I learned how to take off my clothes!

Jo Weldon has burlesque classes; actually, she has a whole damn School of Burlesque. Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending her The Art of A-Peel: Glove and Stocking Removal and Costuming and Choreography classes. I believe it was the first time in my whole life someone actually gave me instructions on how to take it off, and I've been removing my clothing for my whole life; I've been removing it professionally for 13 years now.

The class was fabulous. There were seven women in attendance, some of whom had never so much as seen a burlesque show in their lives. Yet they all enthusiastically followed Jo's detailed instructions on how to control movement, present your body, and involve the senses in the simple act of peeling a glove from the arms and hands. I also really appreciated how she taught the way to unsnap garters and remove stockings in a visually appealing manner as actual dance moves and an essential part of stripping choreography. She argues for the legitimacy of exotic dance, burlesque, and striptease as forms of dance with codified moves, something I agree with in principle, but her classes really put it in action.

Anyone watching an experienced dancer performing a classic striptease understands they're seeing something thought out and choreographed. It's very different from the more spontaneous dancing we do on stage in a strip club, but stripping has its own list of moves that are common to dancers all over the country. I don't know what the names are -- what do we call it when we put our hands on our knees and toss our hair? And when we spin backwards around a pole holding on with one hand? -- but you see the same moves used over and over.

I suppose that makes modern stripping more of a folk style, since it's not taught formally in dance class but informally, on the job, as you need to learn. I sure would have loved to have someone teach me movement, though. It would have lessened the period of time I was an awkward new girl. For any strippers passing through Manhattan, I endorse the School of Burlesque classes. They're fun and useful. And tax-deductible continuing education!

Will Strip For These



Oh yes, yes I will.

From the fabulous folks who brought you lucky Austinites Burlesque for Peace and Burlesque the Vote, coming this October 12-13:



The Texas Burlesque Festival is a two-day hoedown and showdown celebrating the raucous revival of burlesque, vaudeville and the accompanying et cetera.

Aimed at (but not exclusive to) the growing Southern community of ecdysiasts, this weekend overflows with opportunities to refine your bump and grind including parties, a panel discussion, and performances. So pack your pistols and your pasties—it's gonna be [a] wild ride!

I'm planning on being in Austin for this, probably performing at some point, and I hope everyone spreads the word throughout the state.

I loved the Burlesque for Peace shows because they aren't full of professional or polished performers, rather, often it was the first time for some of those performers to dance in public. It's a very DIY burlesque, if you will, coming from a bunch of Burning Man attendees who like to make their own entertainment. I did sometimes get nervous that they'd get busted for nip/g-string slips, but every one of those shows was great fun.

This should bring in some really varied talent, though -- it should be a fabulous mix of fancypants troupes with great choreography, Lone Star performance art, and amateur stripping. Texas has some very gifted performers on the fringe (and wearing fringe) who don't get nearly enough opportunities to come together.

Oh, and the big Saturday night show will be at Antone's. I wonder if they can do anything about that stage?