Idleness and Creativity

Here's a lesson I need to learn. The past 12 months have been pure busy-ness. Insanity really. I worked, of course, as a guitar teacher, I produced six hugely successful burlesque shows, I was on the board of directors for the the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, I performed as a guitarist in numerous gigs in Vancouver, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, and of course there were many of life's other usual commitments.

I don't regret it -- I lost an unsupportive girlfriend, but then gained a supportive one. And I have been told that I have achieved more in 12 months than most people do in five years.

But now I am taking a break.

Here's a quote from an article by Tim Kreider called The Busy Trap (thanks go to the supportive girl who sent it to me):

"Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets.

"The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration -- it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done."

Vancouver Burlesque Family Picnic

Blue Morris and Connie Cahoots are planning a "Burly-Q Barbeque" for the Vancouver Burlesque Community.

Remember those days when families and companies had annual picnics? We want to have the same for this family!

WHO: Burlesque performers, producers, fans, friends, and spouses are all welcome. We would especially like to encourage newer performers to come out and get to know more of the people in this wonderful community.

WHAT: There will be no performances, just a time for all of us to get together and have some relaxed fun eating, drinking (discretely), playing games, sharing upcoming plans, and enjoying time with each other without being at a show.

We will bring a small barbecue, some food and snacks, hula hoops, and frisbees. Please consider bringing your own food and beverages as we will have a limited supply.

There will be a prize for the winners of a 3-legged race. How corny! I know eh!?

WHEN: Saturday August 11th starting at 3pm.

WHERE: Locarno Beach (4445 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver). We will put up some pink balloons when we get there so you can find us.

DRESS: There is no dress code. Dress however you like.

RSVP:Please RSVP on the Facebook invite.

Review of Beatles Burlesque from "Burlesque Stars"

We received a glowing review from Burlesque Stars blogger April O'Peel for our Beatles Burlesque production in the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

O'Peel writes, "This show was flawless in my mind and special shout outs to Melody Mangler, Violet Femme, Calamity Kate for coming so far and being so damn awesome. I also definitely need to mention Connie Cahoots as being a stellar host! I absolutely loved her characters and skits which really helped the production feel like a production."

The entire night was a big success, indeed the entire weekend was! And I do have to say that the Beatles Burlesque band were particularly rocking that night.

One of my personal highlights that night was performing "Helter Skelter" with burlesque by Melody Mangler. This girl is always "on," and heck was she ever that night. The song itself is so wild, and her playfullness on stage matched the band's energy perfectly. At one point in the song she danced towards my side of the stage, gave me a look, and then sent a giant kick of her leg in my direction.

This was totally unscripted, and her kick smashed my music stand over and sliding several feet away. Not that it mattered. There was just the setlist on it. I think we have to make this a part of the show from now on.

I played my guitar so hard for that song, afterwards I looked down at my pick and I found that I had broken it in half. I've never done that before.

Thanks to everone who was a part of the show!