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Call for artists-Accepting submissions for visual arts experience

Accepting submissions for visual arts experience/silent auction on November 4th, 5th and 6th for the Silverlake Contemporary Ballet.

The Silverlake Contemporary Ballet (SCB) is dedicated to bringing contemporary ballet, inspired by local and iconic music to our neighborhood.  SCB presents 3 world premiers of new, innovative contemporary dance pieces set to original music, played *live* by three locally acclaimed indie rock bands: The Janks, The Lonely Wild and Of Verona. There will also be movement choreographed to covers of Jeffy Buckley & Adele, performed live. We will have a gallery of visual art for viewing and purchase in our silent art auction. A DJ will be spinning before the show and during intermission. We will also have gourmet refreshments and desserts.

Event- Silverlake Contemporary Ballet-Fall Production
Theme-Contemporary prints, drawings and paintings
Dates-November 4th, 5th and 6th
Venue- The Sweat Spot 3327 W Sunset Blvd. 90026
Eligibility- 2D
Fees- 20% from sold pieces to benefit Silverlake Contemporary Ballet. All accepted pieces will be part of the silent auction.

Artist responsibilities will include:

*Artists must provide their own materials for hangings. Velcro, museum putty, easels, mounting tape, wires, props for tabletop display, s hooks, nails, etc. Whatever you want to use to hang/display your piece you must provide. This is a visual arts experience. Not a traditional gallery show. Plan accordingly and please get creative!!

*Framing (if applicable)

*Transportation of art to/ from venue

*Shipping costs (if applicable)


Visit http://www.silverlakeballet.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/silverlakeballet for more information

Please email letter of interest, include "title/price" tag information (artist name to display, title, price, measurements, media/materials used in production). Also, include images for up to 5 pieces you would like to submit.

Contact: silverlakeballetart @ gmail. com

Embracing change

I recently made some big changes in my life. Changes in my room decoration, my wardrobe, my hair, even changes in my friendships...And there are more changes to come.

Before the end of the year SpyKittenSparkles.com will become a marketplace for all things Spy Kitten. I am in the process of creating Spy Kitten merchandise and I will also be selling/trading new and gently used clothing, accessories and shoes.

The Bees Knees (this blog) and all Spy Kitten performance related information will move to SmittenWithSpyKitten.com

Of course, you will still be able to find me on facebook and twitter. But, don't worry, I'll be sure to let ya'll know before anything drastic changes and causes everyone to freak out. :-)

Holy Moly! That's a whole lotta NSFW

...eh...I guess it depends on where ya work ;-)

Dragons in Denver

I went back to Denver, my hometown, for Fourth of July weekend. It was five days full of family, friends, music, love, and burlesque. :-) My favorite things!

One of my favorite events during this visit was the night I had a get together at my dads place. So many of my loved ones showed up and we delighted in an evening of camaraderie. We lit fireworks and had exploding tank battles and later, an epic T-Rex attack took place among the decimated troops. There was lots of food, booze and chocolate that everyone enjoyed in moderation.

One of the moments that sticks out for me that night was when Andrew, my friend Sonya's son, was playing guitar for us. My heart floated from pure joy as I watched the kiddos run around the yard and heard the laughter of adults that only comes from reminiscing. After an almost 100 degree day, we were blessed with an evening thunderstorm. The kids played in the rain and squealed over the bright flashes and loud claps. This perfect moment reminded me of cherished childhood memories. When I was very young, my parents and extended family would get together to eat, drink and be merry. Someone was always playing the guitar and us kids were always running around the yard, squealing. I always wanted one of the family musicians to play "Puff the Magic Dragon" and inevitably someone would and everyone would start singing along. That's the way I remember it anyway. But, I was like, 4, so who knows what actually happened. ;-)

On that warm, rainy June night last week, I asked Andrew if he knew how to play "Puff the Magic Dragon". He looked at me like I was a total nerd, said "no", and went back to playing Alice in Chains or something. So, I didn't get to hear Puff that night, but I think I figured out why I love dragons so damn much.

My parents are proud!

So far, I've had three shows with Naked Girls Reading -Los Angeles.  I'm reading in another this weekend (June 18th). You should come! The last two were particularly fun for me and inspired a lot of reflection, growth and gratitude.

On March 19th super hot, naked ladies read comic books, about super heroes, at a super famous comic book store, on the night of the super moon. How could it not be a super fabulous night? We also read stories that were related to Burlesqueland, as we were in the middle of that extravaganza. Of all the readings I did that night, I really enjoyed reading stories about death and dismemberment at Disneyland, because I'm super morbid, and because the audience was all "Bahahahahahhaa!!!" I think I was just as entertained by the audience reaction, as they were by my reading.

I was pleased to be a part of this event for a couple of reasons.

1)  I got to be naked in a comic book store...reading comics.
2)  I got to read comic books naked...in a comic book store. ;-p
3)  Everyone was laughing and having a great time

 Photo by Rex the Impossible

The other Naked Girls Reading event I did this spring was Naked Girls Cooking on May 22nd. Cooking really isn't my thing. But, I appreciate irony and creating something sweet to eat is a cause I can get behind. So, when I was asked to do desserts, I decided to create the first ever Spy Kitten Berry Cups.  Dessert cups, strawberries, whipped cream (that will not drip off boobies), and chocolate sauce.

Spy Kitten Berry Cups!!!
Every time you make one, send me $1

Oooo...and possibly just as exciting, I was asked to model for the event flier!!! Another reader was originally supposed to model for the cooking flier, but, something came up and I happened to be available on short notice for a quick shoot. It's my first flier and my first photo shoot with Chris Beyond so it was a pretty big deal in SpyKittenVille.

The Stay Puft box is my favorite detail

These events got me to thinking about my last NGR post and a conversation I had with Rex the Impossible and Dick Envy a few months ago. We were discussing empowerment and what that means in the world of burlesque and naked ladies. I realized there are far more perspectives than I imagined. I felt I needed to clarify, for myself, what empowerment, as it relates to nudity in art & entertainment, means to me annnnnnnd...

I realized it's kinda boring and simple. I really just feel empowered to be doing something I literally feel compelled to do and that I make money doing something I enjoy so much. It just so happens that I love money, I love being naked and I love entertaining. It rarely occurs to me that what I love doing is considered controversial. Only because it seems so silly, to me, that humans should be morally ashamed of our bodies or of our sexuality. As a little girl, I would get so mad because, when it was hot outside in the summer, Jeramy Bloomer, got to run around without a shirt on. "Why can't I take off my shirt, moooooooooom?" Mom tried to explain it to me, but, I thought it was the stupidest thing in the world. How dare boys get a different set of rules! Stupid boys! Having my boobies exposed is really no different to me than having my arms exposed.

But, when the reality of the controversy is brought to the forefront of my mind, I use the ignorance, fear, hypocrisy and self righteous arguments to fuel my performance. I use the judgments, by people who know nothing of me, to further create my character. I've always been a bit sassy and it feels great to channel that into my character and get away with making intelligent, ironic, philosophical and yes, even political commentary in an artistic, mocking, rebellious manner...naked. Oh, gawd! I'm like, a hipster stripper or something. *facepalm*

I suppose I also feel empowered by creating the most realistic version of a life long fantasy. I have dreamed of being as funny as Lucille Ball, as iconic as Betty Grable and as glamorous as Rita Hayworth. And of course, a man as dashing as Gene Kelly will fall madly in love with me. ;-)  I also used to dream of saving the world, so this weekend I get two for one at Naked Girls Reading-LA Goes Green. For as long as I can remember, I have been entranced by "old" Hollywood, silent films, the circus, vaudeville and movie musical extravaganzas. Through the influence of my mother and grandmothers, I came to appreciate an era dripping in profound historical moments, gloves & stockings, dancing sailors and pin up girls. Through the influence of my father, I came to appreciate nudie magazines, kustom culture, horror, comic books and sci-fi.

Wow. That's fucking awesome. Thanks mom and dad for all your positive influence & support and for accepting me unconditionally.

Obsession of the moment

I am totally and completely obsessed with QR codes. As a Spy Kitten true to her name should be, I suppose. There are all sorts of secrets floating around in those little squares of knowledge.

Anyway, not to get all A Christmas Story with the Little Orphan Annie bit...but...

 

 

Lickety Lick Stage Split

On May 3rd, I performed with the Letter Follies burlesque show at the Stargarden gentlemen's club in North Hollywood. I was excited to be at a new venue and I really like working with Scarlett Letter. And because this was a gentlemen's club, pasties were optional. Scarlett told me about the vice laws to be most aware of: 1) Panties had to provide crack coverage 2) If my under boob is exposed, I have to stay behind the white line.  I had no idea what this white line nonsense was all about, but, she told me it would be obvious when I saw the stage.

See, where I come from, there aren't white lines at the gentlemen's clubs. I'm sure there are other boundaries, but, the only major one I know of is that touching, of any kind, is not allowed. I assumed that, in CA, the white line was probably a way to enforce that no touching rule, because, let's face it, we've all had an exotic dancer stick her boobies in our face and shimmy and the next thing you know you are getting bitched slapped by glittery titties.

I get to the venue and I'm feeling fine. I've rehearsed my routines, I've checked and double checked that I have everything and that I have an "emergency kit" to fix any possible wardrobe issues. I've made sure I have an extra copy of my music just in case, etc etc. I've prepared for everything I can imagine ...but I'm still really new to all of this and so I have fewer experiences to guide my imagination. After setting up in the dressing room and saying hello to the ladies, I decide to go check out the stage view and room set up. Scarlett reminds me to take a look at the white line. I thank her for the reminder and walk out of the dressing room with a smile on my face.

Then I see it...

The white line.

This is no ordinary white line. This is a white line plotting my destruction and arrest...maybe even my death. The white line is obviously some kind of force field that immediately notifies the police if I step over the white line with my under boob exposed. I imagine the police will come and I will be dragged off stage by two well built, uniformed men, with my boobies bouncing all over and me kicking my legs and screaming some nonsense about the white line having a personal vendetta against me for not being aware of its terrifying, diagonal existence. I'm horrified. In my head, this line is criss crossing in a forbidding, hypnotic manner, trying to hoodwink me into stepping over it and unleashing the imminent moral apocalypse on all of mankind. All because of my under boob.

Not even the nip. The frackin under boob!

I'm convinced that there is no way I can perform my acts and stay within the white line of doom.  But, the show must go on. So, I begin to think of ways to move about the stage avoiding both the white line and a pole in the middle of the stage. I visualize my routines numerous times while I wait for my turn to perform. I did my best to remain calm and collected. I'm pretty sure I appeared to have it together, but, secretly, in my head,  I was freaking out. I was afraid of ruining the sexy vibe of the show, of getting myself in trouble, or getting Scarlett or the club owners in trouble. So, my ultimate focus was that I stayed within the white line.

So, that's what I did, at all costs, during my first performance of the evening. It ended up having a tremendous impact on my routine in a way in which I was uncomfortable. I'm very pleased that I didn't disregard the white line and cause a bunch of trouble.  But, my performance suffered because I was looking at the floor and making sure that I was where I needed to be, when I needed to be there. I was also focused on making sure my prop, an umbrella, didn't smash into the pole. My connection to the audience was lost, my movement became stiff and over analyzed and I rushed through the routine. Sad City. I was determined that the second one would be better and took some time to give myself a bit of a pep talk. 

The second routine was better in many ways, but I didn't fully recover from the initial performance.  Plus, the second routine was a new routine I was debuting to the song "I'm a Queen" by Narciso "Seeso"  Lobo. It's nerve wracking to perform a new act for the first time in public as it is, so, all these other little things were making it a bit worse.

I'm sure you, my loyal readers, are feeling some tension right now. So, let's go to a happy place and listen to a little song. Here is a video of Seeso performing "I'm a Queen" (BTW-watch more of his vids because Seeso is fucking rad!)

I was still nervous about and focusing on the gawd damn white line so I ended up rushing through my Queen performance as well.  Lame. But, I was excited for the part where I put whipped cream on certain parts of my body. Yay! Alas, when I had rehearsed this number it was right after pulling the whipped cream out of the fridge. That wasn't the case on show night (it was 500 degrees that day) and the whipped cream had gotten all melty so, it didn't stick to my skin...in fact, it dripped right off my left jubblie. I quickly replaced it, only to have the replacements fall off both jubblies and onto my legs. I even heard the DJ/MC say "oops". I was so over everything being lame, and suddenly all I could hear was Red Snapper saying "the audience loves it when you lick." So, I scooped the whipped cream off my legs and smeared it all over my chest and then licked my hands and walked off stage. Bam! It's the Lickety Lick Stage Split. 

I just invented that.  


I apologetically thanked everyone who came out to the show. They were kind and encouraging and friends within the community told me not to beat myself up. Which was great advice. I really didn't see any reason to beat myself up. There was a bunch of shit that happened that was out of my control and for which there was no way for me to prepare and I dealt with it the best way I knew. However, I'm all about this being an experience I grow from and I really want to learn more about how to properly vamp on stage if things go wrong. I also think it would be a good idea for me to step out of my comfort zone more often so I feel more confidant in situations for which I was not able to better prepare. 


In the meantime, I have two more shows this month. So, I'll just keep truckin along, rehearse until my feet hurt and keep doing my best. My best will continue to get better.

So, here we are...the end of a long post and I've realized that I don't have a particularly witty way to end this, so, just imagine I'm licking whipped cream off of something while you declare "Lickety Lick Stage Split" with enthusiasm ;-)

Oh and fuck that white line...for realsies...

Art

I don't have any photos or video from the act I debuted in Ventura earlier this month. Sad City.


So, I drew you a picture instead

F*ck Christmas

Below is the video I promised from my holiday themed performance in Denver at 3Kings. I was lucky to share the stage with the lovely ladies of Ooh La La Presents. These women inspire me and are a huge part of the reason I became a burlesque performer. They welcomed me with open arms, got me drunk and we all danced the Christmas night away. A handful of my Denver friends braved the freeeeeeezing cold to come out and show their support and I am uber grateful to each of them and to all of the friends they brought with them.

Remember I mentioned in the previous post that Denver wouldn't let me have a boner? It turns out there are some laws about having anything phallic looking on stage that could have gotten me in some trouble that carried hefty fines. Even though I think that is insanely ridiculous and oppressive, I was unwilling to accept those consequences. So I had to get creative and thanks to some inspiration from a fellow burlesque performer, I decided to use one of those giant candy cane sticks for my stage boner.

It ended up being one of those nights I will always remember and cherish. Thanks to everyone involved in making this Christmas so rad !