Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m76uV2rK8KY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwNEnh9uaM

"Where the legs are as long as the jokes are bad, and every single girl is single..." I just got a link to the new musical Minsky's, with lots of cute, cute, cute video! "A racy musical comedy set in a time when entertainment was about bawdy comedians and dazzling chorines. It’s a world reigned over by the king of burlesque, Billy Minsky—until the day he falls in love and the cops come banging on his door! From the creators of The Drowsy Chaperone and the composer of Annie." A racy musical comedy set in a time when entertainment was about bawdy comedians and dazzling chorines. It’s a world reigned over by the king of burlesque, Billy Minsky—until the day he falls in love and the cops come banging on his door! From the creators of The Drowsy Chaperone and the composer of Annie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsXP0gWHgV8

The 20 Year Anniversary of the movie "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" was just celebrated in Los Angeles with host Peaches Christ, who also hosted at Tease-O-Rama last year. Here's the infamous tassel-twirling sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTiGanOhKaQ Recommended by Lola Pistola of Alaska Brrr-lesque. When I was coaching Leighton Meester I showed her several film clips, and this was the only one she found totally useless. Since she wasn't going to twirl tassels or do 80s rap or dress like a vampiress, that made sense. But it's one of my faves. Check out Elvira's entire Las Vegas number, recreated by impersonator Cassandra Fever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Y9Q_HyIFw I wonder if Cassandra Fever will be appearing on The Search for the Next Elvira, Fox Network's upcoming reality show? Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J8gf9OFTRY I won't have much time to post over the next few weeks, so I'm simply posting videos, photos, websites, articles, and other items recommended by blog readers and friends. This was recommended by Sweetie Bird. Got a recommendation? Email school of burlesque@gmail.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdXNCYKGCXo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kU-vwZ65oU I heart Amy Gordon. Above: Amy performing with her puppet skull bra in the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at Coney Island. The skulls are animated and sing with her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3yItmuu82A More Amy Independent circus has been a big part of the development of the New York burlesque scene, and adult cabaret and variety shows featuring physical comedy and circus skills have been a part of my life since I was in high school. I feel that I have, literally, run away with the circus. God Bless America. Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

This is a clip from the documentary "No Strings Attached" by Lisa Whitmer. She and her crew filmed me at Tease-O-Rama teaching a version of my glove and stocking peel class . I love this clip because it shows the view I usually see--all the smiling faces and playfulness. I'm a lucky woman to get to do this for a living, and I know it! See the trailer (which shows me as a bumping Godzilla among the goddesses) at http://www.lisawhitmer.com "Bursting with sex appeal and kitschy charm, No Strings Attached is a playful romp through the world of burlesque, from its origins in the late nineteenth century to its contemporary revival. The film provides a peek through feathers and glitter at the Scenic Sisters, a San Francisco duo, as they prepare for the annual, international Tease-o-Rama convention." Tease-O-Rama: http://www.teaseorama.com Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

Liz Fans in Front of one of Liz's Paintings: Pinkie Special, Bambi the Mermaid, Scott Ewalt, Bunny Love, Dr. Lucky. Some of Liz's Promo Materials Me with Scott Ewalt (the curator and a close friend of Liz's) and a Costume Sequinette with one of the Mannequins An image of Liz Scott drew on the chalkboard in the rehearsal space. There are also lots of lovely paintings by Liz, and some astonishing memorabilia, but I didn't get any pix of those.

Catherine D'Lish is selling some of her amazing costumes! Shop, or merely suffer with longing

The scene behind the show today was electric. Liz-o-philes and others were buzzing about hanging masterpieces and wondering where this or that had gotten to. "Has anyone seen the black beaded g string?" "You mean this?" "No honey, that's a rhinestone underwire." Billy Beyond is blogging about all the amazing Liz Renay events this week, you have to check it out! January 09, 2009 — January 31, 2009 76 Grand Street, New York Deitch Projects and the Burlesque Hall of Fame present "How To Attract Men" a retrospective exhibit of the art of Liz Renay. Pre-pop , Pre-punk, and an outsider on the inside- Liz Renay created her own reality and an enormous body of work along the way including four books, three dozen films and miles of printed publicity. In the first New York showing of her paintings in fifty years, Deitch Projects 76 Grand Street gallery will feature original paintings as well as a salon of important collages, costumes, and ...

One of my students just reminded me of this video, which I love: (Ursula Martinez) Gala Juste Pour Rire 2006 @ Yahoo! Video http://video.yahoo.com/watch/14680/1112820 Ursula Martinez is the performer who triggered the book "The Happy Stripper" by Jacki Willson, which I'm writing a report on--but you probably won't see it till after my manuscript is in to my adorable editor. I'm currently finishing my chapter on music and for my taste this is a great example of use of traditional music ( "A Shot in the Dark" by Henry Mancini ) in a very contemporary way--which I suppose raises the question of whether music from the 60s is contemporary, which I leave to you to debate. I think this routine deserves the attention it has gotten, and I really love it. I read a detailed analysis of this performance art piece which attributed all kinds of complicated intentions to her and concluded that the final reveal was meant to be menstruation. Maybe, but I think it wor...

Laura Herbert took these photos, and I love them so much I just snagged them all. The fan dance rehearsal. Leighton Meester with my cleavage. Hey, I didn't compose the shot! My roomie, Julie Atlas Muz, doing things to me on worldwide television. The fringy costumes in this scene are original Pontani Sisters Costumes, courtesy of Angie Pontani. Angie and Julie. Click here to watch the full episode online. We love the way it turned out! Blowing kisses to Tony Wharmby and all the Gossip Girl cast and crew. Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

Last time I was coaching Leighton Meester and wasn't onstage--this time I was onstage. Woo hoo! They actually asked us to be less risque at one point, we were so proud. You can see me, Julie Atlas Muz, and the Pontani Sisters on Gossip Girl tonight! I love love love the cast and crew of Gossip Girl. Check your local listings http://www.cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl

There's no way I'm missing this! "Minsky's is a big, racy, new musical comedy set in a time when entertainment was about legs and laughs, and you had to push the limits to keep the customers buying tickets. A rollicking backstage story, set in Prohibition Era New York City. Tony Award winning costume designer Gregg Barnes talked about his creations for MINSKY'S on the show's official site in a wonderful audio/video essay that we are excited to bring you here on BWW TV! " Check out this video with the costumer talking about burlesque in the 20s and 30s, and how they designed the costumes for the show. I have no particular desire to make a living on Broadway, much as I love to visit, but oh, for a budget!! Video Article Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

In October we did a couple of pieces about the New York School of Burlesque with MTV Iggy and one of their hosts, the charming Angel Pai. Here she is onstage at the Slipper Room, practicing a chair routine I taught her: Photo by me. I loved working with her and the other people involved with the shoot--all so young and lovely and so excited about their work, and so respectful of our work! You can see the first installment, featuring some of the performers from the NYSB student showcase in October: null | MTV Music Burlesque on MTV Iggy Video sent to me by the gorgeous and talented Viola Da Gamba . Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .