If there were more hours in the day, just imagine how worn out we would all be?

That festival deadline I mentioned earlier came and gone... And no new video was made. Not enough hours in the day! So, I was unable to submit, and I'm back to my original schedule and plans, for the most part. As I'm still in the process of getting myself back on track, this is fine. All in good time...

I did spend the bulk of my weekend working on my acts for our Black Cherry Burlesque shows happening this Friday. One act hasn't been on stage since 2008, and basically got a complete overhaul. It's a patriotic act, and the timing is perfect for our Independence Day weekend! The dress has been altered, a robe has been completely done away with, and a lovely new sash has become an intricate part of this routine. Many, many hours were spent over the past few weeks working with the changes in costume, choreography, and character development. Another act of mine went through a few changes as well. It's another older one that actually hasn't been performed that often. I never felt right about one of the costume components, so I found myself avoiding performing it altogether... Too much fidgeting with an awkward and hurried skirt removal... It's a pretty skirt, but was it really adding anything of value to my act? I ditched that piece, spiced up the choreography, and voila - it's now an act I'm happy and excited to do! I'll bring both of these fun acts to the stage this Friday for two shows, 8 and 10 pm at the Surly Wench Pub on 4th Avenue. VIP seating at www.blackcherryburlesque.com, or general admission at the door.

I better rest my feet 'cause this Saturday night I'll be go-go dancing with The Furys at Club Congress for "Bikini Island"! It's a late night show, so the temps will be perfect for an evening of shimmy-shaking to high-energy surf music! Since this show is bikini themed, my outfit for the evening consists of a ... Well, you guessed it - a bikini! A fringe-y bikini!!! And go-go boots, of course. I'm absolutely thrilled to be dancing for The Furys at this event!  Their talented lineup consists of:  Jacob Jakerson on guitar, Randy Bowler on guitar (yes, two kick-ass guitarists!), Hank Norush on bass, and Robbie Colvin on drums. They'll be playing your favorite surf tunes along with an impressive catalogue of original songs for your listening and dancing enjoyment. This evening of bikini and island-themed events begins at 9 pm, more details at http://hotelcongress.com/music/bikini-island-party/

Excited for tonight's Black Cherry RAW shows!!!

If you've never been to one of our RAW shows, tonight is the night! And if you have, we would love to see you again! I'm very pleased with the songs assigned to me for the evening and have come up with clever dances for both of them. In one, I'll be using my silk fans, which will make for a lovely, hypnotic effect. For my other song, I'm using some costume pieces that are new to the stage! Gorgeous and glistening!!! The Raw Dogs will be our band for the evening, shows are at 8 & 10 pm at the Surly Wench Pub on 4th Avenue, hope to see you all there! xoxo

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind

In reference to my previous posts, I'm finding that I'm actually looking into submitting to a festival, ha ha ha ha ha! But, it's a few months away, so I expect that I'll be needing to satisfying my wanderlust by then. Thoughts of other traveling prospects keep coming to mind as well... Hmm... Still need to get decent video... Well, we'll see how that goes!

The purpose of this blog is also morphing! Yesterday I asked myself if I felt ready to go public with it. A handful of questions and thoughts followed:  Who would be interested in my natterings? What purpose does this blog serve? What topics aren't already covered by other burlesque blogs? With all the on-line burlesque magazines, big-name performers, and burlesque aficionados that already write about the latest and biggest festival, the best way to make a pastie, how to get a gig, or whatever glittery thing they've done, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I'm thinking I would like this blog to serve as a means to share a bit more about me than what I post on my Facebook or Twitter pages, as well as to give a voice to the stripping performer that the audience sees. As I perform twice a month with Black Cherry Burlesque at the Surly Wench Pub in Tucson, Arizona, maybe THAT is the audience I should be writing this for? Hey, there might be two or three people out there that want to know a bit more about that rhinestoned covered giggly gal, curious as to when and where she performs next, and what influences and events shape her moments on stage? Or something like that... Maybe, possibly, there are also other performers out there that are curious about the Tucson lifestyle? Put the focus more on my home - Tucson, and what makes our scene and lifestyle here great! Maybe that's what will make my little blog have a dash of originality amongst all the others out there???

Mini makeover

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm cutting back on traveling for a little while. In addition to working on new acts, this break is turning into a mini-makeover for myself as a performer. A bit more polish here, a touch more glamour there... Older costumes are getting fancier, or even re-done! New acts are being constructed to meet even higher standards than before. Older acts are getting their choreography improved. I'm developing an improved and consistent rehearsal schedule for myself as well as getting into the gym more often. I am working on getting my website working again too. Exciting things ahead!

It's time. Time to step it up to the next level and bring the very best I can offer to the stage and the art of burlesque that I love so very much.

What's up, doc?

After having to head home early from one festival and decline another (which was heartbreaking), I have decided to take a break from traveling out of state nearly every month. This also includes missing out on The Burlesque Hall of Fame this weekend... While I thoroughly enjoy the experience of performing at festivals and other shows out of town, currently my schedule at home has me very busy.And while I try to keep my postings, news, comments, etc. upbeat, I have to further explain that having my father pass four days before heading out of town to perform, followed by more trips nearly each month following, followed by teaching class, followed by the addition of another monthly show in town... I hadn't taken the proper time to mourn his loss. Also, I had not been managing my time as effectively as I should. So, I have felt a need to take things down a notch, for just a bit. How long of a break? Hmm... Not sure. Whatever life dictates for me, I suppose. Do a little restructuring. And, in the meantime, if the right opportunity arises, I'll certainly weigh my options and choose appropriately! A little something now and then might be just what the doctor ordered... Currently, I am focusing on improving my craft, with my performance energy and attention directly on Black Cherry Burlesque's shows. I'm also planning to debut some fabulous new acts that I'm very excited about in the next few months. Then, when the time is right, and I've got all my ducks back in a row, I'll be back on the road again!

The Texas Burlesque Festival

As you can see I'm still behind on keeping up! Here it is, at the end of May, and I'm just now getting around to posting about TXBF, which happened in the middle of April. My next post will somewhat address (okay, not really but you'll get the idea) that I've been super swamped! And as I'm not the best at writing smooth, eloquently worded contributions to my blog, I've not been doing the best job here.

The Texas Burlesque Festival really deserves better coverage than what I can give it... Produced by Lynn Raridon and Coco Lectric, this three-night fest in Austin included performances by Imogen Kelly, Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe of The Stage Door Johnnies, Dirty Martini, legends Tiffany Carter and Camille 2000, and more big names that you can find listed at the website here:  http://www.texasburlesquefestival.com Cora Vette hosted, along with some fantastic ladies interpreting every word (and I mean EVERY WORD) she said via sign language. And if you've ever heard Cora Vette, you know the results were hilarious! There was a delicious performer's brunch Saturday morning, along with a round table discussion, then Saturday night's performers compete for several prestigious awards. I proudly performed my Safe Cracker act on Friday night, and luckily I was on early so I could enjoy the rest of the show! Unfortunately, I had to leave the festival early and missed the Saturday night show. Like I've been saying, so busy, so busy... Hoping next time I can stay longer!

Better late than never!

Sometimes it takes me a while to get back on here...

In February I had the pleasure of performing at the Southwest Burlesque Showcase at the KiMo Theater in Albuquerque New Mexico! Show producers Kitty Irreverent and Holly Rebel brought in top notch performers from across the country for three nights of hot burlesque entertainment that took the chill off freezing desert winter temps that Albuquerque is known for. Overnight lows were in the teens - that's mighty cold for this Tucson native! The first night of burlesque was at Launchpad, a local bar and band performance venue. I made myself cozy in the balcony section and enjoyed my roomie Natasha Noir open the show with one of her trademark stunning traditional acts. The rest of the night was filled for the most part with smart and sassy neo-burlesque performances. The Friday and Saturday night shows were at the beautifully restored historic KiMO Theater. Friday night's show was hosted by Dr. Lucky and Devin D, featured legend Tiffany Carter, and was headlined by Jo Boobs. I performed my Safe Cracker act, and yes before I went on stage I left a toy at Bobby's shrine to ensure that my prop-filled act would go smoothly! You can read about the ghosts that inhabit the theater here- http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-kimotheatre.html Michelle L'amour headlined Saturday night, Gypsy Louise was the featured legend with Cora Vette and Devin D hosting the third night of dazzling burlesque, rounding out a fabulously fun weekend in Duke City.