Immortalized

I've had some wonderful and exciting opportunities afforded to me in my short time as a professional burlesque performer.  Today I had my chest immortalized in plaster for Keep-A-Breast Foundation.  Many performers I greatly respect have participated in this project previously, so I jumped at the chance to be part.

I'm glad it was a warm day in Los Angeles.  I was wrapped from the waist down so I didn't get plaster on my dance pants.  My top was bare and I had to put my hair up so I didn't get it all crusty and in the way.  After oiling myself down so the plaster would eventually peel away from my skin, I was mummified by Shaney Jo.  It was a pretty quick process.  As the plaster started drying, I could feel it peeling away from my skin and the cast became heavier than when it was still wet and stuck to my body.  When it was dry enough, I wriggled free and Shaney Jo trimmed it up.  It was exciting and fun to participate.

My cast will be painted by a tiki artist and auctioned off at Tiki Oasis in August.  I can't wait to see the final representation of my immortalized boobs!

Teacher Teacher

Today was the first day of my beginner class.  Because the class was so popular, we had to add a second section so I did two classes back to back.  I have just under 40 students total.  I have a wonderful variety of experience levels and body types in my classes.  I'm really excited to start all these ladies on their journey.

I'm about to tell you a really big secret.  Ready?  Okay.  I break women.  What does that mean?  I have a special knack for helping ladies get comfortable in their own skin.  I was a scrappy kid, and I had a great teacher who helped me discover the divinity and comfort in accepting my own sexuality as a performer and as a person.  I have the same gift.  I love seeing the butterflies emerge from the cocoons and I provide a safe environment for that to happen.  It's an amazing process.

Raising the Bar

It's really important to watch burlesque, especially as a professional burlesque performer.  You can see what you like, what you don't like, and it really helps you develop aesthetic judgment.  That, and seeing other people "bring it" will raise the bar for you as an artist.

Last night was the first time I saw Eliza Bane perform.  She's very tall and elegant, but her costume took my breath away.  She's a costume designer, so it made sense that her costume would be amazing.  The time, money and care that went into her costume was phenomenal.  Every layer was even more incredible than the last.  She was dripping with decadence.  As I watched her from offstage, I was so inspired to invest more time, creativity and money into my next big costume because she really raised the bar.  Holy crap!

(Of course, my next big costume is going to be such a project that I have to work on one piece at a time.  This week I'm getting the boa and maybe the gloves.  The panties will be next.)

Buckingham Burlesque presents The "USO" Show!

Buckingham Burlesque returns this Sat. with a special USO themed show!  Don't miss this rare opportunity to be inside the American Legion Ballroom without membership!  After party follows in the downstairs bar with karaoke!

Why Classic?

I have a few classic numbers in my repertoire, and I often get booked for shows just because I have those classic numbers.  I do a lot of neo-burlesque and comedic numbers to modern music, but the show I produce is classic burlesque.  Since I book newer performers, I insist they do a classic number, even if it takes a while for them to prepare.

So why do I produce a classic show and insist people fit my theme to get booked?  There's a long, wonderful history to this art form.  It demands respect and study.  It's important to know your history, and classic burlesque is our history.  It takes work.  I like seeing that dancers have done due diligence for the genre.

It also seems easier to get booked for private parties with classic numbers.  Classic burlesque seems to be what comes to mind when a layman hears the term 'burlesque.'  I've danced more private parties with my classic numbers than with the newer stuff.  It's important for every dancer to have at least one classic number just for these opportunities.

And that's why I'm so uppity about classic burlesque.

Fabulous Feathers Tour

Some students and graduates of Striptease Symposium joined other members of the Los Angeles burlesque community for a free tour of Fabulous Feathers in Northridge.  I got my fans from Fabulous Feathers and I love their work so I arranged a Saturday tour.  I got to see some feathers being dyed and I fell in love with their steam closet.  It was incredible.

The feathers they have are beautiful, but the most impressive thing about Fabulous Feathers is the customer service.  Jason is very knowledgeable, passionate about feathers and attentive.  Feather stores in Los Angeles are only open Monday through Friday, and Jason opened up special so we could have a tour.  He leaves you alone to shop but he's right there to help you when you need him.  I'm looking forward to returning with another tour group in March.

Community Pool: An Art Party in the New Decade

Community Pool is back! Ring in the New Decade with a night of amazing performances and visual art!

:WHAT IS COMMUNITY POOL?:
Community Pool is an art party put on every month by the Ahimsa Collective- a performing arts organization devoted to spreading non-violence through art. Musicians, visual artists, dancers, clowns, poets, dj's, performance artists, circus acts, and more come together under one roof to create one awesome, crazy night.

:DETAILS, DETAILS:
Jan 17th
7:30pm
$5 at the door
Improv Space in Westwood.

:FUN FACT:
We have a burlesque dancer this time. You know you want to come now.


:THE LINE UP:
7:30- Flying Machine (music)

8:00- Welcome everybody

8:10: Josh Duvendeck (stand up)

8:20: Ketchup Soup (music)

8:45: Jessica Rose Felix (poetry)

8:50: movement- Negin and Laura

8:55: Matt Chester Stand up

9:05: Black Crystal Wolf Deer (music)

9:15: Kit Steinkellner Reading

9:40: Kit's Boyfriend's Band (music)

10:00 Red Snapper (burlesque)

10:15: The Improv Space Mainstage Team! (improv)

:VISUAL ARTISTS:
Rob Tokarz(featured)
Mike Rivera
Michaela McKetrick
Anahit Vart
Michael Jones
Sebastian Kadlecik
Vikki Sanchez -- (Jewelry!)

Come Early! We will sell out.

www.AhimsaCollective.com