Hello friends! I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. I don’t buy into the legend aspect myself, seeing it as part two of Indigenous Peoples Day. For me, it serves as an opportunity to be vocally grateful for all the people and experiences that have enhanced my life and shaped who I have become. In that spirit, thank you for being on this journey with me. Thank you for supporting my art, enabling me to go/see/do things that inform my perspective, and in turn create more art I’m privileged to share with you. Here’s to many more years of partnership! Cheers!
This little Scorpio celebrated another trip around the sun last week. Ordinarily, I would be gallivanting in the Pacific Northwest for Bizarro Con. Due to a number of factors, that reunion of weirdos has been delayed until January. So what does a girl do when she’s homesick for the Edgefield, where she’s spent the last five birthdays? What does she do to mark the occasion when she’s not co-hosting the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown? Her local bizarros, her closest of friends, bring the Edgefield to her. I was gifted a bag of McMenamins coffee, an Irish coffee devil’s bit glass (the Celtic knot is formed by snakies!), a bottle of Willamette Valley riesling, and a distillery cat pint glass all from the very property I was missing. As if that weren’t enough, they hosted a videogame pajama-jam breakfast, took me out for dinner at the best Ethiopian restaurant the city has to offer, and then to the Leather Archives and Museum for a CineKink festival screening. My heart is full and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people.
My only gig this month was a trip to Rockford with Bim Bam Boom burlesque. It was a sensational time alongside my burly pals, with loads of camaraderie on the highways and byways. There is nothing like stuffing seven performers (and all their luggage) into a van for a few hours to test the strength of their bonds. It is especially wonderful when you all come out the other side closer than ever before. Hot on the heels of this excursion, we had a morning walk-through of our new venue. In the Wrigleyville Links Hall building, you’ll find Under the Gun Theater on the second floor. The space has been home to Lincoln Lodge comedy for the better part of two decades now, and historically was a dance hall complete with sprung floor. The new space boasts a higher capacity for an audience, a full bar within the room, better soundboard with extensive lighting options, and a roomy backstage seemingly meant for showgirls and burlymen! Touring the space was a pleasure for our growing troupe to spread our wings. Speaking of a healthy shot for creativity...
November's set was presented as a scavenger hunt challenge by longtime friend and fan, Kristjan. The elements to search for are as follows: needles, fantasy, shame, coffee, screaming, wet skin, something iconic, lip biting, bare butt, an uncomfortable pose. Anthropix and I had such fun shooting Drop the Needle - it was the catalyst to create something truly extraordinary. Can you find all the key ingredients? Let me know in the comments! VIPs are getting the full 38 image photoset, and Backstage Patrons also get 33 beyond-the-set images this month! Be sure you're logged in on my site to view the images. Feel free to give the set some love by leaving a comment or clicking the heart below. As always, thank you to all my Patrons. You make art happen.
Photographer: Anthropix