Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday! Tomorrow The BeauTease are premiering our latest virtual show, L.D.R.: Love in the Time of Corona! Join us at 8pm for a watch party.
It’s our first none-iversary! March 8, 2020 was the last time BeauTease Burlesque was seen live in public. We’ve had a year of quarantine and all the isolation, inconvenience, and weird living that goes with it. Some folks haven’t seen their special someone in months; some have been trapped in house with their sweetie and would love a day of…

Dear Constant Reader,

Today I have for you a fascinating story of the youngest dancer in the Ziegfeld Follies, told in an equally interesting way.

Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis, Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies by Lauren Redniss, 2006.

Doris was born in 1904 to a mother, who, her own show biz aspirations thwarted, was determined to make stars of her seven children. When Doris was 7, she and her sisters, Pearl and Mary, made their professional debut in The Bluebird. Adding…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday! Here’s your tip!

To strengthen a piece of stage jewelry, glue it to a sturdy fabric backing.

We all have cheap jewelry that looks great on stage, but it’s not very strong and doesn’t last long before something breaks. As a preventive measure, or to salvage a broken piece, you need some white glue, a paintbrush, and some fabric that won’t fray. I use Ultrasuede, but felt works fine. Bonus if you can find or dye a piece close to your skin tone.

Spread the glue (I use the…

Dear Constant Reader,

I’ve got a pretty good fitness routine of barre classes, plus the occasional treat of a Toning with Tara session, but I’m always ready to shake things up and try something new. Bettie Page Fitness has created two workout videos, each one inspired by the dynamic poses in Bettie’s photos, as well as her body positivity. The workouts were designed and demonstrated by health coach and fitness expert Tori Rodriguez.

The first video is Total Body Strength & Cardio. It’s a 45-minute fitness…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

It’s my birthday! Treat yourself today! And maybe some others too.

It’s become traditional to create birthday fundraisers, but I’m not going to be so formal. If you are feeling generous, please consider contributing a little something to a good cause today. These are some of my favorites, if you are so inclined. They’re all 501(c)(3) non-profits, so you’ll be doing good and can take it off your taxes. : -)

The Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund
Panthera
Zoo New…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s my birthday tomorrow and I have a gift for you!

When I made Sub-Gum Chop Suey from The Mandarin Cook Book, I also made Pineapple Salad. It was too weird to pass up! Usually I only share these vintage cooking videos with my Patrons, but thanks to my kind sponsor, Emporium 32, I’m making this little bonus video public! Enjoy!

If you want more like this, consider becoming a Patron. With more Patrons, I can get some better video equipment, like the microphone I clearly need.

…

Dear Constant Reader,

One of my Advisor Committee tier supporters on Patreon, Adrienne F.,  requested a recipe from the 1920s. I first grabbed a Photoplay cookbook, full of recipes from movie stars of the era, but no dish jumped out at me. Then I remembered I had another Jazz Age cookbook.

The full title is Mandarin Chop Suey Cook Book containing authentic translation of the best recipes of leading Chinese chefs and directions for preparing various popular and healthful Chinese dishes exactly as they are…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Quick commercial, I’m appearing this Saturday at 9pm on Velvet Revue in their Heartbreaker Showcase.

Here’s a seasonal quote to liven up your day:

“Love is a friendship set to music.”
–Joseph Campbell

I love the imagery; It makes me think of life as a dance. Have a beautiful week!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 14 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can…

Dear Constant Reader,

This book has been kicking around the library at The Manor for a while. Since it was published, about a decade ago, a lot has changed, but it was sort of a nice trip down memory lane.

Burlesque: The True Art of Seduction by Michel Grondin and Scarlett James, 2011.

I would call this a coffee table book. It’s big, heavy, graphically bold, kinda slick, and full of photos. Montreal burlesque performer Scarlett James graces the cover. There’s not that much text — there’s a lot of white…

Dear Constant Reader,

True confession time. I do not like creating choreography. It doesn’t come easily to me and it’s not particularly fun. However, it’s a good teaching tool and students seem to like learn routines as much (if not more) as building skills. How about a peek behind the curtain of my process for the new one I’m teaching on Thursday?

A choreography for teaching is very different than one for performing. I want something easy enough to teach in a limited time, but still challenge the students…