Honey & Spice! Sensual & Fierce Burlesque [DVD] with Jo Weldon [ALL REGIONS] [NTSC]

Created by Jo Weldon, the Headmistress and Founder of the New York School of Burlesque, the program features two burlesque routines set to authentic burlesque music. The emphasis of both routines is on understanding the art of concealing and revealing. While burlesque has its own classic moves and steps, any burlesque routine can be personalized by adding steps from your favorite form of dance or from other variety arts.

The Honey routine is a tantalizing, sensual dance, performed with a feather boa. It is playful, funny, and very graceful. You will learn how to work with the boa, how to peel off your gloves, how to interact with your audience, and how to be sexy and confident on stage.

The Spice routine is based on the burlesque staple, Bump & Grind. It is high-energy, sexy, rhythmic, and glamorous. You will learn different types of bumps, various burlesque walks, and classic burlesque poses. In the Spice routine you will also learn how to project the burlesque attitude, that sexy confidence you need to amaze and charm any audience.

Jo demonstrates the routines and then breaks down each section step-by-step. Every routine consists of 5 combinations. The DVD chaptering allows you to navigate easily between combinations, both in the demonstrations and in the breakdowns, for easy review and practice.

Additional technique and practice sections include a warmup, a sensual burlesque movement series, and the basics of bump & Grind. Jo also discusses burlesque costumes and offers tips for using certain special items of clothing as props: You will learn how to make a theatrical event out of peeling off your stockings and gloves, and taking off your corset. Special DVD Extras demonstrate the basics of Tassel Twirling and show different types of pasties and how to attach them.

Both routines in this program are based on the classic burlesque [striptease] tradition. Jo teaches moves she learned from women who performed burlesque in the 1930s through the 1960s. Jo s fascination with classic burlesque brought her to study with Dixie Evans, Sherry Britton, Tura Satana, Satan's Angel, Dee Milo, Toni Elling, and other legends of burlesque. Jo Weldon is the Co-Executive Director of Education for The Burlesque Hall of Fame, Las Vegas, as well as the Coordinator of The Burlesque Master Class at Coney Island, where the best of New York's amazing neo-burlesque performers come together to present their most outrageous and iconoclastic acts.

By Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California)

(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Jo Weldon aptly describes burlesque as a sophisticated and theatrical art with a long history, and it's a history that will go well into the future, in many forms. Anyone planning on a Broadway musical career should learn what Jo has to teach in this DVD, because sooner or later, they'll need to know. One has only to see the late great Bob Fosse's choreography (Cabaret, etc.) to know what many of his ideas were based on...burlesque!

Jo covers many subjects in this DVD, and teaches 2 routines. The first is Honey, which is smooth and sensual with a feather boa, the 2nd is Spice, which is faster and raunchier because it includes the classic bump and grind moves. Both are demonstrated and broken down step by step for easy absorption, and are simple to learn. It's the style that takes practice, in this art of concealing and revealing.

Jo among her many credits is founder of the New York School of Burlesque. The music used is terrific and very authentic, and is drummer and bandleader Ronnie Magri's Shim Sham Revue- Music of New Orleans Burlesque Shows of the 30s, 40s & 50s

There is a Warm-Up section, and the Extras are excellent, and are on costuming. Stockings (runs are O.K., but the seams better be straight!), corsets, and those special little tassels. You'll learn how to glue `em and move `em. They are demonstrated on a bra, but of course are supposed to be applied to your skin. These days we are used to seeing actresses on the screen in the buff and it is so boring. Jo does much more just taking off a single glove. --amazon.com (US)

5.0 out of 5 stars - Wowzers!, March 22, 2009

By Sizzle Dizzle (New York, NY)

This video is simply fantastic! Jo is the perfect teacher- wise, gentle, and patient. These combinations are a blast to do and really make you feel sexy and sassy. I highly recommend this video for anyone interested in the world of burlesque, stripping and sexual confidence. A definite A+! --amazon.com (US)

5.0 out of 5 stars - Exactly what I was looking for., November 6, 2009

By Typhennie

Amazon Verified Purchase

When I became interested in Burlesque dance, it did not take me long to discover that the vast majority of the instructional DVDs on the subject use the term burlesque as code for modern strip tease. And while I certainly acknowledge that burlesque is often associated with feminine sexuality, I was not interested in cheesy stripper moves.

Fortunately, Jo provides us with exactly the style I was hoping for. She is classy and subtle. I appreciate her emphasis on the smallest details of preforming---how to interact with your audience using your eyes, or the flip of your hands. At first glance, the DVD appears too easy for more experienced dancers, but my advice is to focus on the most subtle movements. A little goes a long way, and you will be amazed at how much you can add to any dance style using techniques provided in this DVD.

The Honey routine requires the use of a boa and gloves as props. I found that a common winter scarf will do in a pinch for learning purposes.

I recommend this DVD to anyone who is interested in preforming on stage, regardless of the style of dance you specialize in. It will add flare and character, and you will ooze sexiness but still understated. Enjoy! --amazon.com (US)