The Symphony

[IleneD]

ADVENTURES OF ILENE. A Night At The Symphony.

The Wife, bless her heart, was traveling for the weekend and unable to attend. She knew I was going dressed up, and I apparently went with her blessing. She didn't like the idea of me going out dressed up, but she helped comb my wig and checked my concert clothes the evening before she departed. [I’ll catch up with her next weekend.]

I dropped her off at the airport and devoted the day in preparation. I painted my nails and did a thorough close shave; and got dressed in Ilene casual.
I had an ULTA appointment that almost went bad quickly. There are 2 stores within 10 miles in the same town. I went to the WRONG ULTA store, much to my embarrassment. The store clerks were such darlings to call the other store to verify my appointment. Even though 15 minutes late I still made the appointment with my brow technician.

My natural eyebrows are a forest; a white forest. Even for my Guy Mode the wife always told me to do something with that mess. This was my first eyebrow treatment.

Myranda, my technician, did a waxing of my brows and cut them down to manageable size. She was great to work with; a young woman of her late 20s. I gave her a near-impossible puzzle to solve. Tame and style my wild brows, keeping in mind that I am a slowly transitioning [crossdressing] woman who still lives half her life in male mode. I couldn’t have the brows TOO feminized; not at this time. But I wanted them looking good enough, and convertible to femme mode.

Myranda knew her stuff and gave me precisely what I requested.
I had a professional makeup application immediately following the brow grooming. I very much enjoyed working with Linda, my artist. She was a more mature lady of late 30-ish; well made up as were all the ULTA staff. Linda was very respectful of my transgender status. I told her that I needed make up for a special or formal event, but not garishly done. I did not want a drag queen look.

Linda made some suggestions on changing colors, particularly lipstick and foundation. I let her proceed according to her professional expertise. Linda did a smart, professional job. The only ‘disappointment’ I felt during the experience as a pushiness to sell me product. I didn’t need it, but it was the first time following a make over I felt pressed to buy something. That said, I loved her work and I ran home to dress.

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I decided upon my red burgundy long skirt and a black silk turtleneck for the evening. I wore my new 2 inch black pumps (which hurt my feet as new shoes, but I still love them.)

I barely made first call and dimming of the house lights due to heavy traffic into downtown. The woman of a couple who were approximately my age (65) sat a seat away, the only other people in our short row. Joann introduced herself, and I as well. She related that they lived locally and were big Beethoven fans. They attended the earlier fall concert and were eager to hear Beethoven again. She was quite kind, though I know she “made” me from the start despite my good makeup work.

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After the first overture played, a college aged woman came to sit next to me. Her father worked as one of the backstage technicians. She attended free of charge. She was also quite amicable and wanted to talk when the music stood down. At no time did she ever bat an eye at the large person who “looked like a woman and talked like a man.” Not a sly amused grin ever appeared on her face. See didn't see a "joke" next to her. So polite and engaging.

The music was fantastic, of course. Love the romantic composers. The symphony played one overture, a piano concerto, and the entire Symphony No. 4.

Now for practical business. When the last notes of the first set were hanging in the air, I dashed for the lady’s room. A bottle of water, a couple pre-concert wines in the lobby, and the learned politeness of concert protocol had me in an urgent situation.


The one thing I do not appreciate about my MtF conversion is having to wrestle off layers of shape wear, pantyhose, forms, (etc.)., for the simple act of urination. I thank the Lord that women’s restrooms are built around private stalls. When I was done, I washed hands and slowly worked my way out of the restroom past the thick line of waiting GG’s. No one gave me an evil eye or gasped, so I consider the mission a success.

The concert finished. I enjoyed my walk in the cool night air and back to my vehicle. My intention was to go to the Denver Hamburger Mary’s. I’d never been there. The traffic out of the city again was so horrible, I spent almost an hour just getting clear of the jam. At that point I just went home to savor a great evening out en femme.

[DaisyLawrence]

My idea of a great night out Ilene. You look terrific by the way.

Daisy x

[bridget thronton]

You look great - thanks for sharing your concert

[Helen_Highwater]

Ilene,
You looked lovely and I am sooo jealous of your evening out. A classical concert enfemme is definitely one of the things on my bucket list.

[alwayshave]

Ilene, what a great story.

[Julia1984]

Ilene, what a great night out.

The 4th symphony Is a gem, but not that often performed in my experience ( I am also a big Ludwig fan).
I am envious on both counts.
Julia

[Elizabeth G]

Hi Ilene,

What a wonderful evening! I'm glad you had such an enjoyable time.

Elizabeth

[BillieS]

You look fabulous! An inspiring story of being out and about.

[Sheila11]

Good job on the brows. The difference from your avatar is amazing and contributes to your presentation in a big way.

[Lana Mae]

What a great night you had! A nice on the eyebrows! Hugs Lana Mae

[BrendaPDX]

Your story was as beautiful as you look, and you look great. Thanks for sharing.

[ShaunaTossaint]

What a great evening you had Ilene. You looked great ! I’m so jealous of you.
I would love to do that, but I would want to experience the outing en femme with my SO.
Would your SO have joined you if she did not have a prior engagement?
Thanks for sharing.

PS. My wife does not like my eyebrows and is begging me to have them shaped, (femme shaped). I have in the past but for some reason more worried about having them noticed this time.

[Jenny22]

"You're lovely to look at, delightful to know ...." What a pretty lady! The eyebrows look wonderful, Ilene! I wish I could have gone with you. Who took the theatre photos?

[Alice B]

Wow! That is great. Good forf you. We have season symphony tickets and have ahd so for years. I would love to do what you did, but my wife would NEVER accept that and we know a lot of those that attend and they know nothing about Alice

[Julie Denier]

What a great experience! Lovely pics ;)

[Micki_Finn]

Sounds like a blast. And as for your end-of-concert issue: I am always careful to super hydrate in the morning before going out, then avoid fluids for an hour or two before going out. I’ve used ladies rooms before but as you pointed out, it can get a bit... unwieldy.

[carhill2mn]

Thanks for sharing a great story! For many years attending concerts was my opportunity for going out while nicely dressed. Unfortunately, many current concert goers dress more like I would if I were working around home.

[docrobbysherry]

What a great evening, Ilene! I'm jealous! I've taken a T friend of mine with me dressed to a local professional synphony concert.

But, I don't pass well enuff and am not brave enuff to go dressed!:sad:

[ClosetED]

You looked great and certainly showed that you passed and/or society no longer cares.
Hugs, Ellen

[LeannS]

Ilene
I am glad you went and had a great time

Leann

[Abbey11]

Sounds like a perfect evening Ilene, spot on presentation for the event and I love your turn of phrase. Glad you had a great time .

[Lydianne]

Great presentation and outing experience! You're getting so much acceptance that it probably won't be too long before your wife will be pleased to accompany you out. Bring on the next one! :).

- Lydianne.

[Kandi Robbins]

A lovely story by a lovely lady! Isn't is surreal when in an atmosphere like that to look at the other ladies, how they are dressed and know YOU BELONG! You are one of them. That feeling is intoxicating.

Very happy for you dear, you deserved every second of it!!

[Beverley Sims]

Ilene,
A nice chronicle of events.

Obviously a memorable night out.

[ColleenCD]

Good for you Ilene! Sounds like a very memorable evening with several learning experiences.

[Laura912]

You looked wonderful and caught the second wire on the night.

[Dana44]

Sounds like you had a great time Ilene. You look great.

[GracieRose]

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Your look is elegant and quite appropriate for an evening concert.
It sounds like you had a lovely evening (barring the traffic on the way to the concert hall and returning; one of life's everyday 'pleasures').
I'll be at our local music hall with my wife this weekend. I'm sure that I'll mentally recall your trip while attending in drab.

[BrendaPDX]

You look perfect! Thank you for sharing. Sincerely, Brenda

[rachael.davis]

Sounds like a great evening, your tech did a great job on the brows....bet you never stop having them done.

[Jaylyn]

Ilene you look great and the makeup girl did a good job on your brows. My wife trim mine but they still look like a males after she's finished. My do get long hairs so she plucks those.
I loved reading your story and am glad you had what sounds like a very enjoyable evening out. You look very eloquent and hamburger Marys doesn't sound that eloquent so maybe it was best you didn't get there.

[Teresa]

Ilene,
I'm glad to read that your situation with your wife has improved and she agreed to your outing , it was a shame she wasn't able to enjoy a wonderful evening . Too many know about homeward journeys taking a little icing of the cake, at least you could relax and savour the evening.

One question, how much of the padding do you think you could shed before you became uncomfortable with the look and how much do you think people would begin to notice ? As you know I don't use any lower padding , so a natural break isn't a problem and I do admit I prefer to keep it as natural as possible I love how good the clothes feel to wear and how they move on my body .

[IleneD]

Teresa:

Thanks for noticing and following the exploits of Ilene. Good Lord, I am having so much fun living as a woman like this. I've had all week, 24/7 to Be Ilene and live a more daily transitioned life.

I am interested by your question regarding my padding. Be honest with me, dear. I value what you say. Does it show and is it obvious I am wearing hip pads? Are the too much, do you think? These particular pads are my "thicker" and newer set of homemade foam pads. I felt like I had room under the long skirt to employ them.

As for going more without pads, I find it interesting you should ask at this time about that. On many of my daily and routine outings I've gone without hip shape wear. I still wear a bra and forms, but I've gotten away from "absolutely having to" shape my hips.

For example, I went out to a little CD/TG friendly pub last night. I wore a nice tunic sweater dress and leggings. No shape wear or hip pads. The tunic bloused enough around the skirt it wasn't necessary to dress my hips. I loved it. The feel and comfort of wearing just panties and a pair of legging tights (only) under my skirt was sweet. Not encumbered, so to speak. The one photo is with the pub performers (Harley and Victoria). The other is of the outfit I wore out that evening.

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I went out again this evening in the same No Pads mode; just jeans and a femme cowlick sweater. They were very skinny jeans with ankle boots, and I had on full make up and wig; so it worked that way.

[Teresa]

Ilene,
Thanks or your reply, I think you can carry it of without too much lower padding, OK I am lucky that my figure doesn't need the extra but as you say I still need a little extra something to boost my bust .

To me the natural look is more being the woman, the numerous magazines advise how they can make the most of their figure or play it down depending on what hey choose to wear. To me that is the art of CDing , think about your situation from a woman's angle and dress as they would.

I know I've made this comment before about a conversation with a good friend in a bridal shop when we touched on figure shape and the use of lower padding . She laughed and slapped her thighs and said , " Do you really think we want to carry all this extra baggage with us, I would give anything to have a figure and legs like you, it' not fair when you're a man ! You look so dam good in your pictures you would convince many people ."

[Becky Blue]

Great night out Ilene, thanks for sharing and you looked great too!!!

[Anne K]

You story radiated the joy you are feeling! I see that you remembered to smile! So nice.....

[BettyMorgan]

After the first overture played, a college aged woman came to sit next to me. Her father worked as one of the backstage technicians. She attended free of charge. She was also quite amicable and wanted to talk when the music stood down. At no time did she ever bat an eye at the large person who “looked like a woman and talked like a man.” Not a sly amused grin ever appeared on her face. See didn't see a "joke" next to her. So polite and engaging.


This is what is commonly referred to as acceptance.

[Linda P.]

It's a pleasure reading this account of a wonderful evening out.

[DMichele]

Ilene,
You look great for both nights out and your pre-concert appointments at Ulta seemed like very good experiences. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[IleneD]

The votes were cast and the choice for a symphony outfit was the red on black with red shoes. I’m pleased with the choice because the concert crowd was decidedly conservative in their attire, and my bright red gown would have stood out like a beacon.

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Me in the lobby of the symphony hall.

One of the best parts of attending a special event, especially as a woman, is the preparation. I don’t know why I revel in it so. Prepare my nails (I tried false fingernails for the first time, and they were not cooperating so I went with my own paint.) Shower and lotion up on shaved legs. Doing my makeup. Sliding into girl underthings. Donning my femme attire. It’s a joyful ritual.

The concert itself was just amazing (even though I was attending solo). It was a great exercise in just getting out. I got down to the concert hall early and had a glass of wine at a small open sidewalk bistro bar.

I truly enjoyed the service personnel around the concert hall. So accommodating and helpful. No one ever batted an eye, gave a sly grin or a weird look at the large person in a dress. One server at the wine bar wanted to engage in a lengthy discussion (where I came from, etc.), and she complimented me on my overall “look”. I told my whole tale in my normal male baritone since I’ve not worked on a femme voice. I still keep it low key.


The concert was Handel's Messiah (played in 3 parts). I've always loved the music and have performed it in choir and instrument several times with various church groups I've played with. I had to go. My seats were high in the lower orchestra section, and in the middle. Perfect.

A trio of Chinese (I know because I heard them muttering in Chinese), sat next to me. I took their photo and they in turn took some pics of me. A more ‘mature’ woman also attending solo sat on my other side. She introduced herself and we chatted a little; but I noticed her turning and smiling slyly at me several times during the concert. No sure what it meant.
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I was a little more active about mixing with the concert crowd. I had a drink and wandered the lobby at intermission; managing a few photos and small idle chit-chat with a couple folks.

After the show, I met another one of our Forum Sisters at the Denver Hamburger Mary’s. Mandi is one of our CD sisters, and She was there with her wife. Mandi contacted me via the forum PM and let me know they’d be at Mary’s if I wanted to stop by after the show.

Mandi and her wife (Shannon) were excellent “hosts”. I found them at their table near the stage area (drag shows, etc.). I’d met “Mandi” one other time in person. He was in guy mode at the time. I say this with no offense and all the love in my heart. Mandi looks much better, GREAT in fact, as Mandi; rather than her male form. She was adorable to see in person. Her wife helped with her very well done make up. Her purple and black dress was cute as could be.
We had some food and drinks. Mandi and her wife generously picked up the tab for the evening. They are fun couple. Mandi’s wife seems to have greatly accepted her crossdressing enough to go out with her and help with her outfit. But I will let Mandi tell her own story about her situation with the wife. All in all very fun and informative post-concert to be with them.
Some of the drag queen performers came over to meet us. They made us feel like one of the gang. They’re so outrageous at times, though.

This was my first encounter OUT with another crossdresser or transgender. It’s a big step in exploring the road my journey will take. I’m spreading my TG wings and learning.

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From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Mandi & Shannon for inviting me and making it a memorable concert evening.

[Rhonda Darling]

A few more enjoyable events like this and you might start to want more; after that, everything takes on the thrill of an E ticket ride at Disney. (Yes, a dated reference, but trust me, it means a really cool experience.) Kidding aside, it's wonderful to read of your excellent experiences. I get out en femme a lot, but have yet to get to the theatre or a symphony. you've now raised the bar.

All the best for the holidays.

Rhonda

[mandi77]

Thanks Ilene, it was a pleasure to meet you again. I am flattered by your comments. I (I haven't talked to my wife yet, to know if she would like) definitely would like to do this again sometime soon.

Hugs,
Mandi