"The 3pm Dance Break Lives!" : An Interview with Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell

On burlesque, journaling and the joy of making lists!

We’re back with another interview, this time with dear friend and artist, Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell! She’s the author of Murder Book: A Graphic Memoir of a True Crime Obsession, a cartoonist for The New Yorker, and a very talented dancer! I even recently had the pleasure of seeing her perform some burlesque the other week. She also has a hilarious Substack, Cartoons by Hilary. I got to speak to Hilary about all our favorite things— journaling, dancing, and affordable groceries! I hope you enjoy and get some dancing in today.

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How would you describe yourself in three words?

Hot, manic, and silly.

What made you first start your Substack?

A deep frustration with the changing algorithms and untrusting nature of Instagram, a place that seemingly had power over my career. I didn't want to be reliant on that platform anymore because it's a bit of a nightmare as we all know. Turning to a newsletter felt like the best way to take control of my art and keep it growing with an audience that was more invested in what I was doing.

You also make your own journals, and have one called, “What Did I Do Today?” where you record everything you’ve seen and done that day. How has this practice made a difference in your life?

I LOVE JOURNALING! And I obviously, duh, love drawing. I have this desire to not forget anything, which is course extremely stressful. You simply cannot write it all down! But list format was so much more accessible than full blown diary entries. Plus I could refer back to these lists and pick out things I wanted to draw after the fact. The lists became so fun and enticing to me that when wild, wacky, sad, strange, fun things happened throughout the day, I'd be like, “Oh, that’s GOING ON THE LIST!" My Today Lists started to feel like poetry to me. How a moment in your day goes from, "Made coffee," quickly to, "Wondered how long my dog will live?" It simply captures the human existence!

Did you journal a lot as a kid?

Absolutely. So much so that sometimes I kept two journals at the same time and was writing nearly identical entries in both?! I must have been concerned I might lose one copy and needed a back up.

Tell me about your 3pm dance breaks. How did those begin? What have you learned from them?

The 3 PM dance lives!! Lives forever I hope!! In general, I have been dancing around my apartment forever, but last May I was thinking about Mental Health Awareness month and it occurred to me how much my dance breaks are about me just trying to feel good. Especially in the mid afternoon, a time I tend to start losing it. I decided I wanted to start sharing what I do every day with everyone else, in hopes it would inspire others to remember to get up and dance!

It's almost been a year of the 3 PM Dance Break and honestly, sharing these videos has... changed my life? It's so silly to say, but things have come to me from those videos that I never could have imagined. Not only do I hear of people who had started their own 3 PM dance breaks... but for me personally, it has opened doors for new emotional journeys. After sharing the videos for 6 months I was asked to perform at The Slipper Room, something I had only ever dreamed of. That led me to enrolling in the New York School of Burlesque, and now I'm stepping into the world of burlesque quite seriously (my stage name is Anita Prilosex) and having the friggin time of my life. 

Yes! What has the world of burlesque been like? What has it taught you?  

LIBERATING! IN LOVE WITH MYSELF! Something I cannot believe actually? I am currently writing a book called The Joy of Snacking which details my journey with eating disorders from a young age and well, my love of snacks. When I  look back at the person I was, someone who unfortunately hated herself and her body, I am so proud of how far I've come and how different I feel about myself now. It's incredible. My teacher Jo Weldon has been a wonderful support, advocate and mentor. Highly suggest anyone taking a class with her. 

Do you have a history with dance?

I come from a family of dancers! It's how we spend our time together. Me, my mom, my sister, my brother, my father, my cousins, my uncles, my AUNTS! I tell you, we all love to dance! Rarely does a dinner party end in my home without at least a 20 minute dance session.

Do you have a favorite song you can’t stop listening to right now?

Yes! JJ &  The Mood's How Many Times.

I love that you have a lot of great practices like dance breaks and journaling that are really powerful ways to feel grounded. What else makes you feel this way?

I am also a big walker. Which helps of course because I have a dog. I walk about 5 miles a day. I always say if you're about to go bananas, go for a walk! It's a true cure all. I'm also a Bar Method addict. Something I picked up about 6 years ago when I found out I couldn't run anymore. Though I really miss running, The Bar Method has made me feel so strong and grateful for my body. 

What’s a project you’re currently excited about?

I'll be announcing soon that the 3 PM Dance break is going to be a LIVE DANCE PARTY that everyone can join in May! I cannot wait!

Do you have any fun events coming up?
Cabernet Cabaret with Cat Cohen on Wednesday, April 3rd at Club Cumming!

What are you focusing on the most in your life right now?

Getting shit done! Whether it's dancing, finishing my book (I've been working on it for 3 years), or comedy, I feel like I'm in this phase right now where I have so much I want to do and I'm trying to stay focused and express myself every day.

What is the biggest thing you've learned this past month?

That my dog is very capable of tripping me with a stick.

What have been some Tiny Joys lately?

The new Wegmen's at Astor Place is right next door to my burlesque class and I'm able to get affordable groceries for the week every Sunday and I'm just over the moon about it. Wow, I am very much in my 30s!

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