Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque

Above: Me at the Mermaid Parade this past weekend, bringing in the New York School of Burlesque School of Fish. The Mermaid Parade is not strictly a burlesque event, but it's definitely an event cherished by the New York burlesque community. Like Wigstock , it's been a meeting ground for performance artists, drag queens, and people who just love dress-up ( or undress-up) since the 1980s, and, like Wigstock, has fostered a sense of community based on the joy of costuming and playfulness. When I moved to New York permanently in the 90s after years of traveling back and forth between NY and Atlanta, I immediately became devoted to these annual events. It's almost like a family reunion for me! Above: Mermaid Parade, 2006. Tigger, Erochica Bamboo, Laura Herbert, Taylor Mac, Me, Dirty Martini, Francesca. The Burlesque Revival Association in the 2002 Mermaid Parade. Bambi the Mermaid and Bunny Love at Ruby's after the 2002 Mermaid Parade. The Mermaid Parade is produ...