Audition Tips Part 5...Playing Nice

Hi everyone!

Pixie O'Kneel here with the final installment of my audition tips.

We've all heard horror stories about divas. While every lady has a "Diva Card" in her pocket, it is best not to play that card. Being nice will get you a lot farther than being a Diva will.

~Be nice to the other auditionees in all aspects of the audition process.

~Chat but don't gossip. If you get the reputation of a gossip, you might just find yourself sitting in the corner by yourself.

~Thumper's Daddy was right when he said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.". This little mantra can really come in handy.



~Be willing to lend a helping hand. Help others with zippers, props, loan hair pins, etc. It will come back to you in the end.

~Be respectful of others and their "process". Everyone has a "process" they go through in order to prepare themselves for an audition. Some chatter like crazy, others would rather not chat and want to be left alone in order to mentally prepare themselves. And then there are those who are a combination of the two. Scope everyone out and figure out who falls into what category and go from there.

~Make introductions. Introduce yourself to the "newbies" and people you don't know. If you see some one you've seen perform at an audition, introduce yourself and tell her you saw her last show. It is a big boost to be recognized. It is also helpful to new performers to be able to make a connection. Who knows, you might make a new friend.

~Be humble. When you're given a compliment regarding your audition piece, your costume, or even your handbag, a heartfelt "thank you" is always appreciated. People will know you're genuinely grateful for their compliments.

Remember this: If you're nice to everyone, including the producers, you'll get asked back. People will say, "Oh yeah, I remember her. She was sweet and really nice, let's ask her back." And we all want to be asked back, right?





Talk to you again soon!

Audition Tips Part 4...Gettin' It All Together

Hey everyone, Pixie here.

I don't know how many of you know this but, I studied and performed belly dance for 10 years before I got into burlesque. I still perform as a solo performer and in the group Nasheeda Amani (aka Balady Barmaids) in the DFW area occasionally. In those 10 years, I've danced on lots of venues; a restaurant, numerous outdoor festivals, staged shows and I have even had the pleasure of performing at the Carousel Lounge in Austin.

With all that dancing there was lots of running around, different dressing rooms (or lack of), multiple costume changes and the list gets longer from here. I learned a valuable lesson from my first belly dance teacher, have a gig bag and a check list.

Gig bag? A gig bag is just that, the bag you take to your gigs. I have one certain bag I take everywhere I perform, whether it's belly dance or burlesque. It is an ugly tapestry suitcase Mr. O'Kneel found at a garage sale. I try to put everything I will need for the night in that one bag. It is so much easier than schlepping 14 different cases and tote bags around, especially if you don't have a chaperone, friend, or significant other to lend a hand.



A checklist is an invaluable tool. I don't know about you, but I get SO nervous before an audition or performance and if I didn't have that list, I'd forget everything. You can make a list, save it on your computer and just print a copy every time you're getting ready to dance. Then all you have to do is check everything off as you pack it. This way you will not have to turn around and go back to the house or make an impromptu trip to the drugstore because you realize 5 miles down the road you've forgotten something (been there, done that!).



Talk to you again soon!

Gifts & Garters Vendor Preview

Hey everyone! Pixie O'Kneel here.

Just wanted to give you a taste of what's to come at Gifts & Garters.

You already know that we're having some of the HOTTEST performers from DFW, Austin, AND New Orleans, but did you know we will also offer some of the best SHOPPING to be had?

Miss Shoshana has searched high and low to find some of the best vendors around.

Here's a little preview of the fabulous vendors that will be setting up their wares at Extreme Excuses Cafe on December 5th:

Addicted Handmade Hooligans


Evening Eclipse



You better start saving your pennies, I know I'll be saving mine.

Talk to you again soon!

Audition Tips Part 3...Closed Auditions

Hi Everyone!

Pixie O'Kneel here.

This time around, I want to talk about "closed auditions".

A closed audition means the auditions are closed to the public.

Keep in mind that it can be very nerve-wracking to other "auditionees" to have people they don't know at the audition, especially when auditioning for a Burlesque show. Seasoned performers may feel like they are giving a free show and debutantes could be just plain freaked out.

While everyone needs support, when you're auditioning at a closed audition, you're going to have to leave your friends at home. You can call and celebrate or commiserate when it's over.

Talk to y'all again soon!

Audition Tips Part 2...Time Is of The Essence

Hey y'all!

Pixie O'Kneel here with Part 2 of my tips for auditions.

Another important tip is to be on time, and I'm sure this tip could be considered the biggest tip of all.

Tardiness shows a lack of respect for others and their time. It also shows that you are not reliable.

Get your directions, gas up your car, make sure you have all of your bits (costume, music, etc.) before you go. I would also suggest you have contact info on the people running the auditions just in case there is an emergency.

Allow for an extra 15-20 minutes of drive time because you never know what kind of hot mess traffic is going to be, especially in Dallas!

Hope this helps!

Talk to y'all again soon.

Audition Tips Part 1...Your Music & Auditioning by Video

Hi everyone!

Pixie O'Kneel here.

The auditions for Gifts & Garters are coming up on November 5th. Here are a few suggestions to make sure you will shine like the top of the Chrysler Building at your next audition.

Music

~Put your music on a CD and bring 2 copies. Make sure you use the blank discs that say "CD-R" on the packaging.

~Have the music for your audition piece and only that music on the CD. Don't use your practice CD that is looped.

~Don't expect the place you are auditioning to have hook ups for your Ipod, or other MP3 player.

Auditioning via Video

~Make sure your pets are not in the room you are filming in. Pets are extremely unpredictable. The same thing goes for children, you never know what the little darlings are going to do, plus it's distracting.

~Have some one help you with the camera and the music. if you are able, edit the parts of you running over to start the camera and then running over to start the music out.

~Move the furniture around so it is not blocking the view of you.

~If you are not using a video link to your audition from a site such as YouTube, send a DVD and not a VHS tape.

~Make sure you are vertical on the screen and not horizontal.

~DVD vs. Video link? In my honest opinion, It is best to send a video link, that is unless you are specifically asked to send a DVD.


I hope these tips have been helpful, and I will be posting more in the future.

Talk to y'all again soon!

Meet The Debs...Miss Bunny Bailey

1) Do you have any dance experience other than burlesque?

Yes, dance was my first love. It was the first thing that took me out of that thing people refer to as "reality" and opened my world up. It began my journey of self-discovery and self-awareness; I learned so much about who I am without all the distractions through dance and movement. I got into dance classes at age 6 and continued through community college, but I hit a wall pretty early on in my dance life. For me dance is about freedom and a journey- a cleansing even, but traditional approaches have you taking classes where it's about doing it a certain way verses listening to what your soul and body want to do. And then there's competition, obligation, and teacher conflicts (yeah I'm not so good with "authority") - the magic is gone for me when that's what it becomes. I've waited many, many years to find a place where dance can be that amazing escape I found as a child- and what joy because I have!

2) What was it like to audition for a Bewitching Burlesque show?

Well, first I loathe auditions, so that's always gonna be part of my experience, but auditioning for the Bewitching Burlesque show is the best experience I've had! The big thing is that it's a hugely supportive environment. It's a very nerve racking thing to put yourself out there like that; with everything you've got inside you the pressure is on to try and make other people see it the way you do. But ultimately it's very clear that everyone wants to see you succeed at sharing what you've got and shine your brightest. It's very loving and makes the process so much more positive than other auditions I've gone on where they treat you're nothing special and don't acknowledge anything about the feelings you get when auditioning- most can be so cold.











3) What was it like to BE in a Bewitching Burlesque show?

Delightful! The only pressure I felt was the pressure I put on myself. It's such a difference from how many dance/art productions are ran, where there's all this tension and nothing is about you. I felt a lot of space around me and that was so wonderful. I had space to breathe, move, think, relax, laugh, everything. GlamAmour and Pixie had it handled from what I experienced and performers just got to concentrate on preparing and doing our best. The other girls in the show were great, so sweet, supportive, and enjoying themselves. I loved it!! Oh and the audience was wonderful as well, they were energetic and well behaved, true class acts themselves.

4) What have you done or what are you planning to do now that you have made your burlesque debut?

Well, I've been preparing for my burlesque debut for over 3 years so I was ready to get the show on the road. I had a number of things lined up for immediately after the show, but a surgery I had 3 days later got complicated and put a halt on those plans for a while. I will stay involved however I can until I'm healed up nice and good and then it's on! I have lots of ideas and I'm looking to perform on as many stages locally and in Austin as I can to start out. I also plan to produce my own shows and explore the varieties of ways to do burlesque. I'll also continue to do pinup modeling and I have been booked for Hot Rods and Heels 2010. Basically anything creative, loving, and forward-thinking I want to be a part of.

5) Tell us 3 things about yourself that people would be very surprised to know about you.

Well I'm a modern hippie visionary (ahem, no Birkenstocks here though m'dear) and I'm serious about changing the world. If you get me into a conversation about it I won't reveal all my top secrets to you, but I'll sure have plenty to say!

Second, I am a singer; I started around 7 and began writing songs at 10, surprisingly mature songs too. However, I have never shared this passion of mine until recently as I find it to be one of the most personal things I can share. I do plan to incorporate singing into my acts though and have a signature Bunny Bailey song that I can't wait to perform!

And last, I do not do gore- seriously, I will have a nervous breakdown and it will get very, very ugly 'til I find my center again.

MidSummer Recap

Our first annual MidSummer Masquerade, we think was a success.

Ok, really- we're pretty sure it was a success. We had a great time, the audience had a great time, the performers - well yea, they ROCKED. There were some sassy performances, sensual and mysterious performances, surprise appearances and well, really- I guess you had to be there, we hope you were!
The costume pageant contestants, well- again- really you had to be there to see the uber macho-ness stand off between the luchador wrestler, La Chica Naturaleza, and the guy with the 2 foot Mohawk. (I'm sayin'!) The bevy of beauties competing for Most Glamorous, were indeed all the various shades of glamour and glitz. The gents, well they were quite dapper and Debonair.

Our crowned winner Most Bewitching, (pictured- photo by Naked Lens- our event photographer) was the lady Vivienne Vermouth! She set the bar really high for next year!

It was really a great night. Thanks to all who were a part of it! More tantalizing stories and pictures to come.
Meantime...

How about you? What was your favorite story from the evening? We wanna know!

Mid Summer Masquerade is THIS SATURDAY!

The time has come! With your tickets in hand (you did get tickets in advance, right?), your costume ready (if you choose to dress up) and your cooler packed (BYOB)you are all set to engage in a night of hedonistic fun!

We have an amazing line-up for you. See you there!

Miss Malicious

Today say hello to Miss Malicious. This talented lady will emcee the costume contest of our Mid Summer Masquerade. She is a member of the award-winning burlesque troupe, The Lollie Bombs and last May won "Entertainer of the Year" at the Hot Rods and Heels Festival in Dallas. Known for her sassy attitude and dynamic (and sometimes destructive!) numbers, Miss Malicious is a Dallas favorite and we are thrilled to have her participate in our show!

Meet The Producers Part 2

photo credit:

Hi Everyone!

Pixie O'Kneel here.

I am one of the co-producers of Bewitching Burlesque and I also usually act as Stage Manager.

As co-producer, I help Glam'Amour with a lot of the pre-production activities, such as selecting the venue for the show, selecting performers who audition for the show, helping the vendors, and lots of other stuff that goes into planning an event.

As Stage Manager, it is my job to make sure the show runs smoothly and on time. I also direct the Panty Wranglers, and the Emcee. The Panty Wranglers and I set up and tear down the props for the performers and make sure the correct costume bits go to the correct performers.

I also made my burlesque debut at one of our shows and I will be performing again at Mid Summer Masquerade on August 8th. I am very excited about it!

Talk to y'all again soon!

Miss Ginger Valentine

Today, say hello to Ginger Valentine. Miss Valentine is no stranger to Bewitching Burlesque, having performed in a a BBR production earlier this Spring.


Ginger is a classically trained ballerina who ditched her point shoes for pasties. She is featured often in the media for her classes and performances. Miss Valentine stays busy these days by running her own burlesque school; she also contributes to several burlesque blogs (including this one), and has a very busy travel schedule ahead of her. Over the next two months, Ginger will travel to Denver, Austin, Minneapolis and New Orleans where she will perform alongside contemporary burlesque legends like Michelle L'amour and Jo "Boobs" Weldon in the Mondo Showcase.

Photography @ Mid Summer Masquerade

Bewitching Burlesque is very excited to announce that Naked Lens Photography will be in the house for our MidSummer Masquerade, set up for portraits from the evening! A long time supporter of Burlesque, we are very excited he is going to be on hand to insure that you get a great portrait of your costume, your friends costume or whomever you can get to pose with you! You portrait will be available THAT NIGHT so you get to take it home that evening!

Is that awesome or what?!

Here is a little about Mark, the man behind the Naked Lens:

Mark has been a fan of photography for as long as he can remember, but
when he bought his first Nikon digital SLR in 2006, it began a new
interest in documentary photography at events such as Atlanta’s
Dragon*Con, Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, and various music and
fetish events in Dallas. In 2007 he saw his first burlesque show, and
the door was opened to a whole new world, since then, he has
photographed several of the local burlesque performances in the
Dallas/Ft Worth area.


The Naked Lens shoots Michelle L'amour last Spring at the Spring Swing Revue

Miss Michelle Manx

Michelle’s love for dance started at the age of six when she began participation in ballet and tap classes. She became interested in bellydance when her mother enrolled in a bellydance class in the 70's and with her background in anthropology, the study of ethnic dance was a natural progression.

Michelle has studied the art of bellydance since early 2002, including Suhaila Salimpour technique (currently working towards her Level II Certification), Jamila Salimpour Format (Level I certified), various forms of Tribal Bellydance, and Egyptian Cabaret. She has also supplemented her knowledge of dance and movement by taking Bharata Natyam and yoga classes.

She currently teaches Tribal Fusion Bellydance in Austin, Texas. Michelle performs as a solo artist and is also a member of the bellydance collective Raks Helwa. One of her favorite venues of performance is at tattoo conventions, where she developed her signature style of incorporating the glamour, poses, and facial expressions of the pinup girls of the 40’s and 50’s into her Tribal Fusion style. In 2008, Michelle had the honor of debuting her 'Pin-up Bellydance' workshop at Tribal Fest 8 and was invited to teach again at Tribal Fest 9 and Tribal Fest 10.
http://www.pin-upbellydance.com

One of our Sponsors: Through The Looking Glass!

At our MidSummer Masquerade, our top title is "Most Bewitching". Our judges will pick from the top of each of the categories and then decide upon who really is the "Most Bewitching" and really put the most effort, creativity and all out "wow-ness" in to their costume.

Not only does the winner get the coveted crown and scepter (yes, it is SUPER Sparkly!), AND gets to be on the judges panel for next years event- they will also win a full photo package from Through the Looking Glass Photography for the much coveted "Alice in Wonderland" set!

If you would like to book for this set, there are still times available! You can check them out here on their Myspace page for more information. Here is a little bit about the set:

We will have two sets. One: a tiny room from the "drink me" part. One will be the mushroom set from the meeting with the caterpillar. It will be surreal & amazing! Here's some visual inspiration:

Dates: August 1st & 2nd and 15th
Location: Fair Park Studio
What we will have:
1. Two amazing sets & props
2. Traditional Alice Costume

What you will need:
1. White or striped stockings
2. Mary Janes
3. White bra

Cost:
$250 including hair, makeup, photo shoot, and CD of images. Visit www.Dallaspinup.com for all the lovely details.

Ruby Joule and Coco Lectric of the Jigglewatts shot by Through the Looking Glass

Miss Jade Pearl

Miss Jade Pearl is new to the burlesque scene, but has been dancing for quite awhile. This year, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of North Texas. And last year, she danced in a local cabaret troupe, so she knows a thing or two about shakin' it.

Those of you who have seen her before will be in for a special treat on August 8 as she reveals more skin than ever in her stunning new burlesque debut! You do not want to miss this very special lady.

Buy tickets in advance to see Jade, and all of her gorgeous burlesque friends at the Mid Summer Masquerade Show next month!

Meet The Producers Part 1

Through the Looking Glass Studios

Time to meet the creator of Bewitching Burlesque Revue, Glam'Amour.

Glam'Amour began Bewitching Burlesque Revue as a way to give up and coming Burlesque performers a way to get their foot in the door, making sure everyone who has the desire gets a chance to shine no matter their experience level, age, or size. Since then, she's produced three other shows, and she has two more on the way. She has built quite a name for herself and at each show we have more and more dancers at our auditions.

Glam'Amour is not just an event producer, she is also burlesque performer and has numerous performances in the DFW area under her pasties. She has been seen at Dallas Burlesque Festival, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Diffusion, Nouvelle Burlesque Revue, and Hot Rods & Heels.

Last May, Glam'Amour received recognition for all of her hard work in the burlesque community as a dancer and producer. She was nominated by her peers and selected to win the Burlesque Darling award for showing outstanding drive, motivation, talent at the Hot Rods and Heels Festival.

You never know what to expect next from this award-winning producer and performer.

Meet The Judges Part 4

We are thrilled to present our final judge, Don Nedler. He has been the owner and operator of the world famous Lizard Lounge and The Church since 1991.

He has also owned and operated the Starck Club from 1996 through 1999 and the Lizard Lounge in Austin, Houston and Miami from 1988 through 2001.

We will be relying on his expertise to help us find the best costumes out there. Remember to dress your best!

What's In A Name?

Hi Everyone!

Pixie O'Kneel here!

There are many jobs at a Burlesque show that don't involve taking off any clothes.

One I like to think is the coolest is what we at Bewitching Burlesque call the Panty Wrangler. There are lots of names for this job, "Pick Up Artist", "Stage Maid", and "Stage Kitten", just to name a few. The names vary region to region.

The Panty Wrangler is the person who goes behind the performers and picks up all of the stuff they leave behind. They are also part of the show, eye candy so to speak. In some shows, the P.W. even might have a bit part with the Emcee or if she (or he) has another talent like singing, juggling, or comedy they could also be asked to give the audience a peep of their hidden talent.

The job of the P.W. is not as easy as some may think it would be. A good P.W. knows that she is part of the show and needs to make picking up discarded clothing look as fun and sexy as possible. She will be required get made up and dressed up, keep her cool, not get anyone's costume bits mixed up, help the Stage Manager set up and tear down props, help to make the show run on time....All while smiling and acting like she is having the time of her life.

Some performers get their start in Burlesque as Panty Wranglers. Miss Bunny Bailey was the Panty Wrangler at our April Bewitching Burlesque show. You can see Bunny pulling panty duty at the Atomic Frolic show on July 18th, and she will be gracing the stage as a performer at Mid Summer Masquerade on August 8th.

So, you just never know, you maybe picking up stockings in one show and leaving yours behind in the next.

Talk to you again soon!

Meet The Judges Part 3

Introducing, Jesse from The Edge!

Hey Kitty Kats my name is Jessie….creative communications operative by day/burgeoning bombastic burlesque babe by night.

I am purrrrfectly delighted to be included in the Bewitching Burlesque Review, it will give me a chance to practice total and utter fabulosity. I am crazy madly in love with the DFW burlesque scene and it is an honor to be invited to join the judging for this event.

As a card carrying member of the Brill Babe Brigade I am a passionate proponent of promoting all that is pretty. To borrow from Ms. Angelou “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass”…so ladies put on those stilettos and rock it