Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

I love October and I love Halloween. This probably comes as no surprise. Usually I’m working much of October at The Wrathskellar, which is a delight, so I’m not (very) sorry about all the other fun things I have to miss. This year, one of the few silver lining of the lack of show is that I got to see my friend Rae at Haunted Overload.

She’s an actor there, but also heavily involved in fabricating the sets and costumes. She’s ridiculously talented and I’ve been dying to see her work in…

Dear Constant Reader,

As we get closer to Halloween, here’s a tip that’s applicable all year ’round, but especially now.

Consider very strongly before investing in an all-black costume.

We also love black. It’s sexy, slimming, and mysterious. However, details and contrast are often lost. Backdrops in venues are frequently black, making you vanish into the curtain. Also, because there’s low contrast, your gloved hand is going to be invisible against your gown, making your come hither gestures invisible.

…

Dear Constant Reader,

I hope you won’t mind a brief commercial plug here. As you know, I run a modest school devoted to teaching ladies of all sorts to tease and tempt. We’ve got a few fabulous classes upcoming!

Every month we teach Introduction to Burlesque. It’s a four-week course that covers all the burlesque basics (and then some). The 90-minute classes are designed to stand alone, so you could take just one to try it out, but it’s more fun with all four (and we have a special Early Bird rate). Take it…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday and time for your tip!

Sing your choreography.

This is a trick we picked up from Betty. If you sing the steps of your dance to the tune of your song, they’re easier to remember.

Just the other day we were talking about an act we haven’t done in nearly a year and ended up chorusing “To the right, to the left, bounce in a circle, shoulder shift!” to the tune of “Little Brown Jug”. I can’t hear the opening of Joe Jackson’s “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby” without thinking…

Dear Constant Reader,

The Teaseday Club opened again this past Tuesday and again your Faithful Correspondent was in the Box Office. We had quite the crowd, so I was hopping well into the first set. (For future reference, folks, box office and bar open at 7pm, doors open at 7:30, the show actually starts at 8. Getting there at 8:15 and paying with a credit card just annoys everyone.) Mr. Scratch once again hosted the show.

(All photos from Mystic River Studios by Rich Jarvis Photography)

Set 1
Anthony…

Dear Constant Reader,

Yesterday The Boston Babydolls canceled Sunday rehearsal for the first time in ages. Why?

When Dita comes to town, everything stops. When planning The Wrathskellar (alas), we didn’t schedule a show on this day. There’s no reason to compete with the biggest burlesque act in her Boston debut.

When we Babydolls go out together, we like to make it clear we’re all together. We decided to all wear black and red and met at Eastern Standard for dinner in the Corio Lounge. It was a little…

Dear Constant Reader,

Thank you all for the messages of support and sympathy about our venue woes. The W. R. Athskellar Cabinet of Curiosities will be seen someday, just not this October.

On to your Friday tip!

It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.

I’m quoting Jimmy Dugan from A League of Their Own which Scratch thinks is the greatest movie about burlesque* ever. He frequently identifies with the Rockford Peaches’ manager and quotes him often.

*…

Dear Constant Reader,

I wish I wasn’t sharing this letter from Mr. Scratch.

It is with heavy heart we announce that we are forced to cancel all show dates for “The W. R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities” at this time.

The venue does not have the proper permits to allow us to perform there, and while they have been working on it for some time, it is clear they will not be in compliance with the the City of Somerville in time for us to open on Thursday — and they cannot give us a firm date as to whether…

Dear Constant Reader,

I know I’ve been away from my writing desk for ages. I will try to find some time to let you know all about what’s been going on with The W.R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities.

Today’s tip comes from poet Shel Silverstein:

Some kind of help is the kind of help that helping’s all about. And some kind of help is the kind of help we all can do without.

I think we’ve all found ourselves either giving or receiving that second kind of help…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’m sorry for the lack of epistles, but things have been a little frantic as we get ready for The W. R. Athskellar Cavalcade of Curiosities. More frantic than planned, but that’s a story for another time.

Today’s tip is about bras and it’s not just for the burlesque performer.

Your bra’s band should go straight across your back. If it rises up between your shoulder blades, it’s too big.

Too often ladies compensate for a band that’s too loose by tightening up the shoulder…