This past Thursday was my first rehersal with the Rockin' Solidarity Labor Chorus led by Pat Wynne at City College. The group is mostly comprised of Bay Area activist adults, many of whom have sung with the Chorus for over a decade. Everyone was quite friendly and eager to lend a hand - an ear? - to the few newcomers. After a several warm up exercises (ex: "me me me me me me me me MEEEEE!"), we jumped into the songbook. The Chorus is presently preparing for a Labor Day Weekend performance of Pete Seeger music. We sang "If I Had a Hammer" by Segeer and Lee Hayes, later sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary. We sang "Round and Round Hitler's Grave" by Lampell, Seeger, and Guthrie and "66 Highway Blues" also by Seeger and Guthrie.
Pat Wynne introduced two new songs to the protest music canon: "Blue Cross" sung to the tune of "Blue Skies" by Frank Jacobs ; and "Single Payer" sung to the tune of "Solidarity Forever" by Arnie Passman. I am truly a talentless singer (you won't hear me sing a note higher than "Gold Dust Woman" at karaoke) but I experience such deep feelings of joy and pride from singing this beautiful, SECULAR, political music! An undeniable connection to the history of struggle exudes from the booming voices of the choristers. San Francisco has officially made me soft.
I'll be out of town for the Labor Day show but I believe there is something scheduled for October 6th in Berkeley (of course!).
Monday, August 24, 2009
Not that Kind of a Show
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Barbary Coast Burlesque
Here are some shots from last night's show. Thank you to Kate(ie) and Elana for coming out - and also poor Phillip, who was heckled by SBB for several moments before I went on stage. Tsk tsk for texting during a performance!
This is a very exciting time for Bunny Pistol - not only is she producing the monthly Barbary Coast show at Annie's but she just announced that she is taking over at Hoouse of Burlesque at Benders too.
The cast clockwise from left: Bolla Fire, RF (w/ new "anti-capitalist" haircut),Odessa Lil, Madame Chartreuse, Lily Le Rouge, Sparkly Devil, Dottie Lux,
and Bunny Pistol covering the very naked Scotty the Blue Bunny
SBBTuesday, July 15, 2008
Ruby on Stage w/Scotty the Blue Bunny
Just when I was about to retreat into my hermetically sealed apartment for the next few weeks Rosa reminded me that I signed on to perform at her show tomorrow, zoiks! Despite feeling light years away from feathers and follies I am exited to be performing with the famous Scotty the Blue Bunny, who has been at the forefront of underground entertainment on both coasts since forever. This will be my final performance with the epic pastry - good riddance!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
6/25 - Burlesqueteers @ Stage Werx
Sit back and relax in comfortable theater seating while sipping your
wine and enjoying the hilarious and delightful acts from your
favorite burlesque troupe, the Burlesqueteers!
Featuring frisky burlesque acts by...
Bombshell Betty
Chi Chis del Feugo
Josie Starre
Mademoiselle Muerta
Peaches N. Cream
Bootsy La Rue
Kiss Me Kate
Ruby Fuerza
Plus more Burlesqueteers performing tantalizing group numbers from
the Burlesquercise classes!
Your host is everybody's favorite drunk...
Kingfish!
Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm
$12 in advance (Will call only)
$15 at the door
Order your presale tickets today!
http://www.bombshellbetty.net
Presale ticketing ends at noon on the day of the show!
Stagewerx Theater
533 Sutter St. @ Powell Street
San Francisco
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
"Caketease"
Here is the debut of my Cake number, shimmied to "Sweet Little Sixteen" by Jerry Lee Lewis. Thanks to ASGFs, Daniela, Robin, and Phillip - and new friend Chris - for w00ting for me!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Burlesqueteers @ the Uptown Club 6/16
Summer starts sizzling this Monday night, as The Hubba Hubba Revue hosts a full evening of TITillating tassel-twirlin, courtesy of those Temptresses of Tease, BOMBSHELL BETTY'S BURLESQUETEERS!
MONDAY, June 16th, Come See...
Josie Starre!
Bootsy LaRue!
Ruby Fuerza!
Peaches N. Cream!
Holly Hibeemz!
Madamoiselle Muerta!
Bombshell Betty!
The Burlesqueteers!
Zip the What-Is-It
...and everybody's favorite drunks/MC's, Kingfish & Eddie!
As always, it's just FIVE BUCKS all night!
Come on down and see what the fuss is all about!
Doors 9PM, Show 10PM
21 & Up w/ID
THE UPTOWN CLUB
1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
(just 1 block from 19th Street BART!)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monthly Stagewerx Show Tonight!
TONIGHT! Wednesday, May 28th...
It's time for another Haute House Burlesque Review!!
Brought to to you by none other than BOMBSHELL BETTY'S
BURLESQUETEERS!!!
Come one, come all to the Stagewerx Theatre, just off Union Square,
where we'll be back to amaze and delight as you sit back and relax in
cozy theater seats while sipping your beer & wine and enjoying the
spectacle.
Quite a nice alternative to crowded bar shows!
This month's showcase features performances by:
Bunny Pistol!
Chi Chis del Fuego!
Ginger Snaps!
Holly Highbeams!
Josie Starre!
Sneak-A-Peak Sally!
Kiss Me Kate!
Lida Fire!
Peaches N. Cream!
Ruby Fuerza!
Sweet M'Alice!
and of course,
The Burlesqueteers!
with
Odessa Lil as our *thwack* Mistress of Ceremonies!
Wednesday, May 28th
Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm
Stage Werx
533 Sutter St.
@ Powell Street
San Francisco
www.stagewerx.org
$15 at the door
18+
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Baby Bird Flies West
Baby Bird is in town for the week (fun!) so between work and play there is little time to report. I envision one great recap later in the week if Roomie uploads some photos. In the mean time, I have a show tonight:
-----------------BLURB!--------------------
It's the Merry Month of May, and that means it's time for Booze, Comedy,
Burlesque and Top-Notch Variety Entertainment at Oakland's swanky UPTOWN CLUB!
Join the Hubba Hubba Revue on MONDAY, May 5th, for;
Kiss Me Kate!
Josie Starre!
Miss Kitty Whip!
Vagabondage!
Lulu LeStab!
Mable Sugar!
Ruby Fuerza!
Dangerous Curves!
Celebrity Simian, Gorilla X!
and everyone's favorite drunks/MC's, Kingfish & Eddie
Doors 9PM, Show 10PM!
THE UPTOWN CLUB
1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
(Just 1 block from 19th Street BART!)
as always, JUST FIVE BUCKS all night!
21 & Up, w/ID
I also leave you with this video made by Flies in the Kitchen:
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Show Must Go On
Last night I performed my Bearded Lady number again at our Stage Werx show. At first I was really disappointed because I messed up a part of the routine and had to improvise the entire middle portion of the song. I didn't do my best. Seeing Laura and Katie in the audience made me feel better - and guzzling margaritas with them afterwards made me feel great. My two ASGFs stayed for the whole show (the are in senior thesis crunch time) and even left with a pair of tassels each. We went to a corny Mexican bar that was featuring renditions of bastardized Shakira karaoke. We did not sing.
On account of the prep time commanded by their senior show and also all of the fun things to do this weekend we decided to cancel our Synchro de Mayo trip. While I am sad about this I am really looking forward to spending the weekend in the city with Lauren.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Ruby Fuerza @ the Uptown Club Hubba Hubba Review 5/5
More exciting news!
I've just booked my first performance without the Burlesqueteers. I'll be debuting a number at the Hubba Hubba Review at the Uptown Club where I normally dance with the troupe. The Cinco de Mayo show will be with nine other dancers, none of whom I know. Because I booked the gig independently, I will receive a share of the ticket sales (hold your horses! its only about 20 bucks!) When the Burlesqueteers perform, we pool our earnings which we've been saving to defray the cost of our Las Vegas trip.
I won't reveal the theme of my act, but I will say that it is an to my favorite Mexicana (and it's not Comandante Ramona) . . . . .
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Burlesqueteers @ Stage Werx Theater 4/30
This is the poster for the final date of our three April shows. We are also performing at Bender's on Saturday, April 19th and at the Uptown Club's Hubba Hubba Review on Monday, April 21st. I will be in a group number (or two) as well as a solo act on at least two of the three nights. Come early, come often!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Burlesqueteers @ The Uptown Club's Hubba Hubba Review 4/30
Last night was my second show with the Burlesqueteers Hubba Hubba Review at the Uptown Club in downtown Oakland. Erin, Pete, Phillip and Dan came out to support. I danced in the final group number, Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder. It was lots of fun even though none of us had the number down perfectly. I think that by the time we came on the audience was drunk enough not to notice too much. After the show the five of us went for swanky cocktails at Bourbon and Branch. I had a great time chatting and gossiping with Erin until the bar closed.
pre-show
the MC; Miss Holly Highbeams
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Monday, January 28, 2008
2/18 Performance!
It looks like I will be performing with the Burlesqueteers again in a few weeks. We'll be doing the "Hubba Hubba Review" at the Uptown in Oakland again on Monday, February 18th. I'll be dancing in two group numbers this time (if I can learn them fast enough).
Several of the girls will be doing new solo acts - many that have yet to be choreographed. It amazes me how quickly they whip those numbers together. I've chosen the song for my first solo number but I can't think of any moves. I sit and listen over and over but nothing comes to me. Hopefully I'll be ready for whatever comes in March.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The First Show
Last night was my first show! It was so fun!
Esther, one of the dancers, picked me up in her '69 punch buggy and we drove to the Uptown in Oakland together. We set up hair and make-up back stage where all the performers were hanging out. I chatted it up with Gorilla X, the guy who dresses up in a gorilla suit to pick up the clothes of the stage. My act wasn't until the very one so I took advantage of the free drink tickets and hung out with Phillip and Pete for much of the show. By the time I went on I was a little bit drunk but I think it would have all been a blur anyway. Phillip and Pete gave me bouquets of roses. Everyone was happy happy. I had a blast!
Here are some of the photos from the show:
7 Duncan hanging out before the show
Bombshell Betty herself performing her Little Red Riding Hood number
Minnie the Moocher
Minnie the Moocher continued...
Minnie finale!