The Hot and Cold Strip Club Industry

I could write about the strip club industry for days, but instead I'm going to try to hit on just a couple key points: what I love about it (money) and what I hate about it (everything else).

Just kidding to that previous comment.

There are lots of things to love and lots of things to hate, but above all I hate this dichotomy that seems to exist: powerful sexual women taking charge of their lives, physically, financially, and emotionally, while at the same time being exploited physically, financially, and emotionally. How is this possible, you ask. Well, I will do my best to explain. But first let me tell you about my situation.

I began dancing after college. I wanted to continue performing and pursuing artistic endeavors, while having enough cash to comfortably support myself. I danced part-time, off and on. I took a break for a while, then started dancing again when I decided to apply for graduate school. I mean plane tickets to visit schools, taking the GRE, interview clothes--these things are costly--not to mention paying for graduate school itself. So, dance I did (and still do)!

For me, the flip-side to dancing (and making money) is that, as a dancer, YOU HAVE TO PAY TO WORK. It's called a "lease fee". I've heard it compared to having a booth as a hairstylist but, really, as a dancer, you have nothing in the club that pertains to you. Maybe you can get a locker in the dressing room, but that's about it, and I've heard girls go ape-shit in the back after the management decided to forcibly break open and clean out lockers. C'mon, man, those thongs cost money! On top of the lease fee, a portion of your money from dances must be paid to the club, and you must tip the dj and bouncers and even valet. Mostly the reason being that the club does not pay them much at all. So who pays? The dancers, of course!

When I work at strip clubs, I can, on average, expect to walk out with 60-70% of the money I make. So, the club is collecting a large portion of my wages. AND I pay taxes on top of that.

Considering dancers pay so much, you would assume that dancers would be able to lobby on their behalf for necessary or desired changes within the establishment. Nun-uh. That is unlikely, but also depends on your rapport and the attitude of club owners and managers. The overarching belief is that dancers are expendable because, well, they kinda are. Pretty girls that can make men swoon are a dime-a-dozen. And they go just as quickly as they come.

Of course, business is business and clubs are just trying to make money. But where is that $20 cover charge at the door, plus sales at the bar, or any food sales actually going? In times of dryness I have seen clubs go after the dancers, rather than go after new clientele, to make their money.

As a professional entertainer, who works at nightclubs, private events, large city-wide shows, street performances, bars, raves, and events of all sorts, I've never heard of a club that not only gets free entertainment, but entertainment that pays THEM so they can perform, but somehow strip clubs get away with this.

On top of that, dancers are not protected by workman's comp, and more often than not must sign a looong waiver saying "If I break my neck entertaining YOUR customers and paying to work at YOUR club, I am fully responsible and cannot sue you."

This long discourse I have in my head boiled down to an idea one day when I was flying home from a trip to Las Vegas. I went there to work and play, and I worked one night at a club there. It quite frankly sucked, and I decided working in Las Vegas would not be a sustainable source of income or happiness for me. You see, I found myself in a dilemma, moving to California for grad school, and wanting to continue dancing, but not wanting to work at the clubs out there (I haven't heard good things). My focus being on grad school, this old dog did not want to have to learn any new tricks in order to be able to pay the rent and keep the lights on. "You should be a professional dominatrix!" One friend remarked. "Bartending is very lucrative out there," my sister-in-law said. I honestly don't have the energy or interest to learn any new things apart from school, so I've got to work with what I have.

Strip clubs pay features--porn stars, pole stars, midgets, or some crowd-drawing alternative adult entertainment--thousand of dollars to perform at their clubs. My new goal: to be a feature. Fuck the crumbs, I want the steak dinner! But really, I have the talent, the experience, and the connections to make this happen (at least I hope so).

So, I worked out a little something with the current club I work at, and I'll be doing my first big fire feature at a strip club, with the particular goal to get more gigs like this. It's going to be HOT! (ok, hott too). I'm not getting paid thousands of dollars but I'm getting photos, video, and hopefully a good recommendation to clubs that will pay me to perform.

So, we'll see. Maybe I can heat up this sometimes frigid industry with my passion for powerful women, fire, and art!

Details for the event Cirque Du Freak can be found on Facebook. It is this Friday, July 26, at Pure Gold Cary.

Sometimes You Fall Off the Blogging Horse...

And hop on a magical unicorn ride through the future!

At least that's what I'm going to tell myself.

:)

But really, when you fall off the horse, you have to give yourself time to recover, then get your butt back up there again. Honestly, I fell off the performing horse as well. While still working as a performer, I've spent the past months exploring new avenues and applying for grad school (yay!). Which is no excuse, but, you know, stuff comes up...like unicorns.

Anyhoo I'm studying to be an art therapist, which has been a long-time dream of mine. And I've also gained new focus when it comes to my art, so please look forward to some new, interesting posts!

For example, I learned how to fire eat....

Became blue for a while...

And made some new costumes...

Even did a few paintings...

And I met some interesting creatures along the way...? WTF??

Ok, so maybe I made up that part about the unicorn. But you can't blame a girl for trying, right? I'm not too shabby with that cheap play-dough shit either! 

Stay tuned, and goodnight!

Love, 

Christy the Amazon

Costume Tips: The first of many to come!

I love costuming. I loved dress up as a kid (who didn't, right?) and because I was 18 feet tall and nothing fit right, I learned to sew at an early age. I can appreciate elaborate costumes, but it doesn't take something insanely expensive to make a complete and desirable look. I'm going to give you 3 things I think are super-important for a polished well-costumed look. Even if you just have on a black dress, pants and top, this will help a lot.

3 Essentials:

1. Your head. This is the first thing people see. Even if they can't see your face, they can see your head! I see there being a couple different options here (a) a wig, (b) awesome hair style with flashy hair piece, or (c) hat.
A- Make sure a wig is what you want. I happen to LOVE wigs, but it's not for everyone. You can get a cheap one and brush it out, style it up, and even use some hair product in it. I don't brush my curly wigs, just gently brush with my hands. Don't be afraid to go bold with awesome colors. If a wig is not full enough, layer them. Seriously. Two kinda full wigs make one amazingly full wig. That's what the drag queens do, just sayin'. I like to wear wigs when I perform fire, that way I still look good, but I don't burn my hair....however I have melted a wig before...oops :)

B- Flowers, feathers, and shiny things. "Fascinators" is what the Brits call them. You can buy a flashy something for your hair, or glue things onto a headband. I use E-6000 glue for a bunch of stuff because once it dries, it will stay glued through hell or high water! I used it to make these shoes (I added the gems). I have beat the crap out of them but still the gems remain glued! I also like to tease my hair up real big and then put something crazy in it. If you don't have a lot of hair go for a wig or fancy hat.
C- Hats. It doesn't have to bee too special to make a difference. I mean, don't just wear a ball cap, but even something as simple as a top hat or...what do you call that hat Michael Jackson wore that Justin T also likes to wear???...Well, you know what I mean. Something slick or fun, depending on the occasion. You can also make a hat. For kids, a simple cone made out of poster board with pompoms and streamers makes for a great circus hat. For adults, take an existing hat or small box (like the Ben & Jerry's ice cream containers) and use hot glue to cover it in fabric. Add feathers, gems, and other embellishments. Or, just go to the store and buy a hat!

Ok, enough about that. You get the point. Your head matters. Just make sure whatever you do you can keep it on... NEXT!

2- Your eyes! First thing you look at (when you're not seeing someone's head from a distance). Eyes! Hello! WEAR EYELASHES. Man, it makes your make-up and costume look so good. Don't get stupid crazy eyelashes, or stupid boring eyelashes. Get something that suits your costume. So, in other words, don't wear big feather lashes with your little 50's pin-up costume. Do wear big feather lashes with your out-of-this-world alien space agent costume. They are easy to put on. Just like elementary school...don't use too much glue. Allow the glue to dry for a second, set the strip of eyelash on top of your lashes, then carefully slide up to the edge where your lashes and eyelid meet. Tweezers help if you have a tendency to get glue on your fingers. For guys, even something as simple as a clockwork-orange eye or black eyeliner design will make you stand above the non-decorated!

3- Your hands. You use them more than you think. Do something with them. Gloves, armbands, bangles, painted or fake nails, jewelry, something--ANYTHING! This is a small but important detail. I always keep a spare set of armbands on me for fire performing. I love to wear them because I still have full use of my hands (no slip or restrictions from gloves), they help protect my wrists from any licks of fire, and they look flashy! It's one added pop of color or detail that people will appreciate. Well-decorated nails or fake nails will also keep you looking good. Guys, clean your nails, trim them, and wear some cool wrist bands.

Those are my 3 important details. You can incorporate this into virtually any costume, and it will just enhance your look. Take your costume seriously, and people will take you seriously in costume.

More to follow!
Christy The Amazon

The Power of a Good Photographer (and cameraman, too)

When I first became friends with Durham rappers Toon and The Real Laww, Toon told me "You know, I don't think we'd be where we are at in our careers if it weren't for Saleem." Saleem, known around the Dirty D as kid ethnic, is an utterly fantastic person, amazing graphic designer and talented videographer who began shooting Toon and Laww a little over 1 year ago. The first time I saw him, he was making a promo video for our next Luchadoras wrestling match.

It was eight o'clock in the morning and he was on roller blades...with a camera.

What?

With no dolly to use, his girlfriend just puled him around by a bungee chord attached to his belt. And he made the amazing video below.

Needless to say, I am fascinated with his work. And I think I finally understand how important it is to have good promotional materials and solid networking connections.

Videos are desirable and easy for promoting, but posters, photos, and non-video 2D media hit a whole range of targets. First of all, if a poster is well drawn out and meaningful, people are going to want that poster, It's almost free marketing. Like Andy Warhol and his Marilyn Monroe prints, PBR and all the cool Pabst branding, if you can create neat image that appeals to the current art and pop culture, you are bound to draw some support.

And if you are a model, artist, musician, or just have any kind of work to show off, a good photo can be your golden ticket to a lot of different places--like future performances/shows/exhibits, the front page of a local blog or even the newspaper.

When I see photos taken by my favorite fire photographers, Paul Corey of Beguiling Shadows Photography, I say "Holy cow! Did I really look like that!" His shots are amazing.

Another beloved photog friend, Jon McClain, takes photos that are out of this world. Probably 'cuz he's and alien. Just kidding! But you can see for yourself at his current Raleigh exhibit (details below).

The moral of this story is keep up with photographers and videographers, back up your files, and drink PBR :) Also, support local artists.

Love,
The Amazon Queen

PS- About Jon's exhibit--Birds and Bees--at Cup-A-Joe in Mission Valley, Raleigh, NC. Jon says,  "Depending on how deep you want to go, it a collection of shots from here in town. I chased bees the first summers of my photog life, hummingbirds, next, and most recently, you and the other birds I've been shooting. I go there on wed from 3-6 and sat 1-4 just to hang out. And on Saturdays i try to do something to draw a crowd."

When You Mess Up, Just Shake Your Ass

It's the best recovery ever. Like the little memory-zapper Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones use in Men in Black, it will make your audience totally forget what just happened!

I drop my hoops all the time when I perform. It just happens. You go to the beach, you might get sand in your shoes. You dance with hula hoops, you might launch one at an innocent bystander from time to time...sorry!

I first began to realize I had something of a rear end when I was in high school. I played sports, was slender, and didn't have a lot of friends or go out of my way to make any. I dressed pretty funny. I wore a lot of clothes that I made to school. I made my first pair of pedal-pushers with a fabric that I thought was funny, not necessarily appropriate for pants, but dang I thought "Plantation houses?-Ha! What not?" I wore plantation houses up and down my legs (and I cleverly sewed one little house front and center in the middle of my crotch!) until one dreadful day when I was getting off the bus and they split down the ass. Yup.

But I diverge--I first realized the power of my booty when I was in high school. I was wearing a pair of superman-print pajama pants I had sewn in my apparel development class. We were either wearing our handmade garments to school that day on purpose, or I just did it for the hell of it (I can't remember) but I had gone to get something out of my car between classes. Leaning over the trunk to gather what was probably yet more ridiculous printed fabric, a car full of the hottest, most popular football-basketball-track star-super-jocks sailed by slowly... very slowly. I don't remember what they said, or perhaps they just made some animal noises, but as I turned around to see them my face turned bright red. From that day onward I realized....

Use the power of the booty we must!

It might not be the classiest thing in the world, but it is comedic (not because your ass is silly--but because it's unexpected) and it will help you and your audience forget about how you just screwed up. In a way, it breaks the ice. 

YOU: "Oh crap! I just messed up!"

AUDIENCE: "Ooooh. She just messed up!"

YOU (turns and shakes ass): "Booty power to the rescue!"

AUDIENCE (erupts with laughter and cheering): "OMG what just happened this is so amazing!"

And for those of us who choose to use other magic powers of distraction, there's an endless list of cool stuff you could do:

- cartwheel, handstand, fake fall, or some acrobatic trick

- use it as an opportunity to solicit support from the audience

- breakdance or other funny dance (maybe you have a signature move you like to bust out)

- something really stupid and funny (i.e. you drop an apple you are juggling, get into a disagreement with the apple that betrayed you, then bite that darn apple and show it who's boss just before you chuck it across the stage and grab a better behaved apple you have on standby!)

- playfully blame someone/something else (i.e. a member of the audience that is particularly raucous and involved, the pink elephant on the stage, etc)

You might have to use all the skills you have to recover--miming, acting, physical flexibility--who cares as long as it does the trick!

I like the cheap tricks and I feel the audience does too--you know it's a cheap trick, you recognize it's a cheap trick, it reminds you that we are all human and have to laugh at ourselves. The show must go on! Everyone has their own style and their own kind of recovery that will work for them. Mine just happens to be over-acting and shaking my butt.

Hasta la vista,

Christy the Amazonian Booty-Shaker

The Circus Comes to Drown

 

What's a blog for if not for some self-promotion, eh?

Don't mind if I do!

I met Virginia Scare from the Vaudevillain Revue like you meet a lot of performers--through other performers. She's been hosting regular vaudeville and variety shows in Raleigh for a couple years now, and she also hosts Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Well now The Vaudevillian Revue is branching out and hosting it's first show in Durham (or "Durm" for those of you from Durham) at The Casbah.

Come next Friday, August 3rd to "The Circus Comes to Drown!" There will be fire, music, circus, and burlesque starting at 9pm! I don't want to drop too big of a hint about the performance I will be doing, but you can call me "Nessie" and boy do I have a scary secret for you!

Fish n' chips,

Christy the Amazon

How to Work With Difficult Venues/Difficult Venue Owners

 

Just put on a luchador mask and say "I smash you like HULK!"

And hope to never see them again.

Just kidding, while sometimes you do have to cut ties, you don't want to make a bad rep with venue managers or owners!

Last time I performed at the venue where the above picture was taken (ehem, the "M" does not stand for "Motorco" in Durham, NC), I made the mistake of talking trash about the space while waiting in the bathroom....meanwhile one of the owners was using the facilities! My face turned red when she exited the stall to wash her hands---yikes! Backpedaling from there was hard.

Every performance needs something different out of a venue, but every venue needs essentially the same thing (a) a crowd that keeps coming back, and (b) money to run the business. It's hard as a performer sometimes to not be judgmental of a venue, because they never seem to get it just right.  But part of your job as a performer is to be able to deal with it and find a creative solution for the problem. If there's no green room (room backstage for performers), section something off with a curtain or use the bathroom. If you can't get in touch with your original contact, talk to the manager or the #1 bartender.

Ok, this is turning into bullet points:
1. Always ALWAYS have a reliable contact.
2. Always keep a written (email is great) record of negotiations.
3. Always have your ducks in a row, and have friends who can help you keep your lil' duckies organized.
4. Take deep breaths, and don't take anything personally.
5. Have back-ups. Back-up helpers in case someone gets sick, back-up fishnets in case you tear a hole, back-up underwear in case you crap yourself (jk, but you get the point).

With those things in order, the rest will be easy as pie.

"Break a leg", and "pop a pastie",
Christy the Amazon