Holy crap-oly! Here I thought I had sent for a little pastie making how-to, and oh my! What a power packed book! I had no idea.
You give so much great information in a condensed, well-written format. It's great. I could have REALLY used your advice a few years ago, but it was incredibly helpful even now. In fact, it made me feel pleased as punch that I see eye to eye with you on so many things.
I will recommend this book to every new performer I meet. Heck, it's good for veteran performers, too, especially if they're moving to a new city. Such great advice and encouragement. And so generous! (All those costume resources, for one thing... but I could go on and on...) So many people hoard their knowledge, which is depressing. I understand the idea of trade secrets, but not telling someone where to get false lashes is just plain sad.
You are a national treasure, and truly the best mentor. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Gina
http://www.myspace.com/_gina_louise
Above: Pasties made using the instructions and patterns in my handbook.
Ebook currently not for sale.
Physical book currently contracted for publication by a major publishing house in 2009.
ABOUT THE HANDBOOK
Learn from the best! The author of this handbook won the 2005 New York Burlesque Festival Award for Best Bump n Grinder and the 2006 New York Burlesque Festival Award for Best Burlesque Teacher and Mentor, and was named Best Teacher by the Villlage Voice in their 2007 "Best of New York" issue in Arts and Entertainment.
GET IN ON THE FUN!
If you've ever been dazzled or inspired by photos of pinups and burlesque queens, this is the book for you! Learn the sexy shimmy, the tantalizing glove peel, the devastating bump n grind, and the dazzling tassel-twirl from an internationally recognized striptease expert with decades of performing experience. Many former students perform in New York at famous burlesque venues. You can, too! Or, you can learn burlesque just to entertain an audience at home!
There is information on how to shop online and in New York for all your costuming needs, plus information about music, props, and themes. This booklet also describes how to make pasties, with patterns for round, heart-shaped, and star-shaped ones, how to decorate them, and how to make the tassels twirl! You'll be able to make pasties for everyone for Christmas, well below the cost of purchasing a pair.
To learn more about the author of this handbook, who has taught hundreds of women and men to make pasties and twirl tassels, visit gstringsforever.com.
Excerpts:
"Choose a song that ends with a flourish rather than one that fades out; a fadeout can be anticlimactic unless you really work it. Ending without some kind of a bang, even if it’s just a wink, is almost invariably a disappointment for the audience. As with every other rule, there are exceptions. My advice is to learn how to follow the rule first, then see what it’s like to break it. That way you’ll discover from your own experience that audiences respond enthusiastically to acts that have actual endings and to performers who use those endings to give them a “tah-dah!” If your song fades out and you wander offstage, you’ll find most audiences will applaud sporadically instead of enthusiastically, wondering if you’re really done."
"In my Professor act, I bring a member of the audience onto the stage with me and teach them how to twirl tassels in a matter of minutes. Often they’ll say that they won’t be able to do it because they’re too flat-chested or too big, yet there they are, twirling for all to see. They may not be able to do it with finesse, and they usually stare down at the tassels in disbelief the entire time, but the applause they get is louder than the applause I get for doing it. After all, the audience expects me to be able to do it!"
"I couldn't think of a better person to teach Burlesque 101"
Angie Pontani of The World Famous Pontani Sisters
"Just wanted to thank you again for the fabulous workshop...through your
helpful lil' guide, I made my own pasties and wore them proudly in my
debut! Thank you so much!
I've had so much
fun with the shows...I've been wanting to do this for years and was too
terrified. Now I'm so happy I did...I feel like a million bucks when I
get off the stage...it's so much fun. And the positive energy from all
the girls in the burlesque scene is amazing...."
Veronica of Danger Dame
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About Burlesque Teacher Jo Weldon:
Titled "Best Teacher" in Arts and Entertainment
In the Village Voice, 2007.
Winner of the New York Burlesque Festival Award for
"Best Burlesque Teacher and Mentor"
Winner of the New York Burlesque Festival Award for
"Best All-Around Bump N Grinder"
Described in the Village Voice as
"Legendary" and "a Class Act"
Described on Nerve.com as
"One of the lights of the burlesque revival"
Let her be your guide to stylish misbehavior!
Click here to see hundreds of free photos of new burlesque performers!
