I'm just a tad bit excited here. Of course, the appropriate question to that is, "When is Violet not excited about a show?!" Well, it hasn't happened yet, but I'll let you know if it ever does. ;)

Bullets and Dames, my pulp themed show is coming up fast on May 14th at the Rendezvous Jewelbox Theater, with shows at 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

Tickets are available through BrownPaperTickets.com for $12 or $10 with a discount code and you can drop me a line if you want to know what the is magic word. ;)

It's a night of gangsters and g-men, femme fatales and girl fridays! We'll be bringing you some live music, some fantastic belly dancers, and some amazing burlesque performers from around the Pugest Sound!

I'll be bringing a whole new routine to the stage and I'll be joined by Beatrice Belladonna, Lowa De Boom Boom, Morgan LaMay, Noir Troi, Olatsa Assin, and Miss Vixen Valentine.

We couldn't do this alone, so we'll be getting by with a little help from our friends, Katie Kat and Tipsy Concubine.

And don't worry, I didn't forget anyone. I was just saving the best for last.

Who is our guide through the speak easies dark alleyways for the evening? None other than the utterly fabulous Miss Diva Le Déviant!

I'm sure you can see why I am so excited by this now, can't you?

But do you know what will make this amazing show even more amazing? Having you there to share it with us!

I'll see you in the audience on the 14th, won't I?

What are you doing this Saturday? Because I'd love for you all to come to my graduation recital on that night, either 7:00pm or 9:30pm. Of course, it's not just me who went through this six week session. I will be sharing the stage with my classmates. And let me say, they are amazing!

Ginger Julep is a red headed beauty going through finishing school, finding poise and grace. But balancing thing on your head can be hard. Of course, there are things that can help her.

Lotti Glitterati is quite the doll. No, really, she is a doll. And let me be perfectly clear here, she puts Pinocchio to shame.

Mahogany Sparkles takes  a walk through the candy store and shares her sweet, sweet love of confections.

Mimi Je Menge has a heart of gold and is quite the good girl. I'm sure that when everything is said and done, you'll be agreeing with me.

Olatsa Assin is blonde Viking with a sword and the head of her enemy that burns up the stage from the frozen north. And in case you have any doubts, yes she is that hot with a blade.

Scarlet O'Hairdye has a job that's implemented a new policy. And she'll let you know what just what she thinks of that policy.

And these are just a small sampling of the amazingness that awaits you this Saturday! Seating is limited and these shows do have a history of selling out. Fortunately for you, I can hook you with tickets for both shows!

For those of you following along at home, I'm completing my six week session with Miss Indigo Blue's Academey of Burlesque here in Seattle this week with my graduation recital this Saturday at 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm. But it's not just me, there are a 11 other ladies who are doing it right along with me. During an e-mail conversation this week, one performer expressed some doubts. She's doing the show and wants to continue to performer, assuming she can handle the show this weekend. I wrote the following reply to her and everyone else in the class. For many, if not all, of my class mates, this is their time doing this. And that's kind of scary, taking that first step onto the stage. I hope the e-mail helps.

I have no doubts that you, and everyone else here, will be awesome and amazing and sexy and funny and entertaining.

There is this thrill to performing for an audience that responds, that yells, that whoops and hollers, and loves you! It’s a high that will last for a while.

When I stepped out onto that stage for the first time at the Little Red Studio on July 9th, 2010, I had only just found that calm that washes over you as you step off the cliff with nothing but faith to carry you. Before that was the jitters that I get before every show coupled with utter fear and terror.

I had a load of self-doubt. I questioned myself about what I was about to get myself into. Was this wise? Who is going to applaud an overweight trans woman? What if I fall again? (I had fallen during tech rehearsal a week prior, spraining my bad ankle in the process casting doubt as to whether I’d be able to perform in the show at all.) My training at that point was a friend and teacher who is an amazing belly dancer with a background in stripping. I had pushed the direction of the classes more and more towards burlesque and I wondered if that was enough. Could I do this?

Once I was in the wings waiting for my music cue to enter—that tremolo that opens Jill Tracy’s Doomsday Serenade—and I was at the point of no return. My theater ethics wouldn’t let me back out now. No, the show must go on. Parasol in hand, I strutted onto the stage.

About four and half minutes later and several layers of clothing shed, the packed house erupted into applause! That was love; love from the audience and more importantly, there was love that felt burst forth from the well of my being. My fears and doubts were unwarranted. That was amazingly liberating and empowering for me. I tweeted from the backstage, “I have got to do this again!”

And I’ve done it again and again. I love my job and, as Scarlett said last night, I love my new normal.

And I am so very fortunate to have met and worked with you all.

You'll rock my world.

This trollop is tearing again, my lovelies, just like I did when I originally wrote it.

Really? Can it be? Yes, It Came From The Backstage Door is just a scant 3 days away!

I'm really exited about this! How about you?