Your Burlesque Questions Answered by Black Mariah

Q: What are some ways I can become a better performer? I want to get into more shows, and I’m not sure how to be more appealing to show producers. – Laina

I try not to make strict rules when it comes to burlesque. Burlesque is an art form I do not want to put in a box, as its growth and development is the very heart and soul of the creative process. The freedom to grow is exactly how great ideas become great performances. One key to performers who seem to get lots of bookings is well developed performances that are well executed. Here are some tips for giving your performances marketing potential.

Limit your props- Stage space and backstage area will vary drastically from venue to venue. The more props you include in your act, the more complex of a performer you will become. Weight and set up of your props should also be a consideration. When developing props, always remember that at the bare minimum, a stage kitten may be the only person available to set up your props. Your props need to be light and quick to set up. A kitten may have only a few moments to set your stage for you, so your props need to be light and easily moveable. If your props are in pieces and have to be put together, be responsible and do that before the show begins. Leaving prop building to your stage manager or stage diverts the production staff’s attention away from the overall execution of the entire show. Test the item for quality as well.  You and your props need to be as low maintenance as possible.

People as props-  In my experience, this is a recipe for disaster. Using random people, backstage crew, audience members, your cousin Fred, performers who have finished their number already, or anyone else who was not booked as a paid performer for your number or has rehearsed this number with you, should not be onstage in your number.

Let me explain how it looks from the audience. Everyone will see the performer who was introduced, and then another person, smiling, but has a definite look of “I have no idea what will happen next” look on their faces.  We see people who are wearing clothing or costumes that have nothing to do with your act, and as a result, it creates an uncomfortable energy in your audience feeling concern for what is actually happening. Your audience will focus on anything that clearly doesn’t appear to fit with your costume, theme or overall look.

People props will in the end, take attention, focus and the spotlight away from you and the continuity of your performance.  Keep your stage entourage to performers who have rehearsed with you extensively in your routine. Thrown together casts will only appear thrown together.

Costumes- Costumes and theatrics are what makes the show in burlesque, and separates the art form from the traditional strip club. Jo Weldon even teaches a class called “Your costume is your choreography”! Burly-q-ers should take care in selecting items for a costume, and making the item unique to the stage and to the number. Costumes should reflect the performance, and remove elegantly (there are exceptions to that statement if the idea is deliberate) and effortlessly.

The biggest mistake I see dancers make onstage is costume pieces that are underwhelming, either by being undecorated, unmatched, or worse poorly sewn (even hot glued in some cases). Your lingerie should not look like you wear it anywhere else but stage. Unique, in every aspect of a burlesque performance makes the audience feel special! Never assume your audience doesn’t care, or won’t notice haphazard costuming. They notice.

Your costume pieces are a direct reflection of the amount of time, effort, and care a dancer outs into the routine, but executing their removal is directly reflective to the amount of time a dancer spends rehearsing her routine. Grosses of rhinestones, fine satins, and excellent costume designers do not make great burlesque dancers, but practice and flawless execution do.

Editing your ideas and concepts – We all have a laundry list of ideas some born out of inspiration, special interest, or even our own personal comedic taste. I encourage every dancer to keep a small notebook handy to write down those ideas. Much like brainstorming   term paper ideas in English class, dancers should brainstorm their ideas for validity, relativity, and marketability.  Write every idea down, but go back later and edit your thoughts.

Some ideas seem brilliant at the time, but later come across as trendy, overworked, irrelevant, or only amusing in certain company. With the ideas you think may develop, consider your audience and how they will react to your performance.  Ask yourself if the concept is current or mainstream enough that your audience will understand what you are conveying. A dancer simply cannot alienate his/her audience as the connection between the dancer and the audience watching is the only reason your audience will come back.

Lastly, consider where you can perform this new concept. Concepts that are specific to holidays, seasons or audiences (sci- fi) are going to be more limited than general concepts that can be relative to any audience. I also encourage dancers to develop performances in all styles of burlesque that they can. Classical, Neo, and comedic routines in a dancers repertoire make any dancer more marketable to a producer. Offering a variety of styles for your clients or producers is much like being multilingual!

Be on time and communicate with your staff. Even I struggle with this. Make sure you arrive on time to your venue at the requested call time. Life in the big city is crazy so if you are trapped in traffic, your plane is late, you forgot your stockings and have to stop somewhere……..make sure you communicate with the appropriate staff members of your show where you are in regards to arriving to the show.

It’s not only important to the staff and the fluidity of the show, but other dancers notice tardiness as well.  You don’t want to be known as the “Hottest Mess in Burlesque”. Never leave for your show without the phone numbers for your producers or stage manager on hand. Anything can happen and being prepared to communicate in case of an unforeseen emergency is the best policy.

Make sure you communicate all of your needs, props needs, lighting cues, and send your music to the producers BEFORE the day of your show. No one likes surprises, and leaving those very important details until the day of the show is nearly a guarantee that your needs will be over looked, or miscommunicated.

The Importance of Good Make-Up Brushes

By: Ladonna Hearne

“I know that one of the most important steps in make-up application is blending.  I want to invest in a good set of make-up brushes without spending a fortune.  Have any suggestions?”  Amanda, Dallas

Dear Amanda,

You are correct!  The first step in achieving a flawless makeup application is using a good set of brushes. This is especially important for blending eye shadow. A good brush will end up doing most of the work for you!

You can find good brushes in many places- I recommend MAC, Sephora, or Coastal Scents. I have even seen some good ones from Wal-Mart and Target, but you do have to know what to look for to get a decent cheap brush. A good brush should be very soft.  You’ll want to avoid synthetic fibers as they are coarser and stiffen with use.

It is important to keep your brushes clean.  Do this by using a brush cleaner, which can be purchased pretty much anywhere makeup is sold, or use a mild shampoo and water.  Rinse well. When immersing your brushes in water, always keep the bristles pointed down and lay them flat to dry. This prevents water from getting into the ferrel- the metal part of the brush holding the bristles.

On a limited budget, you can get away with just five brushes.

My top five essential brushes are:

Foundation –

MAC 116 brush – use this firm but fluffy brush in a circular buffing motion to blend   foundation seamlessly into skin.  For areas that need more coverage, use a pressing motion then blend with the tip.

Eye shadow –

MAC 224 brush – This is the best brush for blending eye shadow as you apply it!  Use a tight buffing motion combined with a back and forth windshield wiper motion. You can get a lot of detail with this brush by controlling the amount of bristles that touch the skin.

MAC 239 brush – this brush is great for controlled and dramatic application of shadow on the lid and blending the lower lash line.

Eyebrows and Liner-

MAC 266 brush – Helps create precise perfect eyebrows or use to define the lower lash line by “stamping” shadow between the lower lashes. You can also use this brush with liquid and crème liners.

Lip Brush! – Any lip brush makes a huge difference with control and precision of lipstick, especially with bright and dark colors

The Tape Dilemma

By: Black Mariah

How do you apply pasties?

I think the only real point that will never have one answer between burlesque dancers is “how do you keep your pasties on?” The answers will range from Flash tape, eyelash glue, spirit gum, toupee tape, and the list grows every year I spend in the world of burlesque.

I have attended many shows, many conversations in the dressing rooms, many “pastie rescue efforts”, and one thing I do know, is as many answers as exist to the pastie dilemma question, whatever choice a dancer uses, they stick to it. (no pun intended. Ok it was intended)

I have only decided that the reason for the variety in adhesive usage is A) availability of products and B) skin types and their reaction to adhesives.

Liquid adhesives like Liquid Latex (which is also known as eyelash glue) and spirit gum, and medical glue are favored by many dancers. The disadvantage to these is the drying time. In the need of quick pastie changes, drying time cannot be an issue for a dancer’s changing regiment. Another point to consider is skin allergies. Although people can be allergic to virtually anything these days, a latex allergy is a very common allergy, and must be considered when choosing an adhesive.

The other types of adhesives are the tape style adhesives. These are adhesives that come in a solid double sided sheet type form, and are applied to the pastie, then a wax backing is removed to expose a sticky side which adheres to the skin. The tape style adhesives vary greatly in their adherence and composition. Flash tape, toupee tape, carpet tape, medical adhesive (the tape form), and many others are all adhesives used to apply a pastie. Testing products to see what works best with your particular skin type is essential to becoming a happy pastie wearer.

Make sure that whatever adhesive you choose does not take skin off when you remove the pastie, (think cheap bandaids! OUCH!) look for swelling, itching, hives or sever redness while wearing the adhesive, as all of these are signs of skin allergies or sensitivity to the adhesive.

When you apply your adhesive, apply the adhesive to the outer ring of the inside of the pastie that makes contact with your skin. Make sure your skin is clean and dry when applying the pastie, free from lotions or body oils as the adhesive will not stick when oil is present. The nipple area is sensitive and thin skinned so avoid placing adhesive where it may make contact with the nipple itself (center of the pastie). Those of you with nipple piercings will also want to avoid adhesive that will make contact with your jewelry. Pulling off the pastie when it is adhered to jewelry could cause trauma to the pierced skin.  If you have exhausted every possibility of adhesives and your pastie is still coming off, then resort to putting tape adhesive all over the pastie. Do not try this method with liquid adhesive as the center of the pastie will not dry while the outside will dry. Also avoid liquid adhesives if you have piercings as wet adhesive can seep into the piercing and cause lots of issues and even infection. When removing the pastie take care and gently pull the pastie off starting on one side and pulling towards the opposite side. If the adhesive requires a remover (spirit gum) be sure to use that to remove your pastie. If you should receive battle scars or irritation from pastie removal (this will happen with repeated pastie changes in a short time) apply Neosporin or some type of triple antibiotic cream to the area that is irritated until healed. And certainly don’t cover it with a band aid!

Here are some brands you can look for to try their adhesives.

Braza bra “Flash Tape’ comes in a 30’ roll of double sided tape.Can be found at local dancer shops as well as online.

Top Stick Men’s grooming tape- toupee tape this can be found at beauty supply stores and wig shops. Top stick comes in 1×3 strips. Top Sol which is made by the same company comes in a roll, and is virtually the same product.

Double sided tape from TheBreastFormstore.com This tape is pressure sensitive and heat sensitive, becoming more secure the harder it is pressed into the skin and the longer it is worn.

Duo lash glue- get clear, the dark tone will dry black.  Can be found at beauty supply stores and drugstores in the beauty supply section.

Liquid Latex- can be found online as well as local sex shops in various sized containers.

Spirit Gum/ Spirit Gum remover- sold by Ben Nye or any theatrical supply company. This product can be found online or at local costume or theatrical suppliers.

Medical adhesive/removers- can be found online through medical suppliers. Searching locally could prove to be a hard sought adventure.

Want to get the dramatic smokey eye look in just 5 minutes? This video starts with explaining that the holidays are coming, but burlesque starlets and glamour gals don’t need to wait for the holidays for dramatic make-up!

Cyan Banister, founder of Zivity.com talks safety nets for models.

Too often, female models don’t understand their rights nor do they feel confident to say “no” to a photographer when asked to do a compromising pose.  

One of the most pervasive misconceptions about a photo shoot is that the model is in control. The reality is, too often the model releases creative control when she signs the contract. Any questions or input asked of the model during the shoot are merely perfunctory.

Furthermore, any photo taking during the shoot can be published – even if the photographer says “it’s just for fun,” or will “never be used.” More This is why models need to understand how they can regain control of photo sets. I’ve worked in the business for years, as a model, photographer and businesses owner. As a result, I have a strong understanding of each professional’s viewpoint. Here are my five recommendations for models:

1)    Ask questions about the contract. Most photographers don’t want you signing something you don’t understand. Therefore, you should ask questions about any part of the contract you don’t understand. If the photographer can’t provide a satisfactory answer, it should be removed from the contract.

2)    Sign in advance.  Don’t sign the contract on the day of the shoot, there is too much pressure and too many activities competing for your attention. You should review and sign the contract in advance of the shoot.

3)    Ask about nudity. If you don’t want to be in a nude shoot, explain this up front and discuss the details of your limitations with your photographer prior to the shoot. This should be a written addendum or corrections to the contract you are signing.

4)    Know your limits. Before the shoot, spend time thinking about what poses you will say yes to and what you won’t. Then, be prepared to walk out.

5)    Bring a friend. You should always have a business partner, friend or anyone you trust at the shoot. It is hard to know in the moment if you are being put in a difficult situation, but a friend can be a second set of eyes and can pull you aside if something doesn’t seem right.

Festivals and Competition

Part of the “Ask a Burlesque Entertainer” Series with Black Mariah

I have been applying to festivals and I am not having much luck getting into them. Any tips on raising my chances for getting my application accepted into festivals? “Cindy”, Texas

Festivals are becoming more and more competitive as the number of Burlesque performers and the popularity of burlesque itself reaches unheard of levels! If you are applying to festivals and not having much luck getting in, don’t fret, and certainly don’t get down on yourself as a performer! Rejection is hard, but you can use the experience to learn and reflect on yourself as a performer. This is how we grow!

First, when you find a festival or burlesque competition of which you would like to apply, go to the website and read through everything. Consider your expenses to participate beginning with the application fee if any. Currently, there aren’t any festivals which will offer to cover travel expenses for their applicants. If the travel is simply not something you could make right now, don’t apply. Acceptance to the festival without the finances to complete the journey is simply irresponsible. There are no burlesque fairy godmothers and although many festivals may offer an honorarium, the honorarium is generally about the amount of the local pay for a performance, and usually not enough to cover even your hotel expenses.

Next, read through the festival’s website entirely. Beginning with the festival’s “about” section and continue onto the showcase description to get an idea of what type of performances the producers are looking to book. Look for clue terms like “Classic” or “traditional”, even “vaudevillian”, “neo-burlesque”. Some festivals focus on particular styles of burlesque, while other welcome any style and even leave room for supporting acts a la true Vaudevillian showcase. When you find exactly what the festival is focused on, consider if you have a routine which fits into the festival’s focus.

Read through the application and make sure you have and send everything that is required to apply. Make a checklist! Core requirements for submission will always be a high res photo (300 dpi is high res), the application filled out entirely, and a bio of you or your group, as well as an MP3 of your music. I cannot stress the importance of filling out your application entirely and sending the files requested EXACTLY as the producers ask for them. Leaving information blank without a reason or ignoring required files gives the impression that you don’t care enough to give the information, or worse, that you or your intended routine isn’t ready. There will be tons of applications filled out completely with routines finished and ready to perform. Leaving questions blank or required items off of the application will only make other complete applications a better candidate.

Many festivals are requiring video of your intended performance now. Video is getting much easier to capture and upload with the invention of the oh-so-chic and portable “flash video camcorders” video camera with moderate memory and can place the video on a computer with just a USB cable. No software required. If you are having trouble getting video in a reasonable, upload capable format, then investing $200 or less in one of these cameras will make your life much easier. There is much debate over the success of applicants based on the environment the video is shot. As a recent producer of a show, I can say for certain that as long as the routine is complete, the costume and prop is present and working, and the sound is reasonable, a good producer can get a good idea if you are festival material. Live shows are thought to be preferred for submissions by many due to the crowd reaction and the energy a performer inevitably turns on when in front of an audience. In theory, this sounds correct, but so much can interfere with a live video that could hinder, rather than help your chances. Crowd cheers can interfere with the sound clarity, that guy, at any show, who’s head magically appears in front of the lens in the one good video you have of your routine, blackouts and club light that changes intensity can make the camera focus hit or miss, or even technical problems with a show, just to name a few. Unless you know some video software savvy individuals who are willing to help you shoot on pro equipment, edit video or dub sound on the cheap, just submit the best video you have of you performing your routine to the best of your ability. If you film the routine in a studio, perform the number as if it were a live show, with full hair and make-up, all props and costumes present and in use for the video.

Also, filming location should be at the most professional level you can afford. A dance studio is ideal if you cannot manage a live stage shoot with an audience. If you have an open space in your home, that is fine as well as long as there are no other distractions in the video which will not be in your routine. Pets, furniture, ringing telephones, noise from appliances (TVs), commentary from the videographer or any vocalization from off camera, and especially CHILDREN are undesirable inclusions to a submission video.

Look at applying for festivals as though you were applying for a high paying job. Dress your best, bring a portfolio of the most amazing routines, and give them everything they ask for. If you give the producers everything they need to consider you, you can wait for the answer with confidence. If you still aren’t accepted as a performer, re-evaluate your submission and your performance portfolio and work for the next year on making your submission routines better and more desirable to a producer.

Lastly, should you be accepted into a festival, make sure you submit everything asked by the required deadlines. If for some reason, you are unable to meet your deadline, call or email the producer to let them know the hold up and the next opportunity you will be able to send your file. Communication with your producer is crucial for repeat booking.

In the boudoir with Dayla

Your sex questions answered by the lovely Dayla, Passion Party Consultant

What are anal beads and how do they work? Becky, Kansas

Dear Becky,
Anal beads are beads of various sizes attached by a string and a ring that prevent them from being dislodged and lost in space. They are inserted into the anus one at a time during sex and then removed at various speeds to heighten orgasm.

And folks, there is a reason anal toys are some of my best sellers. The sphincter contains many nerve endings that can be extremely pleasurable with pressure or stimulation. Anal beads come in various sizes. Beginners often prefer the smaller varieties, while others enjoy the intensity of larger ones. The key to using them is lubrication and relaxation. Don’t be scared of the anal beads! Just don’t rip them out like you are trying to start a lawn mower, and you will be ok. And remember clean well with a body safe toy cleaner like Passion Parties “Clean and Simple.” And note that now there are more hygienic and easier to clean versions that are now made with silicon or plastic like the Passion Party Love Wand or the Pleasure Anchor.

Your Sex Questions Answered by the Lovely Dayla Cox, Passion Party Consultant

Some say love…

“My vagina lips are long. Is this normal? I am so embarrassed.”
Molly, Arizona

Dear Molly,

Just like penises and nipples, V-Jays come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. A vagina with long lovely lips is referred to by some as a “Full Blown Rose” and is a fetish for some people. Some women even claim a higher sex drive that they contribute to more nerve endings. So in other words, nothing is wrong with you. Nothing at all…

Got a question for our resident sexpert? Send them to Dayla c/o editor@pincurlmag.com

Amanda Brooks shares with us five books about love, romance and sex! Perfect for those in or out of a relationship.

Gone With the Wind
There was never a heroine like Scarlet O’Hara. Scarlet is livelier on the page of this sweeping tale about misplaced passion than most people in real life. And you’ll be wishing for a Rhett Butler to pursue you through war, marriages, death, poverty and fortune. They had sizzling sex, she fit herself in 17-inch corsets and the book’s ending is probably the most famously ambiguous ending of all time. She loves Ashley (arguably more than herself), Rhett loves her, Melanie loves her, Ashley loves Melanie and most of all she loves Tara – the plantation she grew up on and fights for. You’ll be sorry when the book ends because there is no sequel by Margaret Mitchell.

Harold and Maude
One of the quirkiest love stories around, it’s funny and memorable and very real. Harold loves Maude and Maude loves life. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll wish you knew Maude too.

The Scarlet Pimpernel
A swashbuckling tale told from the woman’s perspective. Though intrigue and the French Revolution is the background, the real story is a beautiful, caustic Frenchwoman single-handedly saving her marriage and realizing the love of her life. It doesn’t get any more romantic than this!

Kushiel’s Dart
Another romantic thriller through the eyes of a woman, though this woman is just a little bit different. Trained as a spy AND courtesan, Phedre falls in love (quite a few times, actually) and saves her country. Her determination reminded one reviewer of Scarlet (see above), though Phedre is slightly less self-centered. There are battles and queens and gorgeous men, amazing tattoos, beautiful clothes, lots of sizzling sex and a society that celebrates prostitution. Not to mention one of the best villains ever — Melisande.

Memoirs of a Geisha
Not only a journey through the world of geisha, one of the sweetest, most aching love stories. Though the account is fictionalized, the female voice is so very real. Suri loves The Chairman and no one else from the time she is 9 years old. Will she ever get his attention and win his heart? Everything else is almost beside the point (in her mind) as she pursues her one dream through debt bondage, cruel inter-geisha politics, war and rebuilding her shattered life.

With: Black Mariah

Recently, I discovered that many of you ladies are having difficulty applying your false eyelashes, or worse, won’t wear any at all, because you are not confident in applying your lashes. Consider this article your “falsies for newbies” guide to applying eyelashes properly and safely.

1. To apply eyelashes on your own, first begin by washing your face with a PH balanced, oil free cleanser of your choice. Pat your face dry with a towel and do not moisturize your face just yet. Your lashes should be the first item you apply in your make-up ritual.

2. Take your lashes out of the package and remove them both from their seats on the insert. Lay each eyelash on the insert you just pulled it from (this helps keep the lashes from being placed on the wrong eyelid). If you need to make your lashes smaller, this is the time to do so. Lashes are made larger as you can make them smaller, but never larger. To reduce the size of the lash, use small detailing scissors and snip in 1/8” increments from the inside of the lash that sits closest to the nose.

3. Pick up your lash and pinch the lash tips between your fingers in your non-dominant hand, exposing the lash band towards your face. With your lash glue tube in your dominant hand, place the tip of the glue at one end of the lash band and squeeze gently until the glue comes out of the tip. Run a thin line of glue along the band of the lash to the opposite end. Lay the lash down with the glued lash band facing up, and repeat with the other lash. When both lashes have glue applied, pick up the first lash on which you applied glue. The glue needs 15-30 seconds to cure which is why you place glue on both lashes before applying so work diligently.

4. Grab the lash by the lash tips and close the eye you are will apply the lash onto. Remember, that the lash band is going to be placed just above the eyelash line! Do not place your lash on your lash hairs! Removing eyelash glue from hair is next to impossible and very painful. Center the lash where you want it to stay and press the center of the band into the center of the eyelid, then press the edges down out towards the ends of the lash around the curve of your lid to the edges. Hold the ends for about 10 -15 seconds. When you let go, the lash should stay against your lid. If not continue to hold another 5 seconds. Repeat with the other eye.

5. When you are finished, feel free to then moisturize and continue with your regular make-up regiment. Try not to be distracted by your new divine peepers while you work. You have a show to get ready for!

Next month, individual lashes with visual help!

Send your burning burlesque questions Black Mariah c/o editor@pincurlmag.com