Online Burlesque Classes
Instructor: Jo Weldon
ONLINE CLASSES
In March and April 2026, Jo will be hosting online classes and presentations on Wednesday nights.
Some are free community classes, free with a donation option.
All times are EST.
Currently Scheduled:
*March 18: You Should Write a Book! (Community Class)
*March 25 6 PM Pleasure and the Art of the Eyefuck
*March 25 7.15 PM Sliptease
*April 8 6.30 PM Jonny Porkpie Presents: Who Did The First Striptease? (Community Class)
*April 15 6.15 pm Fringe! with Headmistress Jo
*April 22 6 PMSex Work and Fashion on Film with Headmistress Jo
*April 29 6.30 pm Be Prepared: A Serious System to Help You Get More Gigs Faster with Headmistress Jo
DATES TBA:
*
*Making Pasties and Twirling Tassels
*On Teaching Burlesque (Community Class)
*Feature Dancers: The Missing Link Between Strip Joints and Neo-Burlesque
*If You Must Make a Mess: Managing Liquids, Wax, and Confetti Onstage
*Shopping Online for Burlesque (Community Class)
*Making Your Best Videos for Casting Calls and Festival Applications Community Class)
*Boylesque: The History of a Word (Community Class)
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
FRINGE!
Online on Zoom
April 15, 6-7 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 or lingerie set and two yards of fringe, featuring a mini gogo-dance lesson!
You can just show up to learn, or you can bring two or more yards of fringe to experiment during the class.
Register using the paypal link below. Includes accessible pricing. Click on up/down arrows to view price options.
SCREENED: SEX WORK AND FASHION ON FILM
Postponed, Date in May TBA
Free with a donation option
Live on Zoom
Jo Weldon traces the the intersections of fashion, costumes, culture, and sex work/adult entertainment on film, with a primary focus on the US market. The cultural exchange is undeniable. Beginning in 1894 and closing in the 2020s, this presentation will cover a selection of Jo's research into this topic. Includes: Shoes (1916) Shanghai Express (1932) Primrose Path (1940) The World of Susie Wong (1960) Breakfast at Tiffant's (1961) Irma La Douce (1963) Klute (1971) Coffy (1973) Truck Turner (1974) Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) Working Girls (1986) Pretty Woman (1990) Anora (2024) and many more.
To attend, send an email with the words "SCREENED: SEX WORK AND FASHION ON FILM" to schoolofburlesque@gmail.com. Feel free to include the name of a related film you're curious about!
BE PREPARED, GET GIGS
Postponed, Date in May TBA
Community class, donation-based.
Instructor: Jo Weldon.
Jo Weldon has been involved in developing, curating, and judging shows, festivals, and pageants (including BHoF, which she helped move to Vegas in 2006 and worked on till 2024) for over twenty years. No one else in the burlesque world has been in her position. Her unique knowledge is priceless, and she wants to share it with YOU.
This workshop is about a nested folder organization system that will help you get more gigs, fill out applications, and get repeat bookings from producers. As it is discussed, Jo will share tips on how each element -- photos, music, video, bio, and intro -- should be optimized to get you the results you want.
We will be discussing how to you need to prepare -- from the point of view of the producer. You'll learn how to make this system work for you in a way that makes you irresistible not only to show producers and festival committees, but to journalists and podcasters as well.
Plus, it will make answering every casting call and press opportunity a breeze for you.
To register, send an email with the subject line "Be prepared, get gigs" to schoolofburlesque@gmail.com.
Includes access to Jo's "Get the Gig" 40-page guide and her recorded class "The Business of Burlesque."
PASTIE-MAKING/TASSEL TWIRLING
Date TBA
$30 6 pm
Pastie-Making
Learn the basics of pastie-making! Two techniques will be discussed. You will receive a materials list and shopping guide before the class, or you can refer to the video later. Rhinestoning technique will be demonstrated. If you plan on using the pasties in the next class, unfortunately the glue will be too wet.
April 22, 2026 730 pm $30
TASSELS, ASSELS, AND ANARCHY
Jo Weldon has taught thousands of people of every gender with all kinds of bodies to twirl in every direction! She can even teach people to do things that she can't physically do herself. No one has led more people to the tassel revolution! Even if you already know how, you might learn a thing or two -- or teach a thing or two when we hit gallery view!! (Gallery view will be deleted from the recording for participant anonymity.) You will need pasties in order to twirl along live, or you can study the video later and use it after the pasties you made yourself have dried.
Registration opening soon. To get on the waitlist, send an email with the subject line "Tassels" to schoolofburlesque@gmail.com.
Looking for pre-recorded streaming classes a la carte?
Striptease for Burlesque
Sensual and Fierce Burlesque (Boas, Gloves, and Tassel-Twirling)
Chair Dance
Fan Dance
Free Glove Peel Tutorial on Youtube
About Me:
I'm Jo Weldon, and I love teaching burlesque! I've traveled the world to teach and I'm honored every time a student trusts me with their imagination, energy, and time. I am the Headmistress and Founder of The New York School of Burlesque, Author of The Burlesque Handbook, The Judges' Director at The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender from 2005-2024, Director of the The Master Class in Burlesque at Coney Island, Co-Founder and Former Vice-President at BurlyCon. I was voted one of the most influential performers of the decade from 2010-2020 on 21st Century Burlesque, so you know you'll get a deeply informed and unique experience with me.
