The Moneymaker!

Here it is!!
Friday, January 14, 2011 Drive Thru Burlesque at Parkside Lounge. I had SUCH a blast that night and was part of this CRAZY cast of women and men who are so talented and gorgeous and diverse. It was truly an honor above all else! Thank you to Sizzle Dizzle & Lefty Lucy for having me. I'd love to go back!

I felt SO good and I actually am enjoying watching it again.
Not sure how this quality is, if I get a better version I'll switch em out. Aaahhh I'm really excited! haha
Thank you to Franny Fluffer for this video <3 and my awesome friend RP for filming us!

Oh man, there's the thong and all ha! sorry to those of you who do NOT enjoy this. Your problem, not mine
:)

So we've just had a whole bunch of snow again, all week I've been staying in and embellishing costumes for new acts. Additionally I have a photo shoot tomorrow to get some new portraits done with Melanie McLean! We went to college together but because of facebook got in better touch. She actually came out to Drive Thru and we finally got to chat then! You can check out her work here!

So I mentioned going to see a place this past Monday. I did and the date is finalized!! Saturday, March 19 I will be producing my first show at Full Cup in Staten Island (more info about the place is here). Things are still being sorted out but at this very second, including myself there will be 10 performers and am shutting the door on anymore. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!

I've got my host locked in and raffles are being made!
Still waiting to hear back from a rockabilly band that will make the night that much better. I am feeling so proud and flattered that these people are even interested. So far, so good and I think this will be the best place and time to give my first go at making such an event happen. I know I've produced other things but this will be my biggest and most personal  project so far!
Stay tuned! Once everything is finalized I'll share the cast info...

TINA TASSELS PRESENTS: MEAT MY FRIENDS
Saturday, March 19, 10p
Full Cup, Staten Island
$10 at the door
Hope to see you gorgeous people there!

Ciao for now,
TT

PS:  A picture of me from that same Friday night. I was reluctant to post but now I love it and am in all my glory ha! Thanks again for reading..XoXo

2 Girls, 1 Cup

WAIT! NO! Freaks! (I know, you know what that is hahah)
2 Shows, 1 girl
2 New routines, 1 girl
2 Boobs, 1 girl - score!

Sorry I’ve been so lazy, every time I sat down to write I was sidetracked and couldn’t really concentrate so I didn’t want to waste my time, as well as yours (if you’re out there)!

I’ve had a really great week! Last Friday I had my first official show at Drive Thru Burlesque. I was the newbie, therefore had to start. At first I was bummed because of the pressure of being an opener but that same pressure pumped me up. After a few minutes, I felt proud to start because I was also debuting a new routine that for some reason I really love. It was at Parkside Lounge which I have fallen in love with and I felt really great throughout the entire act. I had a great show of friends, including a couple that haven’t seen me perform. It’s always nice having at least 1 person in the audience but when you have a bizzillion you carry endless thanks in your heart.

So I’m waiting for the video of this performance, I don’t care what it actually looks like on film (even though I probably should), I will share it. I felt so good that night, I refuse to let anything bring down that high!  For you regular readers, I WORE THE THONG! I did. And what's so funny is that I tried my entire costume on at home and didn't think twice about it. I felt so great and confident it's like I forgot about my struggle over it. I did wear it over my fishnets, duh, and it did cause a bit of an aesthetic problem in that the butt floss part was off center from gliding over the tights. I know I need to buy a specific pair of tights or adjust them to be a bit between my cheeks. LOL I cannot believe I'm writing this. Anyway, I wore it, felt great, and will probably do it again. I'm still not quite sure when I'll be ready to go bare legged. I finally got those stockings (i mentioned in the last blog) in the mail too and love how I feel in them but don't know if I'd feel the same on stage in a room full of people. We shall see!

Saturday night came and I was a last minute add to the Student Showcase at Bowery Poetry Club! I did the same new routine but totally messed up. I felt like garbage afterward. At first I wasn’t sure if the audience could tell I was off but then my face said it all. I DO have a video of this night but I refuse to share. Sorry. I can’t even stand watching it all the way through. Blah! I do, though, want to give a huge thank you to my friends Bex (whose fitness blog & vlogs you can check out here) and Jenita for showing up AS A SURPRISE!! I didn’t think any of my friends could make it (which is fine, I have NO expectation of having someone at every show, that’s just silly) but when I peeked out from backstage and caught them with their cheesy smiles and waving hands, a calm definitely came over me. *hugs*

Unfortunately, Sunday morning I woke up to an insulting and pretty ridiculous email about copying and costume/color choice. I planned on writing about it, but what I would be defending and explaining is SO absurd. I feel I’d only be making myself look just as silly. Over it! Chin up.

Fuck the cold, the only good thing coming out of it is sitting home on a Friday night and making all sorts of pasties! A couple of them are for 2 new routines I’m working on and the rest are practice runs with different materials. I figure I can give them to friends to play with. Also I did make a specific pair to gift that are AMAZING but I don’t want to post a pic of them and ruin it. I cannot wait for her to open the box *huge sneaky grin*
This pastie is missing it's pair because unknowingly, I didn't buy enough trim BUT it is for a new routine I'm SUPER pumped about.


I finally got my ass to a Wasabassco Burlesque show (learn more about it here).  I’ve heard only great things and they have shows 2x a month, I think. Also, they are usually at some of my favorite venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Last night’s show was at Union Hall right in my hood. I’ve always wanted to see this bar (which has a full size bocce court - is that what its called? Pit maybe? Haha), so it was a great way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone - oh! That stays within our theme. Nice.

Some of my friends met me there, which was great, but I was gonna go regardless and bought my ticket in advance. Luckily I did because the show SOLD OUT, amazing. The adorable Sapphire Jones was the host as well as a performer in addition to Ginger Brown, Precious Little, Bettina May, & Nasty Canasta.  Overall consensus from my friends was “good show but I wish there were more boobs and hips” and by more they meant bigger. Ha! The girls were so gorgeous but mostly tall and thin with smaller curves. I was about to write “real women”, but I hate saying that so I will never. Sorry to some of my big girls, I know it is a commonly used phrase, but I refuse to say it. I’m not here to separate the quality of women by size. Isn’t that what we’re all fighting against?

It immediately made me curious though, as to whether or not Wasabassco puts bigger girls in his shows. Some names on the roster prove he does! So I’ve written to Doc because I didn’t get a chance to chat with him last night. We’ll see what happens! I would just love to perform at City Winery *drool*
 Added Note: For people totally clueless about my big girl curiosity, I have heard that there are producers who would prefer to keep their girls smaller. It is totally fine. It's a casting, and some people might not fit the role! Additionally I have no clue who they are.

Now I’ve got to jump in the shower and will be heading out to see Kiki Valentine’s NEW Sunday Show: The Kiki Valentine Show. Ha! I love the name. A variety of performance art that includes burlesque dancers, musicians, singers, etc...I am just as curious as you are! I’m not anxious to be out in the cold but I do know the trek will be worth it. (Get more info about the show here, but you need a secret password to get the entire low-down sorry! mwahah)

Stay tuned for upcoming shows OMG! I almost forgot to mention, I am going to meet a venue owner tomorrow to talk about possibly producing a show *gulp* CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!? So you definitely have to stick around to hear more about that. Once the ball starts rolling I’m gonna start spreading the word.  My dream has always been to reach a place in my career where I could work with my amazingly talented friends and it might be happening sooner than I had ever imagined. *fingers, toes, everything crossed*

Thanks for reading and East coast friends keep warm, West coast friends fuck off HA!

Ciao for now,
TT

PS: I've done a lot of *actions* tonight hahaha

Trying my Best to Love Me!

I had to write to get some things off of my chest. As lots of you know it can be very helpful if not therapeutic to write. People are intimidated, especially by blogs, because they feel their writing has to be “good”. First of all, I am not a good writer, ESPECIALLY on here. I prefer to type the way I speak. I have the potential to write for a literary audience but frankly I haven’t the energy to focus on those goals just yet. So here goes. I like to think that you, the reader, feel like I’m having a conversation with you alone because that’s definitely how I feel when writing!

I’m trying my hardest to work thru some things with each performance and this entire experience in general. I’ve mentioned a couple of them before, but I’m gonna go down the list again:

1- I will NOT go bare legged. Even if I wear some cheap fishnets that might as well be my nude leg, I still feel much better with some sort of barrier. My major issue is with my inner thighs and in close second my cellulite.  This is so silly bc fishnets will not do much, if anything, for either but I definitely feel sexier in them. I’m trying to work on the thigh highs that sit high up on the leg. I haven’t made myself a pair yet so I’m not sure how well they would even stay on. Thigh highs tend to roll right down. I am though, waiting for a pair of those sexy garter stockings where they are connected at the top but separate into the thigh highs, make sense? There's a picture right there just in case not, haha!

2 - I will NOT wear a thong. I’ll just put this out on the table: I don’t wear them in my personal life nor have I ever had the desire to, but on stage I think it’d be fun. It’s definitely a mountain to get over. I DO have one prepared for my new act I’m debuting this weekend but I don’t know if I’ll be able to wear it. I guess we’ll see what I decide!

3-(most current) I will NOT use bright colored costumes. This somewhat spills over from my off-stage life. Super embellished, bright, fun costumes are scary for me to wear. I tend to wear a lot of black anyway but sometimes it’s definitely just a slimming go-to. I think this is happening in my costume decisions. Honestly I feel like some bright fluffy chubby girl prancing around like cotton candy that doesn’t look so cute whenever I attempt to stray from something mostly black. Just sayin. But I do love color and I fantasize of a mint green and bubble gum pink costume. As of now, I foresee a Valentine’s day act as my first brightly colored get-up. Hot pink & black (duh) but cute wittle hearts everywhere hah! This rant is stemming from this week, because I’ve been trying different pieces on for my new act. And although the black skirt I probably will wear looks and feels fuckin awesome when I wear it, I also secretly love that it is just plain black with no beads, no fringe, no nothing. Just tight and sexy black.

Note: I am saying all of this in regard to how I’m feeling at this moment. Nothing is ever definite especially when it comes to performing. Never say never, right? Right.

There aren’t any rules about costumes and acts or anything really just don’t mess up the stage and if you’re ever not sure about something ask the producer(s) ahead of time so you’re not panicked last minute. I personally feel the pressure though to have a big, bold, extra sparkly costume or it means you're lacking. So with all that said, I’m SUPER excited for tomorrow. My nerves are actin up a bit tonight but compared to last time I am feeling much more confident in every way possible.


REMINDERS:
FRIDAY - Drive Thru Burlesque 8pm $10 Parkside Lounge, Manhattan
SATURDAY - NYSB Student Showcase 8pm $7 Bower Poetry Club, Manhattan

Hope to see some of you there!

Ciao for now,
TT

Love that Sunny West Coast!

At this point in my life I’ve been to Los Angeles 3x. I still can’t get over it. For years I’ve dreamed of coming out here and now I feel like a semi-pro. To make the trips better I’ve been fortunate to be working while there. I get to make a bit of money AND enjoy the sun, leaving dirty snow in NYC.

This trip was by far the best! Our shoot went really well, it was a blast to see our crew again, and I hit the town to finally enjoy time with my  few friends living there.

*Fuck Turbulence - taking a 5 minute break - I’m in the sky btw.


Usually I give myself only enough time for work. I have dinner & a few drinks at the end of the day but afterward call it a night. I know if I am to stay longer I will spend much more money so I hop a plane right back to NY and keep some dough in my pockets. This time I said FTW and stayed the weekend through!

My 1st adventure was meant to be a burlesque show - would have been my first on the west coast - at The Edison in downtown LA. A friend of mine, LN (whom I’ve actually only met once before at the Dude Ranch - we have a mutual friend), knew I’d love this place. I was speechless when I walked in. The Edison is a renovated petroleum factory that still houses old generators & coal oven filled brick walls. It is a beautiful speak-easy in feeling not so much in size sort of place. In addition to the smoking room, dark wood & candle lights and the 3 story staircase that overlooks the entire place; a 5-foot high stage with neon lights made way for the entertainment.  Unfortunately, the weekly show must have been put on hold because instead we were graced with a Motown band (Vintage Trouble - I hate this name because it sounds too cover bandish) that sang all originals.  My mouth was probably open the entire time because I truly believe I found heaven on earth.  Repeatedly I pinched myself because it felt like we were on a movie set, but no - the venue, the band, the well dressed crowd and the gin &tonics were very real!!  Thanks to LN & an old college classmate, CF, I had a wonderful night catching up with an awesome soundtrack playing in the background! It was as if Sam Cooke came to life and was playing a private set for us. *sigh

My friend & boss-man, AD, is usually my pilot during these trips so I tend to hang on his old stomping grounds: Los Feliz & West Hollywood. Naturally I’ve developed a love for these hoods.

NOTE: If you ever find yourself hungry &/or thirsty in WeHo, please go to Saint Felix on Santa Monica Blvd. You’re welcome in advance *wink


The weekend was extra special because two of my friends from NJ happened to be in San Diego so they drove up for the weekend! SM and her husband had never been to LA so I was super happy to show them around Hollywood!  I took them down specific streets as to get a perfect view of the famous Hollywood sign atop the hills. The first time I saw it I flipped!  We also went to check out Grauman’s Chinese Theater where the walk of fame with the cemented hands and footprints are.  The first time I went there I started crying. I really had to take a moment and enjoy that overwhelming feeling of actually being in Hollywood, CA. Some people might laugh at me for that, but I have faith others totally get it.  It’s not only about Hollywood, it’s about me and my dreams from a young age!

 Down Hollywood Blvd. a bit, sits the new Bettie Page Store. I was in heaven obviously. Not many stores in NY carry the brand and if they do, their sizes are usually limited to XS-LG.  This shop was filled with lots of the brands I indulge in on Pinup Girl Clothing and it had sizes up to 3X!  Also the sale racks were filled with the cutest shit ever. I ended up leaving with a new dress & cardigan. Can’t wait to go back!


So earlier in the day, before the San Diego peeps came up, I went to brunch with another old college friend, DG, whose been living out here for almost 2 years now. In addition to Grad School she is pursuing dance and is totally phenom!!  After brunch, us & the 2 friends we were with (one also visiting from NYC - a musical theater major whom I CANNOT wait to see in action) went roaming around town. While the car was getting washed we ran across the street to TRASHY LINGERIE!!! I paid the $2 for my club card and brought DG in as my guest - HA!  She tried on a corset for the first time and fell in love - obviously! I ended up leaving with 2 high-waist retro “panties” haha funny word but it’s cuter than underwear, blah!

So later that night ALL of us met back up at Hamburger Mary’s where yet another dear friend from NJ works!  There happened to be a drag & burlesque show so I was definitely not going to miss this!
We joked that we had a mellow night of nachos, blue moons, and a stripping cookie monster haha! The costumes at this show were just so perfect…I was mad jelly. None of them were classic acts and most were Disney themed. There was a Snow White, the witch from sleeping beauty (fudge, I’m forgetting her name this second), a Cheshire cat, Cookie Monster, and some Reba drag! Gorgeous women, getting nekkid with an awesome crowd filled with birthdays & bachelorettes - the perfect way to spend my last Saturday night in town!

OK - so I’m hours away from landing in NY and I have my first official show booked for THIS Friday, January 14 at the Parkside Lounge!! (Check out the facebook invite here) I cannot believe it! I’m debuting a new act and am feeling confident though and especially honored because the lineup is crazy hot & talented!  I think it was 2 blogs ago that I mentioned working the door at Drive Thru Burlesque (produced by Lefty Lucy & Sizzle Dizzle) and now I’m in the first show of the year! Part of the Early Bird Special, the show starts at 8p and last til 1a!  For $10 you get 3 shows in a row, all with a different flava and performers. You don’t wanna miss this one in particular!

I’m remembering from  the Burlesque Handbook, the chapter on creating a routine, one of-if not the first- question was something along the lines of: Is your act more music, costume/theme, or dance centered?  I jumped to answer music, then theme, then dance…obviously I had no clue and found it hard to answer with out really diving into it yet. Being a Libra I, undecided, answered “all of them!” I was sorta right but now I know for sure that in addition to the stripping I really love the theatrics. I guess I’m not really surprised either. I also remember Gal Friday saying a lot of acts just starting out are prop/theme heavy because it alleviates the pressure and attention from your body and the stripping.  For me I’ve realized I just love it all. I want the attention, the power, and the fun of performing all in one. I wanna own the audience both physically and mentally - yowza!

Time to sign off and relax a bit before we land. I am supposed to be going to Hundredaire Matchmaker tonight - a Brooklyn based, live dating event - one of my friends is sick though and the other hasn’t confirmed she’s still going. I don’t really want to go alone but I’ll see how I’m feeling! This was one of the first things I committed to for the new year I would hate to miss it and beat myself up over it later.

As always thanks for tuning in and for the continued support! XoXo.

Ciao for now,
TT

PS: I will be posting my final-product pictures from my Justin Borucki shoot (website) on my FB page. Also I’m waiting to hear back about a private Valentine’s day event - how fun!? Aaaannd there might be a music video appearance in the near future. OMG! I love my life.