It's been 5 years...

I just got a little misty-eyed driving to the studio. I was thinking back to the first show Cin City Burlesque produced 5 years ago...it was in a tiny little studio with maybe 25 people there, and we danced maybe 9 numbers total. God, we have grown SO much! We have employed over 25 performers over the years, booked over 100 shows, taught over 200 women in workshops, raised over $10,000 for charities, and entertained thousands. Thank you, Cincinnati, for embracing us and making us the successful troupe we are today. Words can't describe how in awe of your support and how grateful we are every day.  We cannot WAIT to celebrate with you with some fan favorites and a brand new closing number with over 20,000 crystals at Bogart's on Saturday, June 7th.  We promise...it will be a show to remember.

G

Burlesque Show Etiquette

Many of you reading my posts have been to a burlesque show.  Some of you have not.  For those of you Noobs, lemme take a minute to school you of the do's and don'ts.
1) It is absolutely appropriate to hoot, holler, cat call and yell.  In fact, it is encouraged.  The performer feeds directly off of the audience reaction.  It's hard to keep your energy up on stage when it's crickets in the house.
2) It is never appropriate to touch the performer unsolicited.  There may be times a performer will take your hand, or have you remove a glove for them...but don't take this task upon yourself.  And if you do touch the performer, expect to be expelled forcibly from the venue.
3) Drinking is a good thing...in doses.  No performer appreciates some over-indulgent audience member becoming a jackass.
4) No.  You may not keep that discarded glove that landed in your lap.
5) Tipping the performers vary based on the venue and the performers themselves.  If tipping IS involved at a show, leave the money on the edge of the stage so as not to interrupt the performer during their routine.  Many hours of costuming and choreography went into it...don't ruin it by expecting them to drop what they've been rehearsing just to take a dollar out of your hand.
6) Come with an open mind and a sense of humor.  Expect both to be tested.
7) You will see all walks of life both on stage and off.  Be respectful to both the performers on stage as well as the audience members.
8) No. You will not be getting a lap dance.
9) Show tickets can be expensive.  Frequently props and costumes for just one number can run the girls anywhere from $200-$500...so consider a $25 ticket a bargain.
10) If you heckle the MC, expect to be heckled back.  They are quick and witty and have tongues as sharp as blades.  You will NOT win that exchange.
11) Be open to the possibility that a show will change your views on women, beauty and social issues.

Bottom line - Until you've experienced a good burlesque show, don't assume you know what you're getting into.  Some people leave after two numbers in.  Others leave with their cheeks hurting from smiling and laughter.  And a select few leave with a life-changing experience under their belts.  Which one will you be?

G

I'm going to be an asshole.

Ok.  I am sick to death of seeing these 8-minute solos where the performer spends 5 minutes just walking around the stage with duck face, 2 minutes standing still and peeling clothes off, 30 seconds of hitting highlights in the music (that we can see coming from a mile away), and only 30 seconds of any real entertainment value.  I've got news for you...anyone can do that.  You shouldn't be paid for that.  80% of your content is boring the hell out of the audience.  They're just waiting for you to get naked already. NO ONE is that interesting...especially if every other routine in the show looks just like it.  It feels phoned in and self-indulgent. Don't get me wrong...I ADORE an over the top classic costume. But if that's all you can offer?  I'm not saying you have to do back flips, and I understand that not everyone has my dance background, but do SOMETHING! ENTERTAIN ME! Make me laugh.  Make me gasp.  Make me weep.  Make me hold my breath. But for the love of Stripper Jesus....do SOMETHING.

G

Bring on the crazy emails

An article on City City Burlesque in one of The Queen City's most popular rags comes out today.  We're the cover story, hence a cover picture.  People are going to see a pile of naked laughing women of varying ages, shapes and sizes and have some sort of gut reaction. 1) They'll immediately look away because it will make them uncomfortable.  We've ingrained it into our brains that the human form is somehow dirty or pornographic. 2) They'll be outraged.  These will be either: a) "femenists" who think we're exploiting ourselves (and they clearly didn't read the article), or b) super-conservative Jesus-freaks who think we're going straight to hell.  3) They'll snicker and sneer because they're : a) a woman who feels threatened by other women (no, we have no interest in your man),  b) men who think we're trying to turn them on (we're not - read the damn article), or c) convinced that women should look a certain way and we don't fit that mold. 4) They'll be shocked.  But the picture will intrigue them enough to pick up the magazine and actually read the article so they know what they'er looking at. Or....5) They'll get it immediately...because they've been to a show.  Either way, I expect to be fielding emails over the next week....everything from praise to hatred.  Most I will  respond to.  I'm not going to argue with people who write hate mail...I'm clearly not going to change their minds.  I just hope they have the good sense to read the article before they hit "Send", and are not just having a gut reaction to a photo.  Either way, we've gotten what we want to say out there, and for that we'll be ever grateful to Jac Kern, Jesse Fox, and CityBeat.

G

What do you call a stripper who spends all of her earnings on costumes? A burlesque dancer.

So I posted on my Facebook page that the difference between a stripper and a burlesque performer is enormous, but that would entirely depend on the performer.  It seems in the last year or so the lines have blurred SO much that it's becoming homogenized. In the past, "strippers" take tips, and burly girls don't.  But in the last few years, allowing the audience to tip you seems to becoming more of a norm (Cin City doesn't take tips, in case you're wondering). Until recently, the raunchier movements were left to the girls working the midnight shift on the pole...but alas, even that seems to be making its way into the burly world.  It's not terribly unusual anymore to see splays directly toward the audience, or for a performer to simulate a sex act on stage (none for us, thanks!).  Until VERY recently, I would say that burlesque dancers tended to perform more for a female audience, and leave the men to the tip rails at the strip club.  But again, this seems to be changing.  It seems that some of the wit, intelligence, and "thoughtfulness" tend to be waning.  What I can still put my finger on that speaks directly and distinctly to burlesque is this:  The performers are more varied in shape, size and age, and they are generally making way less money (costuming and props are EXPENSIVE).  Other than that, their becoming enmeshed. Don't get me wrong - I find nothing wrong with "strippers" in the least.  But the once distinct gap between the two is narrowing.

G

A word on performer etiquette...according to yours truly.

I refuse to ask other performers and venues to "guest" perform in their shows...I just really think it's kind of pushy. I understand that in the burly business it's kind of standard practice, especially since there are mostly solo artists and small troupes out there, but I personally just don't like it.  We get booked because WE'RE asked to perform...either by a venue, or by other performers.  I would NEVER ask to "insert" myself into someone else's show they're putting blood, sweat, tears and money into. That being said...on the rare occasions we DO travel to other cities (we don't usually travel...that's a differnt blog post as to why not!), we ALWAYS ask in-town performers to guest star.  Why on earth wouldn't you?  They know the crowd, and will bring in fans.  We would never go to someone else's home city and just ask a performer, who's usually well-known in that city, to "kitten", or just promote our show.  I have never understood that...it just seems like an intentional "shitting on" of the home-town girls.  Are people intimidated?  Are they worried that people will like the home-town girl more than them?  I've got news for you....They will.  They know her and love her already.  And if you put on a good show, then why ever be worried about being "out-shone"? I've also traveled to perform in charity events, where I've spent my own money on gas, meals, hotels, and I've had numbers "cut" from the show because it was getting too long.  Now mind you, the producer of said show didn't cut a single one of her MANY numbers, but she felt ok cutting her guest performers who donated time and money.  NO.  Anytime we've had guest performers come in town, we've made DAMN sure they dance as much as possible.  We've cut our own numbers to assure it happens. Be pleasant backstage.  Share space.  Compliment each other.  Bring snacks for everyone.  Just don't be a diva.  It's not acceptable to be an asshole to your Sisters in Shimmy.

G

Oh...And the new promo video!

With this...we travel.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0P14Zrueew&feature=youtu.be