Thursday, October 13, 2011
I suck!!
My poor neglected blog, how I've missed you!! I will remedy this lack of updates over the weekend. In the meantime, if you wanna see me dance, check me out tomorrow night at Noches de Destape in Alexandria!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
2 Weeks Until Lexie Goes Solo!!
That's right, only 2 weeks and counting until I hit the Phase stage all by my lonesome. I'm oddly not terrified by this prospect...yet. I'm sure two weeks from now there will be a Full on Panic Mode part II type post. I think this is really important performace for me though. I feel comfortable with my title of "burlesque dancer" for the most part, but part of me feels like a sham. I've never quite done the whole shebang by myself, with the exception on two very short solo performances at the end of a workshop. Its not too tough to dance around for 75 seconds. Hell, if you forget the choreo, you could basically do a two step, shake your boobs, and then it's over. Performing to an entitre song seems both daunting and exhilarating. You never realize how long 3 1/2 minutes is until you have to fill it up with movement that a) doesn't look stupid; b) entertains the audience; and c) you can actually remember while you're on stage. But at the same time, the thought of performing something that came from my own crazy little brain seems so exciting. To know that I was solely responsible for the creation of something that other people might enjoy (that isn't food, I am a hell of a cook lol) seems so gratifying.
Without getting all out there about it, sometimes I think of this whole burlesque thing as so much bigger than individual performances on a stage. At least that's how it is for me. Who knows, some people could just love the attention, or enjoy getting nearly naked for people or need the tip money, or, or or...But that's half the reason I love it. Because it can mean as much (or as little) to you as you'd like. For me, it's about being true to myself. Lol come to think of it, that sounds a little odd, that my true self is a seductive dancer that removes articles of clothing for an audience? I don't quite think that's what I meant though. I just mean that embracing the fact that my interests are (and generally have always been) a little off the beaten path. Every time I send a video to my sister doing my latest pole trick, her first words are always "I still can't believe you have a pole in your bedroom..." Doing burlesque is not something your parents want to write about in their yearly Christmas card update and imagine me trying to explain to freshman year roommate at the HBCU I attended why my ringtone was Toxic by Britney Spears and that yes, I really did have Aaron Carter's That's How I Beat Shaq in my iTunes library. But that's just me. And it's taken 25 years and some girls dancing around in pasties to accept that. I am slowly but surely learning how to be wantonly unapologetic for who I am. And at the end of the day, if no one else likes it, who cares? I know that I'm being 100% true to myself and I LOVE that, and that's what counts, right?
Okay obvs this post got all waxing poetic by accident, but the whole point is, come to Phase July 20 to see me shake it, solo style! I promise to make it worth your cover charge :) Plus there are going to be other equally awesome gurlies performing that night. And if you just can't wait that long to see us again (and who could blame you?) come out to our upcoming shows at The Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan on July 9th and The Red Palace on July 14th.
Without getting all out there about it, sometimes I think of this whole burlesque thing as so much bigger than individual performances on a stage. At least that's how it is for me. Who knows, some people could just love the attention, or enjoy getting nearly naked for people or need the tip money, or, or or...But that's half the reason I love it. Because it can mean as much (or as little) to you as you'd like. For me, it's about being true to myself. Lol come to think of it, that sounds a little odd, that my true self is a seductive dancer that removes articles of clothing for an audience? I don't quite think that's what I meant though. I just mean that embracing the fact that my interests are (and generally have always been) a little off the beaten path. Every time I send a video to my sister doing my latest pole trick, her first words are always "I still can't believe you have a pole in your bedroom..." Doing burlesque is not something your parents want to write about in their yearly Christmas card update and imagine me trying to explain to freshman year roommate at the HBCU I attended why my ringtone was Toxic by Britney Spears and that yes, I really did have Aaron Carter's That's How I Beat Shaq in my iTunes library. But that's just me. And it's taken 25 years and some girls dancing around in pasties to accept that. I am slowly but surely learning how to be wantonly unapologetic for who I am. And at the end of the day, if no one else likes it, who cares? I know that I'm being 100% true to myself and I LOVE that, and that's what counts, right?
Okay obvs this post got all waxing poetic by accident, but the whole point is, come to Phase July 20 to see me shake it, solo style! I promise to make it worth your cover charge :) Plus there are going to be other equally awesome gurlies performing that night. And if you just can't wait that long to see us again (and who could blame you?) come out to our upcoming shows at The Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan on July 9th and The Red Palace on July 14th.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Lots 'o updates!
Okay so obviously I've sucked at updating for the past month. So much has been happening in my burlesque life, as well as my real life, blogging fell to the wayside for a moment. But never fear my loves, I'm back!!
Okay so let's rewind to last month, my first time performing at Phase. I made it through the show without passing out, vomiting, or getting anything thrown at me (with the exception of some dollar bills, heyyyyy lol). I felt pretty good about it...mostly meaning that I felt good that it was over. I know that the dance could have been a lot better, I could have conected with the audience more, and generally not looked as terrified, but hey, that's life. Everyone was super nice and supportive and I obviously wasn't too scarred because I somehow talked myself into signing up to perform at Pride and for our Moulin Rouge show.
PRIDE
Okay so we did a group number for Pride, a fantastic mashup of "Show Me How You Burlesque" and "Blow." We worked HARD on that number. Three weeks of practicing, twice/week, for 2 hours/night. I can say with complete confidence that we were one of the best acts out there that day. The day of Pride arrived and it was approximately 10 trillion degrees. We had to show up down town partially made up, so riding the metro with my super blue eyeshadow and mohawk made for a pretty interesting ride :) Although the day was not without it trials, I think we all came together as a troupe and did an amazing job. When we hit the stage in our rainbow colored corsets 85% of my nerves left me (not 100%, I'm still new at this after all...). I was just excited to showcase all our hard work. Of course it started pouring as we performed, but we didn't care...and neither did the audience for that matter. They were so interactive and people couldn't get enough of Dani's voice. Yes, bad ass Lady Justice sang Christina Aguilera and KILLED IT! That was my first time attending any Pride festival and it was a very cool atmosphere. If I hadn't been so exhausted, I would have loved to stay and partay for a while, but I was wiped. Plus I had to get home and rest because we had rehearsal for our Moulin Rouge show the next night.
Moulin Rouge
We literally had a week (and by week I mean 4 hours spread over 2 days) to learn the choreo for the group numbers for Friday's show. A daunting prospect? Yes. But we're the fucking DC Gurly Show so of course we rocked it. Friday's show was AMAZING. We opened with a group performance of Lady Marmalade and closed with El Tango de Roxanne. We even busted out a can can line at the end! The whole show was so well received and this was definitely the least nervous I've ever been while performing. That could be due to the fact that I wasn't performing solo, but I like to think its mostly because I'm finally getting the hang of this performing thing.
What's next?
We have an administrative meeting this week and there are some suuuuuuuuuper exciting things on the agenda. I won't tell what they are, but I will say, look for some new and exciting places to see me and the Gurlies and some pretty awesome themes coming up VERY soon! Also, look for me at our July show when I have my very first SOLO! Eeek, even thinking about that makes me nervous, but I know it'll be awesome. I'm also incredibly flattered that one of my fellow Gurlies, Sugar Cane, asked if I would perform with her for her first number. The bylaws say that you have to perform with an "experienced" performer for your first number. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say I'm an experienced performer, but I'm flattered all the same :) I'll definitely post the info for that show when I get it.
Okay thanks for bearing with me through this loooooong ass update. I'll get better at updating more regularly so I won't have to write a novel next time!
<3 Lexie
Okay so let's rewind to last month, my first time performing at Phase. I made it through the show without passing out, vomiting, or getting anything thrown at me (with the exception of some dollar bills, heyyyyy lol). I felt pretty good about it...mostly meaning that I felt good that it was over. I know that the dance could have been a lot better, I could have conected with the audience more, and generally not looked as terrified, but hey, that's life. Everyone was super nice and supportive and I obviously wasn't too scarred because I somehow talked myself into signing up to perform at Pride and for our Moulin Rouge show.
PRIDE
Okay so we did a group number for Pride, a fantastic mashup of "Show Me How You Burlesque" and "Blow." We worked HARD on that number. Three weeks of practicing, twice/week, for 2 hours/night. I can say with complete confidence that we were one of the best acts out there that day. The day of Pride arrived and it was approximately 10 trillion degrees. We had to show up down town partially made up, so riding the metro with my super blue eyeshadow and mohawk made for a pretty interesting ride :) Although the day was not without it trials, I think we all came together as a troupe and did an amazing job. When we hit the stage in our rainbow colored corsets 85% of my nerves left me (not 100%, I'm still new at this after all...). I was just excited to showcase all our hard work. Of course it started pouring as we performed, but we didn't care...and neither did the audience for that matter. They were so interactive and people couldn't get enough of Dani's voice. Yes, bad ass Lady Justice sang Christina Aguilera and KILLED IT! That was my first time attending any Pride festival and it was a very cool atmosphere. If I hadn't been so exhausted, I would have loved to stay and partay for a while, but I was wiped. Plus I had to get home and rest because we had rehearsal for our Moulin Rouge show the next night.
Moulin Rouge
We literally had a week (and by week I mean 4 hours spread over 2 days) to learn the choreo for the group numbers for Friday's show. A daunting prospect? Yes. But we're the fucking DC Gurly Show so of course we rocked it. Friday's show was AMAZING. We opened with a group performance of Lady Marmalade and closed with El Tango de Roxanne. We even busted out a can can line at the end! The whole show was so well received and this was definitely the least nervous I've ever been while performing. That could be due to the fact that I wasn't performing solo, but I like to think its mostly because I'm finally getting the hang of this performing thing.
What's next?
We have an administrative meeting this week and there are some suuuuuuuuuper exciting things on the agenda. I won't tell what they are, but I will say, look for some new and exciting places to see me and the Gurlies and some pretty awesome themes coming up VERY soon! Also, look for me at our July show when I have my very first SOLO! Eeek, even thinking about that makes me nervous, but I know it'll be awesome. I'm also incredibly flattered that one of my fellow Gurlies, Sugar Cane, asked if I would perform with her for her first number. The bylaws say that you have to perform with an "experienced" performer for your first number. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say I'm an experienced performer, but I'm flattered all the same :) I'll definitely post the info for that show when I get it.
Okay thanks for bearing with me through this loooooong ass update. I'll get better at updating more regularly so I won't have to write a novel next time!
<3 Lexie
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Full On Panic Mode
As I signed in to blogger to write this entry, my breath quickened and my heart started racing. Why? Because I'm was going to write that my performance is tonight. No, I'm not on my way to the show, I'm not sitting backstage. I'm sitting at the dining room table at my employers house...and I'm scared shitless. This does not bode well for the evening. Why can't I just get regular jitters? First performance anxiety is not good! It's so ridiculous. I know this dance. I know this place. I know these people. Apparently none of that matters because as I sit here in front of the computer, I am literally freaking out. My palms are starting to sweat. What if I suck? What if I forget the choreo? What if they boo me? My rational brain knows that none of these things will happen. But my totally irrational mind says that all this will take place, and more. I was going to write all sorts of interesting and fun tidbits about what you'll see tonight and how awesome everything will be, but unfortunately now I'm too nervous to make any sense. Just know that the show will be AWESOME. And so now need to go calm myself and practice about 100 trillion more times before the kids wake up... If you want to see how it all turns out, come on out to Phase 1 tonight and check out me and the other Gurlies!!
Monday, April 18, 2011
The countdown begins!!
It is exactly 1 month until I hit the stage for my first performance with The DC Gurly Show!! I'm sooo excited/nervous! I'm glad Lola will be dancing with me. I'm working on choreography now, mostly while the kids are asleep at work, and hopefully I'll have something semi-fantastic to show her when we meet up to practice. I'm excited to shop for my outfit, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for...but I can't say what it is. You gotta come to the show to see! It's May 18th, I realllllly hope I see you there!!
<3 Lexie
<3 Lexie
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sad Lexie :(
My phone has been blowing up today with emails from the other Gurlies full of excitement for tomorrow night's show. And I'm sad. Because I won't be there. I'm going to New York for my best friend's birthday. She's been my friend since I was 11, I wouldn't miss it of course, but I am uber bummed that I am missing the first show that I'm officially a part of the troupe. I know this weekend is going to be awesome, but I can't help feeling like I'm missing out. So if you're not busy tomorrow night circa 9:30, go to the show and cheer your heart out for my fellow Gurlies like I would if I were there! And take pictures!
<3 Lexie
<3 Lexie
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Lexie's Coming Out Party!
So after much debate, I decided when I'm going to hit the stage for the first time. May 18th at Phase One in Washington, D.C.-so be there! After much guidance from my favorite burlesque mentor, Miss Lola Rose, I'm ready to show off what I've got, or at least a little of it. She'll be dancing my first number with me (THANK GOD) and a bunch of the other amazing Gurlies will be strutting their stuff as well. Our fearless leader (and show producer) Private Tails has also helped me with this journey...mostly by telling me that I'd attend my first interest meeting, rather than asking :) Between her prodding, Lola's inspiration, and some balls that I mustered up from somewhere, I'm finally ready for my debut. Come check us out! And if you can't wait that long to get a taste of the Gurlies, check us out April 15th!
<3 Lexie
<3 Lexie
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