My Final Reveal: Cut Cut Cut

Today I spent two hours of quiet time at work cutting the skirt for my new costume gown. I had to adjust the width of the skirt at the hem so it was a bit fuller. I still need to cut the four bodice pieces; I figured I should do a little regularly scheduled office work for now. Total so far: 2 hours 30 minutes and $49.

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Monday Night Tease!

Monday, Sept 19th, 2011

Monday Night Tease!

Host and magic : Shawn McMaster

Ali Oops

Patty Cupcake

Iza La Vamp

Panama Red

Caramel Knowledge

Red Snapper

The Lady Mz Vagina Jenkins

with musical guests

Heather Henderson & Elizabeth Luttenger

Bar Opens: 6pm 

Seating Starts: 9:30pm 

Show Starts: 10pm 

Cover charge for Sept 19th, 2011

$15 advance limited VIP seating through Meet up

http://www.meetup.com/MondayNightTease/events/pkvpsypmbzb

$15 (tickets available at the door - seating is not guaranteed)

3 Clubs 

1123 Vine St. 

(Vine at Santa Monica) 

Los Angeles, CA 90038

No photography. Performers subject to change without notice. Plenty of free street parking.

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: 54/100 - The Situation Workout

I've never seen "Jersey Shore"; I've seen the South Park episode about it. My poor husband had a surprise fever, squelching our evening plans, landing him in bed, and me looking for some way to entertain myself at home. After some Rosetta Stone French, I popped on Netflix and "The Situation Workout" was one of three fitness videos I hadn't done yet that popped up on my home page. I've taken a crazy ass class with a guy that insisted on tickling me and Evie (and who seemed to be running a cult). This wouldn't nearly be as painful.

I spent a nice chunk of time laughing my ass off. The workout is good and involves light handweights. The Situation personality reminds me of my younger brother if he'd been given lead paint instead of breast milk as a baby. It gets easier to watch him, his friend The Unit, and whatever fit girl he calls "sweetheart" through the course of the video. (He goes through two or three chicks.) I don't know that Sitch realizes what he's saying, like the stuff about being hard with Unit. Ol' Unit implied a three-way with Sitch and ab girl.

If you have an hour and want a decent workout while you laugh, try it.

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Fawning Over Jo at Camp in 2007

I do hope you're enjoying my little trip down memory lane as a pre-burlesque dancer. :)



More About Camp

(I've been working days and rehearsing late nights so I've barely been able to get out of bed to go to work in the morning, much less blog. I promise I'll be back up to snuff after this show opens on the 20th.)

In the afternoon of the second day, we had a lesson in stocking and glove removal from the lovely and talented Jo Boobs. I really wanted to study with Jo. She had become a bit of a celebrity in my household since I got her e-book and Andrew started reading her blog.

Jo is as amazing as I hoped she would be. She's a very skilled and patient teacher. She showed us how to slowly peel a glove or stocking and really tease the audience with it. I learned to slow down the difficult things (like crouching, removing tough shoes or sitting down on stage to get comfortable). I also learned that everything in garment removal must be deliberate. It looks better that way. Jo showed us how interesting tension looks in clothing removal, so I now spread my fingers as I peel gloves so it looks cool.

My Final Reveal: Supplies

I'm starting a new costume in the next few weeks, and I'm breaking the rules. To give you a better understanding on what goes into one of my costumes, I'm going to share how much time and money I spend on this new one. Every project costs time and money, and I choose to save money by investing a lot of my own time.

I don't have a song selected or specific choregraphy in mind. I'm starting with the outer costume because I had a vision of how I wanted it to look and open. I'll have to work out the understructure based on the dress.

I spent 30 minutes today purchasing fabrics and thread for the dress and its lining. I bought the pattern online for $8 last month. I spent $35 on fabric and $6 on thread this morning. Total so far: 30 minutes and $49 before the dress is cut.

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Dance Class Challenge: 53/100 - Slimmons with *OMG* Richard Simmons!

I think the name of the class is actually power burn or cardio fest or something. Whatever. Slimmons is the important part.

I remember Richard Simmons from when I was wee. He was charismatic and dedicated to helping people back then, and he still is. His class was jam packed and people love him. It's almost a religious experience. Yesterday he was made up in gold face paint and wore a pharaoh hood, so I guess it was religious.

There are people of all shapes and sizes and all fitness levels in his class. We did a half hour of cardio dance extravaganza, fifteen minutes of weight training (which I forgot how much I enjoyed weight training outside of a gym setting), and fifteen minutes of crunches and push-ups. Sphinx Simmons ended class with a brief word of encouragement to see the best in yourself and others. He finishes every class by staying for photos with anyone who took the class. Be patient as you wait because he will spend the same quality time posing cleverly with you, briefly chatting and kissing you on the cheek that he does with everyone else.

This class was absolutely magical for two reasons (besides his icon status):
1) This was the most fun I've had in an aerobics and/or dance class in a really long time. I focus on learning and perfecting my technique in most classes, and I know I make concentration face. Even as I reached for my inhaler in this class, I had a huge smile on my face.
2) Richard's mother was a showgirl. I told him I was a burlesque dancer as I failed to sneak to the restroom during his earlier class and he caught me. After class he told me and Evie how his mother was a showgirl in New Orleans back in the day, four foot six and managing five foot feather fans. Wow. I'm going to have to research this woman!

If you ever have the opportunity, please take a class with Richard Simmons. You will absolutely not regret it. He is a delightful man and his class is tons of fun.

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Dance Class Challenge: 52/100 - 10 Minute Solution: Yoga

While I didn't like this workout as much as I liked the Pilates one, it was still a good workout. The ten minutes workouts covered basic Vinyasa flow, abs, legs, power yoga and flexibility/relaxation. I'm getting better at the flow of yoga but I understand Pilates much better. At least Buster licked the soles of my feet to encourage my yoga work.

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