How to Get Into Burlesque

Recently I had an old friend from waaay back in the day ask me how can she get into doing burlesque. In answer to her I decided to blog about it. The easiest way to start burlesque is to take a fun class from a sassy instructor. There are classes all over America in the large cities, you just have to google it.  In the class you will learn to bump and to grind you hips to the beat, how to sloooowly peel off an article of clothing, you'll learn how to find your stage persona. You will be guided week by week on how to create your first striptease, by an expert. This is what I did, my mentor and now friend is the amazing Bombshell Betty. Get some guts and sign up, you don't have to go up on stage if you don't want to, but going to class will bring you some excitement and fun. And in the end if you do want to get up on that stage you will be dazzling from what you learned in class.

I suggest you go to some burlesque shows in your area. During intermission or after the show ask a performer you enjoyed watching, where she learned her craft or if she is a teacher. Many performers are very friendly and happy to talk to you. Also, there are many forms of burlesque, so going to shows will help you get an idea of what style appeals to you. And on top of that, a lot of people don't fully understand what burlesque is..... all the better to go to a local show to see first hand what it's all about.

If you are in a town without a burlesque scene of its own, what's a girl to do? I say get out there and start it yourself. Youtube burlesque and watch and learn. Take some dance classes just to learn movement, and music. You can google different costumes ideas. And practice. practice, practice. Once you have an act, start going to venues that host variety shows, and bands, that's the kind of place where you will be performing. Another idea is to befriend bands, you could learn an act to one or two of their songs and when they book a venue, there you go. Be creative and don't give up. Just remember to ask about the level of nudity allowed, I don't know the laws so learn them yourself. I do know that where a place has a liquor license, you must not show nipples and something about butt crack not showing too much.....

Here are a few links to burlesque schools. The only one I can say is worth going to is Bombshell Bettys, but that's because I went to her class, and she is amazing at what she does. If you are in San Francisco area take the classes from her!

 These are just links I found thru google.


California Burlesque Classes;
San Francisco~ 1 .http://www.bombshellbetty.net/
                         2. http://www.redhotsburlesque.com
                         3. http://www.truvytrollop.com/    (workshops only)

LA~http://fishnetfollies.com/

San Diego~1. http://www.oohlaladancecompany.com/index2.php?v=v1
                  2.San Diego Burlesque Classes & Paries by Mimi Le Meaux~

	mimilemeaux@gmail.com

                  3.  http://www.hellonheelsburlesque.com/

Orange County/ Temecula~ http://www.ocburlesque.com/

New York Burlesque Classes;

                  New York~ http://www.schoolofburlesque.com/classes.shtml

Portland, Oregon Burlesque Classes;

                 1. http://rosecityschoolofburlesque.com/classes/

 Seattle, Washington Burlesque Classes;

                1. www.academyofburlesque.com

                2. http://www.oldschoolpinups.com/kindergartenofbu.html

Colorado Burlesque Classes;

               Fort Collins ~ 1. http://www.juliadiverdi.com/html/burlesqueclasses.html

               Denver~        1. http://viviennevavoom.com/

Columbus, Ohio Burlesque Classes~ http://www.vivavalezz.com/main.php?p=cba

London, England Burlesque Classes~ http://www.burlesquebaby.com/

Amazing, Drool Worthy Rhinestone Shoes

I have been a very busy bee these days. Doing what you may ask? I've been putting little rhinestones, one by one on shoes. Why am I doing this you may ask? To make AMAZING drool worthy rhinestone, incredibly sparkly shoes.

So I'm going to tell you how I did it. First you need rhinestines. On these shoes I'm using SS16 (thats the size) and the color is aurora borealis. This are a rainbow of colors, just like the real thing in the night sky. They are stunning. If you are going to take the time to make rhinestone shoes, invest in quality rhinestones. You don't have to get swaroski crystals, but please don't get plastic.

This is my bucket of rhinestones. I love to look at it. There are several thousand here. You'll need them.

Next, dump a few rhinestones into a shallow container. Here I put them in a lid. This is key to being able to dab at them.

 Things you'll need to make your life MUCH easier. Rubber eraser, this is what you'll use to pick up the stone.

Another tool you'll need is a narrow, thin paint brush.

 Stick some rubber eraser onto the blunt end of the paint brush.

 See how you dab the stone to pick it up? You want to pick up the shiny, curved, stone part. Not the flat black side.

 Next you paint on your glue. I use a glue called Gem-Tac. You can get it at arts- n-craft store (but wasn't able to find it at Michaels) and fabric store. After you get the glue on the shoe, you place to flat side onto the shoe. These should be placed as close as possible. I know one fabulous lady (Bombshell Betty) who even sprinkles glitter inbetween the stones! Whew! Thats a lot of work.

Don't worry about the glue, it dries clear.

Rhinestone close up!!

Here are the amazing shoes. The first show I wore them to, when I got off stage, I was bombarded by so many different women commenting about my shoes, how much they love them & want them & where I got them & how much they cost......and, and , and!

These babys dazzle on stage!

xoxo

Dangerous Delilah

Photo Fun.

Just Talk to Me

I've had two brief relationships since I've included burlesque in my life. The first, the guy loved burlesque shows. He took pictures, helped me, took me to all the shows, chatted with the regular men and women that were around. But he always asked, 'when would I be quitting?' Some how he came up with the idea that I would quit in 5 years....not sure where this came from, but I didn't dispute it. The relationship ended and I was alone in my little burlesque world for a long time.

Then I met man number 2.  I told him on our first date that I was a burlesque dancer, he was interested and seemed to understand what burlesque was. One night he sweetly came over and help me glitter some flowers for my hair. He came to a few shows and seemed to enjoy himself. Then BAM!! out of no where he dumps me and blames it on the fact that he is uncomfortable with his girlfriend getting naked in front of strangers.

It's fine. I understand a lot of people have a hard time with dating a burlesque dancer. It takes someone strong and confident in themselves, and a lot of trust. What makes me pissed off is that I have been lead to believe that these two men were okay with the whole burlesque thing when in reality they weren't. 

I'm all about communication. Tell me what bothers you, I sure as hell will! There is nothing wrong with talking to the person you care about. Especially when it comes to something like burlesque. It's its own unique world that is hard to understand.

For me the reality is.....I would love to find someone lovely that accepts burlesque or is worth giving up burlesque for.

xo

Dangerous Delilah

A Class with Satan's Angel

Last Sunday was a beautiful sunny day. That doesn't happen often in San Francisco. You know what else doesn't happen in SF? Satan's Angel. But, it happened. Last Sunday I took her class. It was a beautiful day.

I didn't know what to expect. I didn't do my research about Satan, before I went. I knew she is a burlesque legend. And that was enough for me to sign up for the class. I'm so glad I did. She started off talking about herself, how she got into burlesque. Then she got real. The beautiful Angel laid it out for us. And I learned a lot.

I'm not qualified to tell you what I learned, you just have to take her class to find out. She was honest in away we, as dancers that get naked, need to hear. When I perform I ask friends; dancers and non dancers who are close to me, how I can improve. The answer is always "you were great!" This is very sweat, but not helpful. Satan, has never seen me dance and more than likely never will, but she was able to help me with her tips.

She was encouraging in the old classic style of burlesque, which is right up my ally.  A great quote of the night came when she was talking about burlesque schools. She never took a class or went to a school.

       "If you know how to screw, you know how to bump and grind."

Isn't that awesome. The whole afternoon was like that, wonderful.

Satan made a good point when she said to take classes from the legends of burlesque. They are not going to be around  long and once they are gone, no one will replace them.  I have now met two burlesque legends; Tempest Storm and Satan's Angel, I know I have so much to learn from these beautiful women.

At one point she talked about stage names. She was talking about how she thought some names would never work and were not a burlesque name. I was curious to see what she would say or not say about my name when I introduced myself. I was so happy when she said "that's a great name." Yeah!Whoot whoot!!!

 Let me tell you. If you ever have an opportunity to take a class from Satan's Angel, do it, don't miss out.
Thank you Dottie Lux for hosting this amazing woman.

Her ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Angels-Desert-Oasis
Her website: http://www.satansangel.com/

xoxo
Dangerous Delilah

I'm in an Article !

http://sf.untappedcities.com/2011/09/09/suits-to-sequins-burlesque-in-san-francisco/                      

My friend Vanessa Chan wrote a wonderful article on a side of burlesque that the dancers live with everyday, but no on talks too much about. I know for me the subject is something I think about everyday and I may have to deal with at some point. Read the article. It's about career women who are deciding to be burlesque dancers and the consequences they face if it is found out. 

It is so well written and the photography by Green La Fleur is the topping on the cake. There is a beautiful photo of me too!

Go and enjoy the read.

xo
Dangerous Delilah

I'm a little bit drunk tonight

I have been drinking on a Tuesday night. This never happens. I'm responsible and never drink during the week. Tonight was an exception,  as I met up with old friends that I love a lot. It was fun.

As I sit here in the dark of my living room, with  slight glaze to my eye and a soft swirl in my head. I realise how much I've been missing burlesque. I have taken a short break, my first one for quite awhile. My paycheck required a break as I headed off to the far off  land of Costa Rica. I have taken 2 months off from performing.

My oh my how I miss it, but besides that I have started to feel less creative. The thought process and the rush of creating a new idea has left me. This is not a good feeling. As I think of ways to counter act this feeling I have come up with..... 1) hunting for a new song to do an act to. 2) I need inspiration and the easiest way to do this is to go and watch some shows. 3) I need to hunt on youtube, seeing these lady's are so inspiring.

my head is fuzzy. I want to dance and I have a song stuck in my head. This is good, this the start.

xo
Dangerous Delilah