For the past couple months, I’ve been experimenting with an unwrapped versus wrapped bar on the two lyra. Wrapping aids grip and softens the blow from the metal, and it protects the apparatus from wear. It also requires upkeep, can sometimes stick to clothing and makes the bar significantly wider (which affects the grip).

As an aside: also while playing with the wrapped/unwrapped equipment, I’ve been trying to eschew grip aids. The thinking with this being that there won’t always be access to chalk or rosin, so it’s better to generally go without. This has been working out but I have noticed myself shying from some of the more grip-tricky moves/poses in which I may be a little less trustful of my ol’ sweaty hands. So, yeah, I’m making chalk, rosin and silica grip aid available to my students again in all classes, and when performing I’ll use rosin or chalk if I’m feeling a little psyched out by humidity or whatever.

I’ve found the padding/tape combo that works best for me, which is cork or gel bicycle handlebar grip tape underneath cheap cloth gaffer’s tape. Sport tape, which I know many folks use on trapeze, was disastrously over-sticky. I’ve got the technique down… but I’m not convinced if there’s a right or wrong or standard when it comes to wrapping. My students seem to be fairly split in their preference, possibly skewing toward unwrapped. I’m not sure which I actually prefer. It may, actually, depend on how strong/bruised/confident I’m feeling on any given day.

In researching, it does seem that most lyras are indeed wrapped. I’m probably going to continue with one wrapped lyra in the stable, with the others likely remaining unwrapped. From what I can tell in watching videos and searching photos, the aerial frame usually isn’t wrapped. Thus, I’m going to start with it unwrapped. Mine is aluminum, so I’m curious to see how it feels compared to the steel of my lyras.

The point, here, I suppose: I’m eager to learn other aerialists’ preferences and experiences in relation to wrapping (and grip aids).

• The 6th is Flirt Fridays with The Remix Kid & International DJ BABY YU.
• The 21st is one of the Gold Standard Saturdays with resident DJ Andre Perry.

• Gold Room is at 2416 Piedmont Road in Atlanta, GA 30324 and online at www.goldroomatl.com
• VIP & table reservations at vip @ goldroomatl.com or 404.660.3553
• To get in free before midnight, text “GRFriday” or “GRSaturday” (on its respective evening) to 84444
• Doors open @ 10pm

I also did a lyra act in tribute to Donnie Darko.

And here’s video from June 18th (when the photo above was taken), the night DJ Vice came to Gold Room. I’m in there somewhere…

The Future of Tomorrow features the premieres of several new ensemble and solo acts that will challenge preconceived notions of burlesque: beyond striptease, there will be drag and double-drag, acrobatics accompanied by live music, dance performance integrated with video, and much more. Some of the acts will be tributes to well-known stories, TV shows or movies; some will be Blast-Off’s unique take on what makes for sci-fi. Guest performances will be from Renea’ Le’Roux (a competitor for Miss Exotic World 2010), Katherine Lashe, Ursula Undress, Flight of Swallows, Hoopsy Daisy, and Reget St. Charles.

The feature shows on Saturday, June 19th are at 7:30 and 10PM. Admission is $15 in advance, $17 day of show. The preview show is at 9PM on Thursday, June 17; tickets are $10 advance and $12 at the door. Doors open approximately an hour prior to the show start time, and each show includes a 10-minute intermission. Advance will-call tickets and additional details are available online at scifi-a-gogo.com.

7 Stages is located at 1055 Euclid Avenue in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points. For more directions or more information, visit 7stages.org.