Join the Mab Mailing list!
Testimonials
as seen on Twitter!
Mab’s Corset Informational
05th February 2010
At last night’s show, no less than three people asked me about my corset/where to get good ones.
I tend to wear corsets that are suitable for “tight lacing”. They are sturdier, have better shape, give great reduction, better boning, etc. I like the “underbust” or “waist cincher” styles as “overbust” cups ~never~ fit right on anyone I have ever seen (not without serious customization). I like the Victorian style a little better. All of the corsets I wear use front busk closures and lace in the back (lace to the middle!).
A lot of times you will see cheap “corsets” that offer no reduction at lingerie/goth shops. They tend to buckle and crease and do nothing to accent the dead sexy shape of a woman. There is a time and a place for those types of garments, but I can’t think of any at the moment.
My old corset (that survived 4+ years of rough wear) came from Brute Force Leather/ Fallen Angel Fashions. His corsets use solid steel boning, (which I like), and have a good shape. The customer service is touch and go/crap-shoot. His corsets are at the high end of pricing, so I decided to shop around till I found better for less, which I did.
The one I was wearing last night came from Isabelle’s: http://www.corsetmaker.com/
she uses spiral steel boning which is more flexible than solid steel boning. The cut/her pattern for the underbust is excellent, and gives a good reduction. It was an off the rack job, on sale, and around $99. It looks great, fits great, and feels great. Wow. Great deal!
You can’t discuss corsets shops without mentioning Timeless Trends. They are the mcdonalds of corsets. They have a standard formula pattern, not much variation between the cut of their corsets. Since they cut/build in bulk, most of their corsets are $99. I have seen them on some people and they look stunning. I tried one on and it didn’t look/feel right at all. It has a center peak to separate the boobs (not a flattering look on me) and a high back. The waist of the corset didn’t offer much reduction either. So try on a timeless trend before you buy if you can, but if they work for you, they are a good deal.
My latest and most stunning current corset is from Clockwork Couture. It took almost 8 weeks to get to me, it’s not custom fitted, and has flexible boning (even the busk!). All of these features usually lead to unhappy Mab. But lo! I tried it on, and the cut of the corset is beyond stunning. It offered the greatest waist reduction of all my corsets. I suspect if I ordered a smaller size, I would have been able to get a few more inches out of it. (sorry, no pictures yet! Still finishing the costume) The corset was in the high end of mid-level price range. I was lucky enough to catch it on sale. They run between $200-$250.
Someday I hope to get one of the ~really~ nice ones, specifically a Delicious custom job. (Actually, anything from their shop would delight me to no end.)
If you are getting a corset, a ~real~ corset, expect to spend up to $300 for a basic, well made piece. (Unless you choose to go w/ timeless trends). If you can find a well made/custom for less, ask a lot of questions. Boning used, lined? lacing? busk? etc. There are a lot of people out there that will sell very bad corsets for a lot more than they are worth (but a lot less than you would expect to pay for a nice one).
My current favorite corsetry resource is this corsetry discussion group, which is full of great suggestions, corset sales, and “stay away from this guy!” tips. You can scroll through and read past topics.
Hope this answers some of your questions, but certainly feel free to ask any others. Apparently, I love corsets.
Palace Premiers! The Screwloose Circus
03rd February 2010
SCREWLOOSE CIRCUS
9PM
Ladies and gents, one n’ all! Come see the best performers you’ve never seen, crash the Palace’ to put on a show to shock and amaze you! They are the rabble! They are the rest! They are the Screwloose Circus!
Another Palace of Wonders Premier!
Come out and see the newest Circus to take Richmond by storm!
Featuring the Unkillable Kilian, Wobbles the Clown, Mab, Just Mab, Juggler Jim and MORE!
Back at Vixen Variety!
03rd February 2010
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Vixen Variety
10pm
Ladies & Gentlemen
Vixen Variety is proud to present the Feb 4th, 2010
Heartthrob/ Heartburn Show!
In honor of Valentines day we would like to celebrate the exciting, enticing, and enraging emotions affiliated with this thing called LOVE.
Love may be “A many splendid thing”… but it also “bites and bleeds”….
So come out and celebrate the many sides of this human condition.
Featuring an alluring and enticing all female cast.
You don’t want to miss the Burlesque of Poppy LaRouge,
the strange and unusual antics of DC’s own side show girl Mab, Just Mab,
the energetic and exciting drag kinging of Zak Las Vegas,
the sensual and surreal belly dancing of Samantha
and the Palace’s own drag king daddy Ken Vegas
with special guest, your host for the evening Belladonna.
Bring your friends & your Stupid Human Tricks!
Join us for a fun filled night of drinking, dames, merriment and prizes! See you at the Palace!
Mab Presents: DCVariety Showcase!
19th January 2010
For a while now, I’ve been searching high and low for new/underutilized talent for shows @ the Palace. And now it’s time to show of some of what I’ve found!
Mab, Just Mab presents DCVariety Showcase!
Join us at the Palace of Wonders, Thursday, January 21st for an evening of Magic, Sideshow, Burlesque and Cabaret!
Professional liar Brian Wendell Morton will demonstrate his amazing trickery and honest deceit. La Dolce Diva will celebrate the class and sass of the 1940s style cabaret chanteuse, as she tantalizes your senses with her dulcet tones. Dash Rippington is dipping his toes into the dangerous world that is Washington DC, and it’s full of traps! Miss Anna Steasya will tease ya and make you cry, and you will never be happier!
Only at the Palace of Wonders!
Only $10
January 21st
Showtime: 9:30pm
Doors: 8:00pm
1210 H. St. NE
Washington DC
http://palaceofwonders.com
Cheeky Monkey Madness?
13th January 2010
CMSS Friday show update!!!
BETTER THE DEVIL THAN PAT ROBERTSON!
Friday’s Cheeky Monkey show is now a Benefit for Haiti
The people of Haiti have suffered a devastating tragedy.
Cheeky Monkey Sideshow invites you to join us for a benefit show to raise money to aid the earthquake victims.
This is an opportunity to help those in desperate need, and have a wonderful night of fun and sideshow freakery.
CMSS will donate a percentage of our earnings and all other moneys raised to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
JANUARY BEGINS THREE GREAT MONTHS OF CHEEKY MONKEY SHOWS
Our winter vacation is over. But don’t worry, we spent that time improving our super powers, buffing up for a whole new year of Sideshow Cheek.
Join us at the Palace of Wonders this Friday as we prepare to amaze and amuse, they way only Cheeky Monkeys can do!
You want special guests? We’ve got special guests!
This month, we are thrilled that spectacular burlesque goddess, L’IL DUTCH is joining us again. We love this lady!
Friday, January 15th
Palace of Wonders
1210 H St., NE
Washington, DC
Show starts @ 10:00 pm
Tickets: $10 @ the door
Hope to see you there!
****************************************
wanna sneak peak into the future? oooohhhhhhhhhh. I see….I see….
*****************************************
In February, we will be joined by a fantastic singer/composer/performer, SABRINA CHAP. Check her out–she’s really talented!
March heralds the return of Coney Island’s burlesque confection, MISS CHERRY DELIGHT. Last time we spoke, she said some crazy guy bit her, and then she mumbled something about “brains.”
Oh well, it’s probably nothing. . .
we are all American Sinners.
13th January 2010
Now catch the free show!
From Washington Post’s Going Out Guru:
Saturday night, for example, it’s a release party for local band American Sinner (listen), whose accordion-violin-bass-drums lineup lends a distinctly Eastern European feel to its original tunes, which seem inspired by DeVotchKa and Nick Cave.
Also on the bill are bellydancers, sideshow acts (including Mab, whom we’ve seen do tricks involving piles of broken glass and nails hammered up her nose [watch]), and experimental electronic artist Pilesar (listen).
Best of all, there’s no cover all night long.
Happy New Year!
30th December 2009
Hope everyone had a lovely and relaxing holiday. I know I did! December is the time I catch up on costume/prop maintenance/updates, spend time with family and friends, and develop new acts.
It looks like 2010 has quite an adventure in store for me! Already January is 1/2 full!
Ok, ok. this post is rather vague, but I don’t want to give away all the surprises! Just stick around, and be the first to hear/see the new and improved Mab, Just Mab take on 2010!
CMSS @ the LOF/t. OMG!
16th November 2009
You spent all Thanksgiving day with family–now it’s time for FUN!
Join MabJustMab, Sensoriel, Mr. Eon, and Swami Yomahmi for some post-holiday comedy, fun, and freakiness.
Plus special guests ~ the incomparable, the indomitable, the inseparable Darwin Sisters! Sensational sisters of song!
Cheeky Monkey Sideshow is a breath-taking yet beautiful cavalcade of the bizarre, the shocking, the grotesque, and the strange. A unique form of entertainment that few will ever experience, but none will ever forget.
Cheeky Monkey Sideshow ~ You’ll be Amazed. You’ll be Amused. You’ll be Just a Little Grossed Out.
“I’m a big fan!” ~ WJLA’s Arch Campbell
“Unsusually good” ~ The Washington Post
“Top Notch!” ~ James Taylor, Shocked and Amazed magazine
Cheekiest Oktoberfest ever!
07th October 2009
Wilkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!
Come join us for the Cheekiest Oktoberfest ever!
Celebrate the land of lederhosen, buxom beauties, and punctual trains mit Schvami Yomahmi, MabChustMab, Meister Eon, und Fraulein auf der Flames, Sensoriel.
Plus, special burlesque guest performer, that Bavarian Cream confection, Coney Island’s own Miss Cherry Delight!
Plus! Just added! special guest, all ze vay from behind ze Berlin Mall, Greta Groinshplitta!!
Sample some of the more than 20 different, frosty, refreshing beers the Palace has.
Friday, October 9th
Palace of Wonders
1210 H St., NW
Washington, DC
Show starts @ 10:00 pm
Tickets: $10 @ the door
~Discount admission with CMSS pin~
http://palaceofwonders.com
http://cheekymonkeysideshow.com
Special Announcement! Spontaneous Entertainment! Friday Night!
01st October 2009
Due to a last minute cancellation, tomorrow night we will be putting on a Special Surprise Show!
This Friday (TOMORROW!!)
10pm @ The Palace of Wonders
1210 H St NE
Washington DC
The Cheeky Monkey Sideshow will team up with high flying aerialist Moira Lee and hoop spinner Surprise! with additional sideshow might by Dash Rippington.
All to bring you an evening of spontaneous awesomeness!
3 great tastes that taste great together!
Circus
Sideshow
and FIRE!
(you gonna eat all that?)
spread the word!
*SPECIAL DISCOUNTS IF YOU WEAR YOUR CHEEKY MONKEY SIDESHOW BUTTON!!!!