28 Hours Left of Indiegogo to Milan Fund!!!

!!!!THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! That’s me shimmying in gratitude & appreciation! We met the Indiegogo Goal over the weekend :-D!!! There are ONLY 28 HOURS left to donate. I know there are things on my to do list I’ve been trying to get to for a few weeks now. So, this is a gentle reminder that if you were planning on giving, you only have hours left to do it. Gah head and get it out the way 😉 because airline prices have gone way up since I researched 45 days ago. This is the last update and I truly just wanted to take the time to say Thank You for helping me to practice the lessons of receiving as well as asking. These are concepts that I understand intellectually, but that make me feel truly outside of my comfort zone in practical application. The encouragement & support I got during this campaign has pushed me through another level of growth. For that I will be eternally grateful. So, Most Humbly & Sincerely, THANK YOU, Essence & The Milan Burlesque Awards Fund Team

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ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She’s been published in two anthologies: Pros(e) &  Johns, Marks, Tricks & Chicken Hawks.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

INDIEGOGO TO MILAN

INDIEGOGO TO MILAN

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

I REACHED MY GOAL OVER THE WEEKEND!  And there are still 4 days left to give!

Every share, dollar, newsletter mention, interview, tweet, hug, cheer lead, etc, etc, etc made it happen.  I THANK YOU SOOO MUUUUCH!

I am going to be re-locating to my new website soon!  Head over to http://www.theessencerevealed.com to get a sneak peek 🙂

Much Hugs, Essence Revealed

Gratitude Filled Link-A-Palooza

Hey, hey, hey, Whew! Thank You all SO Much!!! With the donations that were given in person (Yes, I will come get the donation if you don’t like doing the online thing) and online, I am about halfway there with about a week to go! If you could find a spare second to let people know it’s happening, I’d be so even more grateful than I already am (if that’s possible). Support has come from some unexpected places. This weekend I performed on the Robin Byrd (of Debbie Does Dallas & Cable Access fame) Live Show & was given much love. 🙂 I could write all day about the people who have shared the link and helped me get the word out but I know you have a life to lead so here’s a short list: Jimi of Gureje in Brooklyn hooked up some fashions so I can be fly in Milan. Thanks to Corset Magazine The Go To Magazine For All Things Sexuality) for including me on their blog. Twanna Hines the Funky Brown Chick, I thank you so much for the shout out. Amy Jo Goddard (Justin “Bringing Sexy Back” Timberlake endorsed Sex Coach) big thanks for your support. She has a really cool FREE CALL CLASS TONIGHT April 23rd by the way! Abiola Abrams, Dirty Lola, Yolanda Shoshona, Miles Maker (while deep in pre/production of a new film project), The Sweet Spot Crew (Team No Sleep), Sweet Lorraine , Eric Perl (the man with the camera cranking out the videos!  Who is avail for hire!!!), Swirl PR, The Toy Closet, Andrea Plaid, Guy Routte (You know why!) Brown Girls Burlesque, Red Umbrella Project and WAAAAY too many more to list. Thanks So Much to EVERYONE who has supported this effort by giving, sharing or info on travel in Europe! Only 8 days left. If you are planning on giving please do. We’re on the anchor leg;-) People have been so generous with me that I decided to pay it forward on my blog: https://essencerevealed.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/where-to-donate-in-3-great-ideas/ Have a Great Rest of the Week! Thanks for reading Link-a-palooza! MILAN BURLESQUE AWARDS FUND 🙂 Essence ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She’s been published in two anthologies: Pros(e) &  Johns, Marks, Tricks & Chicken Hawks.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

Brown Girls Talk Burlesque

During the first BGB All Stars Show, we took some time to chat about burlesque. 😀

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Also, I recently shared some of my thoughts with Corset Magazine (The Go To Magazine for All Things Sexuality)  too.

 Check it out HERE!!

ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She’s been published in two anthologies: Pros(e) &  Johns, Marks, Tricks & Chicken Hawks.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

Burlesque New York to Milan

Indiegogo.com Page

I decided to apply to the Milan Burlesque Festival.  I did it mainly because I’ve always wanted to go to Milan.  I really didn’t think I’d get in, so it never dawned on me to think about HOW I’d get there.  So, when I got the e-mail that I got in I did a little happy dance then thought, “Oh well, too bad, I have to decline.”  I told a few close friends & supporters and they all said, “You have to go.  Do a crowd funding campaign!”  My brain got busy telling me how I couldn’t do that because it wasn’t for a charitable cause or a life changing invention or a huge production, etc.  I am doing this despite those voices.  I DESPISE asking for help.  Yes, I know there has to be give and take flow in life but, but…  I’m a multi-tasking Taurus who will burn the midnight oil if I have to because I know, I’ll get it done.  Enter fears here.  Enter trust issues here.  Enter control freakishness here.  Yeah, I know I have baggage and can label many of them quite clearly.  They are not designer! 🙂

Yet, here I am with 36 days left in a 45 day Indiegogo.com fundraising campaign.

I am asking if you can give and/or share the link and help me spread the word?  It would be so appreciated.

This video is especially for my New Yorkers ;-):

Please & Thank You 😀

ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

Vibrator Review 2 – Lelo INA 2

Guess what?  I got another sex toy to review from The Toy Closet.  I was excited to do my homework, but I had to get ready to go to a show.  One thing that was especially interesting about this toy is that it’s ReChArGeAbLe!  😀  I got home from the show.  I opened the package and looked at the box.  I thought it was so pretty, so, so pretty.  And it was my favorite color, purple.  Yep, I was biased from the start!  What I did not do was plug it in to charge before I left for the show.  Which was fine because I was tired and wanted to get to bed anyway *side eye*…  *Sigh*.  I plugged it in.

While it was charging, I checked out what was in the box.  A carrying case, lube (glycerine & paraben free), a warranty and an instruction manual were in the box.  A charger was, of course, in there as well.  I promise, I have never before thought about registering a toy.  Now I have.  There was a product registration card.  I also, don’t typically use toys with penetration.  I had to wait until the following night before I  had time to test it out.

For the sake of research, I pushed through, so to speak.  I was curious about that shape.   There are 8 vibration settings as well as intensity control.  Is this the “luxury vehicle” of sex toys?  I can say that whether you do use penetration or not, it is a fun toy to have.  It’s like a sex toy, video game controller and you are in the command center.  You know, in a sexy time kind of way.  Yes, it is fully water proof as well.  Perhaps, one of you could test it out in water and let me know how it was?  In the bath, perhaps?  I always think that fully water proof  is a great option, especially if you take showers with your partner.  I don’t need details: a yay or nay will do!!!

The battery life seems to be excellent.  I haven’t charged it for days and have been able to use, I mean, test it out a time or two or three or…  Thumbs up to the Lelo.

Guess what else?  The Toy Closet will be available at the Brown Girls Burlesque “She’s A-Shake-A-Ning” show in Phili, Washington DC & New York City this weekend Mar 21st – 23rd.  If we won’t be in your city Toy Closet can be reached 24/7 online.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!

ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

Brown Girl’s Burlesque: MAR 21st – MAR 23rd Phili, DC, NY

BGB All-Stars Spring A-Shaken-A-Ning from Brown Girls Burlesque on Vimeo.

ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!

Minneapolis Burlesque Festival

Source: etsy.com via Essence on Pinterest

I took part in my second burlesque festival this month – The Minneapolis Burlesque (MBF).  I headed off to the Twin Titties in the dead of winter all for the love of burlesque.  It was -30 degrees with the wind chill factor the first day I arrived.  This turned out to be alright.  MBF had organized for us to be picked up directly from the airport and a place to stay.  Knowing I’d be in a cozy home later made me feel warmer from the start.  The temperature rose to 8 degrees one day, man did that feel balmy!  When I landed in NY the 25 degrees we had going on dern near called for flip-flops as far as my body was concerned.

The Thursday night kick off show went off with a bang.  Everyone looked like they were having such a great time on stage.  A green room area with two large that screens were set up.  Every night of the festival participants could enjoy snacks back stage and cheer each other on.  Good thing too because every show was sold out.  There were just standing room only tickets available.  I got to hang out and chat with performers whom I’ve admired from the interwebs since starting burlesque.  I think I managed to not be a creepy fan girl.

I’d been to Minneapolis once before with Brown Girls Burlesque.  I was excited to see all of the performers who I’d met at our Soul Train vs. Solid Gold show.  I stayed with the lovely and talented Josephine Belle and her girlfriend.  They were the ultimate hosts.  I truly can’t say enough thanks to them for making me feel so welcomed in their home.  I’m excited to get to show Josephine a great time on the east coast when she comes to NY to perform in The Brown Girls Burlesque All Star Shows later this month.

Friday night brought more great performances as did the early Saturday show.  A visit by His Purple Majesty may or may not have happened ;-).  I performed in the late show Saturday night.  It was so much fun on the stage.  The audience clearly came to see burlesque and loves it.  My second festival has truly spoiled me.  One of the best things was being able to see such a mix of classic and neo-burlesque all in one festival every single night!

The facade of the Central train station in Milan, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Next up for me this festival season is heading to the Great Burlesque Expo in Boston to perform at the Main Event Saturday night.  A few months later I’ll be heading to Milan to compete in the Milan Burlesque Awards.  Well, with a little help from my friends.  I’ll be launching an IndieGoGo Campaign March 8th to help me get there.  Please do give or share when you see it!

Source: thepinupnoire.tumblr.com via Essence on Pinterest

Burlesque Valentine’s Weekend & More!

Hello! First, I hope everyone is having an excellent Lucky 2013 as we wrap up the first quarter of this year of the snake! We are in the month of Love. I’ve teamed up with my Brown Girls Burlesque sister, the lovely Sweet Lorraine, to bring another installment of her Shades of Burlesque. Shades of Burlesque is NY’s only all black female burlesque show. It will be hosted by the dynamic nightlife duo The Illustrious Blacks. Shades is also a Time Out New York Critics Pic 😀 In addition to our $15/adv tickets, we have$40 VIP tickets available which include table service, chocolate covered strawberries and two free drinks. The party does not stop: There is a FREE after party in Brooklyn on Friday night Feb 15th! The Illustrious Blacks are bringing us Astro Disco at One Last Shag 348 Franklin Ave (bet Greene & Lexington). We will be continuing the Love Saturday night with Shades & Friends. We’ve invited our performance artist, poet and burlesque friends to create a big ole Love Fest. There will be raffles both nights with prizes donated from Toys in Babeland, champagne, free dance classes & more. But fret not if you don’t win we will have Toy Closet NYC on hand selling sexy fun toys for you to take home with you. Sweet Lorraine has also been hand making pasties so you can buy them and add them to your bag of tricks! On Facebook or Pinterest? Check us out! See you this weekend 🙂 Get Tickets Today! !!!ANNOUNCEMENT!!! ========== I’ve been chosen as one of 20 performers from around the world to compete in the 2013 Milan Burlesque Awards. I’ll only get there with a little help from my friends. So, my team and I are organizing an Indiegogo campaign for the cause. Be on the look out. Any donations made by you will be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you can’t give, it’s free to share. We’ll appreciate you helping to spread the word. I’ll be teaching a group sensual dance and “bootytweraerobics” class as part of Brown Girls Burlesque’s Bed-Stuy Burlesque series at Sacred Yoga 197 Clifton Place (Near Bedford Ave) in Brooklyn March 6th, 6:30pm – 7:45pm If you want the full 2 hour group session the next one will be on March 8th at Cap 21 Studios 18 w18th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave) in NYC! I am also available for private classes, parties & events. Contact Me and we will make it happen!        MUCH LOVE & LIGHT TO YOU FROM ME, Essence Revealed

The Daily Musto on Burlesque

Read the Daily Musto article here:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2013/01/nuit_blanche_we.php

Dances of Vice: Nuit Blanche, Jazz Age Burlesque from Nishell Falcone on Vimeo.

ESSENCE REVEALED – Essence Revealed is first generation Bajan born & raised in Boston.  She got her BFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MA at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.  Her writing has appeared places such as $pread Magazine, Corset Magazine, BurlesqueBible.com and 21st Century Burlesque.  She now performs & teaches nationally and internationally both solo and as a member of Brown Girls Burlesque.  Her favorite thing to do besides reading is to lay on the beach in Barbados to rest up for a night of calypso dancing.  Help Essence get to the Milan Burlesque Awards!