Welcome, welcome one and all! In this blog you'll find accounts of my thrilling and mysterious life as a burlesque dancer, storyteller and all-round interesting gal.

But shhh! Don't tell that uptight bitch, spookyhandle that you've been talking to me. She thinks associating with the likes of me might hurt her career as a legitimate actress and children's storyteller.

Possibly she's right. But probably, I have a lot more fun.

Title quote by Angela Carter.
Photos by Twilight Images, Baron Mind and George Blair IV.

Has been rescheduled for the 27th of February, due to the obscene amount of snow we got here in Richmond. Everything about the show is going to be exactly the same, except the date... and my involvement.

Much too late to do anything about it, I realized I was scheduled to be in NYC, learning how to jump off of 40' buildings. So yes, a weekend with my sister and an awesome stunt class pre-empt a Richmond burlesque show.

That said, I'm significantly bummed about this. Had I been planning on performing a burlesque number, I'd be less upset. I do burlesque in Richmond all the time. But I've yet to perform any of my storytelling act.

The Bouncing Betties show was fantastic! I got to work with a lot of girls I've barely seen--let alone performed along side of--since the Cole Porter show that kicked things off for so many of us here in Richmond.

There were a lot of great numbers: Dolly's Mambo Italiano and Skye's Star Wars number being particularly stand-out in my eyes. My own numbers were a couple of my old favorites, though neither of them went quite as planned.

My first number was Dance While the Sky Crashes Down. The first time I did this number Brian Viglione had already been seated on stage for something like 10 numbers, and on subsequent performances of this number with the White Elephants, Dolly Shot has been pre-placed for me. That said, I've done this number with an audience volunteer before, and have enough stage experience and presence of mind to work with whatever they throw at me.

Except Stormie thought I needed a volunteer for my second number. So I get out there, and there's an empty chair center stage. Stage experience, presence of mind, etc. I pulled an unsuspecting, but agreeable friend out of the audience and dragged her up on stage with me. I got her seated, wiggled about on stage for a few more measures, and then picked up the choreography when I could. Thankfully, I hadn't missed any of the actual stripping-bits yet, and the rest of the number went exactly as it should.

In the second act, I performed Red & Black, a song by my favorite Japanese-gypsy-punk band, Kagero. It's a fan dance, and I love performing it, and I hate one of the costume pieces. No matter how I modify it, it never stays on/comes off the way I plan for it to. Last Saturday I managed to get it off relatively easily, although I accidentally untied part of the next layer of costuming in the process. Kiki was in the audience and afterward, not only said she hadn't noticed, but complimented me on the number. I'm always happy to hear that a wardrobe malfunction is worse in my head than it really was on stage.

This week I'm focused on prepping a couple of stories for Fairy Tales & Nursery Rhymes at Xscape this Saturday, but I'm very much looking forward to (hopefully) doing more work with Bouncing Betties.

I've got two shows coming up this month, one with Bouncing Betties Burlesque, Richmond's only non-profit burlesque troupe. This particular show will benefit the boys (and girls) in blue. I'll be revisiting a couple of my favorite numbers--one of which requires a willing volunteer... Will it be you?

( Check out the gorgeous Sinclaire Sisters on the All Points Bulletin flier )

My second show this month is yet another burlesque show at Xscape Lounge--but get this! I'll be keeping my clothes on. That's right, instead of a couple of burlesque numbers, I'll be performing excerpts from Poison Apples & Pretty Witches for this show.

( Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes flier )

This will actually be a great warm up for Wicked Faire in February. As always, I'm hoping to have a new story or two, and maybe another surprise as well. I'll also be spending the time leading up to The Mad Tea Party choreographing and perfecting my brand new number for White Elephants' full-scale, thematic burlesque show.

Like I said: A busy couple of months.

I'm really, really pleased with how Winter Wonderland went. I'm sure I've mentioned before, but this was Carnal Carnival's first full-length production, and therefore my first time producing a full-length show.

There were a couple of mic and mic-stand related issues (my inability to turn the mic on/off while wearing gloves, and the mic stand's inability to stay up after adjusting its height)... but all in all, I think it was an excellent show.

baronmind assures me that, although the mic was not on for most of my song, my voice still carried, and could be heard over the music. This was far and away the worst part for me. Besides the embarrassment of not having the mic on, it's been nearly 9 years since I sang in public/on stage, and I've never sung solo before--at least, not outside my shower. So yeah. Mortifying.

But I rallied, gave a little "burl-etiquette" speech, and then introduced the next act. Backstage, I spent most of Zorya's fabulous seven veils number freaking out because I couldn't find my notes on how to kill time between each number. We located them in plenty of time, but those were a panicky few minutes for me.

Aside from the afore mentioned problems with the mic stand, and some sound issues with Aloutte's otherwise-fabulous puppeteer act, the rest of the show ran reasonably smoothly.

I'd written up some winter/holiday trivia questions to buy some time between a couple songs in the first act, and I was a bit surprised by how hard they'd seemed. Okay, I didn't really expect anyone to know the exact time of this year's Winter Solstice, but most of the questions were holiday-themed pop-culture minutia that I pulled from my own head. I didn't expect everyone to know all the answers, but as I hadn't needed to do any research to come up with most of them, I figured at least a few people would know the answers to each of them. I started with what I thought was an easy one (number 7) and was answered with dead silence. Let's see how you fair (without the aid of google, wikipedia, IMDB, etc.):

( Trivia below )

Anyway, all told, I think it was a good show. Everyone had really entertaining numbers, and even if my rendition of Winter Wonderland left a bit to be desired, I was really pleased with how Mr. Sandman went, and fully intend to revive that number as often as possible.

I'm at that point in the day. There's nothing left to do, in terms of prepping for the show. I've spent the last two days going insane getting the set-list together, figuring out what the hell to say/do between songs, burning cds and running final dress on my own numbers. My nails are painted, my hair is done*, and everything from costumes to tip jars are packed and ready to go as soon as my ride arrives.

And now I'm so nervous, I might be sick.

There's a happy middle ground somewhere, I'm sure. In between being ready hours in advance, and therefore giving myself lots of time to get worked up... and rushing to get things done so that I'm never--not even after the show--entirely convinced I'm prepared.

*As much as it ever is during these awkward growing out periods.

When: December 16th, 2009, 8:00 p.m. (doors are at 7:00 p.m.)

Where: Xscape Lounge, 814 W. Grace Street, Richmond, VA

What: Winter Wonderland!

Cost: $15

Carnal Carnival's very first, full-length production will not only feature the lovely dancing girls you've come to expect from us, but several new variety performers who will delight and astound.

Bring canned goods to be donated to the Central Virginia Food Bank and get $2 off your ticket price! Please visit their website for an up-to-date list of foods they urgently need.

Well, there was a bit of a miscommunication regarding the venue's availability and the show has been moved from Sunday the 20th to Wednesday the 16th. Not a huge change, but it does mean it's just that much closer and that much more real.

I'm confirming door/show times and ticket prices with the venue right now, but the line-up is basically there. I would have liked one more variety act, but the only other variety performer to respond was the contortionist I was talking to a few months back. And she only wrote to explain she'd be unavailable until the summer, but that she'd still like to perform with us in the future.

In the meantime I'm fighting with Gimp to get a flier made. Or mostly made. I'll have to plug in the afore mentioned information once I hear back from the venue.

My own numbers are not yet fully choreographed, but both have very strong concepts, and with any luck the details will go smoothly.

I've been nagging one of my venue contacts for about a month and a half now, trying to get the aforementioned Carnal Carnival December show off the ground. I emailed him about a week ago (a little less, maybe) letting him know that if he didn't agree to one of my proposed dates soon we'd have to scrap the show entirely.

Then, just yesterday, misseeriesays contacted me, asking if I wanted to produce a show at Xscape this December. Not knowing when I might ever hear back from my other venue, I of course jumped on this opportunity... only to get a return email from my first venue later that day.

As I told my venue contact, producing two shows in one month is a little beyond me at the moment (especially when we throw in personal holiday preparations). I'm hoping to still work with the first venue--perhaps in January--but I must admit to being a bit flabbergasted.

In any case, Carnal Carnival will be performing at the Xscape Lounge (814 W. Grace Street) on Sunday, December 20th. I'll have more details (ticket prices, door times, etc.) in the next week or two, but mark your calenders! It should be an evening of burlesque and variety acts to remember!

Spooky, although starting and running late, was a great success. I'm quite pleased with how my witchy version of Manson's I Put A Spell On You turned out, although I really Do need to get a cork for that one bottle (I managed to accidently knock over exactly one bottle, and naturally it was the only one without a cork). My Bride of Frankenstein Frankenstein Twist went a bit more smoothly but was somewhat lacking in premise. It started out fairly strong, but after the first piece comes off, it's all just a big (lack of) excuse for taking my clothes off. I prefer burlesque with more story and character than that.

I couldn't see all the numbers very clearly from backstage, but what I could see was all very sexy. I do wish I'd been able to see Kiki von Kitsch's premier number better. baronmind can't stop talking about it--he can be a bit hard to please when it comes to burlesque, so I know it must've been amazing if he's this worked up about it.

Now that this show is over I've suddenly realized I have 3 Halloween parties coming up, and no idea what I'm wearing to any of them--I'm guessing a witch or the Bride of Frankenstein will be making an appearance at at least one of them!

Looking forward, past Halloween, I've told Dolli Holiday I'm interested in Go-Go-ing at this year's Hamaganza (a holiday rock show that raises ham and money for the Central Virginia Food Bank), and am trying to get a December show off the ground for Carnal Carnival. It'll be our first full-length show and feature lots of variety acts, as well as dancing girls. It's gonna be the best Christmas ever. ;)

First and foremost, come see Spooky this Sunday at Xscape Lounge! Not only will I be debuting 2 brand new, Halloween-themed numbers, but there will be tricks and treats a-plenty!

( Complete info & flier behind the cut )

Now that I've got that out of the way...

Carnal Carnival is seeking Variety Acts!

We're gearing up for our first full-length show, and therefore our first to include variety acts. It is extremely important to us that our shows are true to burlesque's vaudevillian roots, and include entertainments besides dancing girls. If you juggle, eat fire, perform illusions, spin poi, sing, hammer nails into your own head, or have any other unique talent you would like to share with us, please contact me immediately!

The crowd at Fielden's was a little thin last night, but at about 2:30 Carnal Carnival took the stage and had a fabulous show. I wasn't entirely happy with how my number went, but the only major mess-up went apparently unnoticed, so I can't complain too much.

Zorya Tangier made her burlesque premier with us last night, and was amazing as the circus Strong Woman. And Greta Von Tapp made a very sexy appearance as a big cat tamer/big cat. It was, as mentioned, a fabulous show.

Keep your eyes here, here and here--I have the feeling I'll have another show or two to announce in the very near future.

I can't tell you all how excited I am for Carnal Carnival's very first circus-themed show! We're doing a short set at Fielden's Magnifique--their annual circus-themed event. It's one of a few they do each year which is open to the public. If you've ever been inside Fielden's, you know what an amazing space they have, and I'm sure you fully understand how deeply I'm hoping to parlay this into some full-length shows for Carnal Carnival.

To help me do that, please come out to support us and the event! Doors are at midnight, September 19th, and Fieldens is located at 2033 West Broad St Richmond, VA. For more details, see the flier.

I dragged classytart and baronmind to go see this with me. Since I don't imagine many of you are going to fly to Edinburgh to catch this--or any other--show, I'm going to spoil the hell out of it. You've been warned.

The play begins with Wilhelm getting his panties in a twist because everyone's ruining their fairy tales and giving them happy endings. Jacob tries to calm him down, and Wilhelm storms out to change the face of modern storytelling. And... then he comes back to watch some tele with Jacob. It's not entirely clear why.

Using this as a framework, the bulk of the play is short skits in the form of adverts for imaginary products: a perfume called Greed (the Three Bears lounge about the stage whispering things like, "Greed," and "She's so greedy," while Goldilocks pouts and poses and tells how wonderful Greed is), a shampoo called Love (endorsed by Rapunzel), and most notably Altogether Insurance, the sponsor of the show the Grimms are watching (I'll get to that in a moment).

Altogether Insurance pops up a bit too much, for my tastes. Each commercial is different, but they all play on the same basic premise: The Big Bad Wolf enters, sets a scene of some sort (banana peal on the floor, sign pointing to a false short-cut, etc). Humpty Dumpty enters and gets badly injured. The Wolf re-enters (if he's left) and says, "Are you the victim of an accident that was not your fault? Altogether Insurance. You're in good hooves." It's a funny bit, but there were simply far too many of them.

Occasionally the play would return to Jacob and Wilhelm, bickering about fairy tales, and, in one case having a bit of a scuffle over the remote, that resulted in a few minutes of a Britain's Got Talent parody. The Hansel & Gretel bit was fantastic, but the rest of the parody I could have done without.

The show they were really watching was Oscar Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose. If you've never read any of Wilde's fairy tales, for shame. This one, for you heathens who haven't read it, is an absolutely beautiful and tragic story about a student in love, who has been promised a dance with the object of his affections, if only he brings her a red rose. The Nightingale overhears him lamenting the lack of red roses in his garden and sets out to find him one. She eventually finds a bush that produces red roses, but the bush has been badly hurt by a storm and will not bloom that year. BUT, if she sings the sweetest, most beautiful song she has ever sung he can grow a rose. BUT it will only be red if, while singing this song, she stains it with her heart's blood.

To stage this, the actress playing the Nightingale and the actor playing the Rose Bush tangoed. And as the tango ramped up in intensity, the Rose Bush delivered bits of narration, largely having to do with the Nightingale pressing herself harder against the thorn and the thorn pushing deeper into her chest. I'm not going to lie. It was sexy. And I was vaguely uncomfortable about the children in the front row.

Overall, the show was really excellent, although, as mentioned above, flawed. I think there's a solid show in there, and with a little bit of tweaking, this could be a really stand-out play.

x-posted to spookyhandle and told_tales

I had an excellent time at MMRF this weekend, getting to know my new friends from first weekend, and making a few brand new ones as well.

Crash and I pulled onto the grounds around 3:00am Saturday morning and promptly decided that attempting to pitch our tent was a terrible, and stupid idea. Instead, we sprawled out as best we could in the car, and got a somewhat fitful four hours of sleep.

I woke up a bit earlier than Crash, so I wandered the site for a short while, before returning to the camping area to find that Crash and a helpful stranger--Stephen, I soon found out--had all but finished pitching the giant tent we were borrowing from friends. I helped with the final stakes and the rain fly, before Crash and I left the site to find some breakfast and caffeine.

The faire itself went reasonably well that day. They had both my shows scheduled immediately following Daniel Greenwolf on the main stage (alternately called the Maine stage, due to its distance from the rest of the faire, located in CT). Crowds were thin up there, due both to the stage's location and the fact that virtually all of the other attractions in that area had been relocated due to weather/flooding/mud concerns. Daniel's a big enough name in the faire circuit that he managed to pull a crowd, so between stragglers from his show and more hawking help from the Penny Dreadfuls, I had a respectably sized (if stingy) audience for my first show.

Crash and I wandered the site for a while with my favorite Steampirates, and eventually I dragged Cap' out to the car so I could give him the cds I'd made. We unfortunately didn't have a lot of time to chat, but did catch The Gypsy Nomads early show together--which only served to deepen my rock love for this man. Okay, maybe not "only" served... It also meant that I found a fantastic new band to listen to.

My afternoon show was somewhat better-received and, in my opinion, better performed. Cap, Whisper, Rapture, and Magda had all bailed for another engagement in Hartford, but Crash and I caught the Gypsy Nomad's later, longer show before seeking out some off-site food (and a real bathroom). Another new friend, Lloyd, had suggested a nearby Italian place, which we hit up and gorged ourselves at, before returning to site for a quick dip in the stream.

I sat up by the fire until about 11:30, talking with Lloyd, Andrew, and a rotating assortment of other fine folks before I had to admit to myself that I was just too sleep deprived, and really needed to get back to the tent and get some rest. Once I got settled in, under my blankets, I was out cold, and never heard Crash come in.

I woke up bright and early the next morning, and spent some time chatting with Lloyd before we--along with Crash and Valerie, headed out to Dunkin' Donuts for a traditional Faire breakfast.

It was a rainy morning, and after breakfast, I sat up at the Main Stage with Daniel and a few other folks discussing the likelihood of getting crowds at the faire, let alone up the muddy road to the where Daniel and I were both set to perform in just a short while. Miraculously, Daniel did have an audience, just a few minutes late for his show. The rain picked up a little, and I suspect that's at least part of the reason I managed to hold onto as large a crowd as I did.

Either way, it was a pretty good show, all things considered. Afterward I hid under my over-sized tophat, and headed back down to hang out with Andrew & Tisha, and take shelter in their vendor tent. While I was there, an official faire spokesperson came by to inform us that the event would be closing early, due to the approaching thunder & lightening.

My final show of the day officially canceled, Crash and I set about loading up the car and breaking down the tent. Naturally, the storm let up, just as we were finishing up with the tent, and long after we had given up on any chance of staying dry. We said our very damp good byes, dried off a bit, changed into dry clothing, and then headed south, toward Stamford and Crash's brother-in-law-to-be's apartment.

Our "quick stop" to dry off and get Crash some dry shoes to drive in, ended up stretching into several hours, and it was nearly 10 by the time we hit the road again. I dozed for a couple of hours, but managed to stay (more or less) awake for the exceptionally late part of the drive, and help Crash stay awake to drive.

We got back to RVA around 5:00 am, and here I am, exhausted (although better rested than poor Crash, who had to make it to her 9-5 today), and already plotting plots so I can hopefully see some of these lovely people again before we all converge in NJ for Wicked Faire.

Last Tuesday night, Dr. Crash and I took a ride down to VA Beach. She'd been there on Sunday with her fiance, and texted me that night that we absolutely had to make it back down there before this weekend.

We wandered the main street for a few minutes before we found the act she'd dragged me out to see: Dextre Tripp and his amazing, gymnast wife. At a distance, Dextre reminded me a bit of Brian Viglione--the same strong, lean build. But up close, when I got a better look at his face, I was instead put in mind of Voltaire--especially when he smiled. Okay, I'll let it sink in for a moment that I've just compared this man to two of the sexiest men making music today... Add to that his absolutely amazing performance featuring ladder balancing, juggling, unicycling, and rope walking. Now tell me that you wouldn't have a bit of a school girl crush!

Crash had spoken with him and his wife (who, I should not let it pass unsaid, is also an amazing and talented performer) on Sunday, and when we approached them after the show, they both greeted her by name. They had another show scheduled to start in just ten minutes, so we spoke only briefly, but exchanged some contact information. To be honest, I suspect they're both a bit out of my league, at the present time, but I'm always a bit giddy to meet such talented variety performers.

____________________________________________________

In unrelated news, Carnal Carnival has a show booked for mid-September. It's another trial-run with yet another club. We're doing a short, circus-themed (glee!) set at their annual circus night. Unlike the Fallout show, this one is strictly members only. If all goes well with this place, we'll be talking about doing a full-length show or 12 with them, and those will be open to the public.

I've already got a bit of a pipe dream about cross-promoting their Circus Night with an annual circus-themed Carnal Carnival show.

____________________________________________________

In yet another piece of entirely unrelated news, early this evening, Dr. Crash and I will begin our trek to Connecticut for the Midsummer Magick Renaissance Faire. I'll be performing Poison Apples & Pretty Witches four times this weekend, each show following a popular magician/comedian. No pressure or anything. Of course, the upside is that, with any luck, I'll be able to hold on to enough of his crowd to make some decent money.

In any case, I've spent the last few days listening to my home-recorded readings of all my stories. It really is the most efficient way for me to prep a show, but I really am sick of the sound of my own voice.

I was very pleased to get out there and support (and shake and shimmy for) Grindhouse Burlesque's premier show at Xscape Lounge. The crowd was smaller than I think, misseeriesays was hoping for, but for a Wednesday night in the middle of summer (when VCU students are sparse), I think we had a pretty good turn out.

There were a few technical issues, which I think probably effected myself and our producer the worst. However, we both did the best we could with what we had. Afterward, Run Around Sue made a point of telling me that I'd handled myself/the situation really well. As she said, when your music fails, your options are to walk off stage or to just keep trucking. The latter is a much stronger choice, and the audience loves you all the more for it. I've been performing in one way or another long enough to know that she's absolutely right about this, but it was still really nice to hear it from someone who's been doing burlesque so much longer than I have.

Despite the technical issues, everyone put on a great show.

Afterward I went out for a drink and quick bite to eat with Sue, Kitty, Skye & Skye's husband. We sat around talking and munching for an hour or two, and generally enjoying one another's company. When Sue mentioned that she wanted to do more writing, and half-joking, I asked if she wanted to write a fairy tale for me--and she said yes! I'm very excited that Miss Run Around Sue might be contributing to my collection.

...

In unrelated news, I'm booked for the closing weekend of Midsummer Magick Faire! I think!

This morning I got an email from the SM/Lady-In-Charge-Of-Variety-Acts saying that she's put me on the schedule for a couple of afternoon shows and of the options I'd suggested for handling my stipend/making me more affordable, they'd prefer option B.

I gave her a quick call to confirm that I was booked. I told her that the last I'd heard from Jeff he was still trying to convince his backers it was worth paying me. Apparently the last she had heard from Jeff was that they'd prefer option B. She'd assumed this meant I was booked. I think she's probably right, but all things considered, she's going to confirm with Jeff and then myself before I spend money on bus tickets or anything similar.

Still, it's very exciting. I wish I had time to concoct a new story for Poison Apples & Pretty Witches, but I'll have to stick with what I already know.

I'd like to have some merchandise available by the time Wicked Faire 5 rolls around, and while I could always get t-shirts or similar printed up, considering the nature of my solo act, what I'd really like to offer is a collection of fairy tales for adults. I'll, of course, be writing a few stories myself, but I don't know how many I have in me that I'd rather write down than tell aloud, and I don't want the book to be simply a text version of my show. So I'm asking you, gentle readers, to contribute to my collection.

This could be anything from a classic tale retold without holding back details on the gore, to full-blown fairy tale erotica. Okay, maybe not the erotica. Maybe. I'd like to keep the book, like my show, closer to an R rating than an X... but I'll read and consider anything I get sent.

If you have a fairy tale/short story that you think might be a good fit, I'd love to see it and hopefully include it in my collection. Unfortunately, I can't afford to pay my contributors in more than credit, adulation, and a copy of the full collection once I get it printed.

Email me at LilithLore at gmail dot com if you have a story for consideration or if you want more information.

(x-posted everywhere)

__________________________________________________________________________

I'm working hard to get myself booked at the closing weekend of the Midsummer Magick Faire. Jeff Mach has expressed an interest in having me perform Poison Apples & Pretty Witches that weekend, but it's a question of finances now. You should all email him and tell him you're only coming if I'm there. It doesn't have to be true, of course, his backers just have to think it is. ;)

Last night I went out with a few of my favorite ladies to see Sweet Tease's new show, Poison Ivy.

Sweet Tease is unique, not just here in Richmond, but in the larger burlesque community as well: they're actually dancers. And I don't say that to belittle myself or any other burlesque dancers out there, but most of us have little-to-no formal dance training. The ladies of Sweet Tease, on the other hand, are each and all trained in modern dance. This is both their gift and their curse.

I say their curse because there were a couple of numbers that were very interesting modern dance pieces, but left me wondering why they had been included in a burlesque show. The strip felt uninspired and out-of-place, and the tease was lacking entirely. Again, judged strictly as dance numbers, very interesting and technically well over my head... it just didn't feel like burlesque. Alternately, there was one piece which I felt could have been done (maybe not the exact choreography, but the song and general concept) at least as well by any number of other burlesque dancers. While that's not normally something that turns me off of a number, when I know the girl on stage is a highly trained dancer, it's something of a let-down.

Those complaints out of the way, most of their numbers made excellent use of burlesque concepts (ie, an excuse/reason for taking off your clothes) and were beautifully executed using their unique skill set. The title piece, Poison Ivy, particularly stands out for me as the perfect blend of these two worlds. The choreography relied heavily on their ability to move and control their bodies in ways most burlesque dancers simply can't, but managed--not only to provide good reasons/opportunities for removing their clothes--but to tell a clear and interesting story. Hell, this piece even managed to be alternately sexy (a must in burlesque) and funny (which I feel is all too often lacking in burlesque).

All in all I had an excellent evening, and would recommend a Sweet Tease show, with that caveat that you should expect something a little different than what you'd find at most burlesque offerings.