Jo Weldon’s Burlesque Handbook
Jo Weldon (photo by Allen Lee)
Jo “Boobs” Weldon is one of the most respected historians and leading ladies of modern day burlesque. As Headmistress of the award-winning New York School of Burlesque, she’s been teaching, performing, and generally blazing a bold trail for nearly ten years. Her intimate knowledge of the art form has inspired many a wanna-be peeler to mind the past while striving for a uniquely personal performing future. She’s brainy, brassy and a major influence throughout the NY scene and the burlesque community at large- and now, she’s written a handbook.
On June 1, The Burlesque Handbook hit all major booksellers. Geared towards aspiring starlets or anyone that likes a peek behind the scenes, the 272 page bendy-hardcover is less than $20 and includes a foreword by Margaret Cho, heaps of backstage and performance photos Jo’s snapped in her travels, and quotes from interviewees on her extremely influential blog, Daily Burlesque. The book (un)covers everything- from the history of the tease to attaching pasties to final chapter “Identity: What Makes You So Special”. Jo’s love and admiration for everyone her illustrious career has put her in touch with is obvious on every page- she lives and breathes burlesque and delights in sharing it.
Jo’s been on a whirlwind mini-promo tour over the last few weeks (with a stop in Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Reunion); but she’ll be in Seattle for a handful of performances and classes June 11-13. Here’s where you can catch her:
June 11
Blue Moon Cabaret @ The Pampas Room
http://www.bluemooncabaret.com/
June 12
Burlesque Behind The Pink Door @ The Pink Door
http://www.thepinkdoor.net/events.html
June 13
Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque @ Oddfellows West Hall
Class 1: “Stripping Out of Street Clothes: Where Your Clothing is Your Choreography!” 12-1pm
Class 2: “The Official New York School of Burlesque Routine, as seen in The Burlesque Handbook!” 1:30-2:30pm
http://www.academyofburlesque.com
June 13
Naked Girls Reading @ Oddfellows West Hall
http://nakedgirlsreading.com/seattle/
And to purchase the book, click here:
Burlesque Seattle Press 