Burlesque reading for when you are physically isolated
Can I just note that I prefer to talk about being physically isolated and distant rather than self isolating. I don’t want to be isolated from my family, friends and my loved community.
So the world has gone crazy, right? It’s heartbreaking to hear of so many people in my networks that have lost loved ones, have people unwell and are quite rightly feeling really scared and anxious.
If you have some down time here are my reading suggestions for something to help you learn more about burlesque’s history and legacy.
I’ve broken this blog post into two parts - one for the books that I think are ‘essential’ for anyone getting started in burlesque or developing an interest.
In next week’s post, I’ll pull out some of the off the grid reading that you might not pick up immediately. Or for everyone that’s read Pretty Things or Behind the Burly Q about 100 times.
Essential Burlesque Books
The Burlesque Handbook by Jo Weldon.
If you spend money on one burlesque book (especially if you are performing or starting to think about performing) this is the one I always recommend. Jo Weldon also has a great website with in depth interviews, tutorials and other resources from her New York School of Burlesque. She is a living legend herself, and an absolute wealth of knowledge that she generously shares with everyone around her. This book includes a great cover of the history of burlesque, but also some practical performing tips - how to peel a glove, a few basic burlesque moves and how to make a pair of pasties!
Pretty Things by Liz Goldwyn
I feel like this is a good all ‘rounder’ book. In Pretty Things Liz Goldwyn focuses really on burlesque in its hey day in the United States. She focuses on some of the real heavy hitters in the industry, like Betty Rowland, Sherry Britton and Zorita. It’s part a history of the era of burlesque, part costume exploration and part interview. I love that it’s in paperback now too!
Behind the Burly Q by Leslie Zemeckis
If you are starting the burlesque game but are a keen history enthusiast, this is the title I would recommend., It has less pretty pictures, but is a more comprehensive history of American burlesque including first hand accounts from the legends in the industry.
Burlesque and the Art of Teese OR Your Beauty Mark by Dita Von Teese
If you are after the most beautiful and luxe of burlesque books you can’t go past Dita Von Teese (hey, there is a reason she’s the Queen). It’s a beautiful gift for someone starting out, because the photos are beautiful and inspiring. Plus there is a great balance of great information and not too much detail. I think it’s like the equivalent of a great coffee table book of burlesque. I’ve just suggested to pick one, because they are on the pricey side. If you are definitely interested in burlesque performance the first option is the best. If you are more of a fan or love the glamour and aesthetics, you might get more out of the latter - which has all of Dita’s best tips and tips from her crew on staying glam at all times.
The League of Exotic Dancers by Kaitlyn Regehr and Matilda Temperley
This is a fairly recent release, and again I’d mark it as a good part way between Pretty Things and Behind the Burly Q. You get some amazing high definition photographs from absolute legends of burlesque as well as some amazing in depth interviews. It also doesn’t duplicate any of my other books in my collection and doesn’t skirt past some of the complexities of the burlesque revival, feminism and discrimination. .