Dear Constant Reader,
This Friday we had a show at a brand-new to us venue, Electric Haze in Worcester. Since Ava moved out that way, Scratch has been looking for places to have shows closer to her. He was trying to book our Halloween show, Carnal Carnival there, but they offered us this night instead. Scratch had his doubts, as the date was a mere 2 weeks off, but the promotor was sure we’d have a good crowd because of Worcester Pride.
Electric Haze is a hookah bar and live entertainment venue and they had a very nice stage, good tech, great staff, and a spacious corner of their basement as a dressing room. What they did not have was much of an audience. It’s been a very long time since we had so few people in the audience. Maybe it was the short lead time for promotion. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was Pride events elsewhere. Whatever the reason, it was a bit dispiriting.
Scratch asked us if we wanted to go on as planned or cancel. Two of Devastasia’s friends were in the audience and they really wanted to see her Mothman act. And the apprentices had been working very hard on their number. We compromised and decided to do a shortened show. And this is how it went:
Devastasia: “Summertime” (Sam Cooke)
We said goodbye to summer with one of Devastasia’s beautiful showgirl-style acts.
Ava Fox: “The Spy” (The Doors)
This is a slinky chair dance, which we justified as being about secret school crushes.
Scratch: The Mystery of the Vanishing Bandana (magic)
In which the audience sees Scratch learn a magic trick in real time.
Betty Blaize: “Bad Things” (Jace Everett)
Usually when Betty does this act, she’s a dominatrix tormenting… a banana. I this case she was a stern schoolteacher tormenting… an apple. A very bad apple. He even had a little dunce cap.
Mina Murray: “Stay with Me” (Sam Smith)
The beginning of the school year often means saying goodbye to that summer fling. While it’s somewhat melancholy, I love this fan dance.
Scratch: Sobriety Test (magic)
Scratch did a quick card trick that had the audience questioning reality and their own sobriety.
Devastasia: Mothman (“Harlem Nocturne” but I don’t know which version)
As our visiting professor of cryptozoology, Devastasia showed the habits of the elusive Mothman, complete with hand-painted wings and glowing eyes pasties.
Ava Fox, Phoebe Star, Vivienne Kitt: “Kindergarten” (Unkle Ho)
This is the jewel box number we’ve been doing for years, only with new music and slightly new choreography. Our three naughty art school girls wore short pleated skirts and paint-splattered undies and danced with giant paintbrushes.
As is usual for us, there; are no photos and no video. Someday, someday…
During the show, members of the band performing after us were trickling in, many of whom had never seen a burlesque show before. A number of people (including the band) told us how much they enjoyed the show. I’m glad we went ahead, but also glad we only did slightly more than half our original material.
After the show I discovered the bar had a relatively extensive mocktail selection, neatly paralleling their cocktail menu.
We’re hoping to return in December for our winter holiday show!
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