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

Of all the gin joints...
We babysit hundreds of adults while we keep their returning drink orders fresh in our heads. We've trained our ears to hear your hushed conversation at the end of the bar over loud music and hundreds of raised voices. We remember your first name, and we'll fill you in on what the foxy vixen at table three is drinking. We make suggestions while you twirled your hair and tell us you'd like "something fruity and sweet, but really strong". We monitor your intake, we know your every dance move, and we know how many women you've struck out with tonight. We are your bartenders.I'd be willing to place a wager that if you asked 100 bartenders what their top five industry pet peeves are,

To queer, or not to queer. . .
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