On Friday, I performed at the SalonCon. It was a Victorian-inspired convention that really wasn't much of either. However, I got involved as a favor to Genevieve, who was in charge of two of the events at the convention. I then became very self-centered and became that much more involved.

I have long wanted to be able to be a performer, in a cabaret sort-of way. Going to drag shows, doing live preshows for Rocky Horror, performing at the JeffMach events, and simply playing Riff Raff and Frank at the show, has made me realize this, despite my reservedness and my inability to sing live or take much choreography direction. I finally was able to take my very first step at a legit emcee role.

At the burlesque show that Genevieved directed, I was the master of ceremonies and introduced each of the acts, with a imagined character (I named him Viktor Devonne, although I never actually introduced myself as such for the show.) He was of suspicious ethnicity; I kept switching up my accents. I was able to actually have that seem charming as opposed to annoying, which was relieving. If I had been less nervous, I probably would've just stuck with one, but since I willingly made light of it, it seemed to work out.

I loved my outfit; the hat made it--the top hat that Genevieve lent to me. I want one now. I white-d my face, blacked my eyelashes and lids, lipsticked my lips, wore my Brad black pants, a white dress shirt, and an askew bowtie and added a jaunt in my step.

I had a whole impromptu dance number before the actual acts (it was intended to be a subtle transition between the letting-in music and the actual acts of the night, but since there were no chairs of any type, I cleared the dance floor by grinding (and actually faux-ballroom dancing, something I had definitely not intended to do) with unsuspecting attendees and then making my way to the forefront. It was all a swirl. I didn't get to see the actual performances in whole (much of them, and I saw all the rehearsals), but they were:

- Knockin' by Lumincent Orchestrii, and starring Liz, Randi, and Dani.
I found this song on a messageboard; someone was comparing them to the Dresden Dolls. Figuring Genevieve would like it, I put it on a mix. Some months later and it's the first number of this show. Genevieve and Liz choreographed this, and it was a preshow at our own theatre a few weeks ago. This was the most straight-forward strip tease of the night.

- I Want You by Rachael Yamagata, and starring Genevieve and Danielle.
This was supercute. Genevieve played the seductress and Danielle the unsuspecting ingenue. It came off really well, and I know they worked really hard on it. This was a strip/vaudeville act.

- Wicked Woman, Foolish Man by August Darnell, and starring Sarah and Regina.
Regina was a last-minute addition to the cast, and this song was a very late addition to the set. I suggested it to Genevieve, and I'm pretty sure no one has ever heard of it. It's on the Dick Tracy soundtrack. This was S&M-flavored and was predominately vaudeville, with Regina taking the slapstick role as a Foolish Man and Sarah working the Wicked Woman (with a riding crop no less) persona, and had the most elaborate concept.

- Candyman by Christina Aguilera, and starring Jordana, Lauren, and George.
When rummaging for songs, Genevieve and I found this one (it was actually the second Aguilera song I suggested; the first being "Welcome" for Angie's solo). Hearing this song the first time made me extremely happy, and Genevieve fortunately agreed it could work. I was almost in the duet with Sarah, when it was still in the making (Jill Sobule's "Resistance Song" and Joan Osborne's "If I Was Your Man" were considered), and when Genevieve realized she didn't have anything for Lauren and/or Jordana yet, this seemed the most natural fit. This required me getting a long coat and lining it with wrapped candy like a watch salesman, or a drug pusher. Genevieve and I worked on the choreography, with her taking the lead on the Jordana/Lauren interaction. We did this as a preshow last week. The candy lining kept falling apart, but fortunately only during rehearsals. It's still on the coat, in fact. This was straight-up vaudeville.

- Gravity by the Dresden Dolls, and starring Angie.
The only act that Genevieve wasn't directly involved in, and the most choreography-heavy (which was conceived by Angie herself). A sweeping ballet cum punk act that ended the show perfectly. Considering the fact that Angie didn't even know the song when it was suggested made it that much more impressive.

It was a fabulous time; it actually seemed too short, because no one was ready for it to end. Maybe one more number would've been for the best, but as my father drilled into my head about live performance: "Always leave them wanting more." Indeed we did.

Rocky the next night seemed almost subdued in comparison, although it was a fully realized show; no particular incidents or fallings out.

I spent tonight particularly covered in nostalgia, as I helped Matt and Maria run wires in the basement of the new house. I quipped that should've invited Spark; then it really would've been a full company wiring outing.