Learn from the first… and the best! For the fifth blockbuster year, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Finishing School offers rare, hands-on workshops with Living Legends of the art of Burlesque. These classes are a special opportunity to learn directly from seasoned performers and headliners, each of whom has her own unique perspective on the art, and shares directly from her own experience.

Produced by the BurlyCon Burlesque Educational Convention, offerings are curated by Hall of Fame Co-Directors of Education, Jo “Boobs” Weldon (New York School of Burlesque) and Miss Indigo Blue (Seattle Academy of Burlesque), and in the past have included workshops with such notable stars as Big Fannie Annie (2009 & 2011), the late Candy “Baby” Carmello (2010), Dee Milo (2009), the late Joan Arline (2011), Tiffany Carter (2011), Marinka (2008 & 2011), April March (2011), Satan’s Angel (2010), Toni Elling (2009), the late Tura Satana (2008), and Wild Cherry (2008).
 This year’s Burlesque Hall of Fame Finishing School classes offer the perfect opportunity for devotees of the Art of Burlesque to expand their knowledge.

Please Note: Unless otherwise indicated, classes are $45/each and will be held in the VIP room of The Big Easy Lounge at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1
1-2p
The Art of Performing with Ostrich Feather Fans with Jean Idelle
What is more alluring than a dance with Ostrich feather fans? Learn what goes in to choosing music for fan dances, the tricks to clothing removal while manipulating fans, how fan size affects choreography, and ask Jean YOUR questions about her performance experience and style! Jean worked the fans with grace on the burlesque circuit from 1950 to 1960, performing all over the US and Canada. Featured in Jet, Hue, and Our World magazine, Jean was a featured attraction at Minsky’s Rialto Theatre in Chicago!

2:30-3:30p
Beginner Burlesque with Canada ‘s Legend of Burlesque, Judith Stein 
Need we say more? This class includes work on posture, presentation, glove removal and stocking peels. Students will need to bring: High heels, long gloves, a pair of thigh high stockings, bra and panties or a leotard, and a man’s button-down shirt.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2
10:30-11:30a
Stocking Tease with Ellion Ness
Ellion dazzled everyone in her first returning performance. She excels at owning the stage with beautiful struts and sweeping cape work, but it’s her smooth stocking work that won hearts. Learn about the silky slithery sexy stocking peels. Bring your own stockings and be prepared to seduce!

12-1pm
Body Talk with Bambi Jones
Striptease is a language you can learn how to speak! Bambi Jones is a a legend of 1950s burlesque, with humor and sass that add up to class! Learn how to make your body talk with moves like Bambi’s famous breakfast bump n grind as seen in The New York Times, onstage at The New York Public Library, and in The Burlesque Handbook.

1:30-2:30pm
Burlesque on the Wild Side with Camille 2000
Learn how to walk, move, and costume yourself to bring out the passion in your burlesque! As Camille showed when she mounted the stage at the Orleans in 2010, even the most elegant fan dance has more impact when you move with feline power and high energy. She will walk you through a few of her signature moves so you can feel the fire, and teach you about fierce attitude so you can develop your own signature moves.

3-4p
Balletic Burlesque with Val Valentine “Cupid’s Cutie”
Carriage, posture, and elegance are always important in Burlesque, even when doing a non-traditional number! Val will teach you how to bring this in to your routine, using her background in Ballet. From how you cross the stage, to how you remove a glove, her movement vocabulary will help you develop a poised and sensuous presence onstage!