tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23304548522326558722024-03-08T15:26:36.430-08:00Living the Burlesque Life in NYCI live in New York and I'm heavily--you might say obsessively--involved with burlesque. I write, perform, and take pictures professionally, but this is not that. I also run a burlesque school, and when appropriate I'll bring that on. This is something like a diary with visuals. If it stays fun, I'll keep doing it!Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-45099941368719488632008-09-30T21:16:00.000-07:002008-09-30T21:18:29.692-07:00Asylum.com Checks In!'Lucky for us, the classic striptease has experienced a revival in recent years -- leading to the popularity of Ivan Kane's 40 Deuce burlesque clubs in Vegas and Hollywood, Dita von Teese's mainstream popularity and, well, the Pussycat Dolls. And just last week, a flood of tasty tassel twirlers hit NYC for the New York Burlesque Festival, inspiring us to stake our pics for the sexiest gals to Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-14333755491853140272008-09-29T15:11:00.001-07:002008-09-29T15:11:00.371-07:00Battle of The Burlesque StarsBattle of The Burlesque StarsOriginally uploaded by Brett RollinsJoin your commentators Clams Casino & Neil O'Fortune as they present two teams in this competition of burlesque’s finest: Albert Cadabra, Jo Boobs, Jonny Porkpie and Peekaboo Pointe! Evoking the classic T‘n’A lunacy of television’s Battle of the Network Stars, the tongue-in-cheek challenges onstage at Public Assembly will pit Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-26383568142155887812008-09-22T22:56:00.000-07:002008-09-22T23:03:01.999-07:00Onstage PhotosHere are a few photos I took onstage during the finale of the New York Burlesque Festival Saturday Spectacular--teeth! teeth! teeth!When using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, for her Burlesque Scrapbook. Failure to credit properly will mark you forever in my eyes as shady and dishonorable.Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-16328710204325585952008-09-19T14:01:00.000-07:002008-09-22T23:04:15.621-07:00Press AlertI keep forgetting to post when I'm in the press!Today there is an article in AM New York with brief descriptions of several performers in the festival, and lots of color photos including one of me by Allen Lee. You can still pick up a copy tonight for free on the street...and isn't that how we like to pick up our press?When using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-59620125789673718702008-09-18T15:33:00.001-07:002008-09-18T15:48:17.413-07:00Preparing for the FestivalThe New York Burlesque Festival begins tonight, and here are some of the visuals from the past few days:Miss Astrid checking out the smoke machine on the video setJo Boobs and Miss Astrid, camera testThe World Famous Pontani Sisters in rehearsal with FIsherman's Famous Burlesque OrchestraLittle Brooklyn at the rehearsalWhen using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-34300467975512906892008-09-15T20:08:00.001-07:002008-09-15T20:24:43.194-07:00Coney Island Fashion MomentsAt the Miss Coney Island Pageant Bunny Love had the cutest purse and some cute shoes, too, which it turns out that she and Bambi the Mermaid, her BFF, both bought without consulting each other. Since they often deliberately dress to match each other, they were pleased with the coincidence.On the train on the way back, I saw something.It turns out this rubber hen is the purse of Heather Holiday, Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-70245348244246845602008-09-13T21:03:00.000-07:002008-09-14T08:44:05.188-07:00Howl Festival and Arias with a TwistHowlucination, a cabaret of Luc Sante's Low Life, is absolutely my favorite thing at the Howl Festival. Although I didn't take many pix, here are a few moments:Backstage with Heather Litteer, with whom I worked in Atlanta.Amber Ray's Eyes.Dirty Martini.Joey Arias/If you have a chance to see Arias with a Twist, don't miss it. It is one of the most amazing shows I've ever, ever seen!I went to see Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-72770065206713565392008-09-03T20:19:00.000-07:002008-09-03T20:23:33.538-07:00A Cute, Busy LifeI've never been as busy in my life as I've been the past few weeks!Here's a cute pic from one of those busy nights:Me with some of the dancers from Hudson Swing.When using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, for her Burlesque Scrapbook. Failure to credit properly will mark you forever in my eyes Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-35006682502594673032008-08-28T18:19:00.000-07:002008-08-28T18:23:55.448-07:00Nominate me!!!So I've been too busy living the burlesque life to blog it, I admit, and now I need a favor. But puhleez, nominate Jo Boobs for Biggest Cougar! The claws are out, ladies...I can prove I am the biggest cougar. Here I am with my Gal Friday:She may very well be the littlest cougar, but that's another story.Golden Pastie NominationsThe New York Burlesque Festival Golden Pastie Nominations are Live!Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-59628536056643275132008-08-13T23:20:00.001-07:002008-08-13T23:23:28.823-07:00Me Doing GodzillaThis isn't the way this number usually goes, but it's the way the number ended up being on a stage with full band instruments and a long catwalk. It would be fun to actually choreograph it for that stage!The backup dancers are New York School of Burlesquers Pookie Patootie, Weirdee Girl, and Fleur de Lys. Aren't they awesome?Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-50137813911901174492008-08-13T22:40:00.000-07:002008-08-13T22:46:23.704-07:00At World Famous *BOB* Presents at the Bowery Poetry ClubWorld Famous *BOB* does a monthly show called "World Famous *BOB* Presents" for new performers at the Bowery Poetry Club, which is where I produced my first burlesque show in New York, Hubba Hubba Hey--which I believe was also the first burlesque show at BPC, and the Surf Burlesque show I mentioned in a previous post. She's been doing the show for several years, previously at Galapagos.*BOB* is aJo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-12578516343693221492008-08-09T20:35:00.001-07:002008-08-09T20:45:24.464-07:00Backstage At The Slipper RoomThese are a few of the pictures that dont' contain full frontal nudity. Those just go into my private stash.The Zog doing "Live and Let Die"Me Coming Offstage after my Pirate ActVeronica Varlow and Legs Malone being adorableThe AudienceWhen using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, for her Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-51530790115667536982008-08-09T20:22:00.000-07:002008-08-09T20:30:14.829-07:00A Few Pix From My Birthday Backstage at Starshine BurlesqueOn my birthday, I guest lectured in Lukki's class at NYU, taught a bachelorette party, and performed at Starshine Burlesque.When using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, for her Burlesque Scrapbook. Failure to credit properly will mark you forever in my eyes as shady and dishonorable.Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-41469616768535903662008-08-06T21:57:00.000-07:002008-08-06T22:05:59.397-07:00It's My Birthday!I walked by these mosaic pinups in Soho yesterday. They will also make a mosaic from any photo.If you were thinking about taking up a collection for my birthday, here's a ballpark: the panels start out at about $31K, the standups at $19K. I'd be perfectly content with one of the standups.For more information, see the company's website. But don't buy me one, honestly, I just wouldn't know where Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-26760635448306231012008-08-01T20:51:00.000-07:002008-08-01T21:15:40.477-07:00Me in the New York PressJo Boobs and More at Public Assembly PartyThis was a great party. Larissa Fuchs, who produces Swing House, is working with my friend Robert Prichard, with whom I used to co-produce Surf Burlesque at the Bowery Poetry Club (and who played Slug in The Toxic Avenger), to create a new venue in Long Island City that promises to be one of the Next Big Things. I can't wait!I had a great time at the showJo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-21097352461107611092008-07-26T10:28:00.000-07:002008-07-26T10:59:23.204-07:00At the Slipper Room with Mel Frye and Matt MusselmanI perform often with live bands, and I have a great time performing with Grandpa Musselman and the Syncopators. Last night we were at the Slipper Room, with Mel Frye (actually Slipper Room owner and my business partner, James) hosting.Matt Musselman (with redeye) and MelThe Set ListVioletta Beretta from Hawaii, seen from the dressing room at the side of the stage, as tiki lampAmber Ray Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-35167493640879242232008-07-24T22:51:00.000-07:002008-07-25T11:12:18.825-07:00The Society of Illustrators and Bunny Love's Little Food ShowDid I have a night off? No I did not.Pinkie Special and I performed at a hula event at the Society of Illustrators, where Pinkie models on occasion. It was fun and I even got to teach some of the partiers a few Polynesian moves. And it was incredible because yet again I found myself surrounded by spectacular original art. If you haven't seen this place and you are even the tiniest bit of an art Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-63956140813957571452008-07-22T22:52:00.000-07:002008-07-22T23:06:23.044-07:00Monday Night Burlesque and Tuesday at the SideshowProving that there are no off nights in my week, I worked performing at Monday Night Burlesque and on Tuesday conducted the next to last class in the Coney Island series.The Evil Hate Monkey backstage at Monday Night Burlesque:Clams Casino onstage:Gigi LaFemme in the dressing room in her Chrysler Building costume:Tuesday night I goofed off in the sideshow during breaks in the Burlesque Master Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-29383725817545151282008-07-22T11:17:00.001-07:002008-07-22T12:02:26.097-07:00My Trucker Hat from Frank's Chicken HouseIn the early 1990s I was a feature dancer. Among other things, this meant that I was doing MUCH more elaborate acts than I am now, in sets lasting up to fifteen minutes. Another thing it means is that I went to some out-of-the-way places, including Frank's Chicken House. Men would walk in through the front room and would get a chicken leg and a can of soda, then walk into the back, where the Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-33912909698490704792008-07-20T23:44:00.000-07:002008-07-20T23:47:04.169-07:00Glove Peel ClassHere are a few of my students from a glove peel class improvising with the moves they just learned. My video technique is not so good here, but aren't they great????http://youtube.com/watch?v=i6lsAONYk4AWhen using photos or text you found in this blog, please credit the following:Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, for her Burlesque Scrapbook. Failure to credit Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-77225354770885420782008-07-20T23:34:00.000-07:002008-07-20T23:49:28.593-07:00I'm Making a Google Map!View Larger MapMap of New York BurlesqueJust what I needed, another project!Send me a link to your burlesque show, wherever you are, and I'll add it. If I've already added your venue, send a short description of your show and a url and I'll add it to that venue's description. Email me at schoolofburlesque@gmail.com.If you know of a spot that's relevant to the history of Burlesque, let me know andJo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-32777410290533272812008-07-17T20:01:00.000-07:002008-07-20T23:44:37.032-07:00Burlesque at the Dickinson GalleryLast night there was a lovefest and a festschrift for our dear friend Mickey at the amazing Dickinson Gallery. My very close friend Whitney and her husband Joe, who are directly responsible for so much of my inspiration in life, not to mention my survival, invited me and a few other performers to take part in the celebration.First I had a lovely cabride. When I was a real estate agent I would Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-90192623919633406482008-07-15T21:17:00.000-07:002008-07-17T20:27:44.877-07:00Sweet and Nasty BurlesqueHoni Harlow showed how she spent her summer vacation:Nasty Canasta did "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend":Yup, she's a miner. She uses a real pickaxe in the act, and the dirt in her shoe had to be microwaved so it would pour properly.Alexa Fleur disneyfied her nipples:Albert Cadabra swallowed:And then I acted like I wasn't about to do something terribly vulgar:Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-32118346552041725472008-07-11T15:07:00.000-07:002008-07-11T15:21:46.617-07:00Shopping for Eyelashes and Starshine BurlesqueYesterday I went into a wig store I often visit on East 14th St for inexpensive but really huge eyelashes, and Dirty walked in two minutes after I did. Later, I went to Starshine Burlesque after teaching one of my "Flirting with Burlesque" classes. Here's Ruby Valentine backtage talking to Misty, the stage manager:Lil Miss Lixx, who is truly a licker, go-goed:Shelly Watson hosted, but I mostly Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330454852232655872.post-52147972763536273862008-07-10T09:14:00.000-07:002008-07-26T22:52:38.791-07:00A Documentary Shoot at the Slipper RoomYesterday Gary Beeber and Laure Leber interviewedBunny Love for a documentary Gary is doing about Dirty Martini, filming in the Slipper Room. They also interviewed me. This meant, among other things, that Bunny and I were in full burlesque drag in the middle of the afternoon. We were both thrilled to be interviewed about Dirty, who, in addition to being an astonishing performer, is one of the Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757310890319782743noreply@blogger.com0