of movement, incorporating it in the warm-up, choreography and cool-down.  My body is getting more accustomed to his style of teaching and dancing.  I'm still terrible at spotting during turns and my body wants to start on the right foot instead of the left, but I'm making improvements.  I look forward to taking this class again and again and again.

Dance Class Challenge: 12/100 - Stretch Zone

I did a double dose of dance classes tonight.  I talked Evie into joining me on this ridiculously warm evening on this adventure.  This was my first time taking a stretch class with Bill.  (Let me just add that his class descriptions are totally accurate.)

I got such a wonderful and pain-free stretch during this class.  I also worked up a bit of a sweat doing these simple moves that engaged my core and really stretched my weak areas (hamstrings and back).  It was a wonderful class.  Bill is great and really understands kinesthetics.  The only negative is that I wish the class fit into my schedule a bit better.  I was able to go this evening because I got out of my day job early.

Las Vegas Burlesque: Passionate Pioneers

I had the pleasure of spending time with Cha Cha Velour, Vi Vacious and Miss Karla Joy when I was dancing in Las Vegas last weekend.  I love to find out more about the local burlesque community whenever I travel, helping me see how I can improve things for my own community or what others can gain from some of our successful actions.

Las Vegas is an adult playground.  Tourists can take in the latest hit show on the Strip without having to leave the comfort of their own hotels.  Streets are lined with mini-catalogs for barely legal Asians, blondes with big butts, and all manner of prostitution wish books.  With no lack of distractions (much like Los Angeles but with more smoking and legal prostitution), I could see how tough it would be to put together a burlesque community here.

Of course, these passionate pioneers are getting it done.  Cha Cha's monthly event, Live Burlesque! in Las Vegas, showcases local talent and out-of-town guests, burlesque numbers with variety acts peppered throughout the evening.  The friendly audience reminds me of the audiences I see at Monday Night Tease: lots of regulars who seem to know a number of performers because they come to all the shows, people who want to see their first real burlesque show and have been curious about it for a while, and folks who ramble in from the connected front bar to see the cause of all the excitement.  Saturday night was standing room only, and backstage was packed with performers.  It was an electric evening of entertainment.

Offstage, these ladies also hold classes and offer words of wisdom to new performers to help cultivate their community.  They're very passionate about connecting those with a budding interest in burlesque to the history of the art form.  They've figured out that it takes investment to get the community they want.  I look forward to seeing more rising talent they've influenced the next time I'm in Vegas.

Brolesque 3-Week Course

Steak N. Shake, student of Red Snapper

It's time for a Brolesque 3-week intensive!  Men, learn burlesque technique to showcase your virility, comedy and talent.  Whether entertaining your lover or performing for a paying crowd, it's time to get your game face on.  Here's the schedule:

• Sunday 4/3 - history of men in burlesque and striptease, warm-up, special considerations about the male anatomy, choreography part one
• Sunday 4/10 - how to striptease with any garment, warm-up, giving good face, choreography part two
• Sunday 4/17 - the magic of reveals, tassels and you, props, warm-up, choreography part three

Entire series for $55, drop-in $20 per class. No women allowed (besides your teacher)!  Classes are 80 minutes each, 3pm to 4:20pm.

All classes held at Studio A Dance, 2306 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90027.

RSVP to msredsnapper at the ol' gmail. :)