Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

The winter solstice has just passed and the days are growing longer!. Here’s a little tip about light:

In tech rehearsal, walk the stage and ask someone in the house tell you where the shadows are, so you know where to stay to be well lit.

As I am constantly being reminded by our director, an outside eye is incredibly valuable in so many ways.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you…

Dear Constant Reader,

Especially if you follow me on IG, you might have seen me mention The Slightly Sinister Academy of Crafts, a really fun community of people who love crafts with a spooky touch. Last fall we had a Trick or Treat gift swap for Halloween, where names were drawn out of hat and Sinister Sarah spun the Wheel of Fate to determine if you were giving/getting a trick or a treat. I was paired with Tammi aka Crocheted Atrocities. I was giving her a treat, but receiving a trick.

I was rather…

Dear Constant Reader,

I have a friend with whom I correspond. Like real, in-the-mail, pen & paper letters. We’ve been doing this for a very, very long time. We attended the same university (she undergrad, me grad) and escaped graduated the same year. Her mom gave me a pen (sitting right here on my desk) as a graduation gift and we just started sending letters.

Last summer when I was despondent after Albert’s death. I got a handmade stamp-art card in the mail from her, which contained within a card secured…

Dear Constant Reader,

My first spotlight is on an artist I’ve never met.

There’s a community on Discord that began as an unofficial place for Patrons of Christine McConnell to gather and discuss her projects, but it’s evolved beyond that into a community of people who love the spooky side of life and creative pursuits. One of the things that came out of it was craft swaps. You agree to make a gift for someone and someone else, unknown to you, makes one for you. You fill out a little questionnaire so the…

Dear Constant Reader,

I know a number of people who are creative and skilled artists and I have been the beneficiary of not only their talents, but also their kindness and generosity. I’d like share their work with you and what it meant to me.

You all know the story of Pubert the Bat, but one of the important parts of his story is that he turned up when I was having a rough time. His presence* continues to cheer me and bring me luck.

Last year was one of the worst in my life and these artisans helped bring…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I hope you have your tickets to BRRRlesque tonight because we are sold out!

Here’s your tip:

Most Western music is in 4/4 time, which lends itself to moves in fours. To shake things up, try three moves that are the same and one that’s different. 

For example, instead of four alternating hip bumps (right, left, right, left), try right, left, right, front. Extra credit if the last move is more dynamic or explosive, like three little chest shimmies followed by a chest pop.

…

Dear Constant Reader,

After the previous rather mediocre review, I wanted to share some books I can actually endorse. They’re not about burlesque, but some of my other favorite things: mysteries and cats.

There are three books by Robert Lay, so far:
Giblet and Belle: The Case of the Missing Ring, 2021
Giblet and Belle: The Case of the One Still Too Many, 2022
Giblet and Belle: The Case of the Vendetta, 2023

In this world it’s the cats who are solving the mysteries. I know that sounds twee, but it’s not. The…

Dear Constant Reader,

This book has been hanging about on my “to be reviewed shelf” for a while.

Burlesque Dancer 101: A Professional Burlesque Dancer’s Quick Guide on How to Learn, Grow, Perform, and Succeed at the Art of Burlesque Dancing From A to Z by HowExpert with Emilie Declaron, n.d. 

Well, that seems like a lot to promise in one slim paperback (about 100 pages). From looking at other HowExpert offerings the titles are similar, offering guides on how to “Learn, Grow, and Succeed” at something “From…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Things are a bit chaotic at The Manor right now. I’ll tell you more when things are a bit calmer (not to worry — it’s good). Here’s your tip:

Embrace change.

Whether that’s changing the lineup of a show mid-show, reworking the choreography of an established act, or otherwise turning things on their head, it’s usually more rewarding to say “Yes, and…” than  “No, but…”

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a…

Dear Constant Reader,

The original plan was a big theatre show with a plot, like Vamps After Midnite, for two weeks. However, after reasons too tedious to discuss (finding a venue, negotiating, waiting, signing a contract, having requirements added for being an “adult” show i.e. more money), Scratch decided it would be more fun and less stress (and fewer arbitrary expenses) to do a scaled down version as a revue.

This was also a graduation of sorts as both our apprentices presented the solo acts they…