Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/around_town/nightlife/35411069.html This video features some of my personal faves--and, not coincidentally, blog interviewees-- Baby Doe and Kitten on the Keys , as well as a few other Bay Area stars. I love the way Kitten describes an act that might come to be in this clip: "I could be Joe the Plumber and show a little plumber's crack and turn it into a whole social commentary." Above: Kitten on the Keys hosting Tease-o-Rama 2008. Photo by me. Above: The Devilettes performing with Viva La Fever at Tease-O-Rama 2008. Photo by me. Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

I've had the pleasure of working with Kitten on the Keys at Tease-O-Rama and Exotic World many times, and she is one of the most endearing people on the scene. She's fierce and funny, and has incredible glamour and style. I'm performing with her this coming weekend at Tease-o-Rama, and I can't wait! Photo by Becca Henry for Alarm Magazine. How and when did you come up with the name "Kitten on the Keys"? Kitten on the Keys is the name of a 1922 Novelty Ragtime Song by composer Zev Confrey. The song emulates dozens of furry footed creatures running over a piano keyboard. I sometimes feel I have Many small furry animals running around in my brain PLUS I started in the cabaret world as a Tin Pan Alley Flapper Rock Betty Boopish gal so the era of the song was perfect. I am still very obsessed with the 1920’s flapper era of freedom-bob your hair, raise your skirts, smoke and drink and WEEEE..throw away that corset! I came up with the name sometime in the 1990...

The Uber-Lovable Kitten on the Keys posted these images of Cabaret New Burlesque in Italy, and gave me permission to use them here: Click here to see more of them and to see larger versions!! Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque , for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com .

'From the Tease-O-Rama Convention to the Miss Exotic World Pageant, from Teatro Zinzanni to the stages of Paris, London, and Tokyo, [Kitten on the Keys]'s seen a million places and rocked them all. She’s also been on more TV networks than Brady Bunch re-runs. After the show, she tells me her influences: old Shirley Temple movies, Freddy Mercury, Alice Cooper, Liberace, and singing in her church choir. Yep, this saucy little lady went to church. Who knew?' A Photoessay on San Francisco Cabaret, Vaudeville, and Burlesque