Mitsy Meringue Goes to BurlyCon

Every so often, you'll catch a little glimpse at my shiny collection of friends. I'd like to think I've bonded with some of the most stylish, witty and clever girls in the city and recently realized what great contributions their stories and experiences would make to the blog. With that being said, I'd like to happily introduce you to Ballard beauty, Miss Mitsy Meringue. A recent attendee of BurlyCon, she shares with us her experiences as a first time participant and a little tease of Seattle's colorful burlesque culture.

Enjoy!

BR

Last week, Seattle got Glitter Bombed and I bet you didn't even notice. You might not have caught on to the commotion down in SeaTac, but you'll see the ripples all year.

On Thursday morning, some of the best and most legendary burlesque performers in the world fluttered into Seattle not to shine and strip like we so love to do, but to learn, teach, nurture, and network. Sunday night all returned home, leaving a trail of ostrich feather droppings, Swarovski crystals, and a myriad of new connections, skills, and partnerships that will no doubt shape the next year of burlesque performances and new troupes that I'm sure you're just dying to go see!

Now in its fourth year, BurlyCon is the only event of it's kind; focused on education and community building rather than performance or competition. Attendees included performers (and performers-in-training), producers, stage managers & crew, not to mention enthusiasts, historians, and pastie-peddlers.

It was my first year as an attendee, and I am, in a word, overwhelmed (Glitter-pated? Dazzle-dazed?). I only did three days of classes and networking, and absolutely collapsed at the end of each day. Although I did take one dance class (Classic Fans with Jezebel Express, where I borrowed fans from THE Miss Indigo Blue, reigning Queen of Burlesque), I found the panels and practical application classes more to my taste. 

The "Balancing Burlesque with your Day Job" panel discussion was particularly poignant. One speaker shared that she's a professional therapist who would likely lose her license if her burlesque activities were revealed. Another woman told the panel that while she was embroiled in a court case, her former business partner announced to the courtroom (including her parents) that she was in fact, a stripper. Of course, you, Birdie Royale, and I all know that there's a big difference between stripping and theatrical striptease, but try telling a judge and jury that in a court of law when you thought you were there to talk about who's getting the office furniture. It sure made my life of advertising diva by day and tassel-twirler come sundown seem simple as cakepops.

Burgundy Brixx's "Producing 101" class was like getting a drink from a fire hydrant. Just the soundbites alone were worth the hour and half I spent listening to her tell cautionary tales of sound disasters, lighting woes, overly-frisky audiences without security. For example: A bar wants to make money and doesn't give a shit about your art. A theatre, might want to see your art and doesn't care about money. A private show is probably not going to think about the fact that a "dressing area" is not a public restroom OR that a PA system is not a clock radio- unless you put it all in writing beforehand. 

Getting prepped for the Northwest Tiki Social.
Thanks to Gorejess Gals Burlesque for sharing their hotel room and vodka.

Part of the sheer delight of Con was the diversity of the attendees and they're willingness to help each other out. If you're involved in the burlesque community in any way (Vintage fashion? Theatre background? Millinery? Marketing?) I strongly encourage you to bring your experience to next year's BurlyCon.
                               
Tickets are on sale for next BurlyCon 2012. Through December 15th, they're only $125 (at the door, they'll be $375).


Mitsy Meringue is a burlesque dilettante, professional marketing project manager, and glamorous gal about town.