overview after some space

SO this blog assignment… I previously mentioned that I learned a lot about time management, but after a day away from the blogsphere I came to a couple other realizations. Firstly, after learning about blogs in “Internet” class yesterday, I learned that a blog is a great way to control your image. It can make a small organization look bigger and a large organization look easier to relate to. This point is really interesting to me, and I realized that posting smart, interesting, and unique things on a blog is a great way to make myself stand out as an artist and be easy to access.

Since the burlesque community spans across North America, into Europe, and across Australia, keeping a blog on the internet is a way that anyone from any of these places can learn about me as a performer and never even have to meet me or come to one of my shows. I am still struggling with the idea that people actually want to read what I have to say, but I think I can get around that if I keep the blog focused around a few topics, and keep it more about observations than feelings and opinions. More specifically, I am thinking about keeping an online show journal that chronicles the following things about each time I perform: What show is it? Which numbers did I perform? What was the inspiration for these numbers? What was my costume like, and did I make any changes to it? How much did I practice my choreography? Did I debut a new number? Where was the show? How big was the audience? A few goals for the next time I perform these numbers. Any general reflections.

This will be really beneficial to me, and will hopefully help other people organize themselves as performers.

sad cat

moping cat

The internet is all about cats. This cat embodies how I feel right now. I just want to go to sleep, but I have to blog. I have definitely learned a lot from this assignment, mostly that I have crappy time management skills and a major avoiding problem. It has been cool to be forced to take inventory of my life in a way… what do I do that I think is worth sharing with others? What excites me? What inspires me? It has also been really cool being able to see what everyone else in the class has been up to, we are all so different. This is officially post #18 but I think some of my earlier posts are lacking a bit of exposition so I may write a couple more later tonight.

Miao.

are you offended?

November’s Filth.

Last November, I was part of a sketch comedy show called, “Filth”. The basic idea was to put behaviors and cultural “stains” if you will on stage. Anything we aren’t supposed to make fun of or talk about, we did. The cool part of this show is that all the sketches were original, and cast members were also responsible for writing and directing. Last time, we were derelict clowns, this time we’ll be doing the show in August so it will be summer-camp themed.

Here is the first draft of a sketch I wrote for this installment:

Sin City

At the door of a club on a “fetish” night. Big bouncer with a long, dark  coat stands guard. A woman dressed in conservative, bland clothing walks up to the door.

Bouncer: Ohhhh no, no, no, what do you think you’re doing?

Ann: Just trying to socialize on a Friday night!

Bouncer: Do you know what’s going on here tonight?

Ann: Ah, yes I do.

Bouncer: Ha! Doesn’t look like it. It’s fetish night! Go home, lady.

Ann: Oh, but that’s what I’m here for!

Bouncer: Well I’m going to have to enforce the strict fetish dress code, and this getup doesn’t cut it.

Ann: Oh. I’m aware.

Bouncer: Excuse me? I’m not following here, lady. Move along.

Ann: But this is what I’m into!!

Bouncer: What? You have a…. bland fetish?

Ann: YES! Buttoned-up dress shirts, khaki pants, socks and sandals, Good Housekeeping magazine!

Bouncer: You gotta be kidding me!

Ann: Granny panties. Decaf coffee. Mashed potatoes…. With margarine!

Bouncer: Come on now, you’re wasting my time.

Ann: (Leans in) Have you ever heard of… White Picket Fencing?

Bouncer: White Picket Fencing?

Ann: Look it up on Urban Dictionary. It’s kind of like WASPing but you do it in your mini-van.

Bouncer: WASPing?

Ann: Yes! I am a front-yard mowing, RRSP saving, coupon clipping, conservative PERVERT.

Bouncer: (Loosens the collar on his coat, clearly uncomfortable. A light-coloured shirt collar pops out but he doesn’t notice) Alright now, it’s the last time I’m going to say this. You can’t come in here lady, this is a serious fetish night with a serious dress code!

Ann: (Notices the collar) What’s that? Do I see…. A WAFFLE KNIT GOLF SHIRT?

Bouncer: What!? No! Where??

Ann grabs his coat and unbuttons it to reveal a golf shirt and khaki shorts. She gasps.

Ann: You’re one of us!

Bouncer: Fine! I admit it! I LOVE BLAND!

Ann: Let’s get out of here!

Bouncer scoops up Ann.

Bouncer: It’s hip to be square, baby!

Ann: (As they exit) I can’t wait to show Water Polo-ing.

They giggle and exit.

–

Please don’t judge me.

great lakes chillin’

I’ve mentioned it in class, but I’ll say it for all of the internet to read: I’m going to be in this  year’s Toronto Burlesque Festival! I had never applied as a solo performer to any burlesque festival before, and am so thrilled that my first attempt was successful! For the last two years, I have been in the Vancouver Burlesque festival as a cast member in a production, and last year was part of Screaming Chicken’s group number at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, but so far, no solo showcase experience for little me. It’s a bit of a process, I had to fill out this multi-page form talking about myself (yay.) and provide a video link to the number I wanted to submit. Once I found out about my acceptance, I had to fill out a couple more forms, and now all I have left to do is book my ticket and pay for my accommodation. I’m really excited to meet people from the Toronto burlesque community, I haven’t met any in person yet, but we have been communicating through a closed Facebook group.

In Canada, Vancouver hosts the biggest burlesque festival even though Toronto is the biggest city and is in closer proximity to other major cities. I am really looking forward to seeing how they do things over there, and looking forward to getting out of town for a short while.

Here is a link to the TBF website: http://www.torontoburlesquefestival.com/

Here is a photo from the number I will be performing in Toronto:

cabaret stylings.

I must be a GENIUS

There has been talk about having post-term drinks…I just came across this little article on msn today.The best part is, when you click on “Source” it leads to a dead end… but I feel like I don’t really care about the sources behind these findings. Hurray, let’s drink!

http://now.msn.com/smarter-people-drink-more-study-says

You drink a lot because you’re supersmart, study says

10/30/2012

Go ahead, order that second beer: You deserve it because you’re so smart. According to the greatest study in the history of science (we’re only slightly exaggerating), smarter people tend to drink “more frequently and in greater quantities” than their duller, drier peers. In two studies conducted in the United States and United Kingdom, children’s intelligence was measured and categorized in five groups ranging from “very dull” to “very bright.” When the study participants were assessed later in life (the Brits checked in from their 20s to their 40s) the “brighter” kids were the ones who emptied more glasses more often. Why? No one is exactly sure yet. Anybody want to drink on it?
 

the help

We have the setlists!

So, in burlesque there is a very key position that exists, that of the “Stage Kitty”. I think calling this job “Stage Kitty” is so incredibly reductive, and really describes NOTHING, that it hurts my brain. The Stage Kitty is responsible for the following:

-Take notes about each number in the show at rehearsal (if it is a big show)

-Correspond with each performer on details of each act’s setup or special instructions

-Set up props/set pieces for each act

-Take down props/set pieces for each act

-Retrieve all costume pieces and return them to their owner

-Move microphone stands if necessary

-Possibly hand off fans or be handed special costume pieces during an act

-Communicate with the host if a performer needs more time

-Be in costume and full hair/makeup

Basically, these Kitties are the equivalent of an assistant stage manager or running crew in any other world. Burlesque likes to make things flashy, dress them up and make them flirty and more fun, but I think sticking with the name “Kitty” isn’t going to help anyone. Unless your show is cat themed, then go right ahead! For the rest of us in the burlesque world, maybe we should be making the switch? It’s not an easy job, and there is a lot of pressure to do a good job and look good doing it!

 

reflect and reform

Last night I did my “Flower Princess” number for the second time ever. The debut performance was this past March with P&L at guilt, and last night’s performance was at Kitty Nights at the Biltmore. The number is to a very slow song, which is already really challenging in general and has created some anxiety for me, but on top of that I thought I’d get crafty and assemble my costume our of found/bought pieces. After seeing the photos from March (on the left side of the image above), I was really displeased with my costuming. The skirt was great- layers of sheer shimmery fabric over an opaque white bottom layer- and actually a piece from a ballet recital I did when I was 14! The rest of it though, looked totally arts and crafts, not really like a professional costume.

Some of the changes are difficult to see in the photo above but they are many! I added AB clear crystals to the band on the skirt to make it match the under layer and top more. I removed the bra straps and added a nude-coloured sequin string that cris-crossed over my torso and attached to the bottoms. I also made the colour pallete more warm than how cool it was previously. Initially, I used pink and blue flower accents with corresponding crystals, but I changed that to a lighter and darker warm-toned pink. I got rid of the pearl strings on the top, and added white and pink fringe. I also added pink crystals to the flowers on the top, and AB clear to the entire rest of the costume, inspired by the spots on some lilies. ALSO, I added pink fringe on the bottoms but you can’t see it in this picture.

I also changed the choreography. Originally, I started sitting demurely on a black box, but I decided to cut that. It is good to have some numbers that don’t need any props. I also had to change some of the more challenging movements because of my back injury. This is temporary though, and I hope to re-incorporate them back into the number in the future.

I am so so sooo glad we have photographers who come to our shows ans provide us with references of our work! I am a lot more confident about this number now and hope to continue improving it!

reality right now

yup.

This is pretty much how I feel about this blog right now. I was just trying to think about why I’m not particularly inclined to blogging when I realized, I don’t even read blogs. Ever. The only blog I pay any attention to is the Pandora & The Locksmiths blog, and that’s a PHOTO blog. I’m really not very attracted to this format. Maybe I’m just totally self-absorbed and don’t care about reading about other people’s day-to-day personal activities. Maybe I’m just too busy to read about that kind of stuff?? I have real paper books to read, rehearsals and classes to go to, shows to prep for, correspondence to keep up, you name it. If I want to express myself, I have real life conversations with my real life friends, or I take it to the stage. I have never disliked writing, in fact, I enjoy it, but I find blog “culture” a little difficult to get down with.

So here is some useless, irrelevant information about me, BLOG:

-I have a black cat named Yo-Yo, and a tattoo in her honor on my left arm

-Yesterday I had a nap and woke up with a cold

-The only things I can confidently cook are pasta, various breakfast scrambles, and molletes. Toast doesn’t count.

-I live next to a graveyard

-My birthday is the death day of Janice Joplin (October 4th, different year though)

There you go, blogsphere.

 

Ten Years!

Our group photo for the 2012 Burlesque Hall of Fame Tournament of Tease program.

I’m really excited about an upcoming milestone, the 10-year anniversary of Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society! The people at the core of this organization are in a huge way responsible for the growth of burlesque in Vancouver, and helping our community reach a world-class scale. The group has been nominated for “Best Troupe” twice at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in Las Vegas (this is a HUGE deal) and two of its core members hold titles from BHoF- Melody Mangler for “Best Debut” in 2009, and April O’Peel for “Most Comedic” in 2012. Besides BHoF, Screaming Chicken has won lots of local awards including “Vancouver’s Most Trailblaizing Theatre/Dance Company” -Terminal City Vanguard Awards 2006, and “Best Theatre Company, Honorable Mention” – Westender’s Best of Vancouver 2011.

But we know it’s not all about winning awards….. The shows are amazing! Full of variety and life, they really try to innovate AND pay tribute to burlesque’s history at the same time.

One of the biggest (if not THE biggest) way Screaming Chicken has progressed the community forward is by teaching. They run a two month intensive program that I must say equals any theatre course that I took during my conservatory training. This program provides amazing opporunities to beginner performers as well as lights a fire under the bums of seasoned vets. Becoming Burlesque started everything for me. Through this program, I felt like I finally found the creative outlet that was most fulfilling for me.

Screaming Chicken’s 10-year Anniversary Spectacular will be happening June 29th at the WISE Hall in Vancouver.

location, location, location.

Voracious V performing at Fanclub on June 7th.

A couple Fridays ago (June 7), the collective that I am a part of, Pandora & The Locksmiths put together a last-minute show for Fanclub on Granville Street. We’ve been trying to get something together with that venue for a while but, basically, until recently they haven’t been able to afford us. I went as an audience member, really more like a spy, to sort of audit the venue and way all the pros and cons.

Normally, our show happens on the second Tuesday of every month at guilt&co in Gastown. The venue atmosphere, location, crowd, even drink menu suit our show perfectly, but there are a few downfalls. The stage is very small, and some of the sightlines are terrible. Fanclub has amazing sightlines, an amazing sound and lighting system, is way bigger…. but it’s on Granville street. It’s kind of a joke in the burlesque community in Vancouver that we only go down to Granville street once a year, for the Vancouver Burlesque Festival. By switching venues will we be alienating our community, or growing it? What would you prefer, as a performer or audience member?