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Save the Date!

Burlesque: Stripping or Not?

Cha Cha Velour

Whatever the topic, be it burlesque or auto accidents or marbles, if enough data is collected from different sources related to that topic, usually patterns will emerge. That’s one of the fascinating results I encountered with It’s All That Glitters: Portraits of Burlesque Performers in Their Homes.

Initially, I naively expected everyone to have very unique answers about what burlesque means to them, despite past experiences with emerging patterns in collected data. But about 15-20 interviews into the project I began hearing responses that rang familiar. The great thing about it was the similar responses were not linked by geography, societal rankings, or really any one particular factor. Someone in Boston might feel the same about the topic as someone in Las Vegas…people who might have never previously met.

With the emergence of patterns also came the emergence of conflicts. By this I mean, even though answers could be grouped into similar categories, some of the opinions within those categories were in direct opposition with each other. Take, for example, the topic of stripping as it relates to burlesque. Depending on who you talk to in the burlesque scene, burlesque is either stripping or it is not stripping.

If you consider that a burlesque routine, for the most part, consists of removing an article or articles of clothing during the performance, some argue that the simple act of removal constitutes stripping. On the other hand, those who argue against burlesque as stripping make the comparison (or contrast) with exotic dancers in strip clubs where it becomes more about intent rather than the act. Dancers in strip clubs are in it to make money -- they’re there to sell lap dances in exchange for tips. Burlesque dancers don’t give lap dances and don’t work on tips (some shows pass a tip hat, others are mum on the topic but don’t complain much if tips are left on stage), and the intent of the burlesque show is to entertain, not to stimulate beyond the point of no return or to “make it rain.” (The concept regarding whether or not burlesque performers are in it to make money is a completely separate, and heated, argument on its own.)

That’s why I wanted to ask all of the performers in the book about what burlesque means to them, because I knew that a collection of responses would not provide a single, correct answer, but rather a collection of opinions and perspectives on the topic.

By the way, the Kickstarter project to help make the official launch event of the book possible is still in full effect. This is your chance to own a collectible, limited edition print from the book, or even your own personalized signed copy of the book. Watch the video, take a look at the rewards, and make your pledge to the It’s All That Glitters: Burlesque Extravaganza.

A Book for You

I’m so excited about seeing my book in real life that I want share this excitement by giving away three autographed books. On June 1st I will randomly select one person from my mailing list, one from my Twitter followers, and one from the likers on the It’s All That Glitters Facebook page. Each of those people will receive one autographed copy of It’s All That Glitters.

So give yourself the opportunity to own my fancy new book and sign up today (and yes, you may join all three!):

• Subscribe to my mailing list
  
• Follow me on Twitter
  
• Like It’s All That Glitters on Facebook

Alternatively, if you’d like to increase your chances of owning an autographed book to 99%, then hop on over to the Burlesque Extravaganza Kickstarter page and make your pledge for launch event fundraiser I’m currently running. That remaining 1% is to leave room for the possibility that the Kickstarter campaign doesn’t reach its goal by deadline, but with your help and the help of your friends, it totally will.

Kickstarting a Launch Party

Last month, Schiffer Books released my first book, It’s All That Glitters.

Today I launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds to produce a launch party to celebrate the release of the book. I’m calling it the It’s All That Glitters: Burlesque Extravaganza and it will include a gallery show, a burlesque show, and a group book signing with many of the performers from the book.

But I can’t make it happen without your help. Please take a moment to visit the Kickstarter project page, watch the silly video I made for you, and select a reward that will make you happy so that we can celebrate this grand occasion in a big way. If the project goal isn’t reached by the deadline, I won’t get any of the funds, so don’t delay!

Thank you all so much for your continued support of me and my creative endeavors on this wonderful journey.

Paris Green

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It’s All That Glitters: 100 Answers

Box of Books and Venue Shopping

Today a package arrived on my doorstep from Schiffer Books. That package was a box of books. Of course, it was multiple copies of the same book, but it’s my book! It appears It’s All That Glitters is beginning to make its way out into the big wide world.

One of the performers in the book, Miss Mina Murray from Boston, Massachusetts, also reported receiving a copy of the book in the mail. It’s only the beginning.

If you happen to see my book out in the wild, or when you receive your copy, please snap a quick pic of it or you with it and send it to me! I’d love to post it here on my blog.

In related news, I’ve been venue shopping for a space to hold the It’s All That Glitters Burlesque Extravaganza, a combination gallery show, burlesque show, and group book signing to celebrate the release of the book. In fact, on May 1st I will launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to make this extravaganza a reality.

Meanwhile, I continue my search for a venue and a date.

Sooner or Later

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve heard from friends that their pre-order of It’s All That Glitters from Amazon.com has changed target delivery dates at least twice. First it moved later from beginning of May to beginning of June, and now it’s shifted back to the beginning of May.

Either way, the book will ship sooner or later which thrills me to pieces. I can’t wait to see it out in the wild! If you catch a glimpse of it, please do let me know. Even better, if you can snap a photo of it and send it to me, do it!

Pictured above is my book’s entry in the Schiffer Books catalog.