I recently had the pleasure of meeting Sean “Sto Holla” Watson and did the most amazing shoot with him. The shoot was for his online magazine called “Peer Pressure”. Initially the shoot was supposed to be for the Valentines Day edition, emphasizing  love, and romance.  But we found once all dolled up and in front of the lens, that I wasn’t having the most romantic day, or week for that matter. So instead of pushing all the wrong buttons and ending up with a bad shoot, Sean encouraged me to embrace what I was feeling that day. It manifested in hot pink makeup, ripped tights, huge pants and fucked up hair. I climbed on the walls, and all over a graffiti-ed chair. It was therapy.  It is a really brilliant and rare thing to find other artists that are able to see process that way. Its not an obstruction, its construction. Enjoy!

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We all had a lot of fun doing this show. The premise of the 10 minute dance act combined hip hop, ballet and bollywood into an awesome farce. Basically, we showcased the olympics of the future and dance as an olympic sport. The entire theme followed the Shunkpike fundraiser theme called “Golden”
We had a comedic dance off with the last three finalists. Ballet, bollywood and hip hop all dance with their music switched by a clowny dj. The ballet crew danced in true russian form to “gettin low”, the bollywood peeps danced to our nutcracker music and the hip hop people danced to bollywood. It was hilarious. Too bad there aren’t pics of the ballerinas getting dry humped during the pas de deux. Ha. Ha. We even dressed up Chance as one of the “olympic” judges. It was cheesy fun and an nice break from creating repertory.

Splinter Dance at Shunpike Golden Fundraiser – Images by Alan Alabastro

I have good news!

I will be teaching dance  classes in Seattle!

CONTEMPO-JAZZ and BALLET FOR BELLYDANCERS AND BURLESQUE PERFORMERS

Wednesday nights starting January 6th from 6:00-7:30 pm

Discover the strength building beauty of ballet, the dynamic power of jazz and the grounding athletic qualities of modern dance in this hybrid dance class. Finn takes students on an adventure through the body, drawing on the connective tissue of several dance styles to give students a more justified understanding of their alignment, smart technique habits and the utilization of core strength. Class will begin with a juicy ballet warm-up, students then move to the center floor with generous, dancey traveling phrases. The session ends with Finn’s contemporary choreography that builds week to week.

This class invites bellydancers, hip-hoppers, burlesque performers and movers of every style from beginning to intermediate levels. No prior ballet, modern or jazz training necessary. Relaxed attire welcome. Live and recorded music. 1hr. 30 mins.

SIGN UP NOW!

Classes are at Skin Deep Studios

2524  16th Avenue South #311

Seattle, Washington 98144

The week after Chance and I visited Cologne, I rented a car and set forth to drive on the autobahn to Landstuhl, where I grew up. I had fast cars when I lived there last. I was sad that I got a frackin Ford Focus as an upgrade from the rental agency. I had reserved a VW. Bollucks..

I was so psyched. Because, I learned how to drive on the autobahn, and I missed extreme acceleration, long distances spanned in short amounts of time, and people that actually pass on the left, not the right. Did you know Germans have to spend $3,ooo to get their licenses?

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Germany was wonderful, it was so nice to be back home.  Thanks to everyone who bid on Ebay to help me finance the most wonderful and necessary trip I’ve ever had.  I got to spend 10 blissful days with my love, and yes,  IT is still there.  sooooooooo………………

He’s coming back to Seattle to stay!!

Enough with the squee-ing. Alright. Part One.

We stayed in a small town called Much, where Chance was visiting his cousin Sabine.  We didint’ leave the house for the first 3 days, but eventually we went for our first adventure.. The countryside we walked through was  luxe, green and beautiful.  It was quiet and I could see for miles, we fed the cows crabapples that had fallen on the path, and they followed us as we walked on the otherside of the fence.  It was good to get away from city life for a bit. We were both so blissed out we were glowing.

We took long bus and train rides to get to Cologne, the trip total is about an hour and a half.  I remember going to Cologne with my mum when I was about 14. We got my pointe shoes there.  So, I haven’t been there in over 10 years.  I forgot how beautiful the cathedral is. Crap is it an amazing and awe inspiring sight.  It took 750 years to build, and sustained several direct hits during WWII. The cathedral also holds in its golden vault the supposed remains of the 3 wise men. Chance said they had discovered a fourth skeleton in the box. It is said, the 4th is the king that financed their mission.  Chance and I walked around the cathedral a bit and stopped in the catacombs, then ended up sitting in the pews for a long spell,  just taking in the awesomeness and reverence of it all.

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Dearest Readers,

First off, I must send my thanks to all of you who bid on, or won my Ebay auctions this week.  It helped a lot, as Chance and I have split the ticket, and the auctions more than covered my half.  I can breathe easier now, and to those of you who’ve won, please take care of those gowns. I spent a lot of time, energy and love putting them together, and they hold really good memories. You are their caretakers now.

Alright, on to business. This blog post is more about semantics than anything, so I need your thoughts, read on.

(Finn von Claret in Subconscious Suites)

Splinter’s board is comprised of 4 very strong, very distinctive women. We all have different talents that we contribute to the company, and we all have different backgrounds stylistically not only in the types of dance we do, but also in our views as artists and how we relate to art on a social level.  All are valid, and very similar in purpose despite their differences.

Let me explain..

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I have to say that I adore Twitter.  It has facilitated some communication that I would have never imagined in the past.

I got a lovely message from the folks at Clockwork Couture. They read my blog about the auctions and donated two items from their store to help me with my trip to Germany.  These two items are inspired by some of my costume designs, and I have to say, I’m honored.  Clockworkcouture.com has some wonderful yummy clothing, if you haven’t had a look at their site, please do.  I am coveting quite a few things at the moment. The jacket and jumpsuit on the first page alone are leaving me drooling.

Here are some pics of the adorable pinstripe cropped vest and pedal pushers that they donated for auction.  They come in either Black, Brown or White Stripe.  Both items come in sizes Small, Medium and Large.  Clockwork Couture will mail the items directly to you.  There are two separate auctions for these items.

I leave on the 12th of September and I get back on the 24th.  Its a 3 day auction, so please pay within 24 hours of winning. That way,  I can get the info to the folks at Clockwork couture for mailing.

Von Claret Penny-Farthing Pedal Pushers - 260473887610

Pinstripe Cropped von Claret Vest by Clockwork Couture - 260473879673

There are still other auctions that are up, all ending today and tomorrow. Thanks to all bidders, I appreciate the support more than I can say.

- Finn

Hello Darlings

Here are some more auctions.  Please bid! Auctions are for 5 days.

Abney Park, Finn’s Edison Mermaid Gown - 260472078889

Abney Park, Finn’s Steampunk Rock Gown 260472086508

Abney Park, Finn’s Red Ruffle Gown - 260472090010

-Finn

Hello Darlings,

Things with Splinter Dance Company are going very well.  It’s nice to be doing pirouettes again. I do miss performing for all of you though. Hopefully you will come see Splinter shows!

I’m going on a trip, I need to see my unicorn. Instead of moving away permanately, he may be moving back to Seattle in December for a few months,  so we can give it a go and see if we really have what it takes to be a couple.  We’ve split a ticket for me so that I can go see him in Germany.

Photo: Libby Bulloff

I grew up in Deutschland and haven’t been home in 7 years.  I’m really excited about this trip, and seeing Chance again. Last time I saw him I thought it was going to be the end of a chapter. But maybe life will allow me the grace to be truly happy with someone that I love.  I do love him, very much.

I thought of ways to raise some money for the trip and realized that I could start  with the sale of my Abney Park stage outfits.  This is the first round, there will be more up later. But for now,  please bid!

Abney Park, Finn’s signed copper pointe shoes - 260471453589

Abney Park, Finn’s steampunked red bra- 260471545637

Abney Park, Finn’s embroidered bra with vintage brooch -260471550574

Abney Park, Finn’s Herr Drosselmyers Doll Tutu - 260471555402

Finn’s vintage cream gloves with gold beading -260471559029

There will be more auctions soon.  I am going to post some skirts and other lovely things.

-F