Community

I love finding community - people of a like cause and purpose, creating bonds and filling a space in our environment with love and goodwill. Without community in burlesque, there is just ego, a lack of creativity and purpose. Coming to Columbus, I have had to search out my burlesque community, and I have found a core of extremely supportive and loving people.

Antoinette Seducteur, Kitty Mystique, Miss Theresa, Krista Kitty and myself are the founding members of the Columbus Burlesque Collective. I designed and created a logo, then we created the Guidelines together. On May 31st, we launched the website and made the announcement, asking others to join us, with love.





I want to thank the Texas Burlesque Festival (Coco Lectric, Imogen Kelly, Dirty Martini and Lynn Raridon), Rena LaMarr and Tiger Roxx for their inspiration, assistance and support in creating the Columbus Burlesque Collective.


Please join me on the following dates, to feel the love of burlesque, performance and community. Especially at Community Festival. Since 1972, this festival has been run by volunteers and maintained by vendor and beer/wine booths, only. Everyone donates their time and performances, filling 6 stages from Noon to 10pm Friday through Sunday in Goodale Park, near Downtown and the Short North. Take a moment to check out how much there is to offer, the variety of community and the abundance of love available.


Saturday, June 8th
Babylon Rising
French Lick, IN
Camping Fee: $15.00
8:00PM
*I will be performing fire tassels with a live band, Mayan Ruins*


Friday, June 14th
Creme de la Femme
Circus
Columbus, OH
Doors: 9:30pm. Show: 10:00pm
Cost: $6.00
*I will be twirling fire tassels*


Saturday, June 15th
Prohibition
Hal & Al's
1297 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH
9:00PM
FREE SHOW!!


Saturday, June 22nd
A Night of Burlesque, featuring trivia and amateur tassel twirling
The Shrunken Head, 251 West 5th Avenue @Neil, Columbus
Doors: 8pm
18+
Cover: $7
*I will be twirling fire tassels*


Friday, June 28th
Columbus Burlesque Collective
Community Festival, Live Arts stage, Goodale Park, Columbus, OH
7:45 - 8:05pm
FREE!!
QUICK SET!! DON'T MISS A MINUTE!!!
*I will be twirling water tassels*


Saturday, June 29th
Circus of Cool
Community Festival, I Wish You Jazz stage, Goodale Park, Columbus, OH
4:00 - 5:00pm
FREE!!
*I will be reading my own poetry with live jazz music*

Anniversary

May always marks my performance anniversaries.

Lady Monster was born in May 1992, in the basement of the Acme Art Gallery in Columbus, Ohio.
It was a performance art free-for-all - mash-ups, comedy, poetry, dance - whatever we could do under bare bulbs hanging from the rafters and a dirty cement floor. Holding paper bags with king cans of Budweiser, embraced with the smoke of 50 people smoking at once in a small space. We called it Cafe Ashtray. Every month I would venture to this space, becoming more bold each time. Finally in February of 1993, I started my own poetry event, Lady Monster Day. I continue to write and read my poetry aloud. Next up is Community Festival, the last weekend of June, in Columbus, Ohio at Circus of Cool on the I Wish You Jazz stage.
I may not always have burlesque in my life, but I will always have writing.

It also marks my burlesque anniversary.
I auditioned to be part of Heather MacAllister's Fat-Bottom Revue in January, 2005. I was accepted into the troupe in February. I had my first rehearsal in March, and premiered my first number (as a solo artist) in May. In September we toured the West Coast opening for blues singer, Candye Kane, were photographed by Leonard Nimoy for The Full Body Project book and I performed in Tease-O-Rama. One helluva way to be thrust into this new role as a burlesque performer.
At the Sex Worker Film & Arts Festival, I made my debut. I've performed mostly as a solo performer since then. When Heather was about to pass from ovarian cancer, she dissolved the troupe.
I've threatened to quit a few times, but after 8 years, I see no reason to stop performing burlesque now.

Please help me celebrate at two shows this month that are sure to be humdingers.


FIERCE! - The First International Queer Burlesque Festival
Thursday, May 2nd
Bossy Girl's Pin-Up Joint
2598 N. High St, Columbus
Doors: 8pm
Show: 9pm
I GO ON FIRST! DO NOT BE LATE!
Tickets are available here, and at the door.


Creme de la Femme
Friday, May 10th
Circus
1227 North High Street @Fifth Avenue, Columbus
Doors: 9:00pm
Show: 10:00pm
2 bands, 2 sets of burlesque. Stay for the whole show.
*I will be twirling fire*


Photograph by Leonard Nimoy, taken at the Hammer Gallery in LA. In order: Sita, Me, Roni, Heather, Ginger, Jukie

FaceBook

Facebook stated on 04/03/13 that I was using my regular profile as a business page and forced me to convert it to a page.

However, most of 1000+ photos were NOT transferred to this page.
NONE my events, messages, groups, likes, timeline, notes, etc. were transferred either.
I am being forced to start over from nearly scratch.

I checked Facebook on my phone during my lunch break at work and all was fine. I came home and it was gone. No warning, nothing.

I am appalled with their inability to properly socially interact with their customer base, and be so rude and socially crippling.

Hopefully someone at Facebook will pull their head out of their ass and restore my profile.

In the meantime, please "like" this new fan page: http://www.facebook.com/ladymonster and/or add me as a friend to my new profile page: http://www.facebook.com/firetassels

If we have communicated with either messages, via a group or event invites, please re-send everything to either profile, or just communicate via my email address: stephanie @LadyMonster .com .

Having a fan page does not allow me to see a "timeline" of what others are posting. Because of this fiasco, I will be using Twitter more often now and have synced my Facebook fan page and my Twitter feed to be the same. Please feel free to follow me there: http://www.twitter.com/lady_monster .

Thank you.

Refresh

refresh  [ri-fresh]
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make like new; give new life

Main Entry: comfort
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make to feel better

Main Entry: embolden
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: encourage

I received a gift by going up to Detroit for the benefit for Lushes LaMoan on March 23rd. I was surrounded by so much love. It affected me directly and healed up a troublesome situation. I want to thank Lushes, Anna Sassin and Sweet LillyBee for the invitation and making me a part of this event.

This season of spring, rebirth, and regeneration is showing itself in a variety of ways to me. I am feeling the growth of the changes I've gone through the past year and a half. Also, I'm able to apply to burlesque festivals again and have a glimmer of hope of getting out and about with my art.

I hope that I am able to see my friends and fans at some of these events, and to make new friends.

April Performances
Prom-O-Rama
Saturday, April 6th
The Shrunken Head. 251 West 5th Avenue, Columbus.
9:00pm
$5.00


Texas Burlesque Festival
April 11-13th
Saturday Night Competition
Click here for Tickets
*I will be twirling fire*


Creme de la Femme
Friday, April 26th
Circus. At the northwest corner of N. High Street and Fifth Avenue, Columbus.
10:00pm
$6.00
*I will be twirling fire*



Fabulously Fluid
Saturday, April 27th
Wall Street Night Club. 144 N. Wall Street, Columbus
8:00pm
$5.00
*I will be performing twice - the number I performed at the Texas Burlesque Festival (sans fire) and a drag king number.*
Fabulously Fluid! is a benefit for the TransOhio Transgender and Ally Symposium, which will be taking place April 26th-28th, 2013. https://www.facebook.com/events/161319854001738/?fref=ts

LION

March is roaring in like a lion for me, especially with this morning's news.

I just learned that I have been accepted to be re-admitted to the Ohio State University for Fall Semester! I'm enrolling in their Fresh Start program and going back for my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sexuality Studies.

I would like to thank Annie Sprinkle for writing me a Letter of Recommendation, Nicole Henares for inspiring me to go back and to my parents for their loving support when I went back to receive my Associate of Arts degree Fall Semester 2012.

Last night, I received word that I will be published in the Writing Ourselves Whole chapbook, Fierce Hunger. The book will become available on March 2nd at their book release event at The Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco. Please attend, help out an extraordinary group that works to heal survivors through writing. The chapbook is from those that have attended their workshops and have written about sex, violence, trauma and love.


I have several performances coming up, including going to Detroit and posing in the nude. I hope you can make it to one of the shows, or participate online in the benefit. I AM TWIRLING FIRE TASSELS AT FOUR SHOWS THIS MONTH!




Saturday, March 2nd
Shim Sham Shimmy Review
The Shrunken Head. 251 West Fifth Avenue @ Neil. Columbus.
$5.00 / 9:00PM
Featuring: Bellydance, Burlesque and the band, Besius.
*Twirling Fire*


Friday, March 8th
Creme de la Femme
Circus. 1227 North High Street @ Fifth. Columbus.
$6.00 / 10:00PM
Featuring: Bands, Burlesque and Comedy
*Twirling Fire*


Saturday, March 9th
Erotic & Roll
Victory's. 543 S. High Street @Hoster. Columbus
$5.00 / 9:00PM
Featuring: The Electro Cult Circus, Burlesque, Bands and Comedy
*Twirling Fire*


Wednesday, March 20th
Wild Goose Figure Drawing
Wild Goose Creative. 2491 Summit Street @Hudson. Columbus
7:00 - 9:00PM - ARRIVE PROMPTLY
$7.00. Tables, chairs and model provided. Please bring your own art supplies.
*I will be posing in the nude.*


Saturday, March 23rd
A Luscious Evening: A Benefit for Luscious LaMoan
Lushes LaMoan severely injured her foot and is still going through surgeries. Since she is not working, her medical bills are piling up. Which is why we’ve decided to host A Luscious Evening: The Benefit for Lushes LaMoan. Join us for a night of burlesque, varietease, and live music. We’ll also have a Fine Art Raffle, Rummage sale, Silent Art Auction, and a Spanking Booth.
So come dance, drink, bid, and get spanked!
Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom. 715 East Milwaukee St, Detroit
*Twirling Fire*


If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to send in a monetary donation, please go to:
http://www.gofundme.com/22jmjw


As always, I'm available for private one-on-one or group lessons in burlesque. I come to your home and can stay 1-3 hours, depending on how intensive you want the lesson. We can cover a variety of themes: Confidence, Body Image, History, Technique and my specialty: Tassel Twirling. stephanie@ladymonster.com

Purrrlesque!

Building, making, repairing, planning, creating, traveling - lots of stuff happening in my down time right now.

Looking forward to getting out and about in the coming months, showing off a new act, selling tasseled pasties, hitting the road, teaching workshops, and more.

I even built a pair of shelves for my record albums. I found one board in the eaves of my apartment (I have four large eaves that act as walk in closets), then bought more lumbar, cut it to size, stained it, drilled in some brackets and VOILA! No more Peaches wood crates and easier accessibility to my albums. It is near identical to the shelves I bought from Craigslist and had in San Francisco (then gave away). So happy with them!

If you want to catch me performing live, please come to one (or more) of these events.

Friday, January 11th
Creme de la Femme
Circus. 1227 North High Street @5th Avenue, Columbus
Doors: 9:30pm
$6.00
Bands, Burlesque, Comedy and so much fun.
I will be performing two routines (no fire).


Sunday, January 13th
Aspen Escape's Cirque du Gay
2210 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus (@Maple Canyon Rd)
8:00pm
$5.00
*I will be performing a fire tassel routine.*
Aspens 2nd Cirque Du Gay.. A 3 ring Contest for Drag Queens, Drag Kings and Burlesque Performers!!.. Alexis Stevens will be our Fabulous host and there will be $100 cash given to the winner in each category!!.. It's chosen by audience applause so tell everyone you know!!.. Circus attire encouraged! Aspen Reign Will also be in attendance!


Friday, January 18
The 2nd Annual Purrrlesque Follies Charity Burlesque Fest
The Triad Stage. 232 South Elm Street, Greensboro, North Carolina
Weekend Pass: $120 (does not include private class instruction)
Monies raised go to Girls Rock NC!
The festival lasts from Thursday to Sunday. I will be performing Friday night in the main showcase.
Headliners include Peek-A-Boo Pointe and Nasty Canasta!

For advance ticket purchase for the show only, please use these links:
Friday Night Show
Saturday Night Show


Saturday, January 19
Presenting: YOU!
The Triad Stage. 232 South Elm Street, Greensboro, North Carolina
Dressing Room.
11:30am
Cost: $20.00
To purchase advance tickets to the workshop, please click here.
*I will be teaching my workshop, Presenting: YOU! as part of the Purrrlesque Follies Charity Burlesque Fest. This class teaches confidence, presence and engaging attention in public speaking, performances and every day situations. Please wear comfortable clothing. We will be up and moving during the class.


Thursday, January 24
Cabin Fever - A Skitzo Show
KOBO Live. 2590 North High Street @Hudson, Columbus
Doors: 9:00pm
Cost: $5.00
ECC Presents.. our monthly burlesque, comedy music show..all these numbers are summer themed so we can get out of the winter blahs!
*I came up with an opening number routine to be performed with Krista Kitty and The Skitzo Show. Don't be late!
*I will also be performing my water tassel routine*


And, keep your calendars open for:
February 1-3
Sexapalooza - Columbus

Graduation

I have temporarily dropped out of the corporate world and gone back to school. With only 7 semester hours needed, I attended Columbus State Community College to achieve my Associate's Degree. Fifteen years have passed since I last attended any kind of college. I didn't attend right after high school. I worked full-time. I would attend a class here and there, but nothing regular and no declared major.

On Friday, December 14th, I'll receive my Diploma for the Associate of Arts!
Soon, I'll be on my way to Ohio State University, to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Sexuality Studies. It's my goal to be finishing my Master's when I turn 50.

Please wish me luck as I continue with this time of transition, to keep on track and not look back.

In the meantime, here is my schedule of performances to date for December. It appears that Circus is the magic word for this month.

Remember, I am available for hire for private parties - Birthday, Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, New Years, etc. I twirl fire tassels and light up marshmallows or candles for your entertainment.
Here I am on November 23rd at Circus, celebrating my birthday. Lots of room for improv with the birthday guest of honor in this routine!



Friday, December 14th:
After receiving my degree, I'll be celebrating on stage at
Creme de la Femme
Circus!
1227 N. High St. @ Fifth, Columbus
Burlesque, Bands and Comedy. This show happens on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month with your host Mike Folker.
Doors: 9:30pm. Admission: $6.00
*I will be twirling fire.


Friday, December 20th:
Celebrate the End of the World with Electro Cult Circus!
KOBO Live
2590 North High Street, Columbus
Count down to the END with special guests Ooh la la's, Sex Kittens, Kinky Kitty, Lady Monster, Dolls Of Evolved, bellydancing by Janaan Al Jahanni, Leyla Billman, magic and comedy by Erik Tait, more comedy shenanigans from The Skitzo Show - over 16 performers!
Doors: 9:00pm. Admission: $5.00


Saturday, December 28th:
Circus of Cool
Krista Kitty's annual birthday/Holiday Bash
Dick's Den
2417 N. High Street @Blake, Columbus
I was Don Pavelcik's "Partner-In-Crime" with Circus of Cool beginning in 1995 and then ran it for him when he became ill. In 1999 when Don passed away, I turned the reins for the show to Krista. She has continued to bring this show to Columbus and Community Festival. Please join us in celebrating a fantastic woman and performer with live jazz, poetry and burlesque - all to the Beat.
Doors: 9:30pm. Admission: $4.00
*I will be twirling fire.