Cest La Vie… En Rose
June 7, 2009
Okay so I’ve neglected you… know how I’m going to make it up? Why with a video of my brand spanking new act of course; as performed at the Glitter Room (Black Sheep Bar, Croydon) this very evening!
My new La Vie En Rose routine, costume by Emma Threadneedle.
Rally the troops!
May 8, 2009
Please my darlings – do your bit in helping save Burlesque from the evil clutches of the Empire… well, Government. If you haven’t read about the ban in Camden Council then I refer you to my previous post (that bit before the pictures for those of you with bad memories!) There is currently an online petition which takes a few seconds to complete, in the hopes that this Burly-Q ban won’t spread like a plague of rabbits (very pleased with myself there for avoiding yet another joke about swine flu!).
For those of you in need of a bit more information, take a gander at this:
“Under Section 25 of the proposed “Policing and Crime Bill 2008-2009” Burlesque will potentially be eradicated due to the requirement of a “Sexual Encounter Entertainment License” even though there is no nudity in burlesque (as described in section 25) it has been stated by certain boroughs already that the element of the removal of part of you clothing constitutes as stripping and therefore requires a license, although you are able to appear in front of an audience partially clothed you are not allowed to remove any item of clothing in front of an audience in order to achieve this state without the aforementioned license. We would like this loop hole in the act removed to ensure that performances that involve the removal of part of your clothing and do not result in nudity will not require licensing.” – Tricia Cox, Petition Creator
And for gawd sakes – SIGN NOW!
Did ya miss me…?
March 6, 2009
It’s been a very long Winter indeed, but in the words of the great Miss Dolly Parton I can see the light of a clear blue morning and my darlings it is ushering in a fabulous Springtime just brimming with BurlyQ! But before we get ahead of ourselves I think it best to have a quick blitz through some of the marvellous things I’ve been up to during my unforgivable absence.
- Watching the marvellous Stella Plumes compere the ‘Wizard of Oz’ inspired evening at Festival Hall last year and meeting the adorable Amelie Soleil in the process. Did you make it along? Entry was free and the performers, sublime!
- Travelling to Bath on a whirlwind adventure and being fortunate enough to catch the Billy Travilla exhibit at the Fashion Museum. For those of you who don’t know – he was the very clever man that dressed Marilyn in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ amongst others, and created the iconic white halter-neck dress for ‘The Seven Year Itch’. The curator was an absolute sweetheart and gave us all the gossip about the man himself. Did you know the orange dress worn by Miss Monroe in ‘Gentlemen Prefer…’ was so heavily boned that it could stand up by itself?! And the craftsmanship fantastic. As for size 16….? Not a chance!
- Attempting my first Lindy Hop class and doing none too badly… though I was told by two different partners that I was bouncing first too much and then not enough! What is the right level of bounce required in order to Lindy Hop? That aside it was good fun (though changing partners every two minutes made it tricky), and ultimately the friend I enlisted to come along with me came down with a case of two left feet and swiftly gave up.
- New Year’s Eve I joined some very lovely people at Madam JoJo’s for the London Burlesque Social Club’s celebration, and got to see two wonderfully talented friends perform; Miss Dolly Blow-up and Miss Ruby Rose. Along with a plethora of equally-talented Burlesque beauties, including Slinky Sparkles and Kiki Kaboom (watch out for her at this year’s LBF, we think she’ll do well!).

*Note the black hair which mysteriously came and went*
All in all my darlings it may have been a rollercoaster of a year but for every trough there’s been a peak, and those are the things to focus on. I believe Audrey Hepburn had a similar outlook on life; you go through your struggles and once you’re out the other side you get your reward… though pardon me for paraphrasing.
As for what’s next you’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out, though I promise not to leave it so long next time! Yes indeed it seems that Winter is finally creeping back to Narnia and all the beautiful flowers are starting to thaw out in the Springtime sun. Think I’ll go join them.
Tiara x
BurlyQ Pride and Social Media Prejudice
August 19, 2008
Well darlings, it seems that Burlesque isn’t as appreciated by some as we would all love it to be. What has been my life and passion, an art form that I write about with fondness and respect, has not been well received at all and has acted against me it would seem.
I have never disguised what it is that I write about and in fact have been proud that it has got me the recognition it has with other ‘bloggers’ and the Burlesque community. True, it has been a little while since my last post and so for this to get me writing again only goes to show what an effect it had on me.
A friend suggested I contact someone regarding a digital (non-Burlesque related) position. Through a social networking site I did so, and was asked to call him on Friday. Now as far as I’m concerned, people on this site know well what I write about, and some even comment here on this blog. When I write a new post I inform them about it and a lot of them take the time to check it out (lovely people that they are). Having called this ‘gentleman’ on Friday at the appointed time I was asked to wait as he would call me back. Which today, he did.
He asked me to tell him about my experiences regarding ‘social media’ (having not previously given me anymore information about the job vacancy or what it would entail) and so dear readers, I told him. I told him about the social networking tools I use, it’s place in business and society, and quite obviously – about my blog. I am proud of this blog, proud that I can give more people an insight into Burlesque; its history and it’s place in modern society. I hear a half laugh down the phone…. “it looks like some kind of stripper blog…” “Well” I reply, “in part I suppose it is…” at which point I begin to describe what Burlesque actually is, that it means to ‘pastiche’ something and so on… and this was my reply, under a derisory laugh;
“There’s no way I can hire you. No way.”
For a job in social media it seems that a background in Burlesque doesn’t help you. But Burlesque is what I’m known for in social media circles… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am not ashamed about what I do, and I don’t like being made to feel like I should be.
After our conversation I headed to the original social networking site to post a ‘somewhat’ ambiguous statement to vent my frustration;
“I suggest people do their research next time. Yes darlings, I am the author of the BurlyQ Blog – and quite proud of it too!”
Only to see that the ‘gentleman’ involved had posted just before me:
“interviewed a social media person today that thought it was OK to have a personal stripper blog and that clients would not care. Hilarious”
As I have said before; if the word ‘Stripper’ was good enough for Gypsy Rose Lee then honey, I’ll take it.
Note: Read ‘gentleman’ in the knowledge that my great friend Bianca reminds me constantly that ladies should not swear.