Home of The Burlesque Handbook

CONEY ISLAND MASTER CLASS
The Coney Island Masterclass is unlike any Act Development series int he world!
You'll be led through all the steps of creating a burlesque routine, from creating a stage name, choosing music, assembling a costume, and more! The class will feature guest speakers that include some of the most respected and awarded performers in burlesque. And best of all, it takes place in Coney Island, with a showcase on the legendary Burlesque at the Beach stage!
Open for registration now! This class can sell out, so register as soon as you're sure you're interested.
Details

ESSENTIAL BURLESQUE
Sundays at 1 PM
In-Person in NYC
Instructor: Headmistress Jo Weldon
This month-long series runs 9 times a year.
June/Juluy Registration Open Now!
Sundays, 1-2:45 pm
This is the introduction to burlesque you've been looking for!
In this month-long series you'll discover the distinctive props and techniques of burlesque! Learn how to do an unforgettable striptease, a seductive chair dance, a fabulous fan dance, and a titillating tassel-twirl -- using our props and your own clothing.
You'll do a full routine the very first day, using your own clothing! All in a supportive and playful environment.
Details and Registration

BURLESQUE IMPROV AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Mondays, In-Person in NYC
Drop-in
Get Moving with Gigi Holliday!
January Registration is Open Now!
Gigi will teach you basic burlesque moves and get you into showgirl form in this introductory class! Designed for all levels, it's the perfect way to begin your journey into this sexy and playful performing art.
Dress for movement and comfort, heels optional.
Registration and Details

THE WILD WITHIN
Tuesdays, In-Person in NYC
Instructor: Miss Aurora BoobRealis
Step into a bigger bolder version of yourself! This class begins with a sensual and playful warm up to get you in the mood. Then through movement exercises, fun theater games and easy to learn choreography you will discover/uncover your own version of sexy and connect with your erotic power.
Details and Registration

KITTEN HEELS
Wednesdays, Online on Zoom
Series or Drop-in
Instructor: Edie Nightcrawler
Ready to give burlesque a try?
This class makes burlesque easy, with accessible moves for beginners with no dance experience. You'll learn burlesque style and movement, and you'll learn a full routine with the opportunity (but not the requirement) of performing in a live student showcase in NYC!
Details and Registration.

A HISTORY OF LEOPARD PRINT
June 29, 8 pm, Online
The leopard is an apex predator: powerful, adaptable, and impossible to domesticate. Leopard print is an apex fashion statement: powerful, fluid in meaning, and impossible to ignore. From being the most prized insignia of kings and warriors, to a pop culture fashion staple that is so common we now take it for granted, this is the story of leopard print, and how a pattern adapted by nature has never lost its bite.
Details and Tickets

PRIVATE PARTIES
Looking for something unique to add to your bachlorette, birthday, or other celebration? Check out our private party offerings!
Details and Pricing

ALL OF THE CLASSES ABOVE ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION.
The previous classes listed below are provided to give you a sense of other offerings the school periodically provides. Join our email lsit, in the left hand column of this page, to be notified when new classes are available.

Previously recorded class: IF YOU MUST MAKE A MESS
Let's discuss the pros and cons of making a mess onstage! Jo will give tips on how to prepare the stage and backstage for various pours, how to talk to producers and venues about them, and various approaches to cleaning up after them. We'll talk about the logistics of using confetti, fake blood, bath shows, and more; as well as how to use tarps, towels, and kiddie pools. Learn from Jo Weldon, who spent decades making huge messes on strip joint stages and never left a drop behind -- because she would have gotten her ass kicked if she did.
Watch online!
Find more pre-recorded classes at BurlyPod and at World Dance New York.
Find links to FREE articles, resources, and videos at our blog.

Burlesque-Curious?
Check out our free articles!

WHAT I WORE TO WORK

Jo Weldon's long-anticipated one-woman show -- part memoir, part fashion history -- continues in 2025!
More Information

JO WELDON'S BURLESQUE BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!
Announcement coming soon
Details and Tickets

PAST CLASSES AND EVENTS
Join our email list to be notified when any of these are offered again!

PLEASURE AND THE ART OF THE EYEFUCK
Special Event
March 25, 6 pm EST, Online on Zoom
Jo's world-famous workshop is all about the Mutual Gaze!
Struggling with eye contact? Learn to revel in it!
Flirt. Seduce. Devastate. Talk dirty with your eyes. Convey deep sexual confidence through eye contact, body language, stillness, and breathing exercises. Discover the power of being motivated by your own pleasure and joy. This is a playful, erotic, and penetrating class. Not for the faint of heart! Not a dance class, but wear clothes that feel good and in which you can move.
SLIPTEASE
March 25, 7.15 PM, Online on Zoom
Learn how to reveal with the greatest of tease. This workshop will take you to a new level by addressing the key to a great routine: knowing the logistics of your costume.
Details and Registration

THE FIRST STRIPTEASER
Online on Zoom
Wed Apr 8th at 6:30pm EST
With Jonny Porkpie
It's the greatest mystery of burlesque: who brought striptease to the stage? Who did the deed that some claim ruined the art form for all time? This illustrated investigation digs into historical newspaper clippings, reviews, pinup photos, and even video, delving deep into the history from the Jazz Age to the Gilded Age to track down the culprit.
Details and Registration

You should write a book!
March 18, 6.30 pm EST, live online on Zoom
Special event! One time only
Jo Weldon, author of a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-burlesque-handbook-jo-weldon?variant=32122808369186">The Burlesque Handbook and Fierce: The History of Leopard Print, presents a one-hour workshop on how to write a book, including pratical advice and manifestation rituals to get you going and keep you going, as well as what goes into selling a book for traditional publishing.
To register, send an email with the words "You should write a book"" in the subject line to schoolofburlesque@gmail.com.

LAP DANCE PARTY
Instructors: Peekaboo Pointe and Headmistress Jo Weldon
You'll get tips on what to wear, how to create an atmosphere, how to choose music, and how to do the moves that devastate! Students will perform lap dances for each other in a playful and supportive environment.
Details and Registration

TRAPLESQUE WITH ZYRA LEE VANITY
One time only, September 17 2023!
Zyra will teach you how to own all of that as well as do the burlesque basics (such as bumping and grinding), but to trap music! This class is choreography based and is designed to help you bring out your inner bad and bougie traplesque goddess.
Details and Registration

BURLESQUE FOR POLE
SOLD OUT
August 27, 6.30 - 8 pm $40
At Everybody's Nimble
Burlesque and pole dance make great partners!
Learn how to use techniques of audience connection, mindful body presentation, and tease to make your pole performances even more memorable.
Dress for pole, and bring a robe or button-down shirt.
This class works for all levels, as you will begin by doing your favorite moves and Jo will help you add a layer of burlesque style and movement to what you already know how to do.
SOLD OUT
Details and Registration

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS WITH MISS POISON IVORY
JULY 22, 2023
Miss Exotic World 2016, Miss Poison Ivory, will be presenting TWO special workshops in July!
Finesse That Floor Show is designed to equip participants with the skills and finesse needed to dazzle audiences in a mesmerizing floor show performance.
In Dare To Be Sexy will you'll learn how to captivate your audience in ways that have nothing to do with fancy costumes or clever themes. Details and Registration

A HISTORY OF LEOPARD PRINT
July 28, 5.30 pm, Online
The leopard is an apex predator: powerful, adaptable, and impossible to domesticate. Leopard print is an apex fashion statement: powerful, fluid in meaning, and impossible to ignore. From being the most prized insignia of kings and warriors, to a pop culture fashion staple that is so common we now take it for granted, this is the story of leopard print, and how a pattern adapted by nature has never lost its bite.
Details and Tickets

FRINGE!
Online on Zoom
Wed April 15, 6:15 PM EST
Headmistress Jo Weldon will discuss her two favorite types of fringe, chainette and beaded, with tips on shopping for fringe and application of fringe to costume pieces. You'll also learn how to make tassels and earrings. Finally, you'll get full instructions on draping and assembling a quick gogo costume with a bikini and two yards of fringe, featuring a mini gogo-dance lesson!
You can just show up, or you can bring two or more yards of fringe to experiment during the class.
Registration

CORSET DISCOVERY
July 29 2023, 1:45-2:45
Curious about corsets but don't know where to start?
Tried corsets and found them intimidating?
Just love corsets and want to know more?
This is for you! With three decades of experience wearing and performing in and out of corsets, Jo Weldon has the expert knowledge you need to successfully navigate the confusing world of lacing up.
Covers: Shopping for corsets, Sizing, Busk vs Zipper front, Laces, Embellishing, Getting into Corsets, Getting out of Corsets, and more!
You will learn how to make removing a corset onstage a glamourous event instead of an awkward struggle.
All bodies welcome!
Bring your own corsets if you like!
Registration and Details

MASTER CLASS IN BURLESQUE AT CONEY ISLAND
Sign up for 2025 coming soon.
There's no burlesque class in the world like the Coney Island Master Class Series! Spend six weeks with the author of a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-burlesque-handbook-jo-weldon?variant=32122808369186">The Burlesque Handbook, Headmistress Jo Weldon of the New York School of Burlesque, while she teaches you how to create a themed burlesque number the Coney Island way. This unique class is taught in the Museum at CIUSA. You'll learn how to come up with ideas on a theme, pick the best possible music, bring together a costume on a budget, how to make pasties, and how to twirl tassels -- taught in front of funhouse mirrors!
You'll develop your number and your choreography with an ace team of guest speakers, featuring some of the best burlesque performers in the world. Speakers TBA, but regular participants have included Dirty Martini, Angie Pontani, Gal Friday, Bambi the Mermaid, Fem Appeal, Tigger!, Miss Coney Island, and many others at the top of the burly game. Best of all, you'll get to finish the series with a performance at the legendary Sideshows by the Seashore! There will be homework and video assignments to watch for discussion, related to class material. All styles of burlesque welcome, from disturbing performance art to sultry glamour. Open to all genders, ages, and bodies.
Culminates in a student showcase performance on July 31 on Coney Island's famous Sideshow stage!
Details and Registration

JO WELDON RECEIVES A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
March 6 2023 at Merkin Hall, Lincoln Center
"The GANYC Apple Awards celebrate those who make New York City great! Over a dozen awards are given out each year to individuals & organizations from across our five boroughs. In addition to these main nominated categories below, we also award a Lifetime Achievement Award to Jo Weldon, a NYC burlesque legend, and our Guiding Spirit Award, which will go to Susan Birnbaum!"
Details

The NY School of Burlesque combines direct training from the most glamourous performers of the 1940s-1960s with the freshness, mischief and creativity of the most prolific neo-burlesque scene in the world! All of our instructors are working, internationally-known professional performers, and our environment is warm, supportive, and inclusive. We offer a wide range of classes for entertainment, exercise, or training to perform, depending on your level of interest. Plus, you can request a private class for you and your friends at any time!