Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend- Friday: Wisdom

Having the honor of accompanying Holiday to Vegas means I also have the honor of meeting and spending time with many of the Living Legends of burlesque. The Legends are inspiring- to put it mildly. They are courageous, strong women who built burlesque as a performance art and truly were the innovators of this movement. Even today, the women have the same qualities I imagine were the ones necessary to pioneer a new form of dance and I have learned something from each and every Legend I have met, if not through words, through their way of being (although Lottie the Body did scold me on my posture the moment we finished shaking hands).

On Friday I took a rhinestone jewelry making class from Legend Big Fannie Annie and not only learned to solder rhinestone jewelry, but also learned countless tricks to the trade. These sage words of advice slid easily off her tongue- “Oh did you know you can clean your eyelashes like this?” “Honey, all you gotta do is pin it like that” “If you make it like this, it will be ten times bigger and brighter”. Some of the advice may seem simple at first, but the wisdom of the Legends stems from common sense knowledge that can only come from years of experience.

Friday night’s show featured the Legends and as they graced the stage, each act made me rethink what I thought I knew about burlesque (which fortunately isn’t much!). Judith Stein’s blend of humor and dance showed me that the right expressions could enchant an audience forever. Marinka’s use of the curtain, which she caressed, stroked, and grinded against, taught me resourcefulness. Tiffany Carter’s effortlessness coupled with her enthusiasm proved that to own the stage, you must love it first.

After intermission was the Burlesque Walk of Fame, where Legend after Legend was honored on stage to a roar of applause. Watching these bold women graciously take the stage, and remembering their laughter, lightheartedness, and wit back stage, it occurred to me that all these women took the strength and power needed to forge a movement and projected that to the audience, while remaining true to themselves. Each Legend was her own performer, yet woven through them was a groundedness and confidence that radiated on stage and are qualities I hope, someday, to have just a little bit of.

Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend- Thursday: Joy

Two months ago one of my dearest friends asked me if I wanted to go to a burlesque “convention” (for lack of a better word) in Las Vegas as an escort for Holiday O’Hara, one of the Living Legends of burlesque. Of course I did- but after only 6 months of performing I couldn’t imagine this opportunity being mine! However, it turns out this opportunity was for me and two months later I am in Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend with Holiday, a person I have grown to respect, love, and consider a friend and mentor.

When we arrived on Wednesday the hotel sparkled, but not yet glittered, with performers. We were there, but we weren’t quite everywhere. Thursday, it seemed as if someone had taken the cap off the glitter, gave it a good blow, but hadn’t shaken out the bottle yet. Today, Friday, I imagine, the bottle will be shaken, flung, and strewn all over the hotel, as more and more performers, fans, and supporters arrive from all over the world.

Thursday’s performance was Movers, Shakers, and Innovators of Burlesque and it featured some of the best of neo-burlesque pushing boundaries and breaking ground in the modern burlesque movement. What doesn’t someone learn from watching experienced performers on stage? Everything from costumes, facial expressions, makeup, dance moves, props, entrance/exit, and character whirled through my head, but what last night’s performance really taught me was joy.

Performing burlesque is joy to me. The entire process, from conception and costuming, to character development and choreography touches a creative nerve that brings me to a new kind of life. While I am developing an act some deep reservoir of happiness explodes and the whole world is seen through rhinestone-studded eyes. Watching performers who I know were under the same spell as I am was a whole new level of happiness.

In the beginning I cheered, I talked the girl next to me, I was on the edge of my seat, feeling like a small town girl seeing a Broadway marquee for the first time. As the night went on my admiration, appreciation, astonishment, and awe for everything these performers brought to the stage moved me into a new form of joy. I understood what it was like to truly be an audience member. To watch, feel, and receive from the performer and to take what the performer gives me.  It dawned on me that the joy I put into creating an act is the joy the audience receives, that the feeling of supreme happiness is a performer’s gift to the audience.

I realized I want to give it, I can’t wait to give it, and when I give it- I’m going to give it hard.

Pushing Boundaries, Off Stage

Andi Stardust/ Photo by Green Le Fleur

Tonight my friend and I had planned to go out and get down on a much-needed date with the queer scene. Only problem: after a day of dental surgery and babysitting my friend was burnt. Facing the option of going out alone (and meeting some people I knew vaguely) or calling it a night, I felt myself crawl into the same hole of anxiety I felt when I first came out. Did I belong there? Would I be welcomed? Is it crazy (or cruisey?) to show up alone? Will I look like a loser if I dance by myself?

Facing these all too familiar jaunts at my, normally, healthy self-esteem I took a moment to really remember how it feels to be on stage, the music lifting me, the dance pushing out of my finger tips, and all eyes on me because I am dancing by myself.  I remember my muppet head, my astronaut helmet, my udder fans, and all my acts that have pushed the boundaries of sexy and remind myself that burlesque is pushing boundaries. Whether you take off a single glove or strip down to pasties and a g-string, taking your clothes off as art is outside of what most people are capable of. So why was it so easy for me to push boundaries on-stage but not in my own life?

I would like to think being on stage is wearing the ultimate mask; the separation between the audience and myself makes it feel safe to be vulnerable. It is easy to push boundaries because I tell myself it isn’t me. But, in truth, being on stage is the ultimate unmasking; when I perform I am showing people who I am beyond what they see day to day. The “separation” between the audience and myself is truly only a physical one and it isn’t Andi Stardust pushing the boundaries- it is me.

The Stardust part of myself is still teaching me, showing me, and pushing me. Tonight, faced with an old path or new direction, I decide to call Ms. Stardust in and let her take the lead. Whatever she is made of is mine, and let me tell you, when Andi Stardust dances by herself- she is no loser.

Making Feather Fans: Part 1

My first set of feather fans in action!

When I decided to do a fan dance I was shocked at the cost of pre made fans. Sure they were pretty, but it’s got to sing, dance, and pour me a shot of whiskey for $130 a fan. Although always up for a craft-challenge, I was intimidated by the prospect of making fans, especially because I had never even seen a feather fan up close! Now to make one?

After many hours of research I finally found beautiful, yet affordable, materials to make a set of fans I have received many compliments on and have already used in an act and photo shoot. All with only a glue gun and bit of creativity!

My hope is that this information will make it easier for other thrifty performers to make their own feather fans. The prices I quote are the ones I paid- I’m not sure if this is tacky, but at least you’ll get a sense of your budget!

Part 1: Gathering Your Materials

Find Your Feathers!

The recommended feathers for fans are male ostrich wings. These apparently have the best shape and texture for fans- but they are pricey. I also read fans look fuller and more luxurious with several layers of feathers. For my first fan dance I made two sets of fans, one set from high quality male plumes and the other from defective drabs. I will present both options that can be tailored for your budget.

High Quality Plumes- www.ostrich.com

This was the best price for the quality I found.  To keep my costs low I ordered 13-17” inch feathers (a bit smaller than typical fan feathers) and paid $2.55/feather. The feathers come in a range of colors and I was extremely happy with the quality. The price is based on the quantity of feathers you order, so if possible, order with a group and the price will go down.

Pro: The company cut the feathers so they were all the same length, making it far easier to position on the staves and gave the fans an overall polished look

Con: Shipping is expensive (almost $20!) and it took over 2 weeks for my feathers to arrive. They were, however, worth the wait.

Defective Drabs-  Lamp Light Feathers

For my second set of fans I ordered defective drabs, size 12-19”, $15.00 for 25 feathers ($0.60/feather). Although not nearly as soft and full as the male plumes, with some creative placement, the drabs looked surprisingly full. If you are willing to invest the time, you can trim, shape, and layer the feathers to create a nice looking fan. The drabs can also be used as filler feathers behind your higher quality feathers for a fuller fan.

Pro: Great price on shipping ($6 flat rate) and I received my items within a week!

Con: These feathers are defective. Translation: they have bits missing from them, range in size and shape, and a few had color variations. You will have to spend more time grooming the feathers to be fan ready.

Oh the choices!

Step 2: Staves!

For staves I went to Chinatown. After neurotically combing the neighborhood for an hour for the perfect fan to tear apart, at the relief of my poor girlfriend, I found my dream staves at Far East Flea Market Liquidation Center (729 Grant Avenue) for $0.99 each.

Be sure to count the number of staves on the fan. They are not consistent and can range from 11-13 per fan. Also, check the length of each stave, I found inconsistencies in the length and width of the staves.

Side note: If, after stave hunting, you find yourself craving a delicious treat, I highly recommend Golden Gate Bakery (1029 Grant Avenue) for egg tarts, a pastry originating from Hong Kong. Enter at your own risk- you will leave with a box of pastries.

Step 3: Boas, satin, paint or glitter!

Stylistically you will need to decide how you want to finish off the fans and cover the empty space left on the staves. I used marbou boas (you can get these at any craft store or online at Lamp Light Feathers) to cover the ugly bits. Others ideas are covering the staves with satin, velvet, or fabric (then adding rhinestones or gems!), painting the staves, or even glittering them for an sparkly punch! It all depends on your act and what type of personality you want your fans to have.

Step 4: Buy lots of glue sticks- you will need them!

Coming up: Making Feather Fans Part 2: Assembling Your Fans

Bowie

Tonight is David Bowie Trannyshack at the DNA Lounge and all I can think is Bowie, Bowie Bowie. As my stage name implies, I am a huge David Bowie fan, not only for his music, but also his visually striking, rule breaking iconic style. Although Ziggy’s futuristic and sci-fi execution was groundbreaking , and lets be honest Bowie’s bulge in Labyrinth  was as unforgettable as that lightning bolt, my favorite Bowie-look is the crisp, suit-clad Bowie dipped in a touch of androgyny. These are some of my favorite and inspirational Bowies:

Flawless

Okay- not in a suit but still so good

And then I started a blog!

I’ve wanted to start a blog for quite a while and here I finally am! I hope this blog will be both fun and informative for those who read it and will provide another perspective in the burlesque scene. I have never been a blogger before so I am excited yet nervous about this new undertaking. More posts to come soon! In the meantime check out the What is a Dirty Femme and About sections to find out more about this blog and what I plan on yammering on about.