Jo Weldon

Jo Weldon
Weldon at Miss Exotic World 2009
Born	1962
Nationality	American
Other names	Jo Boobs
Occupation	Burlesque Performer, Author, Photographer,
Website	schoolofburlesque.com

Jo Weldon (1962-), commonly known as Jo Boobs or Jo Boobs Weldon, is a performer, photographer, author, activist, educator, and essayist based in New York City. Weldon’s body of work centers around stripping and striptease. She established and runs the New York School of Burlesque and wrote The Burlesque Handbook, the first manual ever published on how to create classical and neo-burlesque routines. Weldon is active in the burlesque community, contributing her knowledge and experience to projects and collaborations. Though she now works in the theatrical world of burlesque Weldon has never lost the influence of, and inspiration from lap dancing and strip clubs. She continues to work as an advocate for sex worker rights and freedom of sexual expression.

Weldon began performing retro striptease at Rocky Horror while still in high school. She worked full-time as a stripper from the time she left high school in 1980 until 1995, as well as doing nude poetry readings during that time. Inspired by the fierceness and outlaw energy of ‘undomesticated women’, she occasionally took on short term stints in strip clubs after that time. She worked in a variety of clubs from high to low end. She became a touring feature dancer for strip joints and fetish clubs 1990 -1994, and a Fetish Performer and Actress, 1997 - 2005. Weldon did her first fan dance at The Battle of the Cheetah Girls in 1991. Weldon also spent many years as a glam metal and heavy metal groupie, touring with bands. She speaks publicly about being an alcoholic and drug addict in recovery. After moving to New York in 1997 Weldon decided to take part in burlesque shows she saw at The Blue Angel and Coney Island and was inspired by performances from Angie Pontani, Bambi the Mermaid and Remy Vicious. Weldon's academic career includes a degree in Business Administration, with her graduate work in media ethics. During her internships she worked writing summaries of House of Representatives activities and writing scripts for CNN.