MYNX D’MEANOR

::: Tho’ she be little, she be fierce. :::

MYNX D’MEANOR is a burlesque performer, show producer, and general rabble-rouser, based in San Francisco.

An avid supporter of the burlesque community, she helped expand and develop the scene when she lived in San Diego in 2008-2009. Mynx is the creative brain and producer of FISHNET FOLLIES BURLESQUE REVUE, San Diego’s first all-inclusive burlesque/variety show. Mynx collaborated with established San Diego troupes and soloists, and coached new and upcoming performers.

An alumni of Burlesquercise! ®, Mynx broke out of the studio and began performing burlesque on the streets and stages of the San FranFreakShow (better known to philistines as San Francisco) in 2004. The pocket-size fireball was a co-founder of San Francisco’s Bottoms Up! Burlesque collective and has danced regularly with Bombshell Betty’s Burlesqueteers (formerly dubbed as the Debut-Taunts). Mynx has collaborated with San Francisco production companies such as Old Timey Artists, Madame Maraschino Productions, and the Hubba Hubba Revue, as well as other local SF Bay Area burlesque performers and dance troupes.

Off the stage, Mynx has occasionally competed in the Balboa-Swing dance circuit and has been known to make cameos in independent film projects.

In other news: Mynx is a big fan of eating, drinking and merry-making. She loves all types of food, drools over good design, hates long beaches, and is rather amused by writing about herself in the third person.

::: FAQ :::

How tall are you?
4’11″ barefoot.

How much do you weigh?
About 100 lbs., give or take a burrito.

Were you born here? Where are you from originally?
Born in the Philippines, moved to the U.S. at 9 years old.

Are you classically trained in dance?
I’ve taken a variety of dance classes over the years (ballroom, bellydance, jazz, salsa, swing, tango), but I never stuck around long enough to consider myself “trained”. I was a hip hop dancer as a teen, and have been an avid swing dancer for about 8 years.

Where do you get your costumes?
I’m a “beauty on a budget” gal, so I mostly shop thrift stores and sale racks for basic garments to be deconstructed/reconstructed. I hand-sew most of my pieces, and with DIY crafting and embellishment tips from the burlesque community, I’ve learned how to make a drab 99-cent bra can go a long, sparkly way!

How do I get started in burlesque?
I highly suggest doing a little research to find out about the history of burlesque and its current incarnation. (Hint: It is not Pussycat Dolls, Suicide Girls, Paris Hilton’s birthday dance. It is Dita Von Teese, but she embodies only one aspect of the wide spectrum of today’s burlesque. There’s a great variety out there!) Through your research, you should be able to familiarize yourself with the names and styles of some of today’s notable performers, which can help inspire and guide you through this journey.

Next, I suggest taking classes. Be aware that some dance or strip classes use the term “burlesque” but do not actually teach the finer points of classic strip tease techniques, character development or musicality and choreography development. All dance and movement classes are great for learning more about your body and how to be comfortable in your own skin. Burlesque classes will teach you how to incorporate all your past experiences into stage-worthy performances!

ADVERTISEMENT: Mynx d’Meanor is available for private lessons and coaching. Group classes to be announced soon. Email Mynx for more information.

Lastly, I suggest going out to see as many burlesque shows as you can! The best way to be inspired is to see what everyone is doing. If you can, try to attend big festivals like the Miss Exotic World Pageant in Las Vegas and Tease-O-Rama Burlesque Convention in San Francisco, where you will see acts by performers from all over the world. Network with other budding and established performers. You might be surprised at how nice most burlesquers are, and more than willing to share their knowledge about the art!

What’s with this “two-second genius” thing?
I think everyone has the capacity for moments of genius– some more than others, obviously. I’d like to think I’m capable of at least two seconds each day.

Want to know more? Ask Mynx anything!