‘Tis the season

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Not the holiday season, silly. The burlesque festival season!

Especially in the United States, the festival circuit has grown to dizzying proportions. There are festivals in Ohio and Alabama and Tennessee! When my conservative home state (Missouri) has two festivals, you know things are really accelerating.

Personally, I dig the idea of these smaller regional festivals. I’ve performed at a handful of them, and it has been wonderful to see all the different pockets of performers, see how other producers operate, understand how other audiences react to our art. When I was trying to figure out where I wanted to go this year, my list was compiled pretty much entirely of these shows. There are still one or two Big Fancy Shows that I’m hoping to get into, but for my money? Regional festivals all the way.

So far, my dreams are coming true!

First, I have been invited to return to the Southwest Burlesque Showcase in Albuquerque. This was hands down my favorite festival last year. The KiMo theater is stunning, and has a special place in burlesque history, as Sally Rand once performed there. Sally Rand! I had a marvelous time at this event last year, and it looks like 2013 is going to be absolutely amazing.

Second, I’ve just gotten the acceptance email from the Minneapolis Burlesque Festival. I love Minneapolis. Some of my very favorite people in the whole world live there, and let me go on record as saying that Minneapolis food culture rivals San Francisco’s in terms of sheer yumminess. (And, when you look at what it costs to eat well in Minneapolis, it kicks San Francisco’s ass.) I mean, seriously. It’s worth living there just to eat. But this post isn’t about food, of course. This is the first year for the festival, and despite having been to the city more than a dozen times, I’ve never performed there. Excited to share these two firsts together.

Lots of festival applications are coming due in January/February: Boston, Kansas City, Show-Me (St. Louis), and the mac daddy of all festivals The Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend. I can’t afford to apply to everything, and extra can’t afford to attend everything, but these Spring festivals are definitely on my radar.

What’s on yours?

She wore an itty bitty, teeny weeny…

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the size of my panties. Specifically, I’ve been considering what sort of bottoms will work best with an act I’m developing, and whether or not it matters to people — audience members, producers, festival bookers — whether or not I go VERY BARE or just SORT OF BARE.

I could not help but notice, performing out there on the festival circuit this year and sitting in the audience at BHOF in June, that most performers these days are choosing g-strings or merkins. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that seeing all those bare bums definitely influenced the g-string I chose for “The French Mademoiselle,” which is almost the exact color of my skin and embellished with honey-colored stones. It basically looks like I’m not wearing anything, which was the point.

But I’ll also admit that this isn’t entirely my style. I prefer a little more coverage, a little more high-waisted vintage-ness, and the option to wear fishnets/stockings on the days I am feeling less than svelte.

And that brings us to today, when I looked all over the Internet for something to wear under an elaborate robe. I searched high and low for high-waisted, nude-colored panties with fanciful cutouts or lace insets. I rejected dozens of vintage pairs (too baggy) and dozens of lace-up/strappy things that weren’t quite upscale enough for what I wanted. I ended up buying a pair of custom, nude chantilly lace tap pants from Etsy. I think they’ll be sexy, but will also make me feel more confident than the teeny-tiny-itsy-bitsy bottoms that seem to be in vogue.

I still worry, though, that somehow my choice of undergarment is going to be disappointing to people. Is that weird? I’m sure you think I’m weird. And most of my burlesque friends are wondering why in the heck I even bothered to write this post, because of course I should perform in whatever I feel good in, and not bow to some imaginary g-string pressure.

But there are some of you out there — I KNOW THERE ARE — who wonder the same thing. Are festivals and producers looking for the nakedest girls around? Are we somehow hindering ourselves by choosing giant underpants, even if they’re gorgeous and provocative?

New beginnings

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At my day job, I tend to be in charge of things.

So when I started performing burlesque, I tried really hard not to be. That lasted for about five minutes. Soon I was organizing rehearsals for my troupe, and then stage managing our shows. When I left that troupe, I walked right into a co-stage manager role with Hubba Hubba Revue. The list of things I’ve volunteered to organize goes on an on.

Now I’ve gone and done it – I’ve signed on to be a co-producer for a show. Officially. And I’m so excited about it!

Burlesque Moulin is two years old, and has a presence in both San Francisco and Paris. (The latter locale is thanks to the founder, Eva Valentina, who now lives in the City of Light.)  Right now the show is hunkering down and planning a relaunch in both cities. Part of my interest, honestly, is the opportunity to be part of this re-imagining. I’ve been performing long enough to have strong opinions about what makes a good show, and there are things I’ve always wanted to try. Now I’ll get to see if I’m right!

We’ll be making more announcements about the next iteration of Burlesque Moulin soon. I’ll be blogging over at that website (heaven help me), but if you’re interested in that show, please follow us on Facebook!

 

Pretty as a picture

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It’s hard to believe that February will be my seven-year burlesque anniversary!

I did my first photoshoot with Jeffrey Von Spangenberg not too long after that, and it’s very interesting to see how my look has evolved over that time. It doesn’t hurt (or help?) that I’m seven years older. But it took me most of that time to figure out how to apply liquid eyeliner and false lashes, how to get the perfect red glitter lip, and how to curl my hair without burning myself. Some performers are born with those talents, but let me tell you, I am not one of them. Not even close.

I’m really thrilled with my latest batch of photos, taken about two months ago by Vestige Photography at the amazing Chateau Tivoli in San Francisco. My new friend Ruby Mae Collins is responsible for my hair, and the incredible Jennifer Corona did my makeup. If I could afford to have the two of them with me at all times to get me ready for shows, I would do it in a heartbeat. It is such a relief to put this stuff in caring hands, and know everything will be perfect!

Photo by Vestige Photography

Though we did take some pin-up style pictures, I was really hoping to get shots with more of a fashion-editorial vibe. With that in mind, this is my favorite one in the bunch. I love the composition, I love the colors, and I’m pleased with the way I managed to look sort of relaxed and dangerous at the same time.

I’m going to shoot with Vestige Photography again on December 21, and I’m excited to be able to capture a new costume that it’s in the works. Not sure what my second outfit will be, but I have a feeling I’ll find a way to work in one of my favorite vintage evening gown! (The gown here was designed by Ceil Chapman, who was reported to be a favorite of Marilyn Monroe.)

You can see the whole set in my gallery. What do you think?

SF’s tiniest and most awesome stage

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Back in early October, I had the honor of being one of three guests on the second-ever episode of Speakeasily, a TV-on-the-Internet thingamajig hosted by the incomparable Odessa Lil. Speakeasily is part burlesque talkshow, part burlesque performance, and it’s streamed live from a little studio near the cable car turnaround on Powell Street in San Francisco.

The performance space is in the corner of the studio, which is smaller than the sitting room of my 1902 Victorian — and those Victorians had SMALL ROOMS. Performers are literally backed into a corner, and it’s sweltering, and Odessa is sitting nearby looking beautiful, and the sound/video guys are staring at you from   behind thick glass, and there’s a table at crotch-height just in front of you threatening to stab at your lady parts if you step forward too many times.

But it was kind of awesome figuring out howit would all work, and afterwards there’s champagne and fun chit-chat with Odessa. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Here’s the video of the show. I’m in the back third, but don’t skip through Kingfish from Hubba Hubba Revue or my lovely friend and fellow performerPickles Kintaro, who had the absolute best line of the night. You’ll have to watch to see what I mean!

Bit off more than I can chew

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The first couple of weeks of November are shaping up to be…challenging.

I might have — possibly — booked more gigs than I can handle, when you factor in my 9-to-5 job, Thanksgiving, and two visits from out-of-towners I love. I’m not complaining. I’m grateful to the producers who continue to book me, and the fans who continue to come to see me, and the other performers who continue to inspire and support me.

But, man. I’m already tired, and I don’t perform half as much as other people! Maybe I’m just old, eh?

Here’s what I’ve got going on next month:

  • November 2: Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio, 7:30PM, $5-10 sliding scale
  • November 3: private gig
  • November 6: Dr. Sketchy’s Election Night Party at Chicken John’s Warehouse, 7PM, $12 in advance/$15 at the door
  • November 7: Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio, 7:30PM, $5-10 sliding scale
  • November 9: Hotbuns Honky-Tonk Burlesque @ The Riptide, 6PM, free entrance. It’s Sassy Hotbuns’ birthday show, and I’m going to be doing something I haven’t done alone in public since high school.
  • November 11: Barbary Coast Burlesque @Yoshi’s SF, $8PM, $15 in advance/$20 at the door. This will be my first time performing with a live band, and I’m re-working a couple of my acts for the occasion.

The name game

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Recently, it seems that a lot of burly-q content on the interwebs is about how to choose your burlesque name. It’s an important topic, to be sure, and I like to brainstorm Bad Burlesque Names as much as the next lady. At Hubba Hubba Revue, we keep a running tally of the worst possible names and try to one-up each other. I’m not as good at it as my fellow performers, but I give it the old college try.

It dawned on me that I could actually be one of the poster children for what NOT to do with your burlesque name. I don’t follow first/last naming conventions. “Kiss Me Kate” is an SEO nightmare, because it’s a oft-performed stage musical, and unless you add “burlesque” to the end of your Google search you’ll never find me. MC’s often like to blend together the first two words, so that you might assume I’m from Kissimmee, Florida. (Don’t think I didn’t consider using this spelling to be clever, but it seemed weird, given that I couldn’t even find Kissimee on a map.)

Anyhoo, I recently found myself explaining how I got here, and thought it might be handy to document here for posterity.

First things first: my real middle name is Kate. When I was growing up, my parents gave me a nickname that was a derivative of my real first name, and as I got older it seemed very childish to me. In college, I put an end to the nickname, but while I was still in high school I worked at an independent radio station and had to pick an on-air name. I had always loved Kate, so Kate it was. Radio Kate was not unlike Burlesque Kate. She was a bit more open, feisty, and outspoken than Real Kate. So, when it came time to pick another alter-ego, I sort of already had this one cooking.

I ended up graduating with a degree in literature, which has nothing whatsoever to do with my day job. In school I took every Shakespeare class that was offered, and had a great relationship with the Shakespeare scholar who taught most of the classes. She pushed very hard for me to get my graduate degree and follow in her footsteps, but at the time I assumed I would end up writing for Rolling Stone. (Spoiler: I didn’t.) Even though “Taming of the Shrew” is not my favorite, I always identified with Kate. She had my name! And, eventually, I saw a PBS version of the musical, and thought it was divine.

My burlesque name is just a hop, skip and a jump from there. Kiss Me Kate, I hope, gives the audience a hint that I’m a bit fiery, witty, and up for an argument. Outside the Shakespeare reference, I hope that it seems cute, and almost chaste. KMK isn’t very raunchy, and while she can do glamour in a cute way, she’s no pushover.

I knew, intellectually, that my name would pose some problems along the way. But it truly does combine pieces of me that I don’t get to express in my day job. I chose it, in spite of the problems, and I’ve never regretted it.

Kansas City Burlesque Festival (with extra special bonus)

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I’ve been in San Francisco for so long that people often forget that I haven’t been here forever. In fact, I was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, which makes this-coming weekend especially sentimental for me.

On Thursday, I’m going to be performing in the Burlesque Ball as part of the Kansas City Burlesque Festival. Kansas City is the first place I moved when I graduated from college, and I’ve often said that if it wasn’t in Missouri I would totally live there. It’s a fantastic town that holds great memories for me, and I am so thrilled to be able to perform there. When I moved away in 2000, burlesque was not yet a twinkle in my eye, so you can bet I never imagined that this is how I’d return.

For personal reasons, I’ll be cutting my time at the festival short and traveling down to Springfield to see my family, which I haven’t seen in an embarrassing number of years. (Seriously, I’m a terrible daughter/granddaughter who never goes home, and is terrible about picking up the phone.) It’s likely to be a bittersweet reunion, but…

On a whim yesterday I checked out Springfield’s own troupe Cherry Bomb Burlesque to see if they had a show this weekend, and in fact they do. But it’s not just any show. This Saturday they’ll be hosting Dangerous Curves Ahead, which just passed through San Francisco this past weekend as part of Tease-O-Rama. These ladies are absolutely phenomenal, and it’s kind of mind-blowing to think about them in Springfield. When I was growing up there, I was one of the weird, punkish, on-the-fringes kids. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, because Springfieldians JUST DIDN’T UNDERSTAND ME. Now they’ve got a burlesque troupe, and performers like Clams Casino and Anita Cookie are going to be there. Weird. And kind of amazing.

Know what’s MORE amazing? Cherry Bomb Burlesque is going to include me in Saturday’s line-up! I don’t even know how to convey how excited I am to perform burlesque in my hometown for the first time. When I moved away to Kansas City in 1997, I was crewing for a revival of Cabaret at the Springfield Little Theater. I’ve been back, maybe, five times since then. I’m guessing this will be the most memorable!

Wish me luck, kiddos. I’m sure the nerves will kick in any minute now.

Tease-O-Rama 2012

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Artwork by Casey Castille

My burlesque roots go back to late 2007, and in the Spring of 2008, I was lucky enough to perform with a local troupe in the San Francisco stop of Tease-O-Rama. I was a newbie performer and had never seen anything like what appeared on the Bimbo’s stage that weekend. No amount of ‘net surfing and YouTube trolling can prepare you for performers that good, costumes that spectacular, acts that creative. It was inspirational, but also a wake-up call for me and several other fledgling burlesquers about the kind of performers we wanted to grow up to be.

This past weekend saw the return of Tease-O-Rama, and I was lucky enough to be cast as a soloist in a “Welcome to San Francisco” production number dreamed up by the incredibly talented Honey Lawless to represent Hubba Hubba Revue.  It was such an honor to be part of TOR for a second time, and to be able to feel like what I was putting on the stage had evolved to a level deserving of it. The production was so much bigger and awesome than my 1:30, and it felt so gratifying! (As a core member of the Hubba crew, it was also fantastic to host this event on our hometown stage.)

Here’s a tiny peek at my solo. Rumor has it that someone was taping the show, so hopefully we’ll have video to share of the entire opener soon!