Photo: Bettina May
Jo Weldon, Founder and Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque and author of the Burlesque Handbook, talks devil dancers, biting off more than you can chew and the Pink Light Burlesque project.
For the complete interview and more beautiful images of Jo, pick up your Winter 2012 Best of Pin Curl print edition, available here!
Interview: Divertida Devotchka
Q: September of this year was the 10th Annual New York Burlesque Festival. Care to share highlights from the festival? What were some of the most memorable moments for you?
A: I always love this festival because I get to see people from all over the world in my hometown! It was particularly exciting this year because it was the tenth anniversary. I saw so many people I loved I don’t want to name them for fear of leaving someone precious out by accident. I will say I loved seeing Tara Pontani perform with The Pontani Sisters. I used to perform with them at Marion’s a decade ago and that was amazing! I also loved getting to do my big Queen of Hell number with my devil dancers retinue. Super fun.
Q: I’d like to hear more about the Pink Light Burlesque project. The New York School of Burlesque began a program last fall in which you offered free burlesque classes to breast cancer patients and survivors, in memory of Jennie Lee, the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s founder who succumbed to breast cancer in 1990. I was really struck by Pink Light’s mission to “address the particular needs of women in treatment and recovery, especially women seeking a rock-n-roll way to reclaim their bodies after experiencing a negative body image or a loss of femininity.” If I’m not mistaken, Pink Light started in October 2011 and was dedicated to Diane Naegel, who tragically passed away from breast cancer one week prior to the start of the program. Pink Light Burlesque happened again this fall, and I would like to hear your take on the effect the classes and/or subsequent performance has on its participants, both students and the instructors.
A: Different students have had different experiences, but many of them have said that they had renewed sexual and social confidence. They also said it was fun to meet other survivors that shared their adventurous sensibilities. In some ways it is a very serious project. I hope that this will restore quality of life for some people. And of course it can be a very difficult project emotionally. Losing Diane Naegel and Lotus Eyes was deeply saddening.
Q: In an August interview with BurlesqueStars.net, I was delighted by your refreshingly honest response to a question about how you manage to get everything done being involved in so many projects. You said, “I don’t – there’s people mad at me right now about something that I didn’t get done.” You went on to say, “I love being a part of so many things, but sometimes I bite off more than I can chew.” I know a lot of gals in this industry have more irons in the fire than they can count; what is your advice to those who, like you, have a tendency to spread themselves too thin?
A: I don’t really know how to stop saying yes! I admit it! My advice is, don’t do as I do, do as I say: choose your work only when you’re as sure as you can be that you can deliver. People deserve your best.
Layman’s Guide to U.S. Burlesque Festivals
To obtain the print copy of this guide along with a handy (and adorable!) map illustration of all the locations below, pick up your copy of the Winter 2012 Best of Pin Curl issue, available here.
Annual burlesque festivals have sprung up all over the country as the burlesque revival, now two decades strong, continues to grow. No matter where you are in the great states, there’s a burlesque festival somewhere near you. If you’re itching to take a racy road trip around the United States, we’ve got your itinerary right here!
Everything starts to heat up on Valentine’s Day with the 7th Annual Southwest Burlesque Showcase, February 14-16, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information about this fabulous festival, see http://swburlesqueshowcase.com.
Or you could head down to the Lone Star State to start off your festival circuit at the 5th Annual Dallas Burlesque Festival, in Dallas, Texas. We don’t know the dates for this burlesque and pinup celebration yet, but all the info will be available at http://dallasburlesquefest.com.
Another option in February is the 4th Annual Key West Burlesque Festival in Key West, Florida. For some wild burlesque and variety entertainment, watch for the dates at http://www.keywestburlesque.com.
For more burlesque-y goodness, visit the 3rd Annual Southern Fried Burlesque Fest, March 21-24, in Atlanta, Georgia. There’s sure to be plenty of variety, and plenty of workshops at this fast-growing festival; find out more at http://southernfriedburlesquefest.com/.
Also beginning March 21 is the 10th Annual Moisture Festival in Seattle, Washington. As the website (http://www.moisturefestival.org) says, “The Moisture Festival is the world’s largest Comedy/Varietè festival, running for four weeks every spring in Seattle.” The festival lasts until April 14 so you’ll have plenty of time to catch some of it.
March 28-31 brings the 16th Annual Viva Las Vegas rockabilly festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Touted at “The biggest rockabilly party in the world,” this festival includes a smorgasbord of activities including burlesque and pinup events, a classic car show, and a killer music lineup. Check the website for more details: http://www.vivalasvegas.net.
However, you’ll have a difficult choice to make between Viva Las Vegas and the 7th Annual Great Burlesque Exposition in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Taking place March 29-31, this burlesque festival includes an impressive variety of classes, a historical costume display, and an art show “for interesting and innovative pieces from painters, photographers, sculptors, graphic artists, and anyone else who has found their muse at a burlesque show.” See http://www.burlesque-expo.com/home.cfm for more.
April 11-13 gives you another chance to visit Texas, for the 6th Annual Texas Burlesque Festival in Austin. The coming year will include performances, workshops, a competition, and “Austin’s First Ever Burlesque Ball.” Get all the late-breaking news on this one at http://www.texasburlesquefestival.com/home.php.
You could also attend the 3rd Annual Kansas City Burlesque Festival on April 25-27, in Kansas City, Missouri for the crowning of the next Kansas City Queen and King of Burlesque! Find all the details at: http://www.kcburlesque.com/HOME.html!
Back after a short break is Tease-o-Rama, which began bringing the burlesque community together in 2001 with performances by “The Best of the Best in Burlesque”, workshops, a photo safari, and Tea&Gossip with the Legends of Burlesque. The event has been held in New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and L.A., and we can’t wait to see what http://www.teaseorama.com/2012/ will say about the 2013 schedule.
As no dates have yet been revealed, we can only hope that there will be a 2nd Annual New York Boylesque Festival. “Celebrating the Male Performer and the Best of Male Burlesque”, New York, New York’s first boylesque festival, in 2012, provided workshops and networking geared toward the menfolk, and performances that everyone could enjoy! Keep checking the website (http://www.nyboylesquefestival.com/) to see what’s in the works for 2013– I know I will be!
May 2-5 brings an exciting new experience, FIERCE! The First International Queer Burlesque Festival, in Columbus, Ohio. Check it out at http://www.fiercequeerburlesque.com.
The month of May alsobrings us back to the Show Me State, for the 4th Show Me Burlesque and Vaudeville Fest, May 16-18, in St. Louis, Missouri. This burlesque and variety extravaganza includes workshops along with striptease, circus, and vaudeville acts. I treated myself to the 2012 festival, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed! Find out more here: http://showmeburlesque.com/.
Although we don’t have the dates yet, May is the time for the 7th Annual Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. Featuring workshops, burlesque, sideshow, and vaudeville performances, you can learn about ‘ABSfest’ at http://www.absfest.com/.
June 6-9 brings us to a truly difficult decision. One option is the 12th Annual Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “The largest annual celebration of Tiki culture on the East Coast, the Hukilau is a celebration of Polynesian pop culture with live music and entertainment, and much, much more. Book your trip at: http://www.thehukilau.com/2013/!
The alternative June 6-9 trip is to the star-studded Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Presenting absolutely amazing burlesque, boylesque, and variety performances, the BHOF Weekend includes a Q&A with the Legends of Burlesque as well as a Legends performance and tribute night, marvelous workshops, a photo safari, plenty of mingling and boozing opportunities, and features the Queen of Burlesque competition formerly known as Miss Exotic World. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s exhibition space to view some of the “art, artifacts and personal histories of the art’s biggest names and brightest stars.” http://www.burlesquehall.com.
Next year’s dates are TBA, but June is the month of the 3rd Annual Carolina Burlesque Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. This burlesque and variety festival offers workshops, live music, and a pageant; stay posted by checking http://www.carolinaburlesquefestival.com/index.html.
The next one is high up on my bucket list – the annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island, New York! Founded in 1983, “the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island’s forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954,” and each year a new King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are crowned. The parade is followed by a ball and burlesque and sideshow performances: http://www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml. But that’s not all! There’s ‘Burlesque on the Beach’ all summer long at Coney Island. Burlesque on the Beach is “a revival of the most glorious and notorious of the “girlie revues” in Coney Island history. A blend of old style burlesque, sideshow freaks, strange women, new vaudeville and toe tappin’ music,” you can see the lineup as it’s released at http://www.coneyisland.com/burlesque.shtml.
Although we don’t yet know when, the 4th Annual Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival will most likely take place in June, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly known as the Jim Thorpe Burlesque Festival, this event features burlesque performers from around the country: http://www.paburlesque.com/.
July also has some great festivals: this year will mark the 4th Annual Windy City Burlesque Festival, in Chicago, Illinois as well as the 4th Annual Colorado Burlesque Festival, in Denver, Colorado. Each event provides classes and top notch burlesque performances. More information about these two stellar festivals can be found at
http://windycityburlesquefest.com and http://www.coloradoburlesquefestival.com/, respectively.
Another option for July is visiting the annual Circus City Festival, Inc. in Peru, Indiana. Held July 13-20, in “The Circus Capital of the World,” this event boasts “longest running circus parade in the United States.” http://www.perucircus.com/
August gives us another opportunity to visit Ohio, for the 3rd Annual Ohio Burlesque Festival, in Cleveland, Ohio. The dates are TBA, but this festival hosts burlesque and variety performances, and is unique in that it chooses a charity to support each year. Learn more at http://www.ohioburlesque.com/index.html.
We’re also awaiting announcement of the 2nd Annual ABurlyQ! Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which made its debut last August with a burlesque and sideshow lineup and festivities: http://www.aburlyq.com/.
Depending on the dates that are decided upon, you’ll either have a very busy month travelling to all the magnificent September festivals, or you’ll have some very difficult choices to make. 2013 will bring us the 11th Annual New York Burlesque Festival in New York, New York. Along with performances, classes, and parties, this event includes an extra special competition, The Golden Pastie Awards. These awards honor member of the biz with titles such as “The MacGyver Award,” “Performer Most Likely to Start a Harem,” and “The Performer You Would Call with Your One Quarter from Jail.” Find out all about it at http://www.thenewyorkburlesquefestival.com/index.php.
The 5th Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, has a more traditional title for its competition winners: Queen of Burlesque! The weekend is chock full of workshops and shows, all appropriately located near Bourbon Street, which “featured the largest concentration of burlesque clubs than anywhere in the U.S…from the mid-1940s through the 1960s.” Look for updates at http://neworleansburlesquefest.com/.
September also means that it’s time to visit Chicago again, this time for the 4th Annual Superstars of Burlesque. Catch all the latest about this burlesque festival at http://superstarsofburlesque.com/.
As if October weren’t an exciting month already, it will now bring us the 2nd Annual Alabama Burlesque Festival, in Rocket City (Huntsville), Alabama. We don’t have dates for the return of this brand new festival, but the place to watch for updates is http://rocketcityburlesque.com/. A portion of the proceeds from the 2012 festival benefitted The Pinup Angels’ mission to send care packages to our troops!
And speaking of pinups, a 2nd Annual American Pinup Burlesque Fest is already set for October 25-27 in Tampa Bay Area, Florida. This event will consist of the Miss Pinup America Pageant, Burlesque America Competition, a Car Show, Bike Show, Tattoo Contest, and workshops! Check it out at http://www.americanpinupburlesquefest.com/.
November brings the opportunity to round out your year with a very special convention, the 6th Annual Burlycon in Seattle, Washington. As stated on their website, “BurlyCon is an annual Burlesque Educational convention that provides educational offerings, professional growth and in-person social networking for the Burlesque Community. Our aim is to further the development and historical knowledge of this rare American art form that is experiencing a popular resurgence worldwide.” There are no performances, but there are over 100 classes taught by the best in the biz! Keep in the know by checking http://burlycon.org/ for updates.
One last group to keep in mind when making your performance-art-based travel plans is the United States Association of Fringe Festivals. Dating back to 1947, the original Fringe Festival was created in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Fringe performing arts festivals can now be found worldwide. “A celebration featuring theatre and related live presentations with a special emphasis on original and innovative forms and formats,” there are a plethora of these productions to choose from in the U.S.: http://fringefestivals.us/festival.
Happy Travels!
Every holiday season here at Pin Curl we ask our contributors to pick out the best gifts for the pin-up or burlesque gal (or guy!) in your life. Below are our selections for this year. Happy shopping!
Shoshana Portnoy – Editor-in-Chief
Holiday Mulled Wine Set by Sort This Out Cellars
Under $20:
Nude Cuban heel backsteam stockings from Kuhmillion Lingerie $11.95 reg price, but 20% off with the coupon code “pincurl” through Jan 25th
Under $50:
Pin Up Girl Shower Curtain by Sin in Linen $39
Holiday Mulled Wine & Mulling Spices set from Sort This Out Cellars $25
The Domestic Burlesque £24.99 (See more about this in the Pin Curl article here.)
Under $100
Handcrafted Jute Underbust Corset by Luscious Peach $96
Divertida Devotchka – Managing Editor
Example of an adorable Atomic Clock
Under $20:
Pack of 4 detachable garters from Lucy B $18.75
Under $50:
200 gram Full Turkey Boa from Fabulous Feathers $25
Vintage Inspired Tea Length Petticoat $44
Under $100:
Bettie Page Shopping Time Dress $92
Atomic Clock (prices can range from $20 to several hundreds of dollars)
Femme Vivre LaRouge – Ravishing Researcher
Anything from The Victorian Trading Company, like these ruffled pantaloons $39.95
Exclusive classic film box sets from Turner Classic Movies (Prices vary)
Sew Iconic: How to Make 10 Classic Hollywood Dresses $14
Tickets to the Texas Rockabilly Revival Festival (Date and prices for 2013 pending)
One from my personal wish list, a jukebox. (Prices vary)
Hair Flower by Amber Ray Accoutrements
Cora Vette – DIY Diva
I really wanted to focus on small businesses run by or for the burlesque community.
Bling buddies by Va Va Vette $15
Hardcore Pasties by Foxy Tann $20
Green and purple hair flower with Swarovski embellishment by Amber Ray Accoutrements $50
Custom fully rhinestoned bowtie by Haute Under The Collar. $65
Commissioned art by Karina Dale Art $100-$200
Burlesque Etiquette with Jo Weldon: Stage Kitten Etiquette
Photo: Don Spiro
We couldn’t think of anyone’s advice we’d rather take than Miss Jo “Boobs” Weldon, Founder of the New York School of Burlesque and author of The Burlesque Handbook, which is why we’re thrilled to have her as our Burlesque Etiquette contributor! Have a question you’d like Jo to answer? Please title your email “Etiquette- _your issue___” and send to editor [at] PinCurlMag [dot] com and we will send them right over to her!
“Stage kittens have become iconic elements of many burlesque shows. These are the fabulous creatures you see getting so much time are often also part of the glue that holds the show together. A burlesque show bonus, a stage kitten is the person who picks up the costume pieces and props after a burlesque number. They may also set up props, assist the emcee, gogo dance, sell merchandise between sets, and a whole lot more. A stage kitten can make a show run more smoothly, helping the performers make seamless transitions from number to number.” – Murray Hill
I’m not sure when I first saw a stage kitten, as I don’t remember having them in my earliest shows. I remember having bouncers assist me when I was a feature dancer in strip clubs, and I can remember emcees pitching our clothes behind the curtain in some burlesque shows, but the first time I became aware of the full potential of these sexy stage managers was while watching Augusta Avallone’s documentary of The Velvet Hammer. There were twin French maids called The Poubelle Twins who picked up after the performers, with tremendous disdain and aplomb, working their roles to the hilt. At Starshine Burlesque, I first became aware of stage kittens as a specified part of the show–an actual presence that made life easier, and much much cuter.
Now having a saucy maid (or maidman!) setting down chairs and picking up panties is a burlesque staple, thank goodness.
When I do student showcases, I employ students in all the roles of the show–door person, DJ, and stage kitten. I encourage new performers to put in time as stage kitten because it’s a perfect opportunity to spend time backstage finding out exactly what performers do to prepare for a show and get to know people in the community. They always approach the job with eagerness to do well, and they want guidelines to ensure their success. The New York School of Burlesque presents a stage kitten class instructed by Lefty Lucy, Miss Coney Island 2010 and a proud panty-picker-upper, to improve the learning curve for what can be one of the most useful positions in a new performer’s career.
For the sake of this article I’m calling the people who are doing numbers performers, but of course everyone in the show is a performer!
Lefty Lucy, Vice President of Miss Coney Island and Instructor on Stage Kittening at the New York School of Burlesque (Photo: Don Spiro)
Top Tips for Stage Kittens:
1) Ask the producer (or whoever contacted you to book you for the gig) exactly what they need from you. Since stage kittens can help in so many ways, it’s important to know if there is also a stage manager, if you’ll be expected to collect music, etc. Find out if the gig pays–some producers prefer to hire kittens as unpaid interns, some prefer experienced kittens who already know how to make the job go as smoothly as possible. Even if they are not paying you, treat it as a professional gig. If you don’t want to do the gig for free, don’t do it–that’s much better than doing it and then going around complaining that they don’t pay.
2) Ask them what they’d like you to wear, and don’t let them get away with saying “Whatever you like.” Theatre stage managers usually wear black jeans and t-shirts, but stage kittens are more likely to be seen in fringed gogo outfits–and you may end up go-go-ing in them! Make sure your costume suits the aesthetic of the show, and make sure your shoes are cute but comfortable enough to allow you to run from dressing room to DJ at top speed, should the need arise. Wear makeup and do your hair as if you were going to perform a routine, because you’ll be onstage a lot.
3) Get there before everyone and be ready to go onstage. You should not be doing your makeup when the performers are doing theirs–you should be stage ready and getting their info at that point.
4) Do your best to avoid gossip about the other performers and don’t get involved in talking smack about the venue or producer. If you must talk smack, save that for another place and time.
5) Bring a clipboard and a couple of pens, preferably sharpies, and get everyone’s name (including the staff’s names–and be sure to give those to the emcee as well). Find out from each performer what they need to go onstage, if they have any setup, and WRITE IT DOWN. Find out how many copies of the set list the emcee needs, and write them up as promptly as possible.
6) Pay close attention throughout the entire show. Watch the performer to see what they remove. There are generally two gloves. 
If they let their hair down, see if you can find the clip or pins that held it up.
7) Move quickly, but make sure you don’t get in the emcee or the performers’ ways. No need to bend over very slowly and wink every time you pick up a glove–the emcee may not want your schtick going on at the same time as his or hers, and it loses impact after a couple of times anyway. Ask them how much they want you to perform while you work.
8) Don’t do anything that takes you away from your job. Let the producer and/or emcee know if you take any kind of break or run an errand for anyone. If you smoke, don’t wander off to smoke without telling anyone.
9) If anyone offends you or treats you in a way you consider disrespectful or abusive, keep doing your job, and make your feelings known after the show.
10) Send a thank you note to the producer who hired you.
Ray Ray Sunshine picks up after Jo’s Godzilla act at the Everleigh Social Club at Studio L’amour in Chicago.
Top Tips for Kitten Interaction for Performers, Emcees, Producers, and Venues
1) Say Please and thank you. Get the stage kitten’s name and remember it.
2) Don’t assume that this kitten has the same duties as the last kitten you worked with. The producer, not the performers, determines the stage kittens’ duties.
3) If you are an emcee and you want to use the kitten in a bit, make sure it doesn’t interfere with his or her ability to manage the next performer.
4) Don’t order the kitten around. Let them know what you need when they ask what you need. If they don’t ask, let them know graciously–they are an essential part of the show.
5) Don’t try to talk the kitten into doing something that isn’t part of what they do if it will take their attention away from the stage, where it needs to be.
6) If the kitten is a new performer, be encouraging. Give them tips on how to get booked. They may have a lot of accomplishments outside of burlesque–all you know, if they’re new to you, is that they’re new to YOU.
7) If the kitten upsets you, save any conflict for after the show. Until proven otherwise, assume all mistakes are honest.
8) If the kitten asks not to be called a kitten, call them whatever they like.
9) Be willing to help with the stage if the kitten has a problem.
10) If you’re the point of contact for the kitten, send them a thank you note after the show. And Performers, thank the kittens for everything they do. Where would you be without them?
Finally, and most importantly, if the kitten or producer or performers want you to do things differently than described above, listen to them, not to me!
See you naked soon, burlesquers!
OLD ARTICLE FOR THE KITTENS
It’s crucial to understand first of all that each producer will have their own guidelines, some of which may be different than these. However, these will let you know some of the things stage kittens need to think about, with the questions they most frequently ask.
Q: What is a stage kitten?
A: A stage kitten is the person who picks up the costume pieces and props after a burlesque number. They get lots of stage time! When you’re kittening, be sure to watch the performers undress to help you know what to pick up and get every piece. Remember, there are usually two gloves! If one is missing, wait until after the show to find it rather than rummaging around in the crack between the stage and the wall during the show.
Will I also have to set up the stage for the act?
It depends on the show, but it’s very common for stage kittens to also set out props such as fans, chairs, and tables with props.
What should I wear?
Ask the producer, but if they don’t specify, wear something fun and flirty and sexy. Not a party dress, but perhaps a go-go costume with fringe and some high heels. Wear makeup and hair as if you were performing. You can often be a character if you like, but be sure to check with the show producer about that. Depending on the show, you may need to be lowkey.
What else will they need?
A stage name. Do a search for stage name tips. Remember, names like Kitten, Kitty, Kat, etc., tend to be taken and it will be hard for you to get gigs if you’re getting confused with someone with a similar name.
Will I get paid?
It depends on the show and on your level of experience. Some shows just don’t have a budget, and you can kitten for them based on how you feel about that–it’s always fun. Most of the time you will not get paid the first several times you do it. After that, you will probably get something along the lines of tips, $20-$50. It isn’t fair for people to ask you to do it for free if you’ve been doing it a lot and they are making money. If you become a very good and adept stage kitten and highly in demand, you may get more, especially if you really dress for it and use your stage time wisely. If everyone else is getting paid, you should probably get paid too. If you are selling things for the show during intermission or before or after the show, you may get a percentage of sales.
What will I get out of it?
It’s one of the best ways to find out what really goes on in a show. You’ll learn a lot about costuming as you pick up the costume pieces and about staging as you handle the props. You’ll learn backstage etiquette quickly. You’ll get to network and meet a lot of people and get to know a lot of venues. There may be other perks as well–free dinners, free shows, swag, and other treats!
Want to see more of Jo’s etiquette columns? Check out: Making Introductions: Emcee Etiquette, Photos & Pasties, How to Annoy Producers, How to Annoy Performers, I’m Just Saying, Headliner Etiquette – Part 1, Social Media Etiquette for Nearly Naked People
DIY – Dyeing for Something Different?
Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom fashions.
I can only sew for so long. This month I am going to feature custom dyeing.
When you are a crafty gal/performer/crazy person, you tend to pick up things you think you might need in the future. Such was the case with my horde of someday-meant-to-be costume pieces. This month’s D.I.Y. will focus on custom dyeing a small item.
I had a vintage white bustier that I loved, but, never used because it looked a little too “off-the-rack” for my tastes. So, I started experimenting with dye.
Step 1: Assemble your materials. For this D.I.Y. I used a stainless steel bowl, liquid Rit dye, a disposable stir stick (I use wooden shish kabob sticks. They are cheap.), white vinegar, gloves, a teapot and the bustier.
There are a few things you should know before you begin.
A) Use a big stainless steel bowl. Plastic will stain and be ruined.
B) Rit dye reacts differently on all fabrics and needs a different activating agent depending on the type of material. Follow the directions on the side of the bottle.
C) Rit dye comes in 2 forms, powdered and liquid. I like the liquid because you do not have to use a whole bottle and you can save some for later.
Step 2: Heat the water. I use a teapot and wait until it begins to whistle, but you can use the microwave. Just make sure the water is smoking hot!
Step 3: While the water is heating, put 1/2 cup of vinegar in the bowl and add the amount of dye you think you will need. I usually use about half the bottle, but, you can use more of less depending on the shade you want. There is a lot of trial and error in this step. All fabric reacts to dye a bit differently, so do some experimenting.
Step 4: Pour the (near) boiling water into your dye/vinegar mixture slowly as to not splash dye all over your workspace. Stir.
Step 5: Wet the garment first with tap water and then gently place it in the dye mixture and start stirring immediately! Make sure you fully submerge it and get it evenly covered and then keep stirring.
Step 6: Stir.
Step 7: Stir.
Step 8: Stir some more. Basically, stir continually for about 15 minutes and then occasionally stir until you get the color you want.
Step 9: Turn on the water in the sink and GENTLY pour out the mixture.
Rinse the garment until the water runs clear. I have a porcelain sink that I use. Or better yet, use an old paint sink or something you don’t mind staining. I have been lucky so far, but this stuff can really make a mess.
Step 10: Wash and dry the garment separately and you are done!
Like I said, all fabrics take dye differently. Notice in the finished product how many different shades of blue appeared? Bottom line, dying is addictive and fun. Just make sure you have an open mind when it comes to the exact shade and you can have a blast!
I hope you are dyeing to try this!
xoxo Cora Vette
Want more DIY with Cora? Check out her work here: DIY Gauntlet Gloves, DIY Shrug, DIY Shimmy Belt, DIY G-String, Buying Vintage Patterns, DIY Pencil Skirt
Braised Corned Beef in a Mustard-Molasses Glaze
By: Kitch Coquette
See the rest of Kitch’s holiday meal in our Winter 2012 Best of Pin Curl print issue, available here.
What you need:
Aluminum foil
1 packaged corned beef with spice packet included
2 tbsp mustard (you can use any type, but I prefer a brown deli mustard)
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
What you do:
Preheat oven 225-250 degrees F.
1. Place corned beef on top of a large sheet of aluminum foil (large enough to close tightly around the corned beef).
2. Empty spice packet on top of the corned beef. Seal the aluminum foil around the beef, and place inside a baking dish.
3. Cook in oven 8-10 hours. (If lower temperature, cook for longer period of time).
4. Towards the end of the cooking time, prepare the glaze by whisking together the remaining ingredients listed above.
5. At the end of the 8-10 hours, pull the meat out of the oven, open the aluminum foil from the top, and drain off all of the liquid.
6. Put the beef, which is now nestled in the opened aluminum foil package back into the baking dish. Set the oven to 400 degrees, and baste the entire cut of beef with some of the glaze until fully covered (don’t use all of the glaze because you will baste several times).
7. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then baste again before cooking for another 5 minutes (and repeat). The idea is that you want to caramelize the glaze so that it becomes a sticky crust around the beef. Basically, you will be pulling the beef out of the oven and glazing every 5 minutes for 20 minutes.
9. Take the corned beef out of the oven and let rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes (loosely tenting the aluminum foil around the meat).
Slice meat against the grain (don’t skip this step! It must be against the grain!) and carefully transfer meat to a serving dish.
Voila! A great holiday meal for your hungry family.
Want more cooking ideas from Kitch? Try her Bacon Mashed Potatoes, Farmer’s Wife Avocado Salad, Kahlua Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, Ribs or Sponge Cake
Murray Hill (Photo: Malgorzata Saniewska)
This year marked the 10th annual New York Burlesque Festival, where they continued the tradition of awarding Golden Pasties awards to various members of the Burlesque community for their contributions. We’d like to thank the amazing Angie Pontani for providing us with the list of winners so that we could show them some love!
THE PERFORMER YOU WOULD CALL WITH YOUR ONE QUARTER FROM JAIL
MURRAY HILL (NYC)
THE PERFORMER WITH THE MOST IMAGINATIVE STAGE NAME
EVIL HATE MONKEY (NYC)
THE PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD, FOR THE PERFORMER WHO KICKS IT HARDEST IN THE GYM
BUNNY BEE (CO)
THE CUTEST GEEK IN BURLESQUE
DANGRRR DOLL (NYC)
THE PERFORMER MOST LIKELY TO START A BAR BRAWL
STORMY LEATHER (NYC)
Angie Pontani (Photo: Patrick Wade)
THE HOTTEST FRESHMAN
LOLA SPITFIRE (CO)
THE PERFORMER YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO HAVE A SLUMBER PARTY WITH
BOO BOO DARLIN (NYC)
THE CLASSIC PIN UP AWARD
BETTINA MAY (NYC)
FANCIEST FEET AWARD, FOR THE PERFORMER WITH DANCIEST MOVES
GIN MINSKY & DANDY WELLINGTON (NYC)
THE LONG HAULER AWARD, FOR THE PERFORMER MOST LIKELY TO BE STRIPPING AT 90
TEMPEST STORM (NYC)
THE TRUE BLOOD AWARD, FOR THE PERFORMER MOST LIKELY TO GLAMOUR YOU WITH TEASING EYES
ANGIE PONTANI (NYC)
MEDIANOCHE (NYC)
Peekaboo Pointe (Photo: Don Spiro)
THE BEEFCAKE BOYLESQUE AWARD
MR. GORGEOUS (NYC)
THE MACGYVER AWARD, FOR THE PERFORMER WHO CAN FIX ANY COSTUME MALFUNCTION, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE AND WITH ANYTHING
THE PERFORMER MOST LIKELY TO START A HAREM
JO BOOBS WELDON (NYC)
SEXIEST SHIMMY & COOLEST QUAKE AWARD
PEEKABOO POINTE (NYC)
PERFORMER MOST LIKELY TO SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE
JULIE ATLAS MUZ (NYC)
