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1. I cinched myself into a corset with back-lacing this morning for an appearance/interview. Yay, me. The interview went well, and it was on a topic that I am very passionate about - Radical Acceptance of Oneself. I dig. Had an impromptu photo shoot with the videographer afterwards - also a photographer - http://thiscameraisaweapon.com/ . I dig. Will post the interview when it's up, of course.
2. I have a big magnet on my car that says, "ROAR!" and has Vaudezilla.com on it. I got a text from Donna Touch earlier today, "Why is the ROAR-mobile in my neighborhood?" Good to know that people see it, even if it is our own people! p.s. A reminder that it's a small world, indeed. ;)
3. Got a message from Sensational Bites (a Chicago bakery). They rejected the pastry I ordered because I wanted a cartoon burlesque dancer on it. Seriously. The cartoon was "too naked." Guess who'll do the cake instead? WHOLE FOODS. I don't know what to make of a private company rejecting something because it's too risque when a big corporation is willing to do it - haven't seen that before!
What's the most surprisingly conservative response you've ever gotten to a request?
What an interesting day so far! Tonight - making costumes for "Rollin Outta Here Naked!" Wait til you see what we've got cookin'. These costumes are OUT OF SIGHT. All designed from the ground-up by Bonny Babs / Lime Barb - http://limebarb.com - Yes, she's awesome, yes, she's with us! ;)
Also, I <3 Chernins. I never thought cheap shoes could be so cute & comfy!
xo
Red Hot Annie
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the package i shipped to myself from canada in may...just arrived.
good things happen in threes!
first - rockin' cancan rehearsal last night
second - package
what's next? how exciting!
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Yesterday, I stumbled across a performers website who had 10 tag lines (a tag line is like "she really makes the wieners boil"...or, a couple of my favorites - Paris Green's "Pleasure Chest of the Midwest" or Donna Touch's "You Can Look, But Donna Touch!"
Anyways, this guy had 10. Maybe more. In a day and age where information is disseminated so easily, I would think a guy would only need one *really good* one. Or two, just to play it safe. But 10?
I think it's the community-equivalent of licking all the cookies so no one else can eat them. I couldn't help but be glad this guy doesn't really do anything that we can use in our shows. ;)
If it was me, I'd hand out the cookies, instead, "I thought of this tagline, isn't it clever? Well, I already have one. You want it?" And then I'd let myself forget that I thought of it first.
What do you guys think?
xo
Red Hot Annie ~ she really makes the wieners boil!
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I went to bed last night, feeling ready for rest - like the day had been super productive, and I deserved to relax! I love when that happens.
There are a lot of things to do today, but I'm ready for the day! Plus my Lady in Waiting is coming, so that should help!
On the agenda today:
mail makeup postcards
buy birthday gifts for sister/neice/friend (maybe when i got out tonight & see a movie, i can find some winners!)
penny starr jr BROADZILLA flyer
penny starr jr workshop flyer (sign-up should become available today or tomorrow - yay!)
continue BROADZILLA promo submissions
absolut sexy flyer
actually, not so bad of a day. that's good, since it's technically my "day off," yo!
xo
Annie
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Did you guys see this great article Wham Bam Pam did with one of my favorite blogs?
If not, please check it out and leave her a nice comment!
http://beingtotallysweetinchicago.blogspot.com/2009/07/wham-bam-pam-bares-it-all.html
xo
Annie
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Oh my god. SO, SO, SO much fun. I thought I knew what burlesque was before I went to Grand Rapids MI this weekend to perform with Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. They have - quite literally - redefined burlesque for me. Good trip, indeed! :)
http://www.superhappyfuntimeburlesque.com/
On Saturday at 8am, I picked up Donna Touch, Maria May I, & Bonny Babs in the "Roar!"-mobile (pictures forthcoming...) and we took the 3 hour trip to Grand Rapids. We made good time - such good time that we thought we were an hour early! Then, we remembered the time change, and realized we shouldn't be perusing Burlington Coat Factory and should be high-tailing it to the theatre.
The Wealthy Theatre is a GORGEOUS space - the best aspects of new construction (clean/efficient) and the most beautiful aspects of older theatres - vaulted, ornate ceilings, abundance of seating, huge stage, etc. We did a couple tech run-throughs (with a live band, yo!) and left feeling pretty good about our numbers. We had two slots, so we decided to do duets (instead of one of us getting a solo and the others having to do a group act!). Donna & Barb put together a CSI duet, and Maria and I did a Spy-vs-Spy duet.
We ran back to our hotel room to do our hair/makeup and make some final tweaks (costumes, choreography changes due to the larger-than-my-living room stage, etc), eat fast food, consume a $25 bottle of Berringer courtesy of Grand Rapids Airport Hilton, and head back out in time to make our 7pm call time.
Oh, the glory of 8pm shows! How I miss thee!
The show was A-MAZ-ZING! There's a fabulous live band (they can play classic burlesque, but they can also play classic rock!). The host, Mr. Happy Pants, is a musical virtuoso - able to play several instruments, sing, and talk to the audience, all as though a second nature. Funny, dirty, and absolutely CHARMING! There are as many guys in the shows as girls. Everything is over-the-top at this show, the makeup, the costumes, the act concepts.
Everything.
These ARE vaudeville performers - they type who practice and practice and practice. There were acts of flexibility and strength, but there were also ensemble skits. There is no comparison in Chicago (or anywhere that I've seen, so far).
I missed some of the acts, being backstage, so please pardon me if I miss anyone! The cast included:
Mr Happy Pants - http://www.myspace.com/endtimesorchestra
Lala Vulvaria - rockin' Charlie Manson strip tease (not surprisingly, into butoh!) - http://www.myspace.com/rachelbutoh
Vivacious Miss Audacious - hoop queen (and Lady Jack look-alike!) - http://www.myspace.com/vivaciousmissaudacious
Sarah Marinara - hilarious in the sketches! http://www.myspace.com/local_funnygal_sarah_jean
Oz - hilarious and hot! http://www.myspace.com/ozandhisbandofmerryman
Original Cin - snakes! http://www.myspace.com/saphirathenaughtygypsy
Velvetta the Cheetah - http://www.myspace.com/velveetathecheetah
Joe the Cabdriver - kind enough to be of assistance in Donna/Barb's number (they have a rule that dancers must stay 20-feet away from audience members!) http://www.myspace.com/joethecabdriver
Josh - um, was dead for most of the show, but kept a straight face! http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667616863
Good Little The Kid - anyone who can do American Psycho boylesque is aces in my book - http://www.myspace.com/dfimagery
And the rockin' crew: Steve, Adrienne, Lynelle, and...Dan(?)
Also, I must add - they sure do grow'em tall in Michigan. At one point, in the bar afterwards, I felt like I was surrounded by men the size of trees. So. Hot. Also - Never. Happens. ;)
I think we'll have to bring them to Chicago, no?
In the meantime, some pictures from the show!
 
xoxoxox
Red Hot Annie
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Chicago Tribune mentions Belmont Burlesque, Varietease, Vaudezilla.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/stage/chi-0710-burlesque-fillerjul10,0,7012713.story
Please make a comment on the article to remind the folks at the Chicago Tribune that Chicago burlesque is alive & well! (And maybe we should see more about it!)
xo
Red Hot Annie
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Always so good to us - today they feature our weekly Blue Bayou burlesque show! :)
http://burlesquebaby.blogspot.com/
xo
Annie
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every little thing is annoying me today.
i need a nap.
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Today, I got a bunch of things done - although not as many as I would have liked to, due to random, seemingly unnecessary phone calls throughout the day. Grrr.
My to-do list is either done or transfered to tomorrow, and I'm down to 33 emails that require responses - not too shabby, if I do say so myself!
This week is pretty much gone already, here's the plans:
Tomorrow:
- Start BROADZILLA promo
- Finish Aug BROADZILLA flyer
- Finish PSjr Workshops/classes flyer
- redhotannie.com - add new updates (got them this afternoon, after today's update)
- Book Grand Rapids hotel
- Do web site edits from Ed
- Finish costume pieces for Spy-vs-Spy
- Finish rebranding assignment from Donna Touch
Wednesday:
- Hair/Makeup gig all day
- Big Lebowski costuming/rehearsal @ Barbs
Thursday:
- eblast
- vintage clothing modeling gig
- rehearsal with Maria May I for our Spy-vs-Spy routine
- Blue Bayou
Friday:
- work sponsorship leads for big lebowski/PSjr workshops
- web site edits from Ivcich
- Steppenwolf Hair/Makeup gig
- last chance to add sparkle to Spy-vs-Spy costumes
Saturday:
- go to Michigan with Donna, Babs, Maria for Super Happy FUntime Burlesque show, where we are performing two duets (Donna & Babs CSI routine, Maria & me Spy-vs-Spy routine)
So, as you can see, it's a pretty busy week for me, but I'm holding it together. I still have to put together some drills for tonight's rehearsal. Fun!
xo
Annie
Red Hot Annie's Burlesque this Month:
  
 
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Did you know?
We've already sold 24 tickets in the last 4 days.
There are only 75-80 seats available every night @ Gorilla Tango, meaning over the course of 4 Saturdays, there is a grand total of only 300-320 seats.
It's a good idea to buy your tix today. :)
See y'all there.
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Last night, before we met our friends for dinner/movie, I walked by this GORGEOUS studio space that I wanted to find out about. So I called the "For Rent" number on the outside, and left a message. A fellow with an accent returned the call late last night, and then called again this morning.
What appears to be the perfect live/work space, a good price, but this guy didn't seem to be able to wrap his head around the fact that I own a business. (I'm not going to assume that it's because I'm a woman, but...?) Additionally, he didn't have a great grasp of english, so I had to repeat everything three times. After navigating through a *very* frustrating conversation just to determine which property I'm talking about set up the appointment to actually SEE the space, he starts in with a slew of questions about my company. How long have you been in production, do you have good credit, do you have capitol?
Etc. All positive answers on my part - I'm GRAVY for something like this, assuming it's the right kind of space. Finally, after all these questions - and in spite of my saying "yes" to the capitol part, he says, "Well, I not rent to people if they don't have capitol." At which point, I've lost my patience. I say, "I haven't even seen the space, and..." and he interupts and starts rallying about how he doesn't rent to people without capitol. (moot point!)
Honestly, I've had it with that. Specifically that - old dudes who interupt me - as if I'm a child who doesn't understand something they need to re-state.
So I kept right on talking, which made him more animated, trying to talk over me (WTF!), I finally said, "Look, I'm not interested - you have a bad personality, and I don't need the space bad enough to deal with it." And he says, as I'm hanging up the phone, "You go to the hell."
Dude...WTF.
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