You know one of my favorite pole dancers of all time is Pantera. She is a good friend of Bel and Twirly Girls and she's always very patient with me when I'm begging for her to answer my questions or give me an interview.
One of Pantera's signature moves is walking on the ceiling, which is generally preceded by the "Death Lay." That is, she gets on the freaking ceiling and just lays on it like she was born to be there. The DEATH LAY. I never had a name for it until Amber Kittle (California Pole Dance Champion for 2009) mentioned it. She is also known for this super dangerous but amazing move. Check out Amber starting her Pole Show LA 2012 routine in a death lay:
Anyway, I've been harassing Pantera about various topics and I bring up this move. She says, "oh, I call that move, 'The Kennedy!'" So then I want to know all about The Kennedy and why she calls it that. She says, "because I knew a stripper in San Diego who did that move." It's that simple. What a move. Watch this video. You'll see Pantera pulling off The Kennedy around 5:48, then stick around to watch her walk on the ceiling:
So, I just want to give a shout out to Pantera for keeping it real and to Kennedy for being an original bad ass!! How many people do you think can actually pull off this move??
Showing posts with label Pantera Blacksmith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pantera Blacksmith. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Pioneer of Pole: PANTERA!
Pantera is definitey a friend to Twirly Girls. She was also one of my first pole interviews. After she kindly answered all my questions, I had a few more. I tried to break out of the mold a little and start tailoring questions more to the individual. Also, many interviewees listed Pantera as an inspiration and pioneer of making pole dancing what it is today. Pantera has indulged me in my second request for an interview and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Catch up on previous Pantera posts here:
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/08/panteras-visit-to-twirly-girls.html
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-spotlight-on-pantera.html
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/11/pantera-blacksmithnude.html
Now, here is Pantera, Pioneer of Pole!
You are one of the pioneers of bringing pole dance/fitness to the mainstream. According to your bio, you started as an exotic dancer in 1999. What made you decide to leave the clubs and start your journey of becoming the World's Most Famous Pole Dancer?
Let me say I've never left the clubs. I perform at events in strip bars all the time. If there is one thing I am not is ashamed of my past and where it has brought me today. I firmly believe that knocking the exotic foundations or the people that made this art form so popular is the most ridiculous thing as many respectable pioneers who were or still are strippers. To quote Jesus, "Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
All that being said when I won the national title there was nothing left for me in that world. I loved the performance and I wanted to do more of it. I wouldn't have been able to do it without some of my dearest friends and long time business partners. As always its the people behind the scenes, the trainers, teachers and family who deserve the credit. I am just the face.
Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?
I respect the other pioneers because of their success and contributions. I admire people for different reasons.
You have traveled the world, bringing the joy of pole dance to so many people. Which country is your favorite and why?
That is too hard to answer. The world is a place full of tradition, heritage, customs and attractions and I have been fortunate to witness and be apart of so much of it.
You have one DVD called Pole Tricks 101, but I heard that a second DVD was going to be released soon. When will that DVD be released and what will it be called?
There will not be any additional DVDs. I am hoping to do an internet based library of moves, progressions and personal training. Although I love to travel I am getting older and I love being at home more and more. Living out of a suitcase is losing its luster.
Your tattoos are so amazing. What is their meaning?
My tattoo's meaning is solely for myself. However, there is a note on my fan page with answers to many questions if you are curious. [Note: see below for link and copy/paste from the fan page.]
Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.
I'm amazingly prudish and shy. :) Not kidding
What does 2012 hold for you?
2012 hopefully holds the key to where I will put down some roots and a permanent pole.
Please visit Pantera's fan page on Facebook. You can read her note about her tattoos here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/pantera-blacksmith/full-body-tattooall-your-questions-answered/243618632327696
Full Body Tattoo...All Your Questions Answered
Thanks @Jack Cutter
Catch up on previous Pantera posts here:
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/08/panteras-visit-to-twirly-girls.html
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-spotlight-on-pantera.html
http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/11/pantera-blacksmithnude.html
Now, here is Pantera, Pioneer of Pole!
You are one of the pioneers of bringing pole dance/fitness to the mainstream. According to your bio, you started as an exotic dancer in 1999. What made you decide to leave the clubs and start your journey of becoming the World's Most Famous Pole Dancer?
Let me say I've never left the clubs. I perform at events in strip bars all the time. If there is one thing I am not is ashamed of my past and where it has brought me today. I firmly believe that knocking the exotic foundations or the people that made this art form so popular is the most ridiculous thing as many respectable pioneers who were or still are strippers. To quote Jesus, "Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
All that being said when I won the national title there was nothing left for me in that world. I loved the performance and I wanted to do more of it. I wouldn't have been able to do it without some of my dearest friends and long time business partners. As always its the people behind the scenes, the trainers, teachers and family who deserve the credit. I am just the face.
Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?
I respect the other pioneers because of their success and contributions. I admire people for different reasons.
You have traveled the world, bringing the joy of pole dance to so many people. Which country is your favorite and why?
That is too hard to answer. The world is a place full of tradition, heritage, customs and attractions and I have been fortunate to witness and be apart of so much of it.
 |
| From Pantera's Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld |
There will not be any additional DVDs. I am hoping to do an internet based library of moves, progressions and personal training. Although I love to travel I am getting older and I love being at home more and more. Living out of a suitcase is losing its luster.
Your tattoos are so amazing. What is their meaning?
My tattoo's meaning is solely for myself. However, there is a note on my fan page with answers to many questions if you are curious. [Note: see below for link and copy/paste from the fan page.]
Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.
I'm amazingly prudish and shy. :) Not kidding
What does 2012 hold for you?
2012 hopefully holds the key to where I will put down some roots and a permanent pole.
Please visit Pantera's fan page on Facebook. You can read her note about her tattoos here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/pantera-blacksmith/full-body-tattooall-your-questions-answered/243618632327696
Full Body Tattoo...All Your Questions Answered
by Pantera Blacksmith on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 1:02pm
Yes, they are REAL tattoos.
"My heaven's what did you do to your body?" is a question commonly asked by older ladies. I look down at myself and back at them and ask if this is a trick question.
100+ Hours. I decided that triple digits were impressive enough so I stopped keeping track.
I do not know how much it cost. I just pay the man and he makes me more beautiful.
There was no specific design or lay out. I go in, he draws something. I like it or I dont. He erases what I don't like and makes something else happen. Its tattooist designed, Pantera approved.
Tattoos are more painful in some spots than others. Yes, it hurt.
The artist is Jack Carter. He does not work in a shop so if you want him, you'll have to go through me. No retards please.
Jack is the only artist I've ever had. A bunch of my friends were getting work by him and I liked it. If it's not broke don't fix it. I guess you can say I got lucky.
The tattoo itself has meaning only to me. To you, its just a bunch of scribbley lines.
No I am not done.
Yes I am crazy.
No I do not plan to explain anything to the children I will not be having.
The only pattern I can wear without looking extremely busy is zebra.
On a daily basis people ask me all these questions at least once.
It was not done in one sitting.
The first piece was done around my left boobie over ten years ago.
The second piece around my right boobie.
My parents found out after I had already completed the front torso. My father now calls me the "Circus Lady."
I will be continuing to add onto this post as the tattoo continues to grow
If I happened to miss a question please feel free to ask :)
Thanks @Jack Cutter
Friday, December 30, 2011
My Top Ten Pole Dancing Posts from 2011
I've been trying to choose my top ten blog posts (from my own blog) for 2011. It was so hard because I talked to a lot of amazing people this year. I had a hard time picking only ten so I decided to choose posts to represent different categories.
Pioneer of Pole
Without those who paved the way, the rest of us wouldn't be pole dancing right now!
Men on the Pole
I love my pole sisters but watching men on the pole is a bit fun as well!
Speaking of pole sisters...
Here's one for the curvy dancers!
The debate surrounding pole dancing and being sexy
Traveling
Making friends
Innovation
Natasha Wang
I feel like I had so many other awesome posts but if I had to cut it down to ten, these ten are pretty awesome. Please feel free to search around for other posts that might be of interest to you. Categories include Pro Spotlight, Studio Spotlight, Power of Pole, Men on the Pole, Poletry in Motion, Star Spotlight, and Pole Goals.
Here are my top ten most viewed posts:
*Day 22 of 30 day blogging challenge*
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Pioneer of Pole: StarrGrrrl!
Another awesome Shelly-referral is Aimee "StarrGrrrl" W. She is a good friend of Pantera's and we love Pantera at Twirly Girls. Any friend of Pantera's is a friend of ours! Meet StarrGrrrl!
If my math is correct, you've been pole dancing since 1999. That makes you a pioneer of pole dance! I understand you worked as an exotic dancer in your early pole dancing years. How do you feel that experience shaped you as an instructor later when you opened the Bombshell Ballroom?
I actually started dancing as an exotic dancer in Detroit in late 1998. I was fortunate to work with some amazingly beautiful, sensual dancers that treated their work as art even then, and I was so inspired by the atmosphere itself, and it really shaped my dance style. Transitioning from dancer to teacher was trickier. When I started teaching there wasn't this wealth of information and community that we are blessed to have now (Yay pole!!) so I only had what was in my personal little repertoire, and I had to teach myself to break down exactly what I was doing with my body in these movements, so I could convey that to my students. We have come so far, it's amazing. We have a great community, and we're always inspiring each other, brainstorming with each other, and teaching each other. The bar has been raised, and pole is taking off! We're really going to see this movement go in some amazing directions. (It has already!)
Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?
The first person I ever met from our community of pole dancers and athletes was Pantera. I had just kinda found the little tiny pole dancing community then, and she just so happened to live in Seattle, so we met up. She introduced me to the spinny pole that day (I had always used static poles), and I got pretty green in the face playing on it. She made me tea! Sweet girl! Her strength and discipline is amazing, and if you have never seen her perform live you MUST. She is incredible, and she is an awesome person as well. She has certainly taken pole places, and been a kickass supportive friend, so of course, she's one of my favorite pole rockstars.
Another one of my favorite pioneers is Alena Downs. She started the Pole Junkies forum, which was one of the first of it's kind, and I loved playing there! She's fearless, and never been afraid to put herself out there. She has done amazing things in building up what Pole Junkies is today, and when she started the Pole Junkies Pole Camp, I think it was the first (or at least one of the first) kind of even that brought dancers from all over the place together for a weekend intensive of classes, and tons of other pole fun. Now she has several studio's in Canada! Go PJ's!
And of course, my favorite YouTube rockstar to go competitive, Karol Helms. She was one of the first girls I met on YouTube, and her musical tastes and mine were so similar, we were always commenting on each others videos. I love her style, she's so bendy, and graceful and damn STRONG!
All three of these women brought pole out of the club scene, and told the world... "Hey, this is ART. This is Strength, this is grace, and this is to be respected."
You now teach at the Brassy Butterfly in Portland, Oregon. Is the pole dancing scene different on the West Coast than it was in Detroit?
Sadly, when the pole community started to develop in Detroit I was already gone. When I was in Michigan, the pole scene for me was the club scene itself. I have met and communicated with many of the Detroit girls though, and they are great girls, who do great things for the midwest scene. A couple of years ago we were lucky enough to get Detroit native Ozzypoles to transplant here in the Portland area, and she's starting to organize showcases in Portland (Queen's of the Pole: Rock the 90's was the first one). We've got studio's a plenty out here, and we have a large industry (club) scene as well so we have a lot of events going on. When Pantera was in Seattle she organized the first showcase events that I know of as well (Hysteria, and Delerium at Noc Noc) I performed in the first Queens of the Pole event, as well as one of the Hysteria events, and one of the Delerium events in Seattle where I did a pole set, and a short Lyra set. There are video's from all three events on my YouTube channel.
I know your son is only six and has probably grown up knowing that pole dancing is perfectly normal. Have you had to deal with mothers of other children judging you for your career choice? I have had some friends with children deal with judgmental people lately so I'm always looking for witty retorts. :-)
Yes, my son views pole dancing as completely normal, and he plays on the pole in my living room more than I do. He's actually quite coordinated and strong. It's impressive. I haven't really had to deal too much with any judgmental mothers, or perhaps I just don't bother to notice the judgments. I don't do anything inappropriate in front of my child, and I don't consider my dance to be inappropriate either. My child will grow up with an open mind, or at least the option to have that open mindedness, that some other children may not have due to biases in their parents. I also hope that my lifestyle gives him a good sense of body confidence, and an interest in art, dance, music, and athletics. I'd rather teach my child to love art than to be hateful or judging in any form.
Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.
I think I have said this before, but it's a big part of who I am... I LOVE motorcycles, and I LOVE quads. I'm a tomboy, and I like to play in the dirt and sand. I'm also big on video games. I have a Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and two computers. Does that make me a nerd?
What does 2012 hold for you?
Hopefully with 2012 comes some big changes. I'm in college, I just finished my second year. I'm transitioning now out of my prerequisite classes, and getting ready to shift gears and get ready for the nursing program. This consumes a good majority of my time. However, I'm trying to keep myself in shape, still teaching pole classes, and performing in February in the next Queens of the Pole event, and I'd like to make it to the pole convention as well since it's on my side of the world this year!
If it means anything to you, Aimee, I LOVE NERDS! Please catch up with StarrGrrrl on FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.
If my math is correct, you've been pole dancing since 1999. That makes you a pioneer of pole dance! I understand you worked as an exotic dancer in your early pole dancing years. How do you feel that experience shaped you as an instructor later when you opened the Bombshell Ballroom?
I actually started dancing as an exotic dancer in Detroit in late 1998. I was fortunate to work with some amazingly beautiful, sensual dancers that treated their work as art even then, and I was so inspired by the atmosphere itself, and it really shaped my dance style. Transitioning from dancer to teacher was trickier. When I started teaching there wasn't this wealth of information and community that we are blessed to have now (Yay pole!!) so I only had what was in my personal little repertoire, and I had to teach myself to break down exactly what I was doing with my body in these movements, so I could convey that to my students. We have come so far, it's amazing. We have a great community, and we're always inspiring each other, brainstorming with each other, and teaching each other. The bar has been raised, and pole is taking off! We're really going to see this movement go in some amazing directions. (It has already!)
The first person I ever met from our community of pole dancers and athletes was Pantera. I had just kinda found the little tiny pole dancing community then, and she just so happened to live in Seattle, so we met up. She introduced me to the spinny pole that day (I had always used static poles), and I got pretty green in the face playing on it. She made me tea! Sweet girl! Her strength and discipline is amazing, and if you have never seen her perform live you MUST. She is incredible, and she is an awesome person as well. She has certainly taken pole places, and been a kickass supportive friend, so of course, she's one of my favorite pole rockstars.
Another one of my favorite pioneers is Alena Downs. She started the Pole Junkies forum, which was one of the first of it's kind, and I loved playing there! She's fearless, and never been afraid to put herself out there. She has done amazing things in building up what Pole Junkies is today, and when she started the Pole Junkies Pole Camp, I think it was the first (or at least one of the first) kind of even that brought dancers from all over the place together for a weekend intensive of classes, and tons of other pole fun. Now she has several studio's in Canada! Go PJ's!
And of course, my favorite YouTube rockstar to go competitive, Karol Helms. She was one of the first girls I met on YouTube, and her musical tastes and mine were so similar, we were always commenting on each others videos. I love her style, she's so bendy, and graceful and damn STRONG!
All three of these women brought pole out of the club scene, and told the world... "Hey, this is ART. This is Strength, this is grace, and this is to be respected."
You now teach at the Brassy Butterfly in Portland, Oregon. Is the pole dancing scene different on the West Coast than it was in Detroit?
Sadly, when the pole community started to develop in Detroit I was already gone. When I was in Michigan, the pole scene for me was the club scene itself. I have met and communicated with many of the Detroit girls though, and they are great girls, who do great things for the midwest scene. A couple of years ago we were lucky enough to get Detroit native Ozzypoles to transplant here in the Portland area, and she's starting to organize showcases in Portland (Queen's of the Pole: Rock the 90's was the first one). We've got studio's a plenty out here, and we have a large industry (club) scene as well so we have a lot of events going on. When Pantera was in Seattle she organized the first showcase events that I know of as well (Hysteria, and Delerium at Noc Noc) I performed in the first Queens of the Pole event, as well as one of the Hysteria events, and one of the Delerium events in Seattle where I did a pole set, and a short Lyra set. There are video's from all three events on my YouTube channel.
I know your son is only six and has probably grown up knowing that pole dancing is perfectly normal. Have you had to deal with mothers of other children judging you for your career choice? I have had some friends with children deal with judgmental people lately so I'm always looking for witty retorts. :-)
Yes, my son views pole dancing as completely normal, and he plays on the pole in my living room more than I do. He's actually quite coordinated and strong. It's impressive. I haven't really had to deal too much with any judgmental mothers, or perhaps I just don't bother to notice the judgments. I don't do anything inappropriate in front of my child, and I don't consider my dance to be inappropriate either. My child will grow up with an open mind, or at least the option to have that open mindedness, that some other children may not have due to biases in their parents. I also hope that my lifestyle gives him a good sense of body confidence, and an interest in art, dance, music, and athletics. I'd rather teach my child to love art than to be hateful or judging in any form.
I think I have said this before, but it's a big part of who I am... I LOVE motorcycles, and I LOVE quads. I'm a tomboy, and I like to play in the dirt and sand. I'm also big on video games. I have a Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and two computers. Does that make me a nerd?
What does 2012 hold for you?
Hopefully with 2012 comes some big changes. I'm in college, I just finished my second year. I'm transitioning now out of my prerequisite classes, and getting ready to shift gears and get ready for the nursing program. This consumes a good majority of my time. However, I'm trying to keep myself in shape, still teaching pole classes, and performing in February in the next Queens of the Pole event, and I'd like to make it to the pole convention as well since it's on my side of the world this year!
******
If it means anything to you, Aimee, I LOVE NERDS! Please catch up with StarrGrrrl on FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Pantera Blacksmith...NUDE
HAHAHAHA! GOTCHA!
So I've been checking out my blog stats and in the last week alone, SEVEN PEOPLE have used the search term "Pantera Blacksmith nude" and were then referred to my blog.
Pantera got a kick out of it. I'm sure she's not opposed to nudity but I don't have any nudies to share. Sorry! ;-)
However, as a consolation, here's a rockin' semi-nude profile photo from her Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld
So I've been checking out my blog stats and in the last week alone, SEVEN PEOPLE have used the search term "Pantera Blacksmith nude" and were then referred to my blog.
Pantera got a kick out of it. I'm sure she's not opposed to nudity but I don't have any nudies to share. Sorry! ;-)
However, as a consolation, here's a rockin' semi-nude profile photo from her Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Pro Spotlight on PANTERA!
I can't stop!! I'm addicted. But I promise this is the last one for today and I am finishing strong.
Another she-who-needs-no-introduction.
PANTERA!
I first met you through Bel and Twirly Girls Pole Fitness. You are an honorary Twirly Girl -- and we absolutely adore you. You must meet some pretty amazing people traveling the world. What do you love most about traveling and what do you like least?
Most...I love experiencing and connecting with people and places. Seeing how they live, work and play. There's nothing like seeing the Red Sox at Fenway, standing in the same spot as a favorite historical figure/event or sampling food and drink that's been tradition for generations. Its awesome that people share these things and allow me to be apart of their lives even if only for a short while.
A perfect example of some of the awesome people I've met along this road is Bel of Twirly Girls. I didn't know Bel when I was first at her studio. We never met each other. She's shown me her city with pride and opened my mind to broader aspects of pole. Her partner drives me further by sharing his wisdom. They invited me into their home a stranger and now after years I feel apart of the family. She's got me halfway convinced to move to California! Momma Bel, I love you!
Most...I love experiencing and connecting with people and places. Seeing how they live, work and play. There's nothing like seeing the Red Sox at Fenway, standing in the same spot as a favorite historical figure/event or sampling food and drink that's been tradition for generations. Its awesome that people share these things and allow me to be apart of their lives even if only for a short while.
A perfect example of some of the awesome people I've met along this road is Bel of Twirly Girls. I didn't know Bel when I was first at her studio. We never met each other. She's shown me her city with pride and opened my mind to broader aspects of pole. Her partner drives me further by sharing his wisdom. They invited me into their home a stranger and now after years I feel apart of the family. She's got me halfway convinced to move to California! Momma Bel, I love you!
Least...the airports and airlines. Expensive, low gratifying experiences with humans. Single serving, unhealthy and over processed food. Delayed or canceled flights with little to no compensation. Condescending airport/airline staff and security has taught me.....a great deal of patience :) Not to say its always like that...just this morning ;)
What is your fitness background?
Played 3-4 sports while growing up including gymnastics, softball, basketball and other random team sports the school endorsed. I've been an informal body builder since the age of 14. Learning anything anyone would teach me and reading anything I can find on physiology, kineseology, mechanics, nutrition and the coolest new fitness stuff. A past time I still enjoy today.
Currently enjoy your basic first aid/CPR, personal and group fitness certification with future aspirations of awesomeness.
What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?
Off Road:
Its hard to answer this question because it changes frequently
7 days a week
Stretch everyday.
Variety of programs, styles, and methods.
Pole specific training every three days.
On Road:
Stretch everyday.
Pole everyday.
Cardio when I can get it and a leg day every so often.
What kind of diet do you follow?
I call it the caveman diet but apparently they have developed a real title for it. Paleo. Basically meat, plant, and water.
Small. Often. Well.
I try to carb overload once a week/every two weeks. When you eat this way food that is processed tastes like ass so its actually hard to carb day.
Played 3-4 sports while growing up including gymnastics, softball, basketball and other random team sports the school endorsed. I've been an informal body builder since the age of 14. Learning anything anyone would teach me and reading anything I can find on physiology, kineseology, mechanics, nutrition and the coolest new fitness stuff. A past time I still enjoy today.
Currently enjoy your basic first aid/CPR, personal and group fitness certification with future aspirations of awesomeness.
What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?
Off Road:
Its hard to answer this question because it changes frequently
7 days a week
Stretch everyday.
Variety of programs, styles, and methods.
Pole specific training every three days.
On Road:
Stretch everyday.
Pole everyday.
Cardio when I can get it and a leg day every so often.
What kind of diet do you follow?
I call it the caveman diet but apparently they have developed a real title for it. Paleo. Basically meat, plant, and water.
Small. Often. Well.
I try to carb overload once a week/every two weeks. When you eat this way food that is processed tastes like ass so its actually hard to carb day.
Do you have a dance background?
I took a ballet class for six weeks...does that count?
Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?
I actually don't like to compete anymore. Remember I'm old school. I believe the competitors are the entertainment. They should not have to pay to enter or pay to get to an event for someone else to capitalize on their name, image and talent. I'll start competing again when they get it right.
I took a ballet class for six weeks...does that count?
Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?
I actually don't like to compete anymore. Remember I'm old school. I believe the competitors are the entertainment. They should not have to pay to enter or pay to get to an event for someone else to capitalize on their name, image and talent. I'll start competing again when they get it right.
Please refer to my bio for titles HERE.
Where do you train? Do you have your own pole studio?
Off road: Brass Ovaries Pole Dancing in Austin, TX. Shout out to the rockinest girls in Texas! Sorry Dallas babes, I'm biased! ;)
I do not own a studio but the pressure has been put on to start something...look for something in a few years.
Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?
When I started almost 15 years ago all there was for sponsors was rubbing alcohol...and they weren't interested! Ha ha ha.
Mighty Grip has been with me since the first soccer mom touched a pole. I absolutely love the original formula but have now started to cheat. With the new super tack they've developed. I like their other products as well (gloves, ankle guards etc) for beginners though I don't use them very often. I love the little footy thongs. My feet are much happier now.
What first interested you about pole dancing?
Very few of the other strippers did it....was a way to separate myself.
Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"
I think people choose one or the other because it is more socially acceptable. Like saying fitness is going to release the stigma sooner. Fitness is a by product of physical activity.
Its popular/trendy because of the dance and its background. Don't take that away from it...or at least cover your ass cheeks if you insist on calling it fitness.
What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?
I don't know who started this but again it's a way to be more socially acceptable. Every stripper I've worked with that didn't have a drug problem was one fit bitch! And even the druggies were fit. Crazy, but fit. Perhaps instead of making one "bad" and the other "good" we should accept them all, stand together and be the community we claim to be.
What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
Sticking to the pole sucks. I just want to have the best balance of moisture and dry. MIGHTY GRIP!
How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?
I wear lotion every day. Your skin likes it. Try different kinds to see will work best for you.
If no lotion is handy I will use a cap of water.
Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?
I like to buy cheap bikinis and embellish them myself. I'll even custom make my own costumes. I don't know about you guys but I don't got the cash flow for some of the labels out there. I'm on a budget!
Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?For performances I start in heels and take them off some where in the middle.
What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?
Stripper, commercial diver, pizza flipper, entrepreneur...etc...
What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?
I'm going through the library and finding songs that I want to perform to. Being a Gemini allows me to be vague and indecisive :)
Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?
I'm always cooking up something. Check out my website, Facebook, or Twitter to see what I'm up to. Just for mention: finishing the 2011 USA tour, 2012 UK, Euro, Canada and Oz tour. Streaming online instruction from never touched a pole to "you want me to do what?" And new sponsors and products that I've officially sponsored.
What else would you like people to know about you?
What you see is what you get. I've helped bring pole where it is today and will continue bringing the best technical and progressive training there is. Often imitated but never duplicated.
*****
Black and white photo credits to Andrew Fryxell of Liquidpulp Photography. Photographed at Twirly Girls Pole Fitness.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Pantera's visit to Twirly Girls!
In my year and a half at Twirly Girls (wow, almost two years now), Pantera has stopped by three or four times. Every single time, I've been sick. She travels the world teaching pole classes, so I have avoided coming to see her perform so I don't pass it on. This time, however, I was all good and I came out for the meet and greet (definitely not advanced enough for the workshop).
She was so sweet. She sat and chatted with the group, telling us stories and talking to us about how she came up in the pole dancing world. She looks SO young, but she's very well spoken and extremely smart about being in this business. I really liked her. And her performance was really awesome to watch. Bel is always talking about how amazing and nice Pantera is...and now I know why! Thank you to Pantera for the great performance and spending so much time talking with us! I know she had a rough week and probably needed some rest, but she answered every question and made us feel like old friends.
Here is her Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld
Here are some of Andrew's photos from the evening. If you have never seen Pantera perform in person, make sure you do!
She was so sweet. She sat and chatted with the group, telling us stories and talking to us about how she came up in the pole dancing world. She looks SO young, but she's very well spoken and extremely smart about being in this business. I really liked her. And her performance was really awesome to watch. Bel is always talking about how amazing and nice Pantera is...and now I know why! Thank you to Pantera for the great performance and spending so much time talking with us! I know she had a rough week and probably needed some rest, but she answered every question and made us feel like old friends.
Here is her Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld
Here are some of Andrew's photos from the evening. If you have never seen Pantera perform in person, make sure you do!
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