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News and Events

 

Jo will be lecturing and touring with her book beginning in June! Events are being added every week. See details below. If you'd like to invite her to lecture or do an event in your town, please email.  Since 2015, Jo's expertise on the topic of leopard print has been featured in Mental Floss, The Financial Times, The New York Times, The Guardian, Parade, Stylist UK, CNN, Racked.com, and many, many more media outlets. She is available for event hosting, illustrated lectures, academic lectures, book readings and signings, burlesque classes, and performances.
 
Author contact: fierce@historyofleopardprint.com
 
 
Weekly at the New York School of Burlesque!
See calendar for burlesque class details at
http://www.schoolofburlesque.com
 
 
 
Jo will be performing burlesque and selling signed copies of her books in Brooklyn on Valentine's Day. The spectacular show includes circus, burlesque, and variety!
Details and tickets
 
Jo will be in Baltimore for three events, including an illustrated lecture and book signing at Red Emma's!
https://redemmas.org/events
 
 
Jo will be presenting an illustrated lecture at The National Arts Club in Manhattan on March 8.
Details
 
 
 
Listen to Jo on Dressed Podcast:
🐆 RAWR! 🐆
https://www.dressedpodcast.com/podcasts/fierce-a-history-of-leopard-print-an-interview-with-jo-weldon.htm
Get Fierce with Jo Summer 2019!
A Fierce Night at Lucky Bar!
168 Avenue B, NYC 10009
Sunday, July 21, 2019, 6:00 PM -  8:00 PM
Join us for an early evening celebrating Jo Weldon and her fantastic book Fierce: The History of Leopard Print! After one of her School of Burlesque Sunday classes, Jo will be hanging out at Lucky, doing a bartending cameo, selling and signing copies of the book AND rocking some fierce leopard print, of course! There will be ridiculous themed drink specials, including a Fierce Cocktail. And the most outrageously dressed will win a FREE copy of Jo's book! We can't wait to see what you all wear!
http://www.luckyonb.com/events
The History of Leopard Print:
An Author Event with Jo Weldon
Desmond Fish Library
472 Route 403, Garrison, NY 10524
Thursday, July 25, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
"Leopard print attire is encouraged!," says Jo Weldon, author of Fierce: The History of Leopard Print (Harper Collins 2019).  Join us (in your leopard print) for a book signing and illustrated lecture.
 

 
2019
 
More events will be added in January!
 
March 8 2019
National Arts Club, NYC
Fashion Fridays
 
These days leopard print is so common that we take it for granted, but it remains one of the most controversial topics in fashion, equally denounced and adored. The term “leopard print” no longer refers simply to the pattern of a big cat being represented on fabric. From being the sole province of kings and warriors, it has become a fashion staple for people in every walk of life. It now signifies a wide range of conflicting implications, depending on who wears it and where they wear it. Because it was created in nature, it can never be purely cultural, but pop culture has imbued it with impact no one could have imagined 100 years ago. No matter how common the print becomes, it never loses its bite! This illustrated lecture will trace leopard print’s path through modern fashion and celebrate some of its fiercest wearers.
 
Jo Weldon is the author of Fierce: The History of Leopard Print (HarperCollins 2018). Her experience with the print spans the worlds of fashion, rock n roll, and the performing arts. She is the Headmistress at the New York School of Burlesque and tours the world performing and teaching, as well as being a field instructor at Playwrights Horizons at Tisch School of the Arts. Her leopard print lectures and events have been featured in Mental Floss, Racked, The Financial Times, and the New York Times, as well as in magazines in London, Dubai, Ukraine, and Helsinki. She has worked as a harm reduction advocate, presenting media analyses at conferences and lobbying at the UN to promote diverse perspectives on women’s issues. She is currently advocating the conservation of big cats and their habitats to promote ethical fashion. She lives in New York City.
 
http://www.nationalartsclub.org/fashion
 
 
 
 
PAST EVENTS
 
 
May 22 2018
Utopia / Dystopia: Fashion, Gender, and the Feline Divine
Tue 22 May, 7.00 pm
Publisher's Bookshop, New York, 22nd Street
The series Utopia / Dystopia, co-presented with Morbid Anatomy, continues with an exploration of the history of leopard print and its evolution as one of the most popular prints in western fasion. Author Jo Weldon will discuss its impact on womenswear and how the lineage of divinity, royalty, and warriors has influenced the style of contemporary divas, a new perspective on a much-misunderstood domestic goddess.
Jo Weldon is the author of ‘Fierce: The History of Leopard Print’ (HarperCollins, June 2018). Her experience with the print spans the worlds of fashion, rock ‘n’ roll, and the performing arts. She is the Headmistress at the New York School of Burlesque and tours the world performing and teaching. She is also a field instructor at Playwrights Horizons at Tisch School of the Arts. Her leopard print lectures and events have been featured in Mental Floss, Racked, The Financial Times, and the New York Times, as well as in magazines in London, Dubai, Ukraine, and Helsinki. She has worked as a harm reduction advocate, presenting media analyses at conferences and lobbying at the UN to promote diverse perspectives on women’s issues. She is currently advocating for the conservation of big cats and their habitats to promote ethical fashion. She lives in New York City.
https://www.hauserwirth.com/events/16236-utopia-dystopia-fashion-gender-feline-divine
https://www.hauserwirth.com/
 
 
June 26 2018
After four years of research and writing, the book officially drops!
This is the first time signed copies will be available!
Book signing begins at 7PM.
Doors at 7:30, show at 8PM.
Entrance to the signing is free. Entrance to the burlesque show is $10, including refreshments, with all proceeds going directly to benefit Housing Works.
Jo Weldon's illustrated lectures on leopard print have been celebrated in US and international press, including Mental Floss, the Financial Times, and the New York Times. Her hotly anticipated book, based on those presentations, will be available for the first time at this event on June 26th!
An internationally recognized performer, Headmistress and Founder of the New York School of Burlesque, she cordially invites you to celebrate the launch of her brand new book FIERCE: A History of Leopard Print with an evening of burlesque in our intimate bookstore. You will also get an exclusive peek into Jo's personal collection of leopard print items, shop from a specially curated selection from our Thrift Stores, and mix and mingle with fellow leopard print lovers. Feel free to wear your wildest!
Hosted by Jo Weldon!
Performers include:
Cheeky Lane, Downtown Superstar
Jonny Porkpie, Burlesque Mayor of NYC
Mr. Gorgeous, Mr. Exotic World 2013
Perle Noire, The Mahogany Queen of Burlesque
Medianoche, Miss Exotic World/Queen of Burlesque 2017
Corvette LeFace, Hottest Freshman 2014
Heather Litteer Domination, Chanteuse
The Selfie Cats
& more TBA! 
FIERCE is a bold, fascinating chronicle of one of the world’s most controversial neutral: leopard print. Weldon vividly traces the history of the iconic print from its inception as a textile and its use as a royal status symbol to its popularization by flappers, rock stars, and high profile women, and explains its contemporary appeal. Featuring gorgeous black-and-white and full-color images, FIERCE is a one-of-a-kind book and an absolute must-have for lovers of fashion, celebrity, history, pop culture, and cats.
No ticket required for booking signing. Show follows book signing.
Every dollar of your $10 show purchase benefits Housing Works.
Housing Works' Mission: "Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."
https://www.housingworks.org/events/jo-weldon
 
 
 
July 16 2018
Magers and Quinn Book Event in Minneapolis
https://www.magersandquinn.com/index.php?main_page=event
 
 
 
August 3, 2018
NEW YORK
7 pm Book Presentation and Signing
Featuring an illustrated lecture
And a mini-museum of leopard print
Followed by
9 pm Fireworks on the Beach!
Followed by
10 pm Cathouse!
Jo Weldon's Cat-Themed Birthday Show Marathong
Featuring:
Aurora BoobRealis, Bambi the Mermaid, Calamity Chang, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Dirty Martini, Jezebel Express, Jonny Porkpie, Kim Boekbinder, Little Brooklyn, Sizzle Dizzle, Tigger!, Trinity Starlight, and Velocity Chyaldd! Plus our slinky stage kitten, Veronica Viper!
Details and Tickets:
https://www.coneyisland.com/programs/burlesque-beach
 
 
August 10 and 11
SAN DIEGO, CA
Symposium and Book Signing
These days leopard print is so common that we take it for granted, but it remains one of the most controversial topics in fashion, equally denounced and adored. The term “leopard print” no longer refers simply to the pattern of a big cat being represented on fabric. From being the sole province of kings and warriors, it has become a fashion staple for people in every walk of life. It now signifies a wide range of conflicting implications, depending on who wears it and where they wear it. Because it was created in nature, it can never be purely cultural, but pop culture has imbued it with impact no one could have imagined 100 years ago. No matter how common the print becomes, it never loses its bite! This illustrated lecture will trace leopard print’s path through modern fashion and celebrate some of its fiercest wearers.
Tiki Oasis
 
 
 
August 13, 6-8.30 pm
LOS ANGELES
An Intimate Salon
at Tangles Salon!
3417 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
An intimate meet n greet with the author.
Books available to purchase and have signed!
Light refreshments and Q n A.
https://www.facebook.com/tanglesmanhattanbeach/
 
 
August 25 
DENVER (Jo's Hometown!)
Daytime
Lecture, Fashion Show, and Book Signing at Denver Modernism
http://www.denvermodernism.com
Nighttime
Performing Burlesque at Clocktower Cabaret!
Shows at 8 pm and Midnight!
http://www.clocktowercabaret.com/calendar-d81b
 
 
 
August 27, 7 pm
DENVER
Reading and Signing
Tattered Cover
1628 16th Street 80202
Jo Weldon, author of The Burlesque Handbook, will appear at this historic bookstore to discuss and sign Fierce: The History of Leopard Print ($24.99 Harper Design), a lush compendium illustrated with full-color images chronicling the history of one of the world's most beloved fashion patterns--leopard print--celebrating its beauty and place in couture, and the women who have dared to wear it.
In nature, the distinctive markings on big cats served as camouflage, helping them to blend into their surroundings when hunting prey. Unlike these magnificent predators, humans have donned this distinctive animal pattern to be noticed; leopard print demands an audience. Jo Weldon, author of the first-ever book devoted to the history of leopard print, reveals how this sexy, playful, decadent, and vibrant pattern once reserved for royalty came into vogue and became a staple of fashion.
Can't make it to the signing? Request an autographed copy here: books@tatteredcover.com
 
 
September 27-30, NYC
Jo will be selling and signing her book at the 16th Annual New York Burlesque Festival!
http://thenewyorkburlesquefestival.com/
 
October 19, NYC
Jo will be the featured speaker on opening night of "Fashion Now and Then" at Lim College.
http://lim.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/fnt/
 
 
Late October 2018 Prague and Berlin, Details TBA
EUROPE
https://www.bohemianburlesquefestival.com/
 
November 10
SEATTLE, WA
Jo will be doing a book signing in the library at BurlyCon.
http://www.burlycon.org
 
 
November 14
SEATTLE, WA
Jo will be presenting an illustrated lecture on the history of leopard print, followed by a book signing at Elliott Bay Book Company.
https://www.elliottbaybook.com/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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