Getting back on track

After reviewing my earliest blog posts, I've decided to follow through on writing about my mentors and inspirations...

So, let's briefly get back on track with lovely La Cholita - The Latina Queen of Burlesque!

Meeting La Cholita several years ago was a wonderful experience which I will try to recall as best as I can... She definitely impressed me though! Such a dazzling, powerful performer who takes complete command of the stage from start to finish. I recall admiring her colorfully ornate costumes that were styled to reflect her Mexican heritage. So much fringe and ruffles and rhinestones! As we all got ready for the evening's show, I found her to be very sweet, glamorous, interesting, funny, and down to earth all at the same time. Cholita performed with Black Cherry in 2009 and 2010 and was always friendly with each and everyone of the other performers, even making time in her busy schedule to join a few of us for brunch the next morning of her brief stay. Viva La Cholita!

Modeling and other skills/hobbies

It sure is fun to get all dolled up and create interesting images with a beautiful costume, a cool idea, and some hot poses! I really enjoy modeling and am looking to get more exposure in magazines, calenders, and catalogs. Styles I am interested in include: Glamour, lingerie, performance artist, pinup, promotional modeling, and swimwear. I will also consider event work, depending on assignment. I can do my own hair and makeup and have many, many unique costumes I can use for a shoot as well. I love to travel and am seeking creative photographers to collaborate with.


My photography credits include: Vestige Photography, Skwid Inc Photography and Design, Flash In The Past Photography, Photo Safari at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Steve McMackin, 3 Quarter Moon Photography, Centerfold Studios, Hardwood Pinups. For more information please visit my Model Mayhem page at http://www.modelmayhem.com/stormyleigh


Let's see... Other skills... Well, my dance training includes: Ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance. Before delving into the world of burlesque, I performed many years with Flor de Liz Dance and Tucson Metropolitan Ballet, appeared in the motion picture "Tank Girl", and spun fire poi while on roller skates in a collaboration with Tucson Roller Derby and world renowned fire performance group Flam Chen. I roller skate very well as I competed in American Roller Dance and speed skating/racing from age 11 into my early 20's. I guess I've always been an active gal!


But wait, there's more! I really really enjoy costume design and construction. The majority of my costumes are my own design and believe me, many an hour has been spent threadin' a needle, cutting a pattern, and inhaling E-6000 fumes! I also do choreography and was recently hired to choreograph a "First Dance" for a wedding - so much fun! Additionally, I have my own line of hair flowers, fascinators, and boudoir pasties called LOOT by Stormy Leigh. Recently, my LOOT business has had to take a backseat to my day job and burlesque endeavors, but I still do occasionally make and sell items as time allows.


Did I mention 60's style go-go dancing? That's my latest venture. Stormy's Go-Go Tornadoes will feature a group 60's style go-go dance with a playful flair to a variety of upbeat tunes. The Tornadoes are still in the zygote stage and updates will be posted as we make progress!

Festivals a go-go

Here's a quick list of the burlesque festivals and the acts I have performed there so far:

Tease-O-Rama 2012 Opening Night Bash in San Francisco (Lady Vulcan), Texas Burlesque Festival 2012 in Austin (Lady Vulcan), Colorado Burlesque Festival 2010 (Greek Statue), 2011 (Cave Woman), and 2012 (Lady Vulcan) in Denver, and the Burlesque Hall of Fame Opening Night Gala 2010 (Cucaracha) in Las Vegas, baby. Oh! And in just a few days I'm heading to Albuquerque to perform my Safe Cracker act Friday night at the historic Kimo Theater for the Southwest Burlesque showcase!

Loss of momentum

Or... Go this way... Now that way!


Back in 2009 the poor economy had a very personal affect on me. Well, who wasn't affected, right? Like so many others, I got laid off from my day job. Not one to let things get me down, I made the most of the situation and dove head first into burlesque. Keep in mind, this is Tucson we're talking about, and at that time if you had a performance opportunity once a month you were lucky! Five new acts were created during that layoff, three of those are among the best I've come up with yet. One of those acts - my Cucaracha act, I proudly performed at BHOF in 2010. Now, that's what I call making lemonade out of lemons! Man cannot live on lemonade alone though, and shortly before my BHOF experience and after 11 months of unemployment, I found myself re-employed. My newly blossoming burlesque pursuits no longer fit in a 50-60 hour work week bogged down with a commute farther than I had ever had to make before. There was little time to travel out of town, let alone work on new acts, do networking, etc. It felt like I kinda lost my momentum... Not an easy time for me, but believe me, I was very grateful for the regular paycheck. And now, thankfully, I've returned to my original employer. My hours are manageable, with a short commute and time to pursue my beloved burlesque endeavors once again!