Saturday, November 14, 2009
My three year anneversary!
This is a current post! Yes, our October shows marked my third year of performing burlesque and I'm in love with it as much as, if not even more than, when I first started. While I had hoped to celebrate by performing a new Miss Muffet act using my tuffet from last year, it was stolen during a break in last February. Seriously! Some friggin' dirtbag broke into my house, stole my jewelry (most were childhood mementos and gifts from my grandparents) and my tuffet. I guess I should be flattered as it did look pretty cool... Anyhow, I brought back my safe cracker act, complete with a new safe that's travel ready as well as a new act, Lady Vulcan! Tons of fun, and I've got hopes of bringing it to some sort of comic-con event.
My two year anneversary with Black Cherry Burlesque!
(This went on my myspace blog Wednesday, December 03, 2008, nearly a year ago! I also thought it was funny how I used the phrase "wink and a smile" when talking about Miss Indigo Blue who visited back in 2007, way before her movie came out...)
Yes, October (wasn't October just yesterday?) 2008 marked my second year performing with Black Cherry Burlesque! It just keeps getting better and better, I just wish we performed more often. It's been a long time since I've blogged, so sorry! So, I'm still trying to catch up... Just over a year ago, Black Cherry and all of Tucson was graced with the presence of burlesque starlet, Miss Indigo Blue. I wish I had written about her while my memory of her was still fresh but believe me, if you didn't see her, she was fabulous! Her first act involved biscotti and coffee, appropriate for a gal from USA's coffee capitol, Seattle. Lots of humor and I loved her playful facial expressions. Her second act was also delivered with a wink and a smile, all decked out in her trade-mark blue. Off stage, Miss Indigo Blue was the picture of ladylike sophistication. Let's hope we get another visit from her soon.
So what's up next for Black Cherry? We're puttin' the polish on our holiday show, on December 11th and 12th which is Thursday and Friday, contrary to what my poster says - more apologies. That's the same weekend as the 4th Avenue Street Fair, so consider doing some shopping, having dinner on Fourth Avenue (the food at the Wench is quite good), and then stick around and see what holiday treats we have stuffed in our stockings! And what's Stormy up to for this show? Two acts that are in time with the season, done Stormy-style! You better bet one of them is The Grinch!!! Look for some hot new moves outta that crusty ol' green goblin...
Yes, October (wasn't October just yesterday?) 2008 marked my second year performing with Black Cherry Burlesque! It just keeps getting better and better, I just wish we performed more often. It's been a long time since I've blogged, so sorry! So, I'm still trying to catch up... Just over a year ago, Black Cherry and all of Tucson was graced with the presence of burlesque starlet, Miss Indigo Blue. I wish I had written about her while my memory of her was still fresh but believe me, if you didn't see her, she was fabulous! Her first act involved biscotti and coffee, appropriate for a gal from USA's coffee capitol, Seattle. Lots of humor and I loved her playful facial expressions. Her second act was also delivered with a wink and a smile, all decked out in her trade-mark blue. Off stage, Miss Indigo Blue was the picture of ladylike sophistication. Let's hope we get another visit from her soon.
So what's up next for Black Cherry? We're puttin' the polish on our holiday show, on December 11th and 12th which is Thursday and Friday, contrary to what my poster says - more apologies. That's the same weekend as the 4th Avenue Street Fair, so consider doing some shopping, having dinner on Fourth Avenue (the food at the Wench is quite good), and then stick around and see what holiday treats we have stuffed in our stockings! And what's Stormy up to for this show? Two acts that are in time with the season, done Stormy-style! You better bet one of them is The Grinch!!! Look for some hot new moves outta that crusty ol' green goblin...
Mentors
(This went on my myspace blog Sunday, March 02, 2008)
Yesterday I had a unique experience, not as Stormy, but in my everyday life. I got to speak to teenage girls about what I do for a living. My role as a mentor was to encourage them to pursue careers in science and engineering. I took my role as a mentor very seriously and take great pride in the thought that I have given these young women hope that they will be successful in their pursuits.
Realizing the impact a mentor can have, I’d like to start giving a nod to my Burlesque mentors here. Since I’m not a gifted writer and am always short on time (who isn’t these days?) it’s going to take a few blog entries to get up to date. I want to spend a good deal of time telling my dear blog readers about who influenced me when I first started Burlesque, say a few words about the wonderful gals in Black Cherry, and write about performers that have visited us in the last year.
Let’s get started! First off, I want to tell you about meeting Michelle Baldwin, author of Burlesque {The New Bump and Grind}. You may also know her by her performance name Vivienne VaVoom. I’m glad I made the effort to get my tired old body out of the house and down to the Surly Wench that night. As I mentioned earlier, I had spent the afternoon at the U of A and was pretty tuckered out by all the events of the day. Meeting Michelle was very exciting and fortunately I was able to keep from slumping over face first from exhaustion!
Luckily for me, I had been given a copy of Michelle’s book. I love this book! In it you’ll find a foreword from Dixie Evans, fascinating Burlesque history, an explanation of today’s neo Burlesque scene, and fabulous photographs of Burlesque performers past and present. I brought my copy with me to the bar for her to sign - it says "Breast Wishes"... Love it. Love it!
Michelle, looking smart in a striped vintage-style dress, her blonde hair done up in pin curls had also brought her delightful friend, Jaye Furlonger (bassist in the band Nautical Disaster) along. While Jaye isn’t a Burlesque performer herself, she sure looked the part, wearing a darling polka dot dress and flowers in her jet black hair. The two of them talked about who they’ve worked with, dished some dirt, told of beautiful venues they performed at, and were both just simply wonderful to meet.
Being told stories first hand about Burlesque stars and legends was so interesting and inspiring to me! And it was great hearing about the Burlesque scene outside of my sheltered experiences here in Tucson. Thank you Michelle!
Yesterday I had a unique experience, not as Stormy, but in my everyday life. I got to speak to teenage girls about what I do for a living. My role as a mentor was to encourage them to pursue careers in science and engineering. I took my role as a mentor very seriously and take great pride in the thought that I have given these young women hope that they will be successful in their pursuits.
Realizing the impact a mentor can have, I’d like to start giving a nod to my Burlesque mentors here. Since I’m not a gifted writer and am always short on time (who isn’t these days?) it’s going to take a few blog entries to get up to date. I want to spend a good deal of time telling my dear blog readers about who influenced me when I first started Burlesque, say a few words about the wonderful gals in Black Cherry, and write about performers that have visited us in the last year.
Let’s get started! First off, I want to tell you about meeting Michelle Baldwin, author of Burlesque {The New Bump and Grind}. You may also know her by her performance name Vivienne VaVoom. I’m glad I made the effort to get my tired old body out of the house and down to the Surly Wench that night. As I mentioned earlier, I had spent the afternoon at the U of A and was pretty tuckered out by all the events of the day. Meeting Michelle was very exciting and fortunately I was able to keep from slumping over face first from exhaustion!
Luckily for me, I had been given a copy of Michelle’s book. I love this book! In it you’ll find a foreword from Dixie Evans, fascinating Burlesque history, an explanation of today’s neo Burlesque scene, and fabulous photographs of Burlesque performers past and present. I brought my copy with me to the bar for her to sign - it says "Breast Wishes"... Love it. Love it!
Michelle, looking smart in a striped vintage-style dress, her blonde hair done up in pin curls had also brought her delightful friend, Jaye Furlonger (bassist in the band Nautical Disaster) along. While Jaye isn’t a Burlesque performer herself, she sure looked the part, wearing a darling polka dot dress and flowers in her jet black hair. The two of them talked about who they’ve worked with, dished some dirt, told of beautiful venues they performed at, and were both just simply wonderful to meet.
Being told stories first hand about Burlesque stars and legends was so interesting and inspiring to me! And it was great hearing about the Burlesque scene outside of my sheltered experiences here in Tucson. Thank you Michelle!
How I got my name, and by the way, it's pronounced "lay"!
(This went on my myspace blog Saturday, March 17, 2007)
Last August (2006) I started toying with the idea of becoming a burlesque performer. Oh, the rush of excitement you get from trying something new! Something where you get to dance and wear frilly costumes - something gutsy and unique! You even get to call yourself by a mysterious, sexy, glamorous name.
I had already gone through picking out a name back when I refereed for derby and knew the feeling of making the "right" choice. It's fun, but boy you don't want to pick a name you're going to regret later! So many names went through my head but Storm and Stormy were the names I kept coming back to. Although I knew very little about Tempest Storm I did know she was a Burlesque legend and it's always cool to give a nod to the "great" ones. (I know who she is now - phenomenal!) I'm also a fan of Storm Large. She's this awesomely incredible singer from Portland that I've only heard via podcast, YouTube, and on Rockstar Supernova but she made quite an impression upon me. Oh, and there was this guy at the gym that tried this as a pick-up line: "Is your name Stormy?" Apparently I look like a Stormy too.
But I wasn't finished, I only had half a name. Last September I helped BCB with costume pick-up as I got acquainted with the girls. Satan's Angel happened to be a guest performer that night and I had the pleasure of meeting her. She asked me what my name was and I replied "I don't have a name yet." She laughed and told me she "hadn't heard that one yet!" Then she looked me over, narrowed her eyes and thought for just a moment. "Hmm, Stormy... Stormy Sin, but spell it C-Y-N." I felt a wave of amazement go through me (it's fate!) and admitted to her that I had been seriously considering the name Stormy. "Yeah, Stormy Cyn", I said. "I like it!" My apologies to Angel for not taking the full name though. We already have Ginger Sinclair and I cringed at the thought of announcers getting the names mixed up, calling me Stormy Sinclair, and her Ginger Cyn. I don't think Ginger would care for it either!
I don't really know how Leigh came to me but it sounded right and I adopted it, alternate pronunciation and all, 'cause you have to be a little bit naughty, right?
Last August (2006) I started toying with the idea of becoming a burlesque performer. Oh, the rush of excitement you get from trying something new! Something where you get to dance and wear frilly costumes - something gutsy and unique! You even get to call yourself by a mysterious, sexy, glamorous name.
I had already gone through picking out a name back when I refereed for derby and knew the feeling of making the "right" choice. It's fun, but boy you don't want to pick a name you're going to regret later! So many names went through my head but Storm and Stormy were the names I kept coming back to. Although I knew very little about Tempest Storm I did know she was a Burlesque legend and it's always cool to give a nod to the "great" ones. (I know who she is now - phenomenal!) I'm also a fan of Storm Large. She's this awesomely incredible singer from Portland that I've only heard via podcast, YouTube, and on Rockstar Supernova but she made quite an impression upon me. Oh, and there was this guy at the gym that tried this as a pick-up line: "Is your name Stormy?" Apparently I look like a Stormy too.
But I wasn't finished, I only had half a name. Last September I helped BCB with costume pick-up as I got acquainted with the girls. Satan's Angel happened to be a guest performer that night and I had the pleasure of meeting her. She asked me what my name was and I replied "I don't have a name yet." She laughed and told me she "hadn't heard that one yet!" Then she looked me over, narrowed her eyes and thought for just a moment. "Hmm, Stormy... Stormy Sin, but spell it C-Y-N." I felt a wave of amazement go through me (it's fate!) and admitted to her that I had been seriously considering the name Stormy. "Yeah, Stormy Cyn", I said. "I like it!" My apologies to Angel for not taking the full name though. We already have Ginger Sinclair and I cringed at the thought of announcers getting the names mixed up, calling me Stormy Sinclair, and her Ginger Cyn. I don't think Ginger would care for it either!
I don't really know how Leigh came to me but it sounded right and I adopted it, alternate pronunciation and all, 'cause you have to be a little bit naughty, right?
A breath of life!
Alrightee, it looks like I'm finally ready to move forward with my blogspot! First off, I'm gonna cheat a bit and grab some ancient stuff off of my myspace blog. Bear with me, I'm not a great writer! Also, I only blogged three times on myspace. Maybe that's a good thing? I dunno. I wish I would have charted my progress, challenges, and fun moments occasionally but it just didn't happen. I'll do my best to recall the best of what's gone on from the past couple of years...
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