musings d'Rayleen Courtney

Oh, Miss Cherry Valance...

2011-03-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Here's my newest contribution to Burlesque Seattle Press, kiddos! This one was a bittersweet one to write-- and I'd be lying if I said my eyes didn't tear up a bit throughout the writing process. If you're a Portland burlesque fan, you know by now that your beloved songstress, Cherry Valance, is moving out of state. I got to sit down with Cherry and chat with her about her introduction to burlesque, and her overall badassery. Head over to www.burlesqueseattle.com and check it out!

More coming soon about my new writing projects. I'm still grappling with this amazing idea that people want to read the words I weave together, and the plan is to go full force with it this year. I'd gush right now, but that would too characteristic of me. So just head over to Burlesque Seattle Press, read about the incomparable Cherry Valance, and stay tuned for more!

Another few inches of The Portland Mercury's innards were composed by me!

2011-02-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

Wowza! I almost forgot to blog a link to my newest contribution in The Portland Mercury! It's my review of Karen Abbott's outstanding book, "American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life And Times Of Gypsy Rose Lee".

Here is the link: http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/burlesque-as-social-history/Content?oid=3322818

As you'll gather by reading my review, I loved the book! I've also had the opportunity to learn that Karen Abbott is quite a doll-- and I am anxiously awaiting her third book (she's already hard at work on it!), as well as the cocktails that will ensue when her and I meet again.

At the risk of sounding cryptic (oh, who are we kidding-- Cryptic is my middle name!), I must hint around about a ridiculously exciting new undertaking of mine that is launching in the coming weeks. I don't want to blow my wad before the first one is released... but I will tell you that it has to do with a gigantic step up in the ongoing coverage of burlesque in Portland's local media. Fret not, I will shamelessly blog/post/tweet/yell it when the proper time approaches!

Stay tuned, fillies...

Luck be a lady, and she is a sexy one... but I don't date her.

2011-01-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

I've heard this a few times: "Rayleen, you are so lucky that you're able to only work two days a week so that you can concentrate on burlesque production full time."

Is it luck? Or did I carefully and purposefully craft this seeming convenience? Read on if you're interested in the answer.

It is not that I offend at this notion of my "luck", but I must sigh inwardly when I hear it. I know that no ill usually is meant by the speaker, and that they may have no idea the mountain I climbed in order to have this schedule. It was a matter of strong intent and longterm planning... not to mention budgeting: not only of money and resources, but my TIME. Time is money, and time is what you make of it. I am no stranger to years of working forty-plus hours each week at my "normal" job in addition to the hard work that is burlesque production. Bartending two evenings a week is a new convenience for me, relative to the amount of my burlesque life I spent also working full time for somebody else-- and the organization and fluidity of my shows did not suffer then, either. The universe recognizes hard work, and it wants you to achieve your goals! Some of the nation's best regarded burlesquers work full time jobs in addition to their burlesque life-- and some of their acts and productions would make you think they don't have a non-burlyQ care in the world.

The career goals of burlesquers vary widely, and every level of aspiration is one-hundred-percent legitimate. Some of us are perfectly happy to dabble in burlesque, some of us contentedly work at it either full or part time while we work for somebody else, and some of us make a living doing nothing else. This third option is my personal goal, and I am set to achieve it in the coming years. This is not a matter of "luck" in being a weekend-only bartender for now and "having the time" to concentrate fully on burlesque-- it is a matter of innovation, hard work, and sticking to the path of intention that I laid out for myself in years past. As much as it may look from the outside in, this is far from serendipitous.

There are twenty-four usable hours in every single day, and it is up to nobody but us how we use them. We create our own triumphs, and we shape our own circumstances. Prosperity has everything to do with drive and ambition-- "luck" is not to be relied upon. At the risk of sounding inflated, I am ecstatic that I can make this look like luck stumbled upon me-- for that is one of the best compliments I could hope to receive!

"B-RAE" is born!

2011-01-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that Angelique DeVil/Brandi Shea and I spend a lot of time together hatching secret plans to take over the world. Well, here is the most recent explosion of glitter from our brains....

Beautiful Random Acts of Entertainment... acronym'd as "B-RAE" (how clever are we?), is the newly hatched force behind Saturday, January 15th's Flash Mob at Lloyd Center Mall!

HUGE THANK YOUS:
- Lloyd Center's management staff, who permitted this spectacle with flexibility and enthusiasm!
- Barracuda Nightclub's management staff, who provided our large group all the secret rehearsal space we needed!
- Rendezvous Rye, one of our SinnSavvy Promo Kittens, for all her help during the performance!
- Rob Campbell and George Davenport for capturing the footage for this video, and Tyler Spencer for editing it together!
- All of our amazing friends who gathered "randomly" to watch the spectacle-- you are the bee's knees!

Biggest thanks to our beloved FlashMobbers! We couldn't have asked for a more fun and lively bunch!
Our cast was:
Russell Bruner
Lindsay DiAnn
Sophie Maltease
Marc Higbie
Danielle Ward
Tamra Scanlan
Zora Phoenix
Karolina
Shannon Schott
Natalie Comstock
Jaclyn McNeill
Mona DePlume
Quinne Salameh
Tyler Spencer
Infamous Nina Nightshade
and perhaps our favorite Mobber of the team,
Squidlette!

Well kids, there is more where this came from! Where will the next B-RAE Flash Mob strike? Only time will tell. . .

My first contribution to Burlesque Seattle Press went up today!

2011-01-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hooray! This is one for the books, darlings. I am too excited about this!

Jessica Price, the fabulous creature behind Burlesque Seattle Press, has invited yours truly to be a contributor to the site! Her decision to include coverage of Portland in this widely read online publication is to be applauded-- and it is nothing short of an honor to be the gal to do it! I'll be making sporadic contributions here and there, and, while I'll of course keep you posted from this end, I very strongly encourage you to head over to the site and SUBSCRIBE-- that is, if you haven't already! It's free, and it's amazing. Jessica writes about burlesque with the passion of a true aficionado, and many of the "who's who" in burlesque follow her writings. What are you waiting for?!? Get over there and check it out!

Visit:

http://burlesqueseattle.com

The Oregon Burlesque Podcast is on it's way back to your loving arms!

2011-01-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

So... Tyler and I know we've been complete and total slackers on the Oregon Burlesque Podcast front. I could offer you a list of excuses, but I don't believe in excuses. All that needs to be said is that we are moving forward with this project, full steam ahead! With over 4,000 subscribers (no, I'm not joking), there is no reason for us to not forge ahead and give a renewed amount of attention to OBP! We've received a boatload of e-mails from folks wondering when the next episode is being released-- the answer is January 31st! We have already recorded an amazing interview with local burlycue pioneer Madison Moone, and will have neo-burlesque local legend Delilah Sinn in the studio soon!

Make sure you are sending in your questions for "Ask The Emceeiam"! This is your chance to ask anything of Laura "The Emceeiam" Dean-- anything at all! Inquire about upcoming events, mathematical quandaries, first aid solutions, creation of the universe, burlesque tidbits, or how to teach choreography to your cat! You really can 'Ask The Emceeiam' anything! Send your questions, to be read and answered on air, to podcast@sinnsavvyproductions.com

You can visit www.sinnsavvyproductions.com to stay updated on our progress, and I hope that you do. (Also, be sure to check out the widget over to the right of this page and "like" the Podcast on Facebook!)

Today, Random House releases a book about Gypsy Rose Lee!

2010-12-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

My beloved Portland burlesque community, I beg of you your momentary attention!

Random House released a new book today, titled "American Rose: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee". I, for one, am exhilarated by this. A nationally promoted book recapitulating the story of our artform's best known legend cannot be a bad counterbalance to the widespread film debacle we all recently endured!

The book's author, a stunning woman (according to the book's jacket photo, anyway) by the name of Karen Abbott, will be in our fair city on the evening of February 4th, for a reading and signing at Powell's. I am fancying the notion of Portland burlyQ folk mobilizing and bringing high attendance to this reading, and showing support for this author who is attempting to bring a historical aspect of burlesque to the country's attention. Bring your feathers, rhinestones, and listening ears. Who's with me?

In uber-awesome related news, the Portland Mercury has given me another writing assignment-- this time, they've asked me to review the very book I speak of now. Of course, I am ecstatic to do so! The advance copy has been sitting on my desk since before the holidays, waiting for me to have time to give it the attention is deserves. I'll be diving into it headfirst this week, and I don't expect to come up much for air!

Well, kids... yet another awesome avenue for burlesque to take in acquiring the attention of the general public. We're dispelling myths and creating new fans every single day, and nationally recognized mediums such as this book definitely do not hurt. Three cheers for Random House and Karen Abbott, and congratulations to them on their newly published book!

The Rosehip Revue's first birthday celebration was out of control.

2010-12-23T16:04:00.000-08:00

Well, not technically. I had a handle on everything. Better stated, my emotions regarding the entire thing were out of control. Over two hundred folks turned out to watch the show and help us celebrate our one-year anniversary, and I genuinely wanted to kiss each and every one of them on their forehead. With such a turnout and such a fucking amazing show, I am still at a loss for how to describe how proud I am of our SinnSavvy family for last Friday.... so I figured copying and pasting the "Thank Yous" that I read at the show into a blog would have to suffice.

I have an unmountable mountain of gratitude for the following folks:

Barracuda staff:
Keno, the general manager of Barracuda, who actually had to talk me into producing a monthly show here (true story!), and who continues to have the show's back undoubtedly. You're a solid dude.
Rocco, the assistant general manager, for being an unparalleled source of support for this show
DJ Toasty for running our sound (most months!)
Andrea, who holds down the Barracuda office details-- and looks good doing it
Justin, who comes in early just to be a private bartender for the cast
Manny, Ben, Sally, Josie, and rest of staff for making sure our audience is always treated well

SinnSavvy Staff and Family:
Leila Hofstein and Tyler Spencer, my partners in crime-- who's absence would make this whole SinnSavvy Productions thing a fuck of a lot harder. I'm not sure I have any words for you two that won't make me cry onstage in front of people, so I'm just going to leave it at that.
Georgie D, when you are around, conflicts and emergencies just seem to disappear into thin air. Thank you for being an irreplaceable member of the SinnSavvy family.
Jenessa Danger and Bordeaux Patrol, our Stage Kittens, for being so fucking solid at your job that I never have to wonder whether the stage is in good hands. Please don't ever leave me.
Kit Katastrophe, Joujou Galore, Karolina, and Rendezvous Rye, our brand new Promo Kitten team. You ladies are about to help take this show to the next level, so I want to thank you for 2011 ahead of time. Welcome to the family!

Our monthly cast:
Cherry Valance-- The first note I heard you sing, I wanted you on my stages-- who knew that you cuss like a sailor offstage and would become one of my favorite people in the whole wide world? Whether we're at a show, or getting drunk and silly in our sweat pants, I treasure the shit out of you. Especially when your panties smell like tator tots.
Burlesquire-- The last few years with you boys has been the ride of my life. Oh, the stories we could tell-- and even better the ones that we can't! There is nothing like you guys in the burlesque world, NOTHING. When you go on to BHOF and become one of the nation's leading boylesque acts, you better still do my shows, goddamnit! P.S. I said, what what in the butt.
Angelique DeVil-- You are the meatless meatballs in my pasta, and I seriously can't imagine my life without you-- professionally or personally. Even though we are inseparable in “real” life, and I've seen you perform a bazillion times-- somehow you still hypnotize and stupify me when you take that stage. I can't imagine what it must be like for your audiences. Get it, fredge.
Delilah Sinn-- Let's say it like it is: I would never have begun producing burlesque events if were not for you and your visions. Whether you will own it or not, you are the godmother of Portland neo-burlesque-- and you are forever my muse and dear, dear friend. We've been doing this together for over four years, can you believe that? I love you, so much. P.S. Remember when we met for the first time and I hit on you? Awkward.
The Emceeiam-- What the fuck can I possibly say here? There would be a huge, gigantic, enormous hole in SinnSavvy, and Portland burlesque for that matter, if you weren't here. When I bill you as our “nonpariel”, I truly mean it-- I think you are the best goddamned burlesque host I've ever watched. I know you're getting your college degree to help sick people and everything, but you're never allowed to leave us. Ever. I'm not above stalking you.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!!
to every single performer who has been on this stage in the last year:
Amy of Allure
Baby LeStrange
Charlotte Treuse
Ellie Darling
Euphemia Fox and Minix Mips of Swingtease
Gretchen Dances
Hai Fleisch
Holly Dai
Honey LeFleur
Infamous Nina Nightshade
Itty Bitty Bang Bang
Jason Ramirez
Jesse Belle-Jones
Karolina
Kittie Katrina
Kristnh Buckman-mcGown
Lady Germany
Lolita “Tatas” Valentino
Meghan Mayhem
The Molotov Dolls
The New Eccentrics
Pink Lady
Russell Bruner
Sandria Dore'
Savvy Danger
ScuseMe
Soulfire
Starla
Sugar Kane
The Tiger Lillies
Violetta Beretta
Zora Phoenix

The most important thank you, and I am not blowing smoke up anyone's ass here, is to THE AUDIENCE. You are the entity that these shows would be absolutely impossible without. Your support for this show makes me want to hug each and every one of you individually. You have been vital in making this Portland's largest ongoing burlesque revue, and we're only going to grow from here. Each and every single one of you that came here tonight: from the bottom of the mushiest part of my heart, thank you.

So there you have it, kids. I implore you all to stay tuned, as The Rosehip Revue has some ridiculously fun surprises up it's sleeve for 2011. We've got a couple of downright amazing announcements on their way to you in the next couple of months, as well as one coming this week. (Omg, what is it, what is it?!?)

Portland burlesque fans.... I. Love. You. So. Fucking. Much.

Ho there! I forgot I have a blog. . .

2010-12-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

Wowza! I wonder if there was something to the lack of typed-out thought between April 8th and now... or if I truly just forgot I have a fucking blog. Regardless, I remembered it today and intend to contribute to it a bit more regularly. Starting.... soon.

This placeholder post, the one I am typing now, leaves my fingertips during a time that I am too overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude to organize thought into a communicable format. This week has brought a resounding host of victories, accomplishments, new possibilities, headway, and joy.... and I'm not yet sure how to get it all out into words and onto my laptop screen yet.

I should note as a warning: this blog will likely continue from an annoyingly optimistic point of view. It's slated to contain rambles from my gushy, loveydovey take on the world around me-- especially when it comes to my passion: burlesque production. Folks who are put off by one's genuine adoration of their surroundings need not subscribe. But for good measure, I'll do my best to throw in a snarky rant here and there-- likely following a shitty bartending shift or a driver coming too close to my dog in a parking lot. In summation, this blog is of creation for my personal use, not necessarily for promotion or coverage of SinnSavvy Productions or my adventures in burlesque production-- though you can bet your sweet ass that this topic will rear it's lovely head quite often.

See what I've gone and done? Came with intention of typing a short placeholder, and then begun to vomit-type all over my computer screen. Such will likely be the format of future blogs. Follow or not, darlings...

SinnSavvy Productions west coast burlesque tour: Rose City Rendezvous

2010-04-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

SinnSavvy Tour 2010: Rose City Rendezvous from SinnSavvy Productions on Vimeo.

Click the thumbnail below to check out our preliminary press release:

A little history, and a few musings. Life is good.

2010-03-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

*silent glorious scream*

I am overcome with beauty and mindfulness!

This year began with two of SinnSavvy's current regular productions in their baby stages. After having two very different and separate venues drop opportunities directly into my lap around the same time, I was in high contemplation of the essence of achievement. When the Rose City Sirens and I discussed their hiatus, I wasn't sure where this was going to lead me in regard to burlesque production. I silently pondered this, toiled over it, ignored it, laughed about it, regarded it's irony, whined about it, allowed it to relieve me, sobbed over it... rolled it around in my head for all of my waking hours, and many of my dreaming ones as well. Weeks, months, went by. Still unsure of what my next move was, the universe had finally had enough of my uncharacteristic wishy-washyness.

A man very dear to me, the owner of my favorite venue, telephoned me one sunny afternoon late last summer and said he had some important news for me. His voice sounded calm but urgent, and he asked me when that week I would be available to have some lunch with him and chat. Because I had never heard this tone in his voice before, I threw on some pants (I am notorious for working in pajamas from my home office) and raced over to the Hawthorne Theatre patio-- where he let me in on his plans to move to Hawaii with his amazingly lovely finace after they were soon married. I choked back some tears (this was a very emotional time for me, all around), and expressed my genuine congratulations. We discussed some of the details of his leaving, and how it would affect certain aspects of the venue (as he has always taken an extremely hands-on role in running his business and I sometimes produced full-length events there). We hashed some old memories, shared some laughs.... and then he dropped the life-altering bomb. We began discussing the weekly burlesque revue that the Hawthorne Theatre has hosted in their Lounge since October of 2007. Him and Kim (his gorgeous and uber-talented ladyfriend, now wife) had run the weekly for that long, and were not ready to see it fizzle out upon their relocation out of Portland. The sneaky bastard (I love you, Nic) said to me, with a knowing gleam in his eye... and I'll never forget this.... "I wish I knew somebody here in Portland that would want to take over production of the weekly." He then looked at me expectantly, and became silent. I remained silent for a few moments, too, minus a couple of stunted vowel sounds. My head was whirling. The conversation ended with me telling him I wanted the weekend to think about it. Of course, my insides were telling me "take it, you crazy bitch! take it right now!" but I knew this project was going to be anything but simple, and I needed to make sure I was in the right headspace to take it on. Well... I think we all know where that weekend of ponder landed me. As Nic and Kim allowed me the creative control to update the format and move full-speed ahead, Portland still has an authentic weekly burlesque revue to call it's own. Savoir Faire is my baby-- one that I adopted from dear friends, and love as if it were my own child.

Then there is Cuda Cabaret, our monthly revue.
One year ago this month, I responded to an ad on Craigslist for bartenders at Oregon's largest nightclub. Much to my surprise, I made it through three interviews and landed a spot bartending in the club's VIP section. After a couple of months there, I had forged friendships with many of my co-workers and a killer relationship with my boss, Keno Leighty. Barracuda has the reputation that is does due to some of it's clientele, not because of it's staff. These people were A+, and I quickly fell in love with my job. As the Sirens were coming to a close for the year, I handed out flyers at work for their quasi-final performance run (very fittingly, every Thursday last July in the Hawthorne Theatre Lounge-- before I took over the weekly). Keno perused the flyer, then looked at me curiously. Over the next few weeks began asking me questions. Where do I usually book burlesque shows? How many Portland-area burlesque performers are there? What are the crowds like? Et cetera, et cetera. I answered his questions with ease and friendliness, wondering what the fuck he was up to. Then one day, here it came: "Why don't you launch a monthly burlesque show here at the club." To which I immediately replied, "Nope. No way. I bartend here. Not gonna happen." I had learned my lesson about promoting and producing at a club whose payroll I was on, and had vowed to never do it again. He accepted my answer for the time being. The following weekend, he approached me with a line of customers at my well: "No, I'm serious. Let's get a monthly burlesque show in here." I laughed and playfully told him to fuck off. This exchange went back and forth for a month or two.... but something happened in the meantime. The more he brought it up, the more I thought about it. And truly... I began to wonder "why not?" The stage there is huge, the sound system is spectacular, seating includes couches and loveseats, the staff is great... so he wore me down. I finally said yes, and we geared up for our December 18th, 2009 launch. Talk about a roaring success. And now, five months in, the show already has it's own special place in the heart of Oregon's burlesque community.

There are so many morals to these two stories, that I wouldn't know where to begin in outlining them. It does go without saying, that if you aren't going to step down your rightful path on your own, the universe will give you a nudge-- or a shove, if need be. In the wake of these two regular shows, now a podcast and a west coast tour have come onto my plate. Of course, I have two PHENOMENAL co-pilots for both of these undertakings. Leila is heading up organization of the tour with me as her assistant, and Tyler is co-producing the podcast with me. I may overexert myself, but I know when to hand certain reigns over to my loved/trusted ones.

It is possible that some folks grow weary of hearing me rant about how glorious and beautiful the burlesque community is. I also know some of those folks don't grasp the notion that this doesn't have to be a cutthroat business if you don't make it one. SinnSavvy has it's mottos and it's morals, and we do business our own way. Everything based in love and mutual support, is the only way I can bring myself to run this team. Beauty is lost in undermining the values of the Golden Rule. My colleagues are not my competitors-- we are all pushing for the same result, whether or not we have varying visions and takes on the art we are producing.

My heart is full and my head is light. I carry a notebook with me at all times, for purposes of jotting down ideas for improvement. I know we have a long way to go before we can all quit our jobs bartending, working in offices, contracting, and the like and just do what we love the most. But I won't stop the climb until we all reach the top together. Call it leftover hippie mindset from my early twenties, call it falsities, call it good business, call it whatever you want. It's me, it's SinnSavvy, and it's the people we are proud to call colleagues.

Burlesque had it's Golden Age, yes. But what's to stop it from having another?

Yoga? Really, Rayleen?

2010-02-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

Yoga is changing my life. And it's only been three weeks.

What a fabulous connectivity to the world around me once I leave the mat, and what an absolutely criminal euphoria I feel whilst engaging my body on top of it. As your typical new devotee: "My only complaint is 'what took me so long?'"

Frustration and worry melt away, and the high lasts for hours. My general optimism and faith in the goodness of humanity is extended even further. The smile I normally offer to each person I make eye contact with widens measurably, and my compassion towards those attempting to wrong me grows by leaps and bounds. How does spending an hour in ancient physical poses reap such clarity of mind? There are as many explanations are there are poses... and I'm not one to question the methods of masters, because I feel the effects each time I go to class.

My yoga mat is varying shades of pink with it's very own unique dye pattern. In each flow of white into pink, I trace my mental steps throughout the process of banishing negative thoughts. By the time I come back into the white, they're gone. Once I leave the mat, I am able to view seemingly disruptive forces as minor annoyances. Miss Annoying Optimism begins to take new form as my body directs me into a state of mindfulness that cannot be compared to life without it.

Yoga is my new girlfriend.

"I am going to write in cursive from now on."

2009-12-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Moving recently, I found my old middle and high school journals... diaries... goal notebooks... dream logs... all those collections of thought-and-actions-on-paper that I kept while coming of age.

A certain discovery couldn't have come at a more coincidental time. Lately I've been meditating on what it takes to make serious personal changes within oneself. Not to just let them happen naturally, but to consciously set them into motion. Suffice it to say, I was shocked when I discovered, upon recent personal introspection, that most of the positive changes I have made within myself over the course of my life have been natural occurrences. While one may entertain celebration with themselves over such a discovery, I found great fault in it. What happens when I make a decision and have trouble sticking to it? What items from my emotional toolbelt do I pull out and use? Does emotional intelligence equal waiting around for some higher form of myself to decide when to act on changes for the better? Even after processing this notion at length, I have no other inclination but to reject it.

Buried within one of my teen-aged journals, and dated for sometime during my age of 16, I found a page entirely blank, save one sentence in the middle of the page. It read: "I am going to write in cursive from now on." For the life of me, I cannot remember what made me want to script exclusively in cursive. The motivation for such a declaration escapes my memory. Furthermore, until I came across this notebook, I had little recollection of why or when I began to script exclusively with curvy lettering.

Reading this, I laughed aloud and almost turned the page. But quickly, something struck me. I HAVE written in cursive, almost without exception, since that very day! The entire rest of that journal was in cursive, as well as all the books following it. So has almost every bit of my handwriting since. This very simple decision, I believe, was made for much more reason beyond my hand-written notes being prettier. Did I somehow know that my 26-year-old self would find this aspiration and grow from it?

This is what I take from that simple declaration of calligraphy: ENCOURAGING CHANGE WITHIN ONESELF IS AS SIMPLE AS MAKING AND STATING A DECISION TO DO SO. That's it. Whether it's something simple like writing in cursive, or more challenging: changing daily habits, or taking on new projects... the possibilities are endless. It's as simple as making the change. Not pondering the possibility of making it... or reflecting on what life would be like if we made it... or even testing it's waters by pretending we made it. Making the change, is the only way to make the change.

And, sometimes, our handwriting becomes prettier along the way.

Burlesque in Portland... an honor, a journey, a community.

2009-11-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

Watching Portland's burlesque community take shape over the last few years has been, ultimately, one of the most rewarding experiences of my promotional career.

Three years ago last month, I had the still unbelievable honor of being asked to manage the Rose City Sirens. The not-yet queens of Portland neo-burlesque had just sold out their very first full-length show, and we were ready to push further. The brainchild of Delilah Sinn and Savvy Danger, both new to the city, the Sirens quickly became a staple in PDX's alternative performance art scene. The five original Rose City Sirens worked tirelessly to feed the artistic frenzy they each felt within themselves. It was nothing short of a privilege to act as business medium for the troupe. Producing shows, drawing up contracts, acting as liaison between the ladies and outside booking agents... the work was plenty, and the rewards were even more. The troupe continued to pull capacity crowds for every full-length show they put on over the next couple of years. We lost members and gained members, and to this day treasure the friendships of each of the women who has called herself a Rose City Siren. The time spent developing comradeship and business relationships within the performance community has been one of the most valuable ventures I have ever set upon: Portland has something very special up it's sleeve.

Following the Rose City Sirens full-length production in May of 2009, a series of appearances in San Francisco, and then a farewell run during the month of July in the Hawthorne Theatre Lounge, the troupe called hiatus for a year. They are each off being fabulously fierce in her own way, and we are not forgetting our promise of a reunion show next summer.

Over the last few years, Portland has had the pleasure of seeing it's burlesque community explode with unique talent. In a DIY city such as ours, it is no surprise that there are so many gorgeous, classy, creative, and talented ladies who have taken the stage- and work very hard to establish Portland's burlesque scene on the national map. And with the alarmingly high volume of strip clubs in the city, I personally am overly impressed with most of these ladies' ability to ensure that the two schools of performance remain completely separate. Not an easy task, with local revues that allow "burlesque" to be defined by strippers simply donning pasties! (Please note that I very much enjoy a classy strip club when I find one, and have nothing bad to say about the art when it is done with grace and pride.) Burlesque performers in Portland have also had to brace themselves while public recognition of the significance of their art rested on the egos of much louder and much less classy representatives than the majority. I watched them smile through it, and allure audiences despite it... and now, burlesque is taking a new shape and demanding it's rightful place on Portland stages.

I have been blessed, honored even, with the professional relationships that I have with a wide array of our region's stage divas. These gals deserve nothing less than ultimate professionalism and, in my role as a producer, I strive to offer them such. My participation, reputation, experience, and drive to produce burlesque shows all derive largely from this: my downright admiration of these performers and their abilities. The ladies that I work with don extravagant (and many times handmade) costumes, choreograph endlessly, research music tirelessly... and they do it all with a warm smile and a classy demeanor. Performing burlesque in Portland can, at times, be a thankless avenue of expression. Between the struggle to define their art and demand it's respectability, and the heavy task of doing justice to the burlesque queens of the past... it's a wonder these women find the time to impeccably adorn their rhinestones and feathers! It is nothing short of admirable.

This millennium's brand of burlesque has risen against many odds, and will continue to do so. Speaking of Portland in particular, it has been one of my life's great joys to be a part of it all. The pleasure I have reaped from producing burlesque shows is unmatched by any other aspect of my promotional career, and I have promised myself to always live up to the professional and reliable reputation I have garnered. Which, to be perfectly frank, is never a challenge with such artistically alluring performance art needing to be showcased. I consider it an honor and a privilege to help make sure there is always a stage for burlesque divas to grace, and an audience for them to capture.

To queer, or not to queer. . .

2009-09-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I've just recently moved in with my non-heteronormative polysexual life partner. This will be the second time I've lived with a lover, and I'm going into it with a clear head and objective reasoning this time. (Though, let us not allow for regret of the first time. That woman is a fabulous creature and still very much part of my life. I wouldn't take back a single day with her, because it made our current friendship as strong as it is. Not to mention, I still get to babysit her phenomenal doggie when she leaves town.)

No, but yes. Here we go, right? People keep asking me if I'm nervous, congratulating me, clapping their hands in glee... all the things to be expected when you move in with a partner. I'm ready for this life-altering decision to take place. This is the most effortless regard I've ever held for someone, save my dog.

The politics of our relationship were challenging in the beginning. How could they not have been? I had identified as a lesbian for years... Talk about a plot change! Here, I had fallen in love with this man-- and I didn't know how to tell even myself the truth, let alone him or anyone else. All my homo-based preaching about "love knows no gender"? Well, here was a the most blatant example I had experienced to date.

See, I don't have a coming out story. I've never identified as straight, not ever in my entire life. Even before kindergarten, I had girlfriends... leading to a string of them throughout my grade school years. I was fortunate enough to have the kind of family wherein I was never made to give a second thought to my same-sex interests. When I had my first kiss with a boy at age 12 (in a friend's father's work van in her driveway), it seemed a little awkward... but well-placed and well-timed, at any rate. (Sidenote: this boy has grown into a beautiful gay man. One more point for queer unity!) As I evolved into high school, I fancied myself bi-sexual-- but never felt a need to label myself as such. In my early 20's, at the end of a relationship with a man whom I loved very much (and whose friendship I hold dear to this day), I came to the realization that I was certainly a big gaywad... and needed to label myself as such. I had never enjoyed sex with men in the way I intended to. I figured that life as a self-proclaimed femme dyke was the way to go. And, I'm not here to say that I made an incorrect decision-- for that time being.

I believe this about the continuum of sexuality and sexual identity: many of us are too quick to place ourselves. There are very few folks in this world that are all-the-way-gay or one-hundred-percent heterosexual. When repeatedly posed with the notion "So you turned out to be bi, not gay", I am forced to pause and not allow myself to anger. Why must I be either? What makes it so important to define this? I can't fall under the lesbian category anymore: I'm in love (and have reality-bending sex with) a man. I don't fit in as a bisexual, because I still don't find myself much attracted to men in general. And we can giggle about the possibility of applying the term "heterosexual" to me at any stage in life. So, what gives? A period of months ago, I decided to do the right thing for myself and reject labels of sexual identity. For purposes of communication (and because of it's awesome umbrella nature), I lovingly embrace the term "queer".

What does "queer" mean? Does it mean I pursue my sexual interest in women within the light constrains of my loving, non-monogamous relationship with a man? Does it mean that queer sex acts play a role in my unbelievably fulfilling sexual relationship with my partner of the opposite sex? Does it mean that I harbor the potential to be attracted to persons of all genders? Does it mean that I find more comradarie among folks that reject gender labels, and find family in folks that have no intention of justifying who they sleep with? Does it mean that I find myself very occasionally attracted to men, and want to fuck them in some of the same ways I fuck women? Does it mean different things for me than it does for others who embrace the term? The answer to all of these questions is YES.

So, yes. I have moved in with the absolute love of my life, and I am no longer intimidated to hold his hands in gay settings. I may have freaked out a few members of my gay community (and I can understand the initial jolt), but they have by now come around. And the ones who haven't... well... should they ever ask themselves what separates their prejudice from the homophobia so rampant in our culture, I applaud their awakening.

le sigh

2009-09-02T17:42:00.001-07:00

Do you have anyone in your life that you suspect has no idea how much joy they bestow upon each of your senses? Somebody whose mere presence unintentionally lifts you and lends you optimistic perspective, all while allowing you to remain grounded and secure in your solitude? A person who finds seemingly unrealistic beauty in scenes and moments that you might have overlooked, had they not been there to shed rays of light on them? Do you possess any ache to constantly communicate to somebody how much they mean to you? How you feel your torso straighten and your face brighten when they enter the room you are in? How they seem to have etched a permanent place, all their own, in the forefront of your thoughts? If you do have a person like this in your life, are they somewhat unsuspecting of the intensity of your regard? And did their candidacy for this high level of your admiration creep slowly upon you, until you realized how much you adore this person.... and how distraught you would be to have to live without their companionship? Have you ever felt as though you've found one of the best friends you will ever have, regardless of how many years you live or people you meet? Ever felt like you want to discuss with this person every last intricacy this world has to offer, and fear there will never be enough time? Wanted to hear their thoughts on every topic the human mind can wrap itself around? Wanted to share cynicism, joy, worries, elation, breath, warmth, music, time, insight, art.... the world?

And then have you come to find out that this person's body fits into yours more splendidly than you could have hoped for? Revealed that your dual nudity is one the of universe's perfect gifts? Explored their body until you've savored every last drop of their essence, and felt you could never be too full of them? Found the very act of "making love" to be creating something far beyond either one of your comprehension?

What do you do with this adjoining regard, save holding it gently within you and nurturing it's delicate balance? Nothing. I choose to do nothing. I choose to let this remain as effortless as it has always been.

"Savoir Faire" is Portland's Newest Showcase of Unbridled Barroom Fare!

2009-08-27T14:59:00.001-07:00

Portland’s burgeoning burlesque and vaudeville community has an ever-increasing need for venues ready to host the variety of groundbreaking acts our city has to offer. The incline of quality cutting-edge entertainment in the City Of Roses has been a steep one, and our fair community has been blessed with a myriad of upstart performers and showcases.

The Hawthorne Theatre Lounge has hosted a weekly Thursday showcase since October of 2007, and we have seen some of Portland’s most spirited burlesque acts grace it’s stage since. As the revue’s mastermind (theatre owner/manger Nicholas Yannariello) is planning to relocate his residence this fall, he has passed the torch over to founder of SinnSavvy Productions and local promoter, Rayleen Courtney.

As newly appointed Production Manager for the weekly showcase, Courtney’s intention is to reach into the far corners of PDX’s blossoming performance scene to employ both up-and-coming artists as well as established names. The goal is to synonymize thoughts of innovative alternative performance art with thoughts of the Hawthorne Theatre Lounge. Armed with her connections and relationships in the performance community, Courtney plans to extent an open audition invitation to new rising stars and seasoned veterans alike. The ongoing call is out for vocalists, dancers, magicians, jugglers, comedians, and alternative performance artists of all forms.

Beginning in October of 2009, Thursday evening patrons of the Hawthorne Theatre Lounge are set to be very pleased with what is taking shape. A feast for all the senses, this revue just may be the next big thing to grace Portland’s avant-garde entertainment scene.

“Savoir Faire”
Portland’s Newest Showcase of Unbridled Barroom Fare!
Every Thursday Evening beginning in October 2009

Doors open at 9:00pm at the
Hawthorne Theatre Lounge
(SE Hawthorne Boulevard at 39th Avenue)

Drinking-aged adults only, please.

Admission varies, see
www.hawthornetheatre.com/calendar.php

for weekly details.

Follow this link to become a fan of "Savoir Faire" on Facebook!

Savoir Faire on Facebook

and then... there was a blog....

2009-08-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

I deleted my MySpace account. Frankly, I'm not sure why it took me so long to do it. I long ago ceased much of any activity on it, save begrudgingly updating my status.

As I was combing my profile prior to the cancellation of my account, I took note that the one aspect of this social networking site I would miss.... was the option to blog. As wicked rad as I find Facebook to be, it has yet to offer a blog section. Eh. Quite possible it's for the best. I probably shouldn't add any more clocked hours to my visitation there as it is. It's bad enough I joined the wide league of Twitter-ers last week. *cue self-indulgent and narcissistic justifications*

So, I did a Google search for blog sites. I checked a few out (even registered for LiveJournal before deciding against it) and settled here. "www.rayleencourtney.blogspot.com" may render itself largely unused. In the same breath, it could turn into a frequent ritual. Only time and impulses will tell.

Stay tuned, you handsome fucks.