Welcome to my first newsletter keeping you literally informed of my shenanigans as I tour with the spirit of Faith Bacon and Sally Rand – amazing FAN dancers of years part.
The point is that fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.
-Bill Cunningham (fashion photographer)
ON THE ROAD
The point is that fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. -Bill Cunningham (fashion photographer)
Welcome to my first newsletter keeping you literally informed of my shenanigans as I tour with the spirit of Faith Bacon and Sally Rand – amazing FAN dancers of years part.
I’m never one to under pack for my events in New York and Chicago, of which I had many, I lugged along 9 pieces of luggage. Yikes!
ITEMS I CANNOT TRAVEL WITHOUT!
Espresso machine – most hotel coffee is crap. Glass straw (always in my purse). My Doterra vitamins, been taking them about a year or so and I feel great. Face masks, for when I’m too pooped to move and draped across my hotel bed with a magazine or book. Veggie jerky – protein to keep up my pace in stilettos (yes I packed about 6-7 pair this trip).
And to keep from getting sick these are a must: Oreganoil drops (3-5 drops in water right when you feel anything coming on!). hand wipes, Neosporin in the noise, my own Sharpies for autographs. Speaking of Bill Cunningham, I saw a terrific documentary (since I make them I try and see as many as possible.) “The Times of Bill Cunningham.” Bill was the iconic photographer who perched outside Bergdorf Goodman on his bicycle for years taking pictures that were in the Sunday section of the times. He is sorely missed for his enthusiastic love of style, whether high, low, at the opera or on the street.
I launched the book tour at Book Soup in LA. Did you know it has been running since 1975. Then it was a sold-out event with my first FAN dancer in Santa Barbara at Chaucer’s. Me and Jessebelle Thunder are working on FAN classes for all you ladies that asked. Email me if you want to participate after the first of the year.
Next stop New York City – and for sure I never slept. We support Oceana helping save and regenerate our oceans. For this year’s gala I wore blue and green feathers on my head and hobnobbed with President Clinton (at my table) Ted Danson, Sam Waterson and Morgan Freedman. A pretty shnazzy
night at the iconic Rainbow Room. I highly recommend taking a turn on the dance floor there. Another fun night was Torch Song, Harvey Fierstein got me a house ticket to his reimaginated, still timely play. More fun nights then a reading and FAN dance at Housing Works who do a lot of service work for HIV/AIDS patients. Paul Sorvino and his beautiful wife Dee Dee swung by after a long day of shooting and Jennifer Tilly brought her particular brand of glamour to my event.
I launched the book tour at Book Soup in LA. Did you know it has been running since 1975. Then it was a sold-out event with my first FAN dancer in Santa Barbara at Chaucer’s. Me and Jessebelle Thunder are working on FAN classes for all you ladies that asked. Email me if you want to participate after the first of the year.
Next stop New York City – and for sure I never slept. We support Oceana helping save and regenerate our oceans. For this year’s gala I wore blue and green feathers on my head and hobnobbed with President Clinton (at my table) Ted Danson, Sam Waterson and Morgan Freedman. A pretty shnazzy night at the iconic Rainbow Room. I highly recommend taking a turn on the dance floor there. Another fun night was Torch Song, Harvey Fierstein got me a house ticket to his reimaginated, still timely play. More fun nights then a reading and FAN dance at Housing Works who do a lot of service work for HIV/AIDS patients. Paul Sorvino and his beautiful wife Dee Dee swung by after a long day of shooting and Jennifer Tilly brought her particular brand of glamour to my event.
While in Chicago spent some time with my good friend Liz Garibay, historian and founder of the Chicago Brewseum, on which I sit on the Advisory Board. Did you know there is a beer named after Sally Rand? Check it out ALOSTA BREWERY. While with Liz I did a podcast with author Bruce Elliott, LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE. I had three events here with two amazing FAN dancers wowing the audience. One at Volumes and the other at Soho House.
Thursday Oct 25th I’m off to University of Texas, Austin for a talk and fan dance with Coco Lectric. It’s been easy finding a FAN tastic FAN dancer in every city so far and I look forward to bringing this book to Austin.
If your BOOK CLUB would like me to visit via Skype I’m available on the road or when I’m at home. It’s been fun coming into your homes, sending specialty FAN cocktail recipes before for you all to try. email me at staar@staarlet.com if you want me to join in on some Fun FAN talking. A questionnaire will shortly be added to my website to download for your Book club.
ADVICE FOR AUTHORS ON THE ROAD
It’s not for the faint of heart but it is rewarding, for my first book it was shocking to arrive at a city and have 5 people in the audience, two of which were stinking drunk, and one other that contradicted everything I had to say. I’ve been to book signings where we sold out the book early in the evening and the bookstore did not order enough – sending live customers straight to AMAZON! I’ve also had friends, new, and old show up shout out and support my world and the women in it, be they Siamese twins, tiger trainers, strippers of fan dancers. I’ll always show up dressed, with a smile, lipstick and some glitter even if you all are drunk in the audience.
And lastly what I’m reading or recently read
for complete list, I have everything on Good Reads
as I can’t remember them all!
Fashion Climbing – by Bill Cunningham (PIC) really sweet and a real insider look at fashion during the 40s-60s and Educated: a Memoir by Tara Westover (wow is that a wild ride) – a home “educated” girl breaks from her family and a violent sibling to become a Harvard professor?
