Signs of Scott Ewalt by Jo Weldon (Part 1)

Burlesque signs have always rocked my world. As a child, every time I saw a burlesque sign on a lounge I got an illicit thrill, imagining women of impossible repute removing stockings with a knowing wink. I could picture the heavy lashes, the big hair, the chiffon robes. I was

Continue reading

Performance Archetypes: The Half-and-Half

While I’ve yet to find conclusive proof of its origin, the Half-and-Half—in which a solo performer utilizes clever, vertically divided costuming and skillful choreography to create the illusion of a duet—has long been a staple of classic burlesque performance. Most commonly associated with dichotomous male/female numbers (like Zorita’s racy “Bride & Groom,” top),

Continue reading

Pretty Things to Be Released in Paperback!

Full disclosure: My publisher, HarperCollins, is also Liz Goldwyn‘s publisher, as well as Dita Von Teese’s. HarperCollins KNOWS burlesque! But I bought Liz’s book before I ever had a book contract, and it is spectacular. It is one of the most amazing books you’ll find on the subject of mid-20th

Continue reading