The Lanes Will Curve!

Rarely do the straight lines of a bowling alley welcome curves, but on Friday, September 3rd, Asbury Lanes is going to dip, swoop, sweep and bend thanks to Zaftig Follies, a show that’s about the curves of a woman–not her size.—The cast includes burlesque headliners World Famous *BOB*, Broadway Brassy, Darlinda just Darlinda, Jezebel Express, Coco Monroe and Bambi Galore. Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.. Tickets are $10. Zaftig means full-bodied and well-proportioned, and the ladies of Zaftig Follies bring this definition to life.

Host World Famous *BOB* is known internationally for her charisma, style and “natural talents,” and has charmed crowds from Las Vegas to Stockholm. Broadway Brassy is one of burlesque’s top singing sirens, mixing classics with her own gutsy tempos and wide vocal range. Darlinda Just Darlinda, pioneer and advocate of feminist neo-burlesque, bring her unique, fun and uber-creative style. Fulbright Grant-winner Jezebel Express is the girl with the curves and the angles. Coco Monroe is a founder of the burlesque scene in Washington DC. And Zaftig Follies creator Bambi Galore delights in offering a show that demonstrates incontrovertibly that beauty comes in all sizes.

So right when I think I could take a little break life throws me some more awesome gigs! Thank goodness I have at least two days to rest though because this ankle of mine is swollen like a sponge in the coral reef.  It will hopefully go down before this Thursday because I have been asked to model for the Society of Illustrators.  I’ll be busting out my best 1950’s lady for their drawing pleasure.  I’m very excited to work with them!

Then on Saturday I’m spending my morning with one of my favorite photographers, Sophie Spinelle, helping out at a bachelorette photo shoot.  We always have such fun and considering we are hoping to hop over to the Dyke March after that, it will be so super fun! From there I will be going over to perform in HyperGender’s Pride show! the line up is amazing and from what I’ve heard more amazing acts have been included!  It’s totally worth checking out for your Pride weekend.

Then to continue with the theme of Pride awesomeness, the PiC and I will be meeting up with friends to go to the NYC Pride Parade! I’m excited to see just exactly how New York brings it because you know it’s going to be massive. Sadly I won’t be going to any after parties because I will need to scurry my little tookus over to Bar on A for Kitty Nights! My dear friend Fem Appeal runs this great show full of veterans, neophites and hosting hilarity.  It’s a great way to either wind down your weekend or wind up for the coming week!

Hopefully though I’ll see you all out at something or another and remember, nothing anyone says can change who you are on the inside.

huggles and kisses!

Oh man, for those that didn’t make it to the AIDSWalk benefit, you missed out!  It was so much fun! And the performers were sooooo talented.  It was really incredible to be dancing and singing on stage with such clear professionals! And keeping up if I can toot my own horn (toot!)  I have to say though the Metrocard song that was to the tune of one of the hits from Showgirls, priceless, you all really missed out.

I’m not writing this to make you all feel bad though, I’m writing it because it felt so good to give I’m doing it again! This time with a bevy of burlesquers!  In Strip for a Cure 2010 AIDSWalk Fundraiser, not only will your ticket be being matched by company sponsor MAC (crazy right?!) so will your drinks!  Now I know $40 may seem like a lot but it does include 3 FREE drinks.  If you were to go to a show, pay $10 and get 3 drinks it’d cost you that much so somehow this will feel like a deal, I promise, especially if you think of it as you’re donating $80!! The line up is intense! There will be 4 sets starting at 9, I am in the 11 pm set so all my late night party people can make it.  But that doesn’t mean wait for me to perform though, this show is just bursting with talent, come on out and support them all!

Now someone mentioned to me that they haven’t seen a pic of my new coif on here and I feel like a fool since it’s been this darker shade for a month now I think! Sorry guys! Wasn’t trying to keep it from you.  Here’s a pic taken of me being silly on a date night.  You know how grafitti and I just like to have impromptu photo sessions.

Got to say, for subway lighting and an IPhone, it’s a decent picture.  What’s sad is I don’t even remember where we were going! I want to say to catch a show since that’s all we ever do, well that and have picnic with our neighbors but that doesn’t involve a subway usually.

So anyhoo, I hope to see you at the show, remember, the price is a suggested donation but the bigger the donation, the more fun that comes with it!

Huggles and kisses!

Have I fallen off a cliff or something? Seems like I must have.  Honestly, I’ve just been uber busy in my personal life, my professional life and in every other way.  I’ve had a couple of performances that popped up so I didn’t have time to mention on here.  Sorry folks!  I also spent some time with an awesome photographer and his wife and shot for a potential book they are putting together on the New York Burlesque scene.  I’ve also been in talks with an amazing costumier.  I’m so excited for what we are creating together, it’s going to be a very classic twist from what I’ve been known to do.

I am posting though more to let you know about some shows I have coming up since I’ve been unable to do so recently.  I have two going on this week.  The first is North Jersey’s Dr. Sketchy.  Yes, I am making a trip back into the Garden State but this time to the Clash Bar in Clifton.  We will be bringing you a taste of what Molly Crabapple created.

On Sunday I will be back in New York City offering up my talents for a very worthy cause.  David Bishop, an incredible human being, will be holding a fundraiser for AIDS Walk: New York.  He will be holding a Garden Party Spectacular!! at the TADA Theater.  The line up for this show is insane not to mention it’s by donation only.  If you have the time and the heart come by, see an awesome show and give to an incredible cause.

After that, I’ll be taking a little break I think.  I might get some last minute gigs in May but as for now I’m planning to focus on a new routine I’m hoping to present in the Fall.  I know! Me work on a routine months in advance?! Craziness I assure you but this act will be insane! It’s what I’m working with the costumier on So hold onto your hats for some fun stuff and hopefully some exciting news in the future.

Huggles and Kisses!

So the long anticipated wait is over.  I am hitting the stage again.  My ankle will never be the same.  I can see when I’m flexing the range of motion I have lost, I still can not run or jump but damn it, I WILL bump and grind! When you have a passion inside of you, you can’t let anything stand in your way.  If they had amputated my foot I would still be planning to perform again, it’s a part of me.

Well, I am going to have the pleasure of gracing my new and old home with my return this coming week!  I will start off by competing for Mount Olympus in the Burlesque Battle at Port 41.  It’s going to be a show jam packed with hilarity and talent and let me just say, I am coming back flaming (wink, wink).  You have never seen someone interpret the Odyssey like this before.  So if you have a free Thursday in New York City, come cheer me on in my return.  It’s going to be a rough and exciting show for me and sadly the wife is out of town for business

The next excursion is bringing me back to my birthplace, DC! I have been invited again to perform at the Visions in Feminism Art Night.  Not only that this year but to cohost it with a wonderful fellow named Guy!   We are going to have a great time and this Art night will be a wonderful way  to wind down from a really deep conference that day or to start your night off right for partying!  I’m super excited by the line up and am looking forward to sharing with you all.

And to top it all off, both shows are benefit shows which are so great and its such a great way to support the Artist community.  So friends and family, near and far, come on out to celebrate life, love and an ankle that can be stood upon.

Love and Huggles to you all.

Oh my goodness the past few weeks have been uber crazy! Let me tell you.  I have been so busy compared to the past few months.  So the question is where to start.  Well let’s start from the beginning and move forward.

I had an awesome photo shoot with Joseph Rosetti.  He and his fiancee, Joy, were a pleasure to work with.  We did a lot of new looks for me, not so sweet and innocent.  My favorite part of the shoot was the last set.  I decided I wanted to stick the weight issue to the front so we did a shoot with me covered in pudding.  It was SO much fun.  It was a really tangible way to say I don’t care to the people who choose to hate on me because of size. Here is one of my favorite pics from Joe, it’s unedited but I think that makes it more real.

My next adventure took me to World Famous *Bob*’s Ultimate Self Confidence Class! It was incredible.  I feel it really did change my life, even in only 2 hours.  I find myself doing the practices and my inner self strengthening from it.  There were such incredible women in the class and I definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.  It was such a safe place and it made me more aware of the entirety of my life instead of compartmentalizing everything.

Then on a whim I got invited to an Artist’s Salon by Darlinda Just Darlinda.  It was really interesting as we focussed not only on how to make out art our main focus but also on using our body as our tools.  There were so many interesting people there and it felt good to go out and network on my own a little bit.  It’s been so long since I’ve been able to go do that.

Then there was the most incredible show put on at Poisson Rouge.  The Queens of Burlesque show, which Angie Pontani asked for my help with the VIP situation.  That in and of itself was crazy but the show was breathtaking!! Every performer brought 200% to the stage.  It was really cool because I got to speak with many of them backstage.  whenever in those situations I find myself reverting to a fangirl mentality but they were so sweet and open that it never really happened, I hope.  To just go into the show would make this post go on forever so if you want to hear about it, let me know and I’ll come back and fill you in but for now let’s just leave it as an awesome night with some incredible talent.

I finished out all this craziness by assisting Sophie Spinelle with a bachelorette party for Shameless Photography.  I was her makeup artist and for a group of 7 women, it was intense.  Sophie was a total doll to work with though, very professional, we had gone over what kind of look she wanted and then I used that to work with what each lady wanted.  I also worked with a very capable hairstylist, Bryn, and great assistant, Amanda.  The first one or two women took a bit of time but by the third we were all working really well like a fine oiled machine.  Bryn and I timed up and were working in synch.  It was honestly a lot of fun and I hope I get the opportunity to do it again soon!

Oh my so yes, that is the craziness I’ve been up to but don’t you fret my craziness is bringing me to the stage again!! In the period of three days you may get a chance to see me in NYC as well as DC!! So Look forward to another update REAL soon with dates and times.  As for now, I have costumes to go prepare!

Huggles and kisses

Ooopha! I am finally coherentish from a crazy surprise slumber party last night.  My dear friend Lauren came over to hang for a bit, catch up and just chill but we decided to make some cocktails.  And some quickly turned into a lot and a short visit became 4 am.  So obviously she just slept over.  We had a blast though, my head and stomach this morning, not so much.

We all know moderation ranks fairly close to patience on my list of virtues (i.e. very low to the bottom) but man did I do a number on myself.  All I could think was, when I was younger a night like this would have been a cake walk.  We ate, we drank, we chilled, why are I tore up today?  I guess its the whole age thing, blah.  I normally believe the motto, age is only a number, but sometimes your body makes sure to remind you, no you have been on this planet for 27 years, take care of me you dumb floozy.  And normally I do, I think that’s why this kicked my ass so hard.  It was the first time I’ve drunk hard liquor in 3 months. What a silly girl am I.

Oh well though, I have spent my day plotting and scheming for how I’m going to treat my body better once I’m all healed.  I cannot wait to go on walks again and I actually have a job interview this week that would include a gym membership with it.  That would be lovely.  Mind you I’m not interested in losing weight as a goal but just feeling healthier in my own skin.  Right now, especially right now, I just feel full of crud, like my pipes are clogged and exercise will clean me up to the amazingness I know I am and know I can be.

So if I gained anything from putting my body through a hellacious day it’s that I’m not 21 anymore and that’s ok, I am something more fabulous than that.  I’m me.

huggles and kisses

The footy pajamas I spent all day in looking a lot less sexy I can promise you that.

I know it’s technically early but I know I have plans tomorrow, starting the new year running (so to speak) so I wanted to wish you and yours happiness today.

I am with everyone in feeling a sense of relief that 2009 is over and I am ready to welcome in 2010 or as my friend Bevin puts it 20Femme.  I like that and I plan to use it this coming year as well.  This will be the year 20Femme for me.  I already feel big things in the universe and I am going to be part of it.

In years past I have written off resolutions but I feel so overwhelmed with positive action that this year I am going to have a few of my own.  I would like to share them with you all now, not just so you can see but so that they are out there in the world, somewhere else other than my brain, so I will be held more accountable.

1. I will try to write something everyday.  Be it a blog on here, or a story in my journal.  I spent the last year talking about how I wanted to write more, write something that mattered but I never did.  I always made excuses. So even if it’s just a paragraph, something.  And notice I put tried.  I’m doing this smart, I’m not setting myself up for failure.
2. I will continue to cut bad influences from my life and to remove negative talk from my vocabulary.  nothing bummed me more than how I felt after having bitch sessions this past year.  Yes, sometimes they are cathartic but normally they made me mad or upset at the end of it.  And I found while I thought I was helping myself by cutting it down to only doing it with one or two people was helping me but really they were just helping to fuel the wheels of dissatisfaction in me.  I am going to continue to cut those people from my life and to cut that negative energy out.
3. I will look for and hopefully get a job that I believe in and enjoy.  Being unemployed has been fun but I am ready for steady employment.  I am ready to be part of a solution.  I will find this job and I will get it.  This is something I just feel 20Femme has in store for me.
4. In honor of 20Femme, I will spend more time on taking care of myself.  This means healing properly from my broken ankle.  This means only putting things that taste good and are good for me ( and yes, chocolate and ice cream are sometimes good for you) into myself.  I want to start exercising once I get the go ahead from my doctors.  Not to change my body but to change how I feel in my body.  I love my shape and my curves but when I am working out I just feel more connected to it instead of it just being a container that holds me.
5. I am going to get good habits.  They say that it takes 28 days of doing something repeatedly for it to become a habit.  I plan to do this, this is also in conjunction with the resolution to take better care of myself.  I hate to admit it but I don’t even use face lotion everyday.  This is the first habit I’m going to try for.
6. I am going to cook more and for my friends more often.  I love being surrounded by people.  I love creating things in the kitchen.  So tell me why I have yet to do this to my satisfaction?  It will happen and it will be delicious.
7. I am going to spend time nurturing the friendships I truly care about.  There are so many people in my life that I just truly feel blessed to know.  I want these relationships to mature and to grow and to blossom as I know they can.
8. I am going to continue to work on my art.  Just because I am broken and haven’t been able to perform burlesque for the last two months doesn’t mean the flame has died.  I had a friend over recently (for whom I made coffee, not quite cooking but baby steps) and they just reiterated the fact that you can tell I love to perform when I am on stage.  I do.  I want to set goals for myself.  I am not going to let this broken ankle keep me from the goals I had already set for myself.  I love it and it is a part of me.
9. I will take the time to show my PiC, my partner in crime, my wife that I love her more often.  She has been my rock.  I am going to work to show her that and to give her the credit she deserves more often.  I know I appreciate her but I need to show her more often how much I do. We are going to grow our family, even if only in our love for each other.
10. I am going to be me.  So often I find myself changing how I am to fit in with what I think people want from me.  I get so scared of what other people thing.  I feel like all my other resolutions work back to just this, me being true to who I am and trying to be the best Bambi there is.  Also, I’m going to get my name legally changed.

So there you go cats and kittens, my resolutions for 20Femme, the year of Femme.  It is going to continue to be a roller coaster, just like 2009 but it’s going to be good one.  That is not to say all of 2009 was bad.  I did celebrate being married for one year, I moved to New York City, I became close friends with two of my idols.  I can say those are some pretty incredible things, just expect more in the year to come

Huggles and Kisses!

Something someone created, I'm suppose to be squatting in case you couldn't tell (I couldn't)

So we are constantly tested with new paths.  I have taken one myself and I find I keep going back and forth on it.  I mean, I love the path and I think it would be a natural one for me but I’m not sure of where I am taking this path.  If the environment will be a beneficial enough one for me to take it there.  But at the same time I am not a quitter and I fear if I back out of this environment it will seem like I’m a quitter.  Does that make sense? I’m not sure

These past few weeks have been incredibly hectic and without internet made it all the harder.  But I am back and better than ever!  This is my first post from my new New York apartment!  I’ve done it!  I’ve moved and it’s to the city that never sleeps and I can feel the pulse that keeps it up right now.

It’s still so surreal that I am here.  I can remember just little under a year ago talking about NYC after my first visit since I was in high school.  How amazing all the sites were, how the performance people were so kind, how I felt at home there and she said, well maybe someday we can live there, and now we do!  It feels like we’re house sitting.  This can’t actually be our apartment.  We can’t actually be living in NY.  I mean, I was just performing 2 days ago at Palace in their anniversary show, how could I now live in NY?? That’s silly.  But true.

Someone once told me the sky looks different in Brooklyn.  They are right.  It’s incredible, I don’t know if it’s the city but it seems to have a hint of peach in it at all times so far.  And the sounds, I love the sounds.  You hear people passing, cars and trucks honking, conversations in a multitude of languages.  right now the most apparent noise is my neighbor taking out his recycling, lol.  I also hear the soft snore of my PiC sleeping next to me after the 6 crazy days we just had. It went, I performed, she performed, I performed, I got sick, we packed our entire lives, we unpacked our lives.  Can’t blame a girl for being sleepy.

We did however pick up a local newspaper and may hit up the Putt Lot tomorrow and I might try and take her to Coney if I can get her out of the house, though it’d probably be wiser if we stayed in and unpacked as much as we could.  I do know we are going to Darlinda Just Darlinda’s show on Thursday and that will be exciting! And so the adventures of Bambi Galore in the Big Apple begin.  And no matter what happens I can grow old and tell my kids I did it, I lived out my dream to live in New York!

Huggles and kisses!!