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Windermere Real Estate/Kingston, a Windermere branch in Kitsap County, doesn't think you would. A couple of weeks ago, they fired local burlesque performer Ravenna Black because she spends the occasional evening taking off her clothes to the strains of "Keep On Churnin' Til the Butter Comes."
On Monday my broker called me up to ask me, "Are you Ravenna Black?" When I said that I was, he told me that was "incongruous with the culture of the office", and he mailed my license back to the state the same day (yes, he can do that). I clarified with him that my conduct had been professional, I was easy to work with, and he thought I was going to make a great agent - it was just my showbusiness career that created the conflict.We thought equating burlesque performers with loose morals went out with "I Like Ike," but apparently NASCAR isn't the only thing Kitsap hates these days. Ravenna was understandably upset -- when working with a local troupe like Sinner Saint Burlesque, a day job is de rigeur.
Black didn't react by hiding under her eiderdown. She sent out word to the neo-burlesque community, and spoke about her firing on local sex-positive talk show SexLife Live! (podcast available).
Thanks to local contacts such as Indigo Blue, Deux Chevaux, and Simone De La Ghetto, as well as contacts at burlesque-friendly Seattle branches of Windermere, Black landed on her feet:
I actually could have stayed with Windermere in Seattle - there are some really cool brokers and offices there who thought that mine was way out of line - but I accepted a position in a boutique brokerage called Ewing and Clark Luxury Real Estate.Given that we can't afford non-luxury real estate in this town, we're not expecting to need Black's services in the near future. But if hosting trivia ever pays off big, we'll give her a call.
Ewing and Clark is right where I want to be, right in the heart of downtown Seattle in the Pike Place Market. Not only did they not mind that I am a burlesque performer, they thought it was cool! And, their office is easy for me to commute to, and in a busy, prime location.
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I tipped off the Kitsap sun newspaper about this story. And hell yeah I would buy a condo from her.
I'd just like to point out a few things, if you don't mind. :-)
1. My 14 years business experience and wicked brain are what make me a good real estate agent. My art is what makes me an interesting person.
2. I don't smoke, nor do I dress like that in "real life" - really, I only play a hussy on stage!
3. Many people have come forward to show their support, and I'd like to say thank you, everyone - especially those of you who *have* contacted me about buying or selling real estate!
People who understand the Vaudeville roots of traditional burlesque, especially those who have seen me perform, "get" that I am helping to preserve one of the few uniquely American art forms...
And, when they see my listing presentations or see how committed I am to meeting their needs while they find a new home, they don't have a problem with my performance art at all!