July marks the 3 year anniversary of my debut as a Boylesque Performer. Now don’t be confused. If you are thinking, “I thought his anniversary was in January.” Well, you are right. But that is my PRODUCING anniversary. January is the month when I produced my first burlesque show working with solo burlesque dancers. July is the first time I performed.
I’ll be celebrating by performing in the Monday Night Tease’s 2nd Annual Quentin Tarantino Burlesque Film Festival on July 20th and 27th at 3 of Clubs in Hollywood.
I’ll be performing my Matador Act inspired by the 5th Film by Quentin Tarantino: KILL BILL Vol. 2.
“Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold!”
Last year when I performed in the show, I felt like the odd man out. Everyone involved came up with acts made specifically for the Tarantino show; everyone except me. My act was already in existence. I created the act for my B-Day Show at the Lava Lounge back in November 2006. I simply used the amazing song, “Malaguena Salerosa” by Chingon, which is on the KILL BILL Vol. 2 soundtrack.
Not only was my act not from the movie, but I had to perform right after Vixen Violette! Who (in my opinion) has the best act in the entire show! She portrays Go Go Yubari from Kill Bill Vol. 1; the crazy Japanese assassin. School girl uniform, chain mace, and all! The audience went wild for her. So imagine me on the side of the stage, waiting to go on, and seeing the response. I was like, “Oh great! They are going to think I suck, now!”
But they didn’t; thankfully.
My act has high energy, so I was able to keep the audience at their over the top level. I had a blast and loved my performance! It was a great show!
I was honored when Lili VonSchtupp asked me to return to the show. For the show this year, however, I revamped my act! I added some new music, choreography, and have a few surprises Kill Bill fans will love! So now I feel like my act fits in with the others a little better!
Being a Boylesque Performer is always a little nerve racking. I never know how the audience is going to react to me and my performance. I don’t know if they will hate me or love me. I’m sure all the performers think that. But I’m a boy. It’s harder for me. Every single person in the audience (usually) is there to see beautiful naked women shake their asses and titties.
Then I come out on stage….Wha! Wha! Quite a surprise for them isn’t it.
Now keep in mind, I’m not saying that is the only thing my fellow performers do. Well, not all of them anyway. But if you think about it, they CAN just do that, and the audience will LOVE them! I don’t have that to fall back on, so I really have to entertain the audience in another way.
Not only do I have to entertain them, I have to keep them interested long enough to keep watching till the end. Because lets face it, what happens at the end of a burlesque act? The dancer ends up naked! So how am I going to get these guys to watch me strip? And then I have to get them to like me and want to see me perform again. Not an easy thing. Especially since I’m gay. Okay….so lets review:
1. Boy in All Girl Show
2. No Titties
3. I Get Naked
4. Need Them to Stay And Watch
5. Need Them to Like Me and Want to See Me Again
6. I’m Gay!
Those are a lot of qualities straight men don’t like!
So how have I been able to last 3 years as a Boylesque Performer?
July 6th 2006 was the night I made my debut at the Lava Lounge. (God, I miss that place!) I remember getting ready for my performance. It took me forever to find my song: “Prelude” by AFI. But when I finally picked it, I knew it was the right choice for my persona and character.
I worked with a former female stripper as my choreographer. Not only was she a stripper, but she is also a famous ballroom dancer, coach, and judge. Quite an intimidating instructor, but together we came up with a great routine.
My costume was pretty simple, and I didn’t even strip all the way down. I was so nervous, but the response from the audience was quite thrilling, accepting, and wonderful.
After that, things happened so fast. I was performing again, and again, and producing more and more shows. I have always loved burlesque, costumes, dancing and sex. I had finally found something where I felt like I belonged, and I was finally doing something I always wanted to do: dance.
I was pretty well accepted in the scene; mainly because I was a producer, but I became a popular performer as well. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are STILL people who don’t accept me as a performer. They will either leave, laugh, make fun of me, and/or all of the above. But the burlesque scene is pretty accepting. Especially since Boylesque has grown so much in the burlesque industry these past 3 years.
Back when I started, they didn’t even have Boylesque Performers at Exotic World (As it was called back then. You new kids know it as Burlesque Hall of Fame). Not to mention I was the first and only boy in Hollywood. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been told it’s a pretty cool accomplishment, so: “TOOT! TOOT!”
It was great to ride the wave of being the only Boylesque Performer in Hollywood. I will admit it. And I will also admit I was a little jealous when other boys in the area began to grace the stages of Los Angeles, causing me to loose my title of ONLY Boylesque Performer.
However, I got a better one now: The ORIGINAL Boylesque Performer of Hollywood (well, at least of the neo-burlesque movement). Also, I’ve become International since then. And have been reviewed a lot! My favorite review and title was given to me from Fishnet Follies of San Diego, “LA’s KING of Boylesque!” It’s great to not be self proclaimed.
Also, I have had many people and other male performers tell me great things. Like how I have inspired them to perform, and how I have paved the way for more men in this industry. So no longer being the only boy, is actually quite an honor. It’s great to see the Boylesque scene grow and grow.
I’ve worked really hard to keep my status and popularity of being a boy in a woman’s world. It is not an easy task. I think and plan and pay attention to many things, that people don’t even realize. I think that is the key to my success. I have and do make careful choices about my performances. From song choices, costume designs, to storytelling in my acts. Every little detail is important.
Being gay doesn’t help either. I hate it when I am telling someone about what I do, and they automatically assume I dress in drag, just because I’m gay. They also think that all the other performers I work with are MEN too! I guess stereo types are the hardest things to break through. It doesn’t help when other Boylesque Performers are flamboyantly gay in their performances and/or wear ridiculous make-up and wigs, looking more like a drag queen than a man. That is why I say I keep the BOY in Boylesque. So trying to convince a group of straight men who have never been to a burlesque show to come to one of my productions is really hard.
I bet you think it’s easy for me to get all the gay guys to come to my shows. Well, think again. I hardly have any gay fans. As a matter of fact, the gay scene doesn’t like me very much at all. When a gay guy goes out to see a guy dance and strip, he wants to see a hot porn star looking guy with a chiseled muscular body wearing little underwear, arm bands, and army boots. Not me. Not even close. So when I come out on stage for that audience, again, its….Wha! Wha!
But I like being curvy.
Looking back on the last 3 years, I’ve had a lot of opportunities and have worked with some amazing people! I’ve been able to perform with and meet some of my idols and favorite burlesque stars. I have worked with many great producers all over the world who have been so kind to book me in their shows. I’m thankful for everything that has happened in my Boylesque career so far. And I look forward to the upcoming years. I have lots of plans as a performer and producer.
I still think of myself as a Baby in this world, I’m still learning and discovering new things about not only the industry but about performing as well.
Oh, here are all the tips and little details I look at as a Boylesque Performer which have helped me become successful these past 3 years:
Sorry, honey. Like a prostitute, a magician, never reveals his tricks.