Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for having such an incredible place to perform my craft in a way that is beneficial to others. The Little Red Day Spa is such a magical place for me. I am pleased to be a part of it.

Before I head out to what is sure to be a marvelous dinner with family, I want to remind you of the Little Red Studio's Black Friday Holiday Bazaar that will be going on tomorrow from 11am until 7pm at the Little Red Bistro and the Little Red Studio. We have so many people who are ready to put their art and hand crafted goods up for your perusal and purchase that we will be taking over the whole place!

Cheri and I will have a table for our very own spa products. There are 3 kinds of salt scrubs, massage oils, body mists and gift bags. My essential oil kit is already packed so that I can do custom oil and fragrance blends throughout the day.

Other cool stuff available: the very first LRS book of poetry, Jeff Hengst's paintings and works on paper, abstract paintings by Terry Johnson, sculptures, framed and unframed photography by Jim Duvall, jewelry by a few different artists including Kirsten Lauzon, knitted hats and scarves, metal art, hand crafted candles and glass art.

Oh! I almost forgot the tarot card readings that will be available on a first come first serve basis with Julie Hekate in the Bistro.

Little Red Studio’s Answer to Black Friday
A Holiday Bazaar
Friday, November 27th
Hours: 11AM until 7PM
Location: 400 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Admission is free

Little Red Studio’s Answer to Black Friday

A Holiday Bazaar
Friday, November 27th – 11AM until 7PM

Last year’s after Thanksgiving Holiday Bazaar was so much fun, we decided that we would include other Seattle artists in on our fun this time around. The Little Red Studio is pleased to be able to offer you a beautiful venue to browse the work of more than 20 local artists and crafters. Painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelry makers, herbalists, knitters and glass artists are just a few of the artisans signed up, to give you an idea of the variety in store for you. The Little Red Day Spa will have an assortment of their custom spa products available for purchase. Services such as custom blending of massage oils and fragrances and tarot card readings will be offered throughout the day.

Of special note is the availability of the first printing of “The Little Red Anthology” which is a collection of classic Little Red Studio poetry by Eileen Fix, David Jones and all the other poets’ voices you have enjoyed over the years at shows. Many of the published poets will be on hand to sign your copy of the book and perhaps even give an impromptu reading.

The Little Red Bistro will of course be open all day to satisfy your hunger and thirst, as well as selling gift certificates.

So if you love to shop for the holidays but want to avoid the corporate marketing and retail craziness, then consider coming around and seeing the fine art, crafts, jewelry and other handmade gifts on display.

There are a few spaces left for vendors. If you are interested in joining the Little Red Studio on Friday November 27th and showing your art or hand crafted wares, please email us at lrsadmin@gmail.com or call (206)328-4758.

Hours: 11AM until 7PM
Location: 400 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Admission is free

Postsecret

Every Sunday, I read the PostSecret blog. PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. It's a heaping dose of humanity. I love the roller-coaster ride of emotions it elicits and it gives me a chance to reflect on a myriad of subjects.

While reading this weeks postcards, I came upon this one: "my crowded commute on the metro is the most physical contact I ever really get" And I was greatly saddened to think of all the people who don't have enough touch in their daily lives. America is still a society that has very little casual physical contact. This is why massage and Watsu so dear to me. Especially Watsu with the close contact while being cradled by your practitioner in the water. Having that much touch nourishes our emotional body as well as our physical body.


Ladies' Spa Night is this Monday! Cheri, Priya and I will be holding court from 6-9pm at the Little Red Day Spa. Come soak with us and get some touch!

Tuesday is "Drop-in Day"

BRAND NEW DROP-IN DAY AT THE LITTLE RED DAY SPA

Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Little Red Day Spa will be open for "dropping-in".

Cheri will be present to welcome you and help with creating a deeply relaxing environment.
This is open to everyone - no appointment necessary.

$15.00 entry fee
$10.00 entry for Seniors, Students and LRS troupe members

$10.00 mini massage sessions available upon request.

Come soak in the jetted hot tub, experience the sculptural clay application and seasonal salt glows and luxuriate in the large stone shower.

Robes, towels and hot tea provided. Or bring your own!

For more information, you can call (206)963-0772 or email relax@LittleRedDaySpa.com.

Go to a play; get a spa coupon!

Tonight is the opening night of our first full length, erotic play, No More Than Reason. At turns both funny and touching, No More Than Reason is being shown in showcase at the Little Red Studio for four nights only, from November 19th through the 22nd with all shows starting at 8PM. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

As a special treat, anyone who attends the play on any of the four nights it is showing, will receive a gift certificate for a free one hour private rental (a $50 value.) This certificate can be redeemed anytime you purchase and enjoy a regular priced spa session.

Advance Tickets are now available on Brown Paper Tickets or in person at our box office located in the Little Red Bistro during business hours.

Come sell your art!

Little Red Studio's Black Friday Art Bazaar - 11/27, 11am -7pm

Jeff has tasked me with organizing this year's Bizarre Bazaar. I really like the idea of having an alternative to the traditional Black Friday hoopla. This will be a relaxed affair full of art and hand made items. This year we have the Bistro operating to nourish you and your patrons, making this a lovely experience.

This is an open call for vendors. This year we have space for a lot more vendors. There will be a few tables in the Bistro and all of Harrison to make your art available for purchase. This is a loosely curated Bazaar. While not every piece of art needs to be approved, I will be asking to see a representative portion of your work. I want to have a variety of art mediums and hand-crafted items available to our community.

***Please email lrsadmin@gmail.com with questions or to start the process of registering.

Who is eligible to sell stuff at the LRS Bazaar:
- any artist with original art work (Putting Uncle Bob's old photos up for sale is not allowed unless you have painted over it or in some other way incorporated it into your art.)
- any maker or crafter of hand made products
- any performer with works of their art (example: a dancer can sell dvd's of their performing or teaching but not of random dance performances they were not involved in.)
- any one with services that can be given during the Bazaar, such as Tarot card readings, massages, custom made art, etc...

Table Fees: (Payable at time of set up.)
Non-Troupe members: Small table (approx. 3 foot square) - $20, Large Table (conference sized) - $40
Non Troupe member artists can share a table with a Troupe member for half off the Table Fee.

Money issues:
- Everyone is encouraged to start the day with their own cash bank of small bills.
- Vendors are responsible for collecting and paying all applicable sales tax.
- The Bistro cannot make change without a purchase.
- Use of the LRS credit card machine is available to all Bazaar vendors for a 5% fee.

Location:
400 Dexter Ave. N. Seattle 98109

I will, of course, be there with Cheri, offering up our spa products. This last week has been a lot of fun developing new packages and products for the Bazaar. Come smell and see what new things we have cooked up for you to pamper yourself with at home.

A note from Cheri:

This Sunday is the drop-in event that Sophia recently wrote about - I would like to convey my personal account of the experience.

It was a blast!

I had one of the most enjoyable experiences ever that night! It was beautiful! Many moments pop out for me when I reflect back,
but I delightfully recall the experience of giving a massage near the hot tub and glancing over to the other side of the room and witnessing a dozen bodies joyfully covered in mud (sculptural clay)! It was like looking at fine art sculptures coming to life - in my imagination I thought of the "after hours" in the art museum where the stone sculptures climb off their pedestals and have a celebration after the spectators (museum guests) leave for the day and the doors are locked up tight. Certainly a cause for a party where they can move their bodies freely and tell the stories they've been holding in all day! Pour some wine and feed each other delicious food samples they've wondered about. Frolicking freely until it's time to resume the work they were created to do.

Ok - another highlight - the men exclaiming about the softness of their skin at the end of the night on their way out the door - Yes!!!

Come join in - Ladies invite some men you know and love or want to know better... And gentlemen - find a gal to invite you and come experience the joy of deeply relaxing and the benefit of leaving with very soft skin!


Cheri Rae, LMP
Director
Little Red Day Spa

Playing with stereotypes.

The Pink Show
Saturday, November 14th @ 9PM

Join the LRS Troupe and guests Captain Smartypants as they explore all things pink and why it is that color is so gay. Some of Smartypants greatest and gayest hits will be featured, such as Drama Queen, Heterosexuals and Stonewall Serenade. Interactive poetry, a no-holds-barred question and answer session, several scenes from gay life blend fantastically with costumes, dance and
a benediction you won't forget.

Where: 400 Dexter Ave N.
How Much: $25 in advance or $30 on the night of the show

Advance tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets or in person at our new box office in the Little Red Bistro during business hours.

This will be the second of three showings of LRS' collaboration with Captain Smartypants. I am not in this show, as I am taking my place as the Box Office Maven. (Doesn't that sounds so much more interesting than Ticket Salesperson. Spicing up one's titles and job descriptions is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.)

I am planning on checking out the show this time. Last month, I was a little leery of the subject matter. Not the gay part, but the playing with stereotypes and poking fun at prejudices. I have a strong belief that one shouldn't reinforce undesirable concepts by bringing attention to them. I was worried that it might end up being a little preachy, too, in all honesty. But so far, everyone I have talked to who attended the show has mentioned how much fun they had, and how it was mostly light-hearted, with a few somber moments.

Sounds like a good blend. Not to mention, I am a sucker for musicals, and Captain Smartypants is comprised of singers who are also members of the Seattle Men Chorus.

Break out the citrus oils!

Most citrus essential oils create a photo-sensitizing reaction in the skin. It is recommended that one avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds after an application of bergamot, orange, lemon, etc.. essential oils. It is for this one half of the reason that the Pomegranate Tangerine Salt Scrub is only around in late autumn and early winter. I had quite an internal struggle with the pairing of an oil with the Mango salt scrub I made last August for the first time. The Bergamot was a nice combination, but in the end I decided it was safer to go with the Geranium, which has become one of the recipes that will be repeated.

With the day's getting shorter, and what sunlight we have becoming less intense, citrus oils can be used more readily. Interestingly enough, most citrus oils have anti-depressant qualities so increased use during the winter is not only safer, but can be used to uplift mood.

My current blend for the Spa's scented massage oil is a combination of Sweet Orange, Black Pepper, Lavendar and Rosemary in a base of Grapeseed oil. This is a happy, light scent that is also great for sore muscles.

Ladies' Spa night tonight!

2nd and 4th Monday of every month

Women's Nights are a casual and social evening. Cheri & I will be there to welcome you and facilitate use of the spa's equipment. Enjoy clay, salt scrubs and massage for you and your friends to pamper each other. For an extra fee, one can get a short massage with Priya during the evening. We will have some nibbles, please feel free to bring something tasty to share.

6-9 pm drop-in, $15.00 per person
1506 Franklin Ave. E. Seattle
Please park on the street so that the spaces in our lot are available for those with mobility issues.

Report on the new spa night.

A few guests have mentioned to me how much they wished we still did a "Couple's Spa Night". As an event, it was very hit and miss. Some evenings were fun and relaxing, and others were tense and quiet as pairs of people moved around the space trying to have a private experience in a semi-public venue. It was obvious to me that, for some of the couple's attending, their needs would have been better met during a private rental.

Hardly the type of atmosphere found during Ladies' Spa Night, which has become quite social in nature. I have nurtured an inclusive culture by introducing everyone as they arrive, to everyone already present. This has become a standard behavior of the regular guests, as well. I often am told that people have already introduced themselves before I get a chance. This one little thing has made it a welcoming space, without being cloying.

For a while now, women who have been enjoying Ladies' Spa Night have made comments along the lines of "I wish I could bring my boyfriend with me, he'd love the clay" or "My sweetie is so jealous that he can't come, too."

Cheri had the brilliant idea that there should be a night that women could bring their male partners to enjoy the spa, too. (The women with female partners already are taken care of.) An evening directly tied to the culture of Ladies' Night. With the social and relaxation aspects in tact, she was confident the awkwardness of the previous Couple's Nights would be avoided. Hence, the "Ladies and the Men they Invite" Spa Night was born.

The first two have gone very well with good attendance. last week's was infiltrated by a group of friends who took up most of the spa. They were a fun group and one of the other couple's reported to me that she and her sweetie had a relaxing time and even got caught up and included in the big group's frivolity.

The next one is a week from today, on November 15th. This is a drop in night from 6pm - 9pm, $15 per person.

Gold show tonight!

If you are looking for something fun to do on a blustery Friday night, come join us in the warm, fun atmosphere of the Little Red Studio.

This particular show has a lot of musical numbers by 4 different singers in the troupe! Tonight will welcome back a comedian who used to frequent LRS "back in the day" when we only had performances at the Franklin studios. I have a new aerial piece I am ready to debut. And, of course, we will have all the usual possibilities for fun with body painting, costuming, the dance party and decorative rope bondage!

Where: 400 Dexter Ave N.
How Much: $25 in advance or $30 on the night of the show

Advance tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the box office the night of a show until the show starts at 9pm.