Ostrich.

So...people frequently confuse being introverted with being shy.  I'm certainly not shy.  Or quiet.  Or timid.  But I am an introvert.  I need alone time to recharge my batteries.  I generally prefer to be one on one with people.  I hate dealing with large crowds.  Any conversations that involve more than 3 people at once and I just sort of shut down.  I'm still absorbing most of what's being said, but I usually don't add to the conversation at all.  People that don't know me well assume I'm tired, or not feeling well, or just being pissy.  And I usually just let that assumption go, because it's way easier to tell people that I'm physically exhausted than mentally and emotionally exhausted from dealing with the situation I'm currently in.  One of my sisters who knows me well calls it ostrich time...she knows that if I just disappear for a few days and stick my head in the sand that it's nothing personal. It doesn't mean I'm mad at her or that I don't want to spend time with her... I just need it to be able to function.  So if you run into me out socially (that would be a minor miracle) and I'm sitting alone in a corner not speaking, don't take offense.

G

ALS ice bucket challenge...Cin City style

Cin City Burlesque accepts the ALS ice bucket chal: http://youtu.be/Mprs1mQQhGk

"Hot" is not a compliment.

I hate when men use "hot" to compliment a woman on their appearance.  It's generic. It's juvenile.  It's lazy.  It doesn't say anything about what you find attractive about that person.  Do you find her sexy?  Beautiful?  Cute?  Striking? Those are different things. What is it about her that you think is sexy? Beautiful?  Cute? Striking? If you think she has cute feet, say so. If you think the curve of her hip is sexy, say so. If you think her eyes are striking,  say so. If you think her smile is beautiful,  say so. Trust me...she'll take the compliment better.

G

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

Walk with a purpose.

I used to have a incredible sales trainer when I was managing a studio by the name of Jacques DeBeve.  For a ballroom dancer, he was odd looking - he was short, round, and kind of resembled Santa.  But as a salesman, he could sell ice to Eskimos. One of the many things Jacques said that stuck with me was that one should always "Walk with a purpose."  He, being a sales trainer, framed it within the context of planning and selling programs.  But it struck a chord with me.  Both literally and figuratively.  Being short, I tend to take long and quick strides when I walk.  I move around people that are slowing me down.  I have somewhere to be and something to do. But everything I do in life, I have an end goal.  I'm not ok with just meandering aimlessly.  I'm sure it has it's moments of being detrimental...but I can't help it.  I've always been a driven person.  That's the only way one can succeed in business and in life.  Nothing is handed to me.  I don't sit around hoping and wishing something will happen.  It's up to me to make it so.  But in order to do that, you have to be able to play the long game.  If you're only making decisions from minute-to-minute or even day-to-day, you're going to miss the big picture.  Every step that you take should be taking you closer to that end goal.  What's your purpose?  Are you taking steps to reach your final destination, or are you just wandering aimlessly?

G

I am ridiculously bad at being hip.

Amongst certain crowds and certain areas, I'm recognizable around town.  It's the hair.  If I wore a wig or a hat no one would know who the hell I was. As it is, I can rarely even go to the damn grocery store without someone doing the raised eyebrows in recognition or yelling "Ginger!" at the top of their lungs.  The problem with this is that I'm an introvert.  I hate crowds, and dealing with a conversation of more than 2 or 3 people makes me nuts.  I'm more of a "see" than "be seen" girl.  I don't usually hang out at the trendy spots in town, and when I do I frequently regret it.  I enjoy people watching, but I'm much more of a one-on-one gal...as long as the person I'm with doesn't feel like THEY need to "be seen", then we're all good.  I'm constantly being pushed by my girls to get out and network more.  But I see some of these social climbers that are at every effing event, with 87 photobooth pictures at said event, 22 selfies posted on their Instagram, and tagging themselves and every other person they know at the location.  I just feels shallow and forced and a little strange to me. I don't know if it's my age or just my personality that causes me to cringe at this.  I just would rather be at some empty bar with a few people that I love and adore and not a camera (or phone for that matter) in sight. Otherwise it starts to feel like work...and I don't work for free.

G