This week, see ALARM columnist Jo Weldon in Lisa Whitmer‘s playful look into the world of burlesque in her documentary No Strings Attached, featuring Weldon’s glove-and-stocking-peel class.
Culture
Graffiti Japan by Remo Camerota

by Remo Camerota
128 pages, Hardcover, $27.95, MBP
Australian photographer and graffiti enthusiast Remo Camerota made friends with the Japanese graffiti scene via the Internet before traveling there to document its work.
For the Love of Vinyl: The Album Art of Hipgnosis
For the Love of Vinyl: The Album Art of Hipgnosis
by Storm Thorgerson & Audrey Powell
Hardcover, $45, PictureBox
[presently available for $20 directly from Picturebox here]

You have definitely seen the album art of Hipgnosis, the now-revered British design group that created the art for most of your favorite classic records of the 1970s. Houses Of The Holy, Dark Side Of The Moon — both theirs.
Much has been published about the work of Hipgnosis’ co-founders Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, whose photography backgrounds fueled their work. However, For The Love of Vinyl documents over 60 of their projects in detail — offering insight into the environment in which these works were produced. These histories are often as interesting as the album art.
Weekly Burlesque: Dita Von Teese Interview Part I
At Tease-O-Rama 2002, I had a front-row seat for Dita Von Teese‘s performance with her giant moon prop, and you may well resent me for that.
It was a gorgeous performance, with Dita obviously having a good time, and at the end of the number, a cannon shot a shower of silver mylar stars over us, hundreds of which I carried in my camera bag for at least a year after the show.
Lilli Carré Graphic Novel Signing at Quimby’s in Chicago
Join Chicago animator and illustrator Lilli Carré on January 15 at Quimby’s bookstore for a signing of her new graphic novel The Lagoon (Fantagraphics). Carré will also be selling prints and various little handmade book items. The event starts at 7 PM and refreshments will be served.
Believe The Hype: Milk (Starring Sean Penn) is Amazing.
Don’t miss this film. It’s amazing. Read the review here then watch the great documentary on his below. Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna. Directed by: Gus Van Sant.
Omar Vera: Cold Eels and Distant Thoughts
Through January 11, Hyde Park Art Center
Omar is one of my favorite contemporary ceramic artists. This small show features a bad-ass ceramic bust of Jack Johnson, and an absolutely awesome urn illustrating the song “Regulate” by Nate Dogg and Warren G. Don’t miss it.
Weekly Burlesque: Tami Roche

When I was growing up in Atlanta, I saw the strip-joint signs and old burlesque signs; I was also aware of Atlanta’s burlesque star, Tami Roche.
Weekly Burlesque: Panties of the Middle East
He’s got knickers with flashing fairy lights, others that glow in the dark, a bra-and-knickers set shaped like manicured women’s hands enveloping the wearer’s crotch and breasts.
In a slightly higher price range, he’s got remote-controlled bras and knickers, designed to spring open and fall to the floor with a clap of the hands or a press of a button.
Books to Give for the 2008 Holiday Season (Suggested by Online Editor Scott Morrow)
Covering politics, comic books, nude self-portraits, futuristic architecture, and humorous basketball profiles, ALARM lists five awesome books as gift ideas for your musically, artistically, or culturally interesting friends.
Weekly Burlesque: Vigil to End Violence Towards Sex Workers in NYC
Wednesday, December 17th, 7-8pm in the center of Washington Square Park. Carry a red umbrella or wear red.
For more information and events in other cities, keep reading.
