Thursday, January 24, 2013

Under The Big Top
The Photography of Brenden-John
Los Angeles, CA


   The ringmaster steps into the center ring dressed in white almost see-through underwear with a large pouch that is necessarily stretched to accommodate. He is wearing a top hat, red and black coat and tails, and tall black leather boots. A bow tie is tied around his neck. His bare chest is sculpted and tan. His solid stance accentuates the muscles of his thighs and calves. He raises the microphone to his mouth and begins to announce, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you are in for the time of your life! You will see breath-taking stunts, feats of daring, and some of the hottest men on the planet." ...Well, that's how my fantasy circus begins.

   Thanks to the work of LA based photographer, Brenden-John, my big top fantasy has taken on visual life. Over the past few months I have been inspired to 'share' many of his pics with my facebook friends. My focus of course, is always on those he has posted featuring exotic male dancers. But Brenden-John's talent goes much further than that. His range includes creative images of the people behind the scenes who make the events work. He provides glimpses into the personalities of those attending the events. And he is also able to capture the allure and seduction of such LA nights as "Hooker Casino" and "Stripper Circus" held at the HERE Lounge in West Hollywood. We've included several of these seductive images in this blog. We are proclaiming the collection to be the "Big Top Gallery". And from the photos, you can see that "Big Top" can definitely have more than one meaning.
   Over the past year, Brenden-John has inspired a new movement of black and white photography in clubs in the LA area. He creates original black and white images directly through the camera lens. He prefers to shoot in ambient light without a flash, one of the ingredients that give his images their signature look. After viewing some of his work in black and white, I was recently inspired to create a black and white gallery for the Men of Mojo's in Tulsa, OK. Whether in black and white or color, I find Brenden-Johns photos crisp and exotic, and often feature my favorite subject matter: The Exotic Male Dancer.


   Brenden-John has also captured some of our favorite personalities from Los Angeles including Johnathan Myers as shown below.

More From The Big Top Gallery



   You will find Brenden-John capturing images for Vignette Sundays at Vignette in West Hollywood. He was recently hired to shoot the White Party event in Palm Springs, and the MATINEE Las Vegas Festival for this year. He also is currently working as an on-set stills photographer for movies and television.
   If you live or will be visiting the Los Angeles area look for Brenden-John behind the camera. And please tell him thanks for Males In Motion. Until next time, I'll look for you under the big top! And don't forget to tip the boyz!
(Photo Source for this blog: Brenden-John Photography ~ Events Facebook Page)

Friday, January 18, 2013

Club Review: BJsNXs - Dallas, TX
Jail Break, Lassoed Cowboys, And Kidnapped Bartenders


(Photo Source for this blog: BJsNXs Facebook Page)

   For me, walking into BJsNXs was like facing down a night of ultimatums. I saw a room full of male dancers, and I was determined that before the night was over, I would tip each and every one of them. Then I walk up to the bar for my Jack and Coke and see the hottest bartender that I have seen in many a moon. He had a very sexy body, handsome face and was wearing a pair of low-rise trunk underwear that gives you thoughts...yes, those kind of thoughts. I think his name was Kyle. You should see his chest. I had to tell myself that I was not going to jump over that bar and join him. (For those of you who know me, I want you to know that I did just hear you laugh). Kyle made my male dancer tipping challenge impossible because for the rest of the night, I was determined to keep from watching only him. It didn't work well but I was able to turn away a few times.


   There were a couple of dancers who helped pull my attention in another direction though. One was Chance who further fostered my fantasies of the cowboy with his cowboy hat, cowboy boots, Texas accent and yellow underwear. I began to rewrite the song, "The Yellow Rose of Texas". All I can say is that he better be glad he was dancing inside a cage. With what he was wearing, I could not be held responsible for my actions. I was determined to get in that cage with him. And I did make five trips up to the cage to tip him. I tried the bars a few times, and found yes, they were solid. However, I was able to reach through the bars and place a tip without leaving any marks. The last time I asked him to turn around so I could appreciate him from the back. He said, "yes sir!" Of course, then I broke the lock off the cage with the butt of my gun and climbed into the cage. I then lassoed a rope around him and began to haul him out to the barn...wait, sorry, that didn't really happen, that was something I thought about later...back to the review.

   I found myself a seat where I could view Kyle and Chance with the simple turn of my head. I got motion sickness a few times but it was well worth it. Of course, what I didn't realize was that right in front of me was also a low platform where several of the dancers stopped during the evening and danced, right in front of me. It was like having my own private male dancer. Sometimes there was only one, and at other times there were up to three. I could reach out from where I was sitting and tip them...such a convenience for a fan like myself.

   One dancer in particular stood out from all others on the platform. His name was Christiano. Shorter then some, cute, with a stocky solid build, Christiano had been given gifts from mother nature that made him a natural in this occupation. Thanks Christiano, your skills as a host and representative of BJsNXs were appreciated. You drew me into the excitement and pleasure of the night. Whether on purpose or not, you made this customer feel important, noticed, and encouraged me to have a good time...which I did. Me gusto mucho Christiano!

   BJsNXs almost caused me to become a blatant liar. Yes, I was prepared to tell them that it was my birthday. Even though my actual birth date is in May, when I saw how a guest was entertained for his birthday, well, let me just say, that I wanted some of that! He was surrounded by the male dancers to the point that he could no longer be seen by the crowd. Now, I've had that fantasy too but here it was happening for real or as gamers would say in RL. So, I'm just going to tell you now that next time I go to BJsNXs in Dallas, TX...it is going to be my birthday. I don't care what month it is! (Did you get that Juan? Put my name on the list for birthday surprise!)

   As you can tell, I had a lot of fun. But, it wasn't just me. What I noticed most was that everyone was having a good time. The crowd was mostly gay men but there were several females as well. One cute young blond female near me kept squealing each time she would tip a dancer. She made me laugh. I may not have been squealing outside but yes sweetheart, I too will admit, I was squealing inside.

   Ok, so I did overemphasize a few wild west cliches in this blog but the cowboy is king in my fantasy world. So, I get that privilege. But the club itself, BJsNSx is anything but a wild west saloon or dusty watering hole. It is a premier club with plenty to keep you entertained and enjoying yourself! Juan Lucerno and the boyz are doing a great job! If you live in the city or are ever in Dallas, you owe it to yourself to stop by and have a good time!

   Until next time, Kyle and I will be riding off into the sunset on horseback even if I do have to keep him in handcuffs...wait, sorry, that didn't really happen either. So, until next time, don't forget to tip the boyz...dancers and bartenders!!!

(Oh and between you and me, one last thing...there were a lot of mighty fine behinds on those BJsNXs dancers.)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

First Things First
New Year Check-Up

It's All About The Fans!

   With the arrival of the new year, it's time for a little check-up
 for our clubs/bars, managers, owners, male revues, and each
individual exotic male dancer whether a go-go boy, male stripper,
or another part of the show! An exotic male dancer is an entertainer.
His first priority is to entertain the fan, or more specifically the
customer. He may have the hottest body, largest package, sexiest
voice with a face and smile that stops them in their tracks, but it's
not about him, it's about the customer.
(Above Photo: MJs ~ Silver Lake, CA)


    It's the customer who when properly motivated is going to reach
 into his/her pocket and take out those $1, $5, $10, $20 or higher
 bills and slide them into the waist band of the skimpy underwear
worn by the almost naked man who is keeping him/her entertained.
It's the customer who will choose to enjoy a lap dance or make a
visit to the VIP Lounge where he spends the big bucks that pays
the bills, pays for college, pays for that new car, etc. And it's the
customer who when he has received excellent customer service
on his initial trip to the club, will return again and further add to
the income of the dancers, bar or club, staff, and owners.


   With the customer in mind, make sure you are making him/her
the  priority. The truth is, exotic male dancers come and go. Some
dance for one night and they're gone. Others make performing a
mini-career  and can stay with it for several years. But the majority
dance for a few months and then move on to something else. If the
owners/managers of bars and clubs are focusing on top-notch
customer service, then the customers will remain loyal through
the ups and downs of quality exotic male dancers.


   My advice, such as it is, is to evaluate whether your focus is on
customer service. Are you providing the entertainment value that
is desired? Do your hours of operation reflect the needs of your
customers? Do your male dancers focus on the customers and
making sure they are enjoying their visit to your club/bar? It is
inevitable that young good-looking guys who become exotic male
dancers may carry a little ego with them. Confidence and even a
little cockiness can sometimes be sexy...as long as the main focus
is on the customer.
(Above Photo: Buck Stone ~ Houston, TX)


   Ok, we've determined that the customer is the priority. Now, with
that focus in mind, make plans for 2013. Make it the most customer
service oriented year you've ever had. You will see a positive
difference! Until next time, my other advice is..."Show some skin,
and they will come in."
(Above Photo: XL Nightclub ~ New York, NY ~ Source: Wilson Models)