Pony up

[clevermanka]

My Week In The Life photos are up from this weekend, but backdated. Saturday's entry is here. Sunday's entry is here.

We had such gorgeous weather out at faire this weekend. I was paranoid that my one weekend of dancing both Saturday and Sunday would be wet and miserable. But no! It was sunny but not too warm, and I got to wear the Anarchist Pirate Coat both days. I also wore the New Coin Costume which got rave reviews and I think I might just wear it (perhaps with switched-out skirts or something) for the last two Sundays I dance. I love it so much and it's just...sigh...perfect. I feel really good dancing in it.

Both days had great-sized crowds at Smoker, but Saturday's group was super stingy with the tipping. We had 120 people in attendance and my first set I made eighteen dollars in tips. Oh hell no, bitches. During the Musical Interlude between my first and second set, I told my drummers not to start until I signaled, because I had an announcement for the audience concerning their insultingly low tipping. I relayed the same information to purpledumbass, who introduces me. When we were up for the next dance set, I delivered something along the lines of the following in my Big Theater Voice (which I never use anymore since I don't do theater, but some things are like riding a bicycle, you know?):

"I want you all to know that I have performed for audiences half the size of you all and received more tips than what you all delivered. So all you cheap bastards had better start tipping or I am not doing a third set. Understood? And to all my beloved consistent tippers..." and I kissed my zills and spread out my arms. "Got it?" Then a cocked a serious eyebrow at them, signaled my drummers, gave a big smile and started the second set.

I got more tips than I've ever received in one single set at Smoker ever during that set. I made thirteen dollars in bra tips alone (delivered by the serving wenches). The next day, people stopped me in the lanes to say they'd heard about my fit and thought it was awesome that I'd called people out on being penny-pinching assholes.

And yes, I was serious about not doing a third set.

I was going to write up an experience I had this morning that made me think my gaydar is strong enough that it functions on even a subconscious level. But this entry is already long enough, and what with the time I spent putting together the WITL posts, I'm gonna have to save that one for tomorrow. Come back tomorrow for the next exciting installment of My Life.

Edit: indigodreamer just informed me that she found my Facebook page and was able to fan me. Heh. Heh-heh. Fan me. Anyway, apparently she could find my fan page, but not my personal account, so that is awesome. If anyone does find my personal account, please don't friend me. I won't be friending back since I'm not going to be using it for anything other than managing my Public Figure/Entertainer page. Thanks!

Comments

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I want to see pictures of your costume!

Also, don't dance in Canada. No one tips for shit here. The only time I've ever made decent tips was about ten years ago at a farmers' market. If anything, tipping is a rarity here. It sucks.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That does suck. I wouldn't mind making less in tips if I was getting adequately paid for my time to perform. But I dance at this show at a ridiculously low rate due to a combination of loyalty to my friends who run it and an honest love for this Renaissance Festival and most of the people who attend it.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I rarely get paid for any of my gigs. When there's an admission, all the money goes toward site rental fees. I'd love more paid gigs, but consider myself retired from doing birthday/retirement parties.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

consider myself retired from doing birthday/retirement parties.

Why?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I was sick and tired of people assuming I was a stripper.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I just dance for friends' parties, now.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ah. =/

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oh! And I'll be getting Fancy-Pants photos done in the new costume once faire is over. I'm in contact with a publicity agent who wants to pimp me out to local events, but needs good photos for a publicity packet. So yes, good photos are coming! Probably next month.

[grnvixen.livejournal.com]

Threatening to send purpledumbass out in place of you for the third set might have helped too :).

Ok, what's the name of the facebook page???

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Fawkes said the exact same thing! =D

The name of the page is just my real name, first and last.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

oh god, i HATE lousy tippers!!! but good job on calling the cheap bastards out!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks!