Tropical Tuesday

Happy Tropical Tuesday!

Anytime I see a feather boa I think of a high glam tropical routine.

The boa I’m using is a 6ft ostrich feather boa.

There are vegan boa options that are absolutely beautiful and less expensive as well.

A nice large full ostrich feather boa is going to run you about $400, give or take.

A vegan option runs a little less normally.

Chándal boa is another less expensive option and is gorgeous. The only issue with this type of boa is that it drops feathers faster. Much faster for me because I am not as gentle as I should be sometimes.

Another less expensive option is also a turkey feather boa. I love these! They’re a bit more stiff but they still have beautiful movement and the feathers do not drop as easily as a chándal boa.

If you are just starting out or are on a budget and want to ease  yourself into boa work to be sure you like it before committing to a big  investment you can start with a gorgeous boa that’s less bulky. A less  cumbersome boa is also gorgeous.

I go for volume because I like to hide myself behind the boa to give a  peekaboo experience. Let me tell ya, this bodacious body can’t hide  behind anything smaller than this boa.

I like the smaller boas so much that I do actually have a routine where I  Peel off layers of a dozen thin ostrich boas in different colors. I  love that reveal. It’s so fun!

It’s very important when you are on stage that you never give your boa  to anybody in the audience, even for a second, you can play with your  boa around them, wrapped them in it, etc. But never never, never ever,  never hand anyone your boa, that prop is too expensive and they will  take it or spilled a drink on it, trust me it happens every time I let  somebody wear my boa or play with my boa. Treat it like your Taro cards  and don’t let anybody touch it unless you really trust them. When doing  boa work fling the end of the boa into the audience or at an audience  member and pull it back. If they try to catch hold of it just wiggle  your finger and in a very fun dramatic way say “no no no” and pull it  back to safety.

Should you happen to drop your boa on a bar floor and get it wet with  alcohol or sticky soda or get food on it, there is a way to clean it. It  is a nerve-racking event but if you like I can make a video on how to  clean a dirty boa. I’ve gotten very good at it! Too good... that tells  me I need to take better care of my boas.

Store your boa in a plastic bin, space bag, tote bag, canvas bag,  somewhere safe from water and extreme heat and light. Light will fade  the dye in the feathers. Be extra careful of zippers. They rip out the  feathers.

Before every stage use I blow out my boa in my dressing room with a blow drier set on cool. Not hot! Always cool.

For this shoot I went to my friends place in the hills of Rincon. She has a tropical oasis and even a big catfish pond!

Catfish in the tropics?! That’s wild to me for some reason.

Jeremy  really made magic out of this day. I wasn’t feeling like  shooting, mid covid, depression city and he encouraged me get out and do  something productive.

I look back on this photo and it reminds me of how lucky I am to be in such tender care.