Video of the Week

Take a peek at even more of Jo Boobs' costumes with the video of the week.

Behind The Garter Belt with Jo Boobs

Tanya Cheex shares this interview with Jo "Boobs" Weldon, head mistress of The New York School of Burlesque and "Queen Bee mentor to the nearly naked." Can't make it to New York? Jo's got a new instructional video out.

What is the importance of costuming to the burlesque performance.? Do you come up with the act or the costume first?
It depends. With characters I usually come up with the act first, but with classic numbers it's often a costume idea that originates the number.

When did you realize that your costumes had to be custom made and not off the rack?
I made costumes for feature dancers in the 1990s, and when I was a feature dancer I made my own. We weren't allowed to wear things that came off the rack. so I've always known.

What inspirations do you draw from?
Lounge and heavy metal music, cartoons, and political agendas.

Do you get inspired from vintage burlesque photography or performers?
Absolutely! The white costume for my Honey Harlow Tribute is based on the clip from the film Lenny. My Sherry Britton tribute number was made with her consulting on the design and Garo Sparo working out the details. But I like to see classic bits in even the most neo-numbers. It connects us to our filthy-minded forebears and the history we are fortunate to repeat.

What are your favorite costumes that you've made? What was the most challenging?
Godzilla, by far. Making the tail was the best part. I was working on it while I was bartending at a place called Bellevue in Hell's Kitchen, and one day a guy named Troy came in and gave me a mask he'd made for the owner. I started talking to him and it turned out he was involved in major costuming. We ended up designing the tail surrounded by the heads of the rats from the Nutcracker and the actual wings from Victoria's Secret fashion shows. Always accept help when it's offered!

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while making something?
Making Bambi's lobster costume, I laughed continuously.

What materials do you get the most excited about working with?
Weird fabrics and beaded fringe.

Explain the importance of closures and fastenings on costumes for the burlesque artist?
It has to work. It has to be fun for the audience to watch you undo it. And you have to rehearse it, and you have to check every time before you go on to make sure all your fasteners are in good working order.

What tips can you offer those who aren't crafty? What one Jo Boobs secret can you divulge?
Always carry a sewing kit, repairing costumes is part of the gig.

If you had an unlimited budget what would you make? The sky's the limit!
Something like Mistinguette

What batteries fuel an outfit? Charisma? Smile?
Sometimes batteries -- but understanding that costuming IS choreography is a plus.

Where can we learn to make our own costumes?
You can learn from my handbook which is coming out this year!

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Dita Von Teese is glad the Pussycat Dolls turned to music. She told Inked that "I think it's really great they decided to become a pop group and they've left the pseudo-burlesque alone. It drives me crazy when the media or groups like the Pussycat Dolls try to sanitize and take away the sexual and nudity aspects of burlesque. I'm sorry, but if you're not up there taking your clothes off and dancing around in pasties and a G-string, it's not burlesque."

In other news ...

In Denver, Reyna Von Vett and Michelle Baldwin presenting two distinct burlesque shows in tandem, using mostly the same chorus girls.

Mmmmm.... Showgirl cupcakes.

How To Burlesque

In our monthly column How To Burlesque, Miss Frankie Tease brings you tips and advice on a mishmash of burly topics. Today, she dishes on how to warm-up while on stage.

After a major injury to my hamstring, I can tell you that warming up is the most important thing you can do for yourself before performing. Take 30 seconds to do this right before going on stage.

Breathe deeply through your nose and think about your four major muscle groups -- the chest, legs, back and stomach. Here are a couple warm-ups per muscle group to get you started.

Chest warm-ups: Hold your arms straight out and do mini circles, put arms straight overhead while clasping hands and wiggling your middle.

Leg warms-ups: Go down into a complete squat. Watch that your knees are pointed the same direction of your toes. Standing in place, bend one knee fully while straightening the other (this also hits the hip flexors). Do this at least 10 times per side.

Back warm-ups: Make a figure 8 with your hips. Try reaching with your shoulders while doing this.

Stomach warm-ups: Roll your stomach while tucking your pelvis in, and then tailbone out do this about 10 times.

Video of the Week

This week's a double feature with two tribute videos to Lili St. Cyr.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

All The News That's Fit To Strip

"What goes together better than cupcakes and boobies?" wondered Silona Bonewald, one of the organizers of the Pastries and Pasties cupcake contest and burlesque show at the technology conference South by Southwest Interactive. Apparently not much. The pairing was a sweet-and-sassy hit and the line to get in wrapped around the block.

In other news ...

Lady GaGa, who used to work as a burlesque dancer, keeps getting in trouble for her skimpy outfits.

OnMilwaukee.com celebrates their first-ever Sex Week with the top 10 stripper songs.

Portland rediscovers pasties.