Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

Even glamourous showgirls get sick. Usually that means I lie wanly in my bed, propped up on pillows, coughing delicately into an embroidered handkerchief, wearing leopard-print pajamas, and genteelly sipping tea. Visitors are welcome, from a distance, and I entertain myself with cross-stitch or reading Stephen King.

This was not the case this week. I was felled by a vicious flu bug that had me unable to rise from bed for practically 48 hours. There was nothing glamourous about my…

Dear Constant Reader,

Yesterday was one of our favorite holidays: Babydollmas! Its so hard for us to get together during the holidays, so we celebrate in early January. It was within the 12 days of Christmas, so were good.

We had rehearsal first. Were working really hard on our group number for the Vermont Burlesque Festival. Its so much fun!

Then it was time for Super Sunday Social. For those just joining in, its our tradition to relax after rehearsal on Sunday with some wine and nibbles. This being…

Dear Constant Reader,

First Friday Tip of 2014! I dont know about where you are, but its freezing here in Boston, about 10 degrees last I checked and over a foot of snow. Winter air is terribly dry and just sucks all the juiciness out of your skin, which leads me to todays tip:

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Keep your skin nice, smooth, and soft in the winter. All over. Dont neglect your breasts! Pulling pastie adhesive off dry skin can be terribly painful, especially when youre changing pasties…

Dear Constant Reader,

2013 was kind of a rocky year for us. It certainly had some high points and some lows, moments that were glamourous and some that were glamorous. Heres a little month by month guide.

January & February
We spend these months preparing for and preforming The Bod of Avon, a Shakespeare-themed burlesque show. We had a lot of fun with it, but it was not without its challenges. We have the luxury of 2 preview nights at Oberon, after which we were able to tweak the show a bit based on…

Dear Constant Reader,

Gypsy Rose Lee had a tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, one at each stroke of the clock, for good fortune in the coming year.

And I wish you all good fortune, with or without grapes.

Dear Constant Reader,

Last night The Boston Babydolls were delighted to appear in Ruby Beslers Twisted Holiday Cabaret. I think this was Rubys first East Coast appearance. Well, first & second, as there were two shows, early & late.

We were in the back room at The Burren in Davis Square, which is an interesting place to perform. The ceiling over the stage is a little low and there were Christmas decorations hanging from it. We had to be careful, especially Brigitte with her cane, me with my fans, and Betty…

Dear Constant Reader,

I hope you had a merry Christmas or enjoyed your Chinese food and movie.

Heres your tip: short, simple, and sweet:

Be nice.

Dear Constant Reader,

If you follow me on Facebook, youve probably seen me going on and on about B.A.B.E.fit. What is it?

The Boston Babydolls begin each rehearsal with a warm up. Usually that means putting on a few songs and following Betty through drills of dances moves. Sometimes we do calisthenics (we love squats). Its fun and challenging.

Someone had the bright idea of sharing this with students and so B.A.B.E.fit was born. Each class starts with a warm up and then progresses into a number of dance…

Dear Constant Reader,

Todays tip is for the burlesque fan:

Buy your tickets in advance.

I know everyone is busy and it seems so easy to just buy them at the box office when you arrive for the show, but there are a couple of good reasons to think ahead.

1. Avoid disappointment. If you have your tickets before you arrive at the theatre/club, theres a seat for you. Too many times people have shown up for one of our shows, eager for a evening of fabulous burlesque, only to be told that the show is sold out. We…

Dear Constant Reader,

I mentioned yesterday that Brigitte and I were supposed to perform before a showing of Bettie Page Reveals All but the movie was canceled because of a snow storm. I had already done my makeup when the call came, so I decided to have a little fun.

Before we get to that Boston is a great city and I love living here, but theres a few ways in which New York has it all beat. Two words: costuming supplies. Every time Im in the city I had down to the 30s and pick up fabric or trim or beads or…