Props are used in burlesque for so many reasons.
To add drama or create visual splendor to a routine.
To have something to work and play off.
To add extravagance or that extra ‘gimmick’ to you routine.
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Coming to your first burlesque class can be a bit daunting, right?
You book in through a vaguely anonymous booking system – maybe having seen a few photos or videos online.
If you aren’t coming with a friend, it can be a bit daunting to turn up for your first class.
Here are my hints and ideas about what you can expect - whether you’ve booked in for a full term or just a one off workshop. It’s not a set in stone post, but it might give anyone a bit nervous or daunted an idea of what they can expect
So this isn’t a shady blog post aimed at anyone that has performed to Postmodern Jukebox.
As someone who produces burlesque shows - and that tries to be pretty encouraging to anyone starting their performing journey - one of the biggest frustrations can be a total overwhelming number of acts set to Postmodern Jukebox. So read on for some of the issues I have found, and for some great alternatives.
There is never a quick fix solution when you are feeling a bit down about performing. But for my ten cents worth there are a few consistent things that I do if I feel down about performing or super stressed. These aren’t going to be the most ground breaking things you have ever heard - but if you need a starting point it’s not a bad launch pad. The most important thing is to remember that everyone feels down about their burlesque career at some point.
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What to give the burlesque babe that has everything? Whatever your price range, I’ve got you covered in this great holiday gift guide! And I’d love people to share their favourite stores or ideas in the comments!
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Burlesque and payment is always doing the rounds as a hot topic. There are always times where we regret decisions (almost instantly) when you go against your gut and perform at events that feel substandard or where you don’t feel valued....be it creatively or financially.
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One of the biggest requests for advice that I get is around building up confidence (for new performers) or getting the 'mojo' back (for more established performers that had a few knocks to their self-esteem).
I often think about cultivating 'resilience'. A super wanky phrase, perhaps. But it’s not always about building up bullet proof confidence. But about how you set yourself back up when you have a knock back or feel rejected.
Here are my take home tips for helping you get a bit more resilient to the knocks of life. Some tough love, but also some practical advice
So you are dipping your toe into performing? Perhaps you have just got started in the burlesque industry - or it’s something to think about. I don’t think you need to spend a fortune to get cracking. Here’s some tips and advice about how you can best manage your time and $$$ when you start out.
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While I love a good movie, it’s sometimes nice to delve more info the burlesque archives and understand more about the history. And if you are starting your burlesque journey, it’s also super important to understand where you fit in its rich history. Here are some of my picks of the documentaries out there.
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Writing an artist biography, introduction and CV can be a big struggle. When you have some time away from performing or teaching, it can be a good opportunity to take the time to build or revise these resources. If you are like me and it’s a really hated job - or you just don’t know where to start - I’ve pulled together some of the resources that have been helping me. Let me know how you go! .
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Like every other person on the planet. I’ve been obsessed with the 30 day playlist challenge that Zoe Sugg’s (Zoella) posted on Twitter. Read on for the results - and for links to my amazing playlist!
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Thinking of starting a new event? Before you click ‘publish’ on that Facebook event, I’m here to give you a low down on idiot proofing your event preparation. Here are my 5 top tips for getting you to making your event financially manageable.
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The burlesque and live performance environment has changed massively in Tasmania and Australia in the last 12 years. I hear many problems from newer artists about the challenges in being booked. I’ve hosted a number of business- burlesque workshops over the years, and one of the pieces of advice that I consistently give is that you need to build and create your own opportunities. So on that thread, here are a couple of easy steps you can start to do to build up your opportunities!
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Before any rehearsal a good warm up is essntila- especially if you are working with a prop like feather fans. Often we just don’t take as much time as we could to warm up our wrists and arms . Here are my top tips and techniques for getting ready (and a short warm up video you can follow along with!)
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Last night I had the pleasure of hosting Alyssa Kitt on my Facebook page to lead our community through a fabulous online workshop - Feeling Down? Feel Yourself!
Alyssa took us all through a guided discussion and flow class, so that we can reconnect with our bodies and think about strategies to help us get a quick mood booster.
She’s also kindly shared a quick recap of her top tips for quickly feeling yourself and picking yourself up:
Choosing the right footwear can really make or break an act. If you are going to invest in one thing in your burlesque life, make it something that keeps your tootsies well supported and nourished!
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Essential reading for someone starting out in burlesque. Perfect for when the world is going crazy and we need to stay indoors! Consider this part one in a series - these are the core books that everyone needs to have had a browse of. Stay tuned for the second installment which will cover some less well known sources.
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Some great life tips if you find yourself needing to work from home. Please add your best hacks in the comments!
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I’ve just dropped an announcement on my Facebook page sharing my newest venture - online learning!It was something that has been on my mind for awhile. I have definitely noticed an uptake in enquiries from casual workers and shift workers, that often find it hard to commit to a weekly class. So I’m making a commitment to get with the times and offer some flexible learning options!
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