Last night was my first time performing again after Finnegan's birth. I spent the entire day before hand nervous and frustrated, realizing that non of my old costumes fit me any longer, and hating how different my body was.
I tore through my house looking for my favorite waist cincher corset...which by the way is the ONLY corset that still fits me.
A fellow performer and friend Miss Elaine Yes came over to watch Finnegan so my sweetie could come and watch/support me. She gave us a ride to the show with Finni strapped into a carseat, he started crying as I got out of the car. I have to say walking into the club and away from my crying baby was the second hardest thing i have ever done, short of the birth itself.
Getting ready in a cold hallway, mix up on music, great crowd. Its amazing what has left an impression. As much as I was excited to get back onto the stage and perform my two new pieces I was also dying to get back home to my baby.
Every costume piece down to my pasties was new, save my one corset. I am going to have to start building all new costumes and thus all new acts. Being brought back to square one is both frustrating and exciting. Wiping the slate clean and starting anew may give me the fresh wind I have been looking for.
I got fantastic applause, had fun and was able to leave after my last act to get home to my baby.
This is going to be an interesting adventure, one I am happy to be having. I think every performance will be easier after this!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sparkles and Spit-up
My entire life I wanted to be on stage. At five I was dragging adults to park auditoriums so I could put on a show that some might have considered more of a hostage situation than the friendly family outing. All through school I was in every play I could get involved in, and in highschool I started learning Bellydancing from a woman who lived just down the street from my school.
Loving bright colors, sparkles, and everything vintage its no surprise to my family that I found myself sneaking into the burlesque scene.
Being a baby burlesque performer, only dancing for 2 years, I find myself always looking for new ways to push forward. So far my only set back has been finances and contacts. Contacts you build through performing, volunteering, taking classes, and going to shows.
Finances however have been the main problem I have faced, so coming up with creative solutions is the key. From putting on a show with a shoestring budget to coming up with acts I either already have costumes for or can find/make the components for under 20.00 has never been easy, though it has been fun (at times). Unfortunately my costuming skills are still in the crawling stage. I can hot glue gun like a wild west sharp shooter, but my sewing skills need some serious work.
Now I am faced with another challenge, one that many performers have not yet had to experience. I just gave birth to my first child, a boy, a little under a month ago. Now I get to juggle costuming on a tighter budget as well as suddenly having less hands to make the costuming I dream of.
I'm not complaining.
Having a baby is something I have dreamed about since I was 15. I have waited, and waited, for the elusive "right time". Finally deciding that while now wasnt the most advantageous time to have a baby, I was alot more prepared than I ever had been before.
I have always done better when challenged. Hopefully now will be no different, as a performer I can tell you there are somethings that typically do not belong together. Sparkles and spit-up being an obvious example. There is no question I will have many tear streaked moments watching my son, being a natural happy baby/toddler, running rampant over costuming, art and other fragile items. One cannot expect that a baby will ever be anything other than a baby regardless of how many rhinestones they have on that corset! The trick will be learning how to juggle, adapt, and breathe, while taking care of a tiny person who cannot care for themselves and looks to you for entertainment, comfort, and love.
Doesn't sound impossible, hell if you haven't been around alot of babies it doesn't even sound hard. Dont be fooled. During these last three weeks I've barely been able to do the dishes much less make pasties, prep acts, rehearse. My son Finnegan wants to be held 24/7, he needs to be fed nearly constantly and never seems to sleep as much as the books promised. My mother joked before I gave birth that I would soon be wishing to have all the arms of Kali...I had no idea how serious that joke would become!
So how will I manage my dreams of becoming a full-time, internationally well known, burlesque darling and raise a healthy, happy family? I honestly have no idea, though I am certain I will come up with some great ideas along the way. Anyone who knows me knows that I was never going to be a "normal" momma :) below is a sneak peek at our first holiday card. I love that Paul (my partner) was so willing to try out my idea for a naked under the umbrella holiday card. Something that suits our new little family perfectly.
Loving bright colors, sparkles, and everything vintage its no surprise to my family that I found myself sneaking into the burlesque scene.
Being a baby burlesque performer, only dancing for 2 years, I find myself always looking for new ways to push forward. So far my only set back has been finances and contacts. Contacts you build through performing, volunteering, taking classes, and going to shows.
Finances however have been the main problem I have faced, so coming up with creative solutions is the key. From putting on a show with a shoestring budget to coming up with acts I either already have costumes for or can find/make the components for under 20.00 has never been easy, though it has been fun (at times). Unfortunately my costuming skills are still in the crawling stage. I can hot glue gun like a wild west sharp shooter, but my sewing skills need some serious work.
Now I am faced with another challenge, one that many performers have not yet had to experience. I just gave birth to my first child, a boy, a little under a month ago. Now I get to juggle costuming on a tighter budget as well as suddenly having less hands to make the costuming I dream of.
I'm not complaining.
Having a baby is something I have dreamed about since I was 15. I have waited, and waited, for the elusive "right time". Finally deciding that while now wasnt the most advantageous time to have a baby, I was alot more prepared than I ever had been before.
I have always done better when challenged. Hopefully now will be no different, as a performer I can tell you there are somethings that typically do not belong together. Sparkles and spit-up being an obvious example. There is no question I will have many tear streaked moments watching my son, being a natural happy baby/toddler, running rampant over costuming, art and other fragile items. One cannot expect that a baby will ever be anything other than a baby regardless of how many rhinestones they have on that corset! The trick will be learning how to juggle, adapt, and breathe, while taking care of a tiny person who cannot care for themselves and looks to you for entertainment, comfort, and love.
Doesn't sound impossible, hell if you haven't been around alot of babies it doesn't even sound hard. Dont be fooled. During these last three weeks I've barely been able to do the dishes much less make pasties, prep acts, rehearse. My son Finnegan wants to be held 24/7, he needs to be fed nearly constantly and never seems to sleep as much as the books promised. My mother joked before I gave birth that I would soon be wishing to have all the arms of Kali...I had no idea how serious that joke would become!
So how will I manage my dreams of becoming a full-time, internationally well known, burlesque darling and raise a healthy, happy family? I honestly have no idea, though I am certain I will come up with some great ideas along the way. Anyone who knows me knows that I was never going to be a "normal" momma :) below is a sneak peek at our first holiday card. I love that Paul (my partner) was so willing to try out my idea for a naked under the umbrella holiday card. Something that suits our new little family perfectly.
Snowy Night Christmas
Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.
View the entire collection of cards.
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