Burlesque Beat - Impromptease Press!

I just found a wonderful quote over at Burlesque Beat.com from a review of December's Impromptease, produced by Tootsuite Productions.

The beautiful Red Herring created quite a buzz with her “Fairy Dust” themed scene. Set to Justin Timberlake’s Sexyback, she performed her routine wearing delicate blue fairy wings that sparkled under the stage lights. Starting off with a gorgeous blue corset, matching fringe g-string accentuated with white bows, and opera gloves, she flittered like a butterfly across the stage as she slowly and sensually peeled layer after layer. The wings only came off at the end to be used for the final reveal. The whole scene came together beautifully when she blew fairy dust into the audience as she was leaving the stage. This lady knows how to think on her feet and improv seems to be a natural extension for her – she seemed comfortable and confident with her instant routine.

Olena Sullivan (Photolena) 

Followed by a gorgeous photo from the event!

Photo by Olena Sullivan (Photolena) 

My costume props were a pair of butterfly wings, a wand, and a pouch of glitter.  I ended up dancing to Justin Timberlake's Sexyback.

Again, this is one of my favourite events. Check out the video compilation of that night!

~ Red

Red Herring Burlesque featured on Sex Life Canada

I'm getting around! I'm like a sparkly plague.

Just before the Toronto Burlesque Festival I was featured on Sex Life Canada in a wonderful interview by Jon Pressick.

Photo in the article by Craig Cochrane

I'm flattered to be joining the sexy interviewed ranks of Keela Watts and Canada's own Miss Exotic World 2010, Roxi DLite.

Take a look at the Q&A featuring some questions about burlesque and the scene, both local and beyond!

~ Red

Red Herring Burlesque featured on Applied Glamour!

All the way back in July, I was interviewed by Laura from Applied Glamour!

Photo used in the article is by Toni Wallachy of Orangeroads Photography

Laura is a makeup artist bent on showing ladies and gentlemen that they too can be glamorous, beautiful and stunning creatures. Her blog contains tip and How-to articles, reviews and interviews, and more!

GLAMOUR: the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks!

Think you don't have those qualities?!? Think again! Applied Glamour is here to insist otherwise!

Take a look at her blog, read some hilarious remarks I've made regarding boob contouring, and learn!

~Red

Sucker Punch Review - G33KPRON Posts!

Remember when I went into the theatre with fangirlish glee, somewhere mid-March, and promised you all a review of Sucker Punch?

I suck. So here it is now.

The overall reaction to the movie from the critics and fanboy base was 'Meh' and frankly to them I give a glittery manicured middle finger.

What, you boys are having a hard time relating to women an action movie with no male lead characters? Who's surprised.

Yes the movie was shallow, largely centering around action and fire and explosions. It was also the only movie of its kind: Female ensemble lead with NO romance. It's basically a female version of The Expendables, minus the romance.

Here's a challenge: What other movies can you think of with strong female leads that aren't motivated by some dude?

Badass. Any questions?

Some people bring up the Angelina Jolie movie Salt when I mention a lack of female leads. FYI, it was written for Tom Cruise originally, and she's motivated by the husband's death (I think, I don't remembe.r It was a bad movie and I've already seen Bourne Identity*). Rarely has the Sucker Punch kind of movie been done before.

Not that I'm bitter or anything, but seriously? Your male action movies are so deep and meaningful. Who goes into a movie like Sucker Punch hoping for a deep and meaningful Oscar nominee? There are dragons and guns and knee socks in the trailer. This is female wish fufillment, just like superhero films for guys.**

And for the record, where are all the female pro movie critics? There's a serious lack in the field.

Jessica from G33KPRON shares my opinions on Sucker Punch, and is also a cool new site. Take a look, and comment here or there with your agreement or disagreement. She brings up the same points I've been harping on, and has a great quote from Mr. Snyder about the extended length of the director's cut. And a great quote from Jess herself:

"No damsel waiting for some jacked up, knight-in-shining-armor type to rescue her. These chicks are brutal, unflinching, and you believe every second of it."

Go. Discuss. I only hope for more female centered movies that don't end with a romance. We've got other shit to do.

EDIT: Bunnyhero on twitter linked me to this amazing in-depth review from Tor. Go, read it. Part 1 and Part 2. I love it. I love Tor, how did I miss this?!

"It amazes me how, even regarding a movie about women, straight men dominate the conversation."

~Red Herring

* The similarities are striking....except that BI was better.
** COOL female wish fufillment. If your wishes are more in the line of Twilight or Sex in the City I'm probably not your friend. Girls who want to fight dragons? Come chill.

Blog Spotlight! - Fish nor Fowl by Freya West

Fish Nor Fowl - Freya West

Miss Freya West and I met one fateful night at the Toronto Burlesque Festival last year. This damsel in nodress was without a place to stay, and I (ever the knight in shining glitter) took her in and fed her egg sandwiches at midnight while discussing hanging participles and the quirks of freelance writing.

But look at her. Who wouldn't take her home?

Freya West, photos by Stephanie of La Photographie Nashville

She's gorgeous, with a hint of a Southern accent (which she can turn up high at will) and she's smart as hell.

We skype date. It's hot.

She has her own blog over at Fish Nor Fowl and is an experienced writer and editor whose text has graced the pages Huffington Post, Chicagoist, Examiner, and more.

Here's a tidbit snatched from her About page:

The foxy firebrand of the South, Freya West began her burlesque career as a student under the whipsmart talents of Michelle L’Amour. She studied for a year under the burlesque star before performing in the Studio L’Amour student showcase. Since then she has performed internationally, including main showcases at several burlesque festivals and was named a Rising Star at the 2010 Toronto Burlesque Festival. Freya has represented Dos Equis Most Interesting Show in the World, performed with Shiny Toy Guns, and continues to teach the art of the shimmy to Nashville’s elite. Freya is a member of Music City Burlesque. Freya writes about burlesque and other things on her website, Fish nor Fowl.

After heating up that stage, she heats up the classroom with Delinquent Debutantes as "Headmistress Freya West" where she teaches burlesque basics, advanced choreography, a twelve week performance class, and  workshops in tassel twirling, costuming, vintage make up and hair, and MORE.

Internet stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, Examiner or at her literary magazine The Paper Colony.

Oh...and she eats fire too.



~ Red Herring

Featured on Succubus.net!

And now for a Way Back Playback!

I found this feature of my long-ago succubus act while googling my name. Don't lie, you do it too.

Tera from Succubus.net has a blog all about Succubi, and came across my performance from theOriginalFace`s Shameless Showcase back in August 2010.

Here's a link to the article, and the video!

"The first thing I want to say is that I love the mix of sexy and cute that her outfit is.. The heart on her tail is especially cute and I have to admit that I giggled when I saw it the first time… Her dancing is really amazing and I love the little touches of whimsy and fun she was placed into her art… The feathers are an especially fun touch that I think would have gone over really well at the show I am sure…I also think the horns are really nice, and her corset just makes the whole ensemble fit together just so wonderfully…" 

Thank you Tera!

~ Red Herring

How To: Get an Hourglass Figure?

Super Amanda wrote this wonderfully informative article on How To Get an Hourglass Figure, for all body types. It's hailed as "The most googled article on the Hourglass Figure three years running."

Dita von Teese, being a hot hourglass 

with the aid of a corset

So what IS an hourglass figure? It's defined as having your waist measurements being around 10" less than your hips and tits. This was an ideal ratio in the old days, and is still touted as the ideal among celebrities...though Amanda raises a great point about celebs who don't have hourglass figures still fudging their measurements to make it seem like they do.* In reality I find a lot of the fashion magazines glomming on to the rectangle shape for women, which may be other people's interests, but not mine.


Why? I'm a mean person, but a woman with no boobs, no hips, and no waist? From the back, she looks like a boy, and drag queens always have better legs.** But I'm biased, of course.

I've been lucky enough to be blessed with an hourglass. When I'm not eating everything in sight and actually going to the gym on a semi-regular basis, like a healthy person should, my measurements float the 34-25-35. Lord knows I love my padded bras, which usually round out the top half. Right now I'm taking up a bit more time (ha haaa) and floating the 35-27-37, because I had pasta for lunch and two cookies, and a piece of cake and am too lazy/busy to gym as much as I should.

I've been meaning to get back into the workouts for a long time now, and with my recent addiction to trapeze (yes, I may be insane), I'm finding it more and more needed.

This article has wonderful tips and Do's and Don'ts for those interested in working out to either achieve an hourglass shape, or enhance the one they have. Especially the part on pilates and yoga thickening out the waist. I always thought this, and heard it from half of the trainers I worked with when I worked in a gym (after losing around 40lbs via 'diet and exercise'). Working the obliques typically thickens out the waist, but all the pilates trainers say that it doesn't! Super Amanda sums it up nicely, "If you are seeking a more hourglass figure through Pilates...look and see if your teacher has a noticeable hip to waist and/or an hourglass figure themselves and then judge the veracity of their opinions before investing money..."

Yes. This.

Check out the article and make some changes to your routine!

As always, I feel the need to state something PC like 'love the body you have', which I feel is so cliche that the eye skips over it. My stance is that if you feel you could improve yourself, your fitness, your looks, your life, DO IT and shut up. I hate it when people disregard 'body issues' with a 'but you're PERFECT the way you are!' or any number of 'skinny bitch' comments. If you've got no boobs, your options are: get a padded bra, dress to flatter what you have, accept it, or buy them. Pick one and do it. If you're carrying a few more cookies than you'd like, you can: stop eating cookies, start watching what goes into your mouth, get a healthy amount of exercise. If you have no tush to speak of: Padded undies! If you exercise regularly, watch what you're eating, and aren't losing weight? See a trainer or nutritionist, you may be doing something wrong.***

If you think it's perfectly fine to be whatever level of boobed, butted, or curved you are? Rock it. If you're healthy, you're good. The previous paragraph clearly does not apply to those deliciously curvy ladies who are cool with it.

It's not rocket science.

That mini-rant being said...I'm definitely cutting down on the oblique core work. Not killing my crunches because the toning is necessary, or the captain's chair because I need the lower core for trapeze, but I'm going to focus more on upper and lower body right now. I dance enough for the core to be regularly engaged aside from my gym time, and I really need to be able to actually do pull-ups again.

Oh yeah, and more cardio to burn off all those cookies.


~ Red Herring



* Mmmm, fudge.

** I find this both unfair and amazingly awesome.

*** Seriously. If you're burning more calories than you consume on a daily basis you will lose weight. You could be misjudging input/output or have other health issues that are in the way. Women 18-24 of an average weight and activity level burn approximately 1500-1800 calories daily, just existing. You may be above or below this very general measurement. You will need to drop your caloric intake from the recommended 1800-2000 to 1500-1800 and work in 30+ minutes of cardio daily. These are approximate numbers.

Blogs I'm Reading - Lolita Charm

Victoria Suzanne lives in New York City and writes a colourful, cute, wonderfully informative blog on Lolita culture called Lolita Charm.

Now, I will admit to despising pink and veering much more towards the rocker side of fashion, if rocker means 'what I grab in the morning' with the occasional dose of pinup/burlesque that migrates into my every day clothing. Despite that, I still peruse this blog for the in-depth articles about a fascinating and aesthetically pleasing (Read: PRETTY!) fashion/culture typically out of Japan.

Most recently Victoria's written a detailed post on how to use Rakuten to shop from Yumetenbo...a Japanese store whose stock I've been pillaging with my eyeballs and limited understanding of kanji.

This is an extremely good guide, although my wallet will disagree.*

Check it out, check her out, and inject some frills into your daily life.


~ Red Herring


* and my boyfriend, who has maybe two feet of closet space and some drawers. Which, really, is fine for a boy. Right? Right?

Guest Post Series! - The Rules by Elle Persephone

I'm going to start a mini series of guest posts, and the cherry popper of the guests is the wonderful, witty Elle Persephone.

I met Elle in Coco Framboise's burlesque classes, and learned that she was writing a blog based on her dating life. This is something that I used to do, back when I first forayed into online dating. Some of these dates went surprisingly well, some surprisingly terrible, and some were just surprising.

Photo from one of the Get Your Makeup Did events that I run. Makeup by 3B Artistry.

Elle, however, has a tool that I was not privy to in my adventures on PlentyofFish and OkCupid: The Rules. Here's her description:

"The Rules - in brief - require that the man initiate contact, the method of contact and that he chooses the date, time and venue for "Date Zero" i.e. a quick drinks date. Finally, he must do all this in 4 messages or less."

Throughout the dates (covering over a year, and up to #43 at the time of this blog) she expands on the rules, and specifically notes where she deviated from them...and the results.

Here's an excerpt from the beginning of her experiment:

"Hello Dear Reader and Welcome to the New Year and beginning of a New Decade.

I have looked back at the previous decade and realized that despite a lot of crying, lying and two broken hearts, I have not achieved my goal of becoming a happy wife and mother. Something has got to change and that change begins with me. I will begin by outlining my intention. I will go on as many dates as I can this year through POF or, the old fashioned way. Initially this sounds daunting but I will choose my potential mates by using a book I found at the library - "The Rules for Online Dating" by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, published in 1995. At first blush, this book seemed draconian in its' rigidity but in practice the method is most scientific. I will abide by the strict code of conduct outlined on those pages and I will not deviate, but if I do I will certainly tell you about it....Wish me Luck, Dear Reader, I will need it."

This is an excellent blog for girls interested in online dating, or dating in general. For guys? Think of this as a view from our side. Tips, pointers, and a nice set of stories from which you can glean advice with careful reading.

Elle will be providing a few posts on her experiences over the last year, and what she has learned from it.

I've included some Amazon links to a few editions by the author, from the '95 original that Elle is working off, to a few newer editions.

With a bit of googling I've found The Rules website!I haven't had time to check it out too thuroughly, but let me know if there's anything interesting here in the comments!

Take a look at Elle's blog and stay tuned for her upcoming posts throughout the month of February!

~ Red Herring

Lady Luck Productions - The Image Interview Feature

Joel Yum from The Image Interview was hanging out with Lady Luck Productions during one of our runs of Swing in the Night. He took some wonderful pictures and compiled a great post on Lady Luck. Go over to The Image Interview to take a look!

Teresa Lombardi and Patricia Gianforcaro

a group shot featuring The Get Luckys

Joel was a doll to feature all of us, and he runs The Image Interview in order to reveal and support artists and performers. I love the concept of this blog, and it's something to follow in order to get a peak at the diamonds hiding in Toronto's underbelly.

"I originally started The Image Interview as an independent photography project to help promote the idea that everyone is beautiful because of their own unique personality and style. I understand it isn't always easy being yourself let alone finding yourself. Your creative output is an extension of who you are and I want to help you along your way.

...

My name is Joel Yum and I am the founder, photographer and webmaster for The Image Interview. "

Red Herring in the flesh! Gah, no makeup!

The adorable Trixi Jones

All photos in this post taken by Joel Yum. He's brilliant.

~ Red Herring

Behold, a vlog! - Coco Framboise, DD Starr, Roxi Dlite, vacation, and more!

Another vlog! Where should I vacation? Talk of Coco Framboise and gogo dancing once more!

Oh, and poutine.

If you want semi-regular videos, go take a look at my youtube channel! Subscribe, comment, etc. 

~Red

Featured on Pin-Up Talk!

I was featured over on Pin-Up Talk!

Pin-Up Talk showcases Models, Photographers, Artists, Designers and many other professional people in the Industry. They have a collection of videos and interviews with a variety of amazing performers, and I'm flattered to be featured there!

Look what they wrote about me!

"There’s something about this fiery redhead from Canada that burns through to the core of your mind desiring more of her tease. Playful, suggestive, animated, sexy, sensual and turbulently exciting, the Red Herring encases a sweet innocence paired with a deviant little twinkle. A combination of traits that would start a blazing fire within your soul almost instantaneously."

Love it! Thank you so much guys!

Readers, definitely keep an eye on this blog!

~Red