Although some argue whether the art of the striptease is making a comeback or never disappeared in New York City, neo-burlesque grabbed the stage by the spotlight and won't let go. Don't be shy to enter the glittery sparkly world of burlesque, and get an education on the bump-n-grind.
In November, Screen Gems released the film Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Agileria , a story about a mid-western girl who hopped on a bus to LA, accidentally discovered burlesque and became a successful performer.
Even the New York Public Library knows burlesque. On January 8th the NYPL celebrated the birthday of Gypsy Rose Lee, queen of classic burlesque.
Wednesday the 19th John Schaefer host of Soundcheck, got down and dirty with two prominent New York City burlesque performers about neo-burlesque. On this segment, Burlesque Revival, Schaefer shoots the breeze with Jo "Boobs" Weldon and Melody Sweets about the music and dance changes in burlesque throughout the years.
Weldon, is the "head mistress" and a founder of The New York School of Burlesque and author of The Burlesque Handbook. Sweets is an original singing burlesque performer. It is not enough to tease; this gorgeous girl can sing and peel a stocking at the same time. (She even makes her own costumes!)
On the next segment of Soundcheck, The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee, Schaffer follows up Burlesque Revival with a phone interview of author Karen Abbott about the famous Gypsy Rose Lee. Abbott wrote the new biography, American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare, The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee.
On Thursday January 20th, Dita Von Teese appeared on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to spice up the episode. The plot line was not nearly as amazing as Dita Von Teese's sparkling costume. However, we can thank Jerry Bruckheimer for bringing a tasteful sliver of glamorous burlesque to prime time television.