Fonji is the new Spatchcock

Today I wrote about California Pole Dance Championship's fifth annual competition, which was held a little over a week ago.  I realized as I was watching that I was witnessing the bar being raised to a ridiculous level in competitive pole dancing. 

I attended CPDC in 2011.  It was the first major live pole performance I had ever attended.  I was still fairly new to pole dance and was star-struck at every turn.  I had seen routines on YouTube and had pretty much pegged the Spatchcock as THE finishing move.  If you had the flexibility, the Spatchcock would show up at some point in your routine, generally at the end.  I feel like there are few graceful ways to get out of that move anyway so "the end" works.  Another "must-have" was the Jade Split.  I believe named for Jamilla Deville, this is the beautiful split while you're upside down on the pole, which shows you have no nerve endings left in your hip and tons of flexibility.   

This is about as advanced as I get

Enter the Fonji.  I first saw Natasha Wang do the Fonji through a Facebook video about two years ago (although a YouTube video shows her learning it from Timber and Steve about a year prior to that).  If you don't know what the Fonji is, HERE is a video of Natasha doing the Fonji to reverse Fonji combo.  Primarily a circus or Chinese pole move, advanced moves like the Fonji are quickly spreading into competitive pole routines.  You can see Skittles' tutorial on the Fonji HERE.  Although she believes the move is not as difficult or dangerous as it looks, I still consider it an advanced move. 

So imagine my surprise at the competition last week to find FOUR of the eleven competitors in CPDC's Neo category attempted the Fonji!  These are the amateur competitors!  Sure, they have to dance very well to get to this level of competition, but they are still not at Pro level.  And many did not finish the move cleanly, which means they are in danger of injuring themselves.  What is going on here?  

Where is competitive pole going?  So many competitors aren't just pole dancing.  They are taking contortion and acrobatic classes.  They are adding in Chinese pole and circus tricks.  Why bother with a simple (but beautiful) Allegra when you can do a drop from 20 feet up? 

Although I was impressed with the athleticism of all of the competitors, I was extremely happy that the winning routines were well-rounded with tricks AND spins.  And also happy that many had an interesting story to tell, rather than "just" being a dance.  I know I'm not one to judge since I can't do ANY of those high-level moves.  I just hope that competitors are not risking their safety and the integrity of their routines for the cheap thrill of a trick that has not yet been perfected.  

I am curious to hear what everyone else thinks about this subject.  Where do you think competitive pole dancing is headed?  Are there tricks that used to be common place that you aren't seeing anymore?  Which tricks do you think need to go and which do you wish would come back? 

California Pole Dance Championship - 2013

The fifth annual California Pole Dance Championship was held in Los Angeles, California on November 3, 2013.

As I was down in LA for Comikaze, I decided to extend my stay for one night and go to the competition. 

The competition was slated to be held at Circus Hollywood.  Literally one day before the competition, I started seeing posts on Facebook that the venue had changed (to Arena Hollywood, which is in the same parking lot at least).  Also the time was moved up by an hour and a half or so, which bummed me out since I was supposed to go watch a panel on women and size diversity at Comikaze.  I was also disappointed because I never got an e-mail announcing the time change.  If I hadn't noticed the posts on Facebook, I would never have known.  I found out later, that was because I was not on "the list."  Luckily, I was able to show the door the receipt for my $99 ticket and my reserved seat had been left empty, so there was no harm, no foul.  

My shirt from Poleitical Clothing

It was great to run into Leen Isabel and Danielle of Poleitical Clothing, two of the vendors with tables.  I know there were a couple of other vendors there but I didn't have a chance to stop by the tables.  There was also a photobooth there.  They were asking us to pose with stickers from United Pole Artists, so I hope the photos will be published on their website at some point. 

The Circus nightclub is a much larger venue than Arena.  I felt like the tables were really squashed together in order to get the same number of people into Arena.  The stage was also smaller and there was no awesome sparkly background.  At the same time, watching an event of this magnitude in a smaller venue is kind of cool and makes everyone feel like they have a front row seat.  It appears that the venue was at fault for over-booking.  CPDC was forced to start earlier and literally the minute the show was over, the lights went on and everyone was told to go home so they could set up for the next event.  Considering how many events Anjel has now done with this club, you would think they would have a little more respect for her.  I seriously hope she was given a large refund for this mistake.  Despite all of this, the club was packed and the show went on!  I saw Nadia Sharif (last year's winner) working her booty off as she hustled around the club keeping everything on schedule. 

There was no video allowed at this event so I haven't been able to go back and re-watch performances to give a better reaction.  If you are interested in watching performances, I believe United Pole Artists and MFEO.tv are offering them for 99 cents.  Therefore, I am commenting on this contest only by memory and notes.  My phone also didn't take many great photos because the lighting was whiting everything out. 

Judging this competition: Natasha Wang, Mina Mortezaie, Amy Guion, Flying Laura Martin, Kelly Maglia and Josiah "BadAzz" Grant.   BadAzz started the show off with a reprise of his winning Midwest Prince routine.  And Flying Laura closed the show in the only way she knows how -- with her bad ass flying tricks and spins. 

Neo Division

Neo (amateur) category included: Drusilla Ray, Nancy Ly, Uyen Hoang (took third place in amateur division in 2012), Moana Moon, Tehera Nesfield, Jhasmynne Hider, Candi Vastlik, Venus Manuel, Adrienne Strauss, Heather West and Margarita Evans.  

Dru

First off, let me start by saying holy f*cking $hit.  The Neo category was off the hook, and these performers could hardly be called amateur.  I counted at least four performers out of eleven attempting a Fonji.  THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AMATEURS.  I was caught between being ridiculously impressed and slightly frustrated that these are supposed to be the non-professional competitors.  They completely raised the bar for competitions in the pole community.  I still remember when I saw Natasha Wang do a Fonji for the first time and I was like, that is some voodoo magic and I can't believe I just saw her flip on the pole like that!  But that's Natasha-Freaking-Wang.  Now the "beginners" are doing it??  Let me also say that, despite this being a competition, it seemed like some were willing to sacrifice fluidity for the shock of a crazy trick.  There was a lot of slipping out of moves in both categories, which I realize you can't always control, and must be insanely frustrating for the competitors, especially at this level.  But at this level, I did have high expectations for quality routines.  I would like to see cleaner routines, and less dramatic tricks for a more well-rounded performance.  If you are starting with a Fonji, where do you go from there??  I guess maybe a Death Lay into Fonji into Spatchcock, then just dance off stage because no one can beat that with a stick and you win!

Indeed, I felt like the winners did put on well-rounded, and often emotional performances.  Margarita took first (with her cooking-themed routine, which I saw showcased at Pole Expo in Las Vegas; she was also crowned Champion in Level 3/Senior at Pacific Pole Championship earlier this year).   Venus (one of my personal favorite people in general) took second with her very, very emotional routine.  She also won People's Choice Award from Mighty Grip and X-Pole.  Moana placed third.  She also had a very beautiful routine. 

Pro Division

Pro category include: Shelly Lamb, Brandon Rosario, Sasja Lee, Brynn Route, Lily Huang (took first in amateur division in 2012), Stacey Craven (took second place in amateur division in 2012), Drea Roers, Crystal Gibson, Amanda Rose and Katherine Voorhees (not listed on the program).  Side note:  To see other past winners, click HERE. 

First off, little Amanda Rose sailed on to the pole competition circuit only this year after turning 18.  Keep an eye on her.  She has big things coming.  I believe adding Brandon to the pro line-up is the first step in adding a men's division to future CPDC competitions.  I was also slightly saddened that only one Northern California poler made it into the entire competition.  Congratulations to Shelly Lamb for representing all of Nor Cal.

BadAzz

After such a shocking Neo Division, I wasn't really sure what to expect with the Pros.  Will they dangle from the ceiling and do a death drop while twirling a baton of fire?  Will they have back-up dancers and sing while they pole?  I really didn't know where the Pros could go after what we had already witnessed.  What I believe we ended up getting are the well-rounded, story-driven routines that won for those in Neo Division.  There was, in fact, only one Spatchcock that I counted.  And I believe I stopped counting Fonji's, so I couldn't even tell you if any of the Pros did one!  I will be writing a post after this one about how Fonji is the new Spatchcock (just my personal commentary on where the future of competitive pole might be headed), so check it out. 

Sasja Lee (another one of my favorite people in general) took first place.  She also won Most Athletic.  Amanda Rose took second place with her energetic routine.  She also won Most Artistic and Most Entertaining.  Brynn Route took third, and also won Most Flexible.  Crystal Gibson (another of my favorites) won X-Pole and Glitter Heel's Miss Congeniality award. 

All-in-all, despite the last-minute monkey wrench, this was another fun pole event.  I am really glad I stuck around to watch and thank you to Nadia and Anjel for a great event!

Do you agree with my assessment of the performances?  If you watched any of them, let me know what you thought! 

The History of Pole Dance, Part Three

I haven't updated The History of Pole Dance in quite awhile.  It does remain my most popular post, however, with over 12,000 clicks as of the posting of this update.  In that piece, I really just re-posted stories from around the web about how different people believed modern day pole dancing came to be.  The history of pole may be related but is separate from the future of pole and the potential splitting or separation of sensual pole dance from pole fitness/sport.  

Some of those articles listed Chinese Pole, Mallakhamb and/or May Pole/fertility dances as being part of the history of modern day pole dance.  I have since seen many posts from those who dispute those claims.  I believe Claire from The Pole Story made a statement about this before, but can't find the post now. 

In part 2, I again found some pieces that were on the right track and some that were slightly off.

I also wrote a piece for ThePoleDancingShop.com, where I again listed types of pole that many feel do not belong in the history of pole dance.  

As part of my research for an upcoming article about Fawnia Dietrich, who is, in my eyes, the mother of modern pole, I found HER description of how pole dancing came to be.  It does mirror some of the other sites already quoted but I liked how it was laid out, so I wanted to post it here anyway:

"Pole dancing has been around for longer than you may think. Here is a short history on how pole dancing has evolved. Pole dancing originated in the 1920's at height of the American depression. Traveling fairs would go from town to town entertaining the crowds. As part of the fair there would many different types of sides shows in small tents surrounding the main tent. One particular tent housed the erotic Hoochi Coochi dancers. The word Hoochi Coochi originates from the hip movement performed by the Hochi Coochi dancers, the equivalent of the bump and grind today day. The girls would dance suggestively on a small stage in front of crowds of cheering. Due to size of the tent, the tent pole would be situated at the very edge of the stage. The dancer would approach the tent pole and begin to dance with it. The tent pole became known, as the dance pole, which still exists today, be it in a more technically advanced and socially acceptable form. Pole dancing gradually began evolving from tents to bars as burlesque became more acceptable in 1950's, nothing much was heard until the 1980's when pole dancing and striptease became popular in Canada and then the USA. 1990's saw Miss Fawnia Dietrich (Canadian, formally Fawnia Mondey) take the art of pole dancing and begin teaching this to the every day woman. She produced the first instructional pole fitness and dance DVD. 2000 - current have been the most promising years. Pole dancing has evolved into different genres, exotic, empowering and pole fitness. There is a great deal of difference between them and as the student you should try them all. The UK POLE FEDERATION formed in 2005 celebrates all of these, as does the Pole Fitness Association, formed in 2009. Pole dancers across the world hope that 2010 - 2020 will see pole dancing accepted as a reputable form of dance, fitness and exercise and without a doubt in the Olympic Games. Vertical Dance – Pole Fitness Studio."

KT Coates, another pioneer of pole, also recently posted on her Facebook page:

"I have just been asked where I thought the pole we do today came from. It was suggested that its came from Chinese pole and the makalamb (or however you spell it). I don't know who said it was the latter but its not true. While the pole we know and love today has influences of circus, gymnastics, street, ballet it came from the strip clubs! I am sure people will find it ironic that I think that but its true. If pole originated from them then it would be predominately a male activity and be far more acceptable, but its not. However the future of pole will be so different and it will always be when you have so many different influences it can not help but take on a different dimension."

The future of pole includes plus-sized polers

So perhaps modern pole dance didn't COME FROM Chinese Pole or Mallakhamb (I know I can't spell that damn word either), but arguments could certainly be made to say that, with the direction in which competitions are going lately, Chinese pole especially is definitely influencing competitors today.  

Soon, I am going to have a reactionary post to the recent California Pole Dance Championships and will discuss where I think pole is headed in the future.  I would love, in the meantime, to get your reaction to this post.  How do you feel about both the history and the future of modern day pole dance? 

Happy Twirloween! Poletential's 7th Birthday!

On October 26, I collected up my Sean Michael and headed over to Poletential's 7th birthday party/showcase called Twirloween.  I feel very fortunate to have found an extended pole family at Poletential.

First off, there was a freaking amazing photo booth at the party, with Poletential's resident photographer, Hopparazzi Photography.  There was a food tent outside with way too many delicious treats.  We got to witness so many aerial arts -- silks, hammocks, pole and trapeze.  There were so many impressive group performances.  It was fun to see old friends and make new ones.  Annemarie Davies of United Pole Artists was in town for workshops and so we got to witness a rocktastic performance from her. 

Once again, I feel like a picture is worth 1,000 words, so please check out the video playlist of the performances (they are ALL not to be missed), and also a few photos from Hopparazzi's photo booth (shout out to Hopparazzi for allowing me to share these with you)!

 

Check out the entire Hopparazzi album on Facebook HERE.   

CK

Poletential Instructors

Sean Michael and me

Annemarie Davies, me and Sean Michael (whoops we were both devils!)

Annemarie, CK, SM and me

Congratulations to Christina and the Poletential family for celebrating their 7th anniversary!  It sounds like they have a lot in store so please check out their website for upcoming events.  

Poletry in Motion: Aeriform Arts

While I was in LA for Comikaze last week, I stopped by to meet Facebook pole sister, Lea, and go to an aerial yoga class at Aeriform Arts. 

First off, I NEEDED that hammocks class.  My back has been "out" for awhile.  I had an adjustment by Keith before I left, but sitting in the car all morning on Friday, then standing in heels at Comikaze Friday night just didn't do my body any favors. 

I drove right up to the studio and there was FREE street parking.  Bonus in Los Angeles!  The studio had brass poles and hammocks were already set up for class (after aerial yoga on Saturday is their hammocks class, which is like dancing in the air...check out their videos on YouTube).

The price was great!  Only $20 for a class (discounted to $18 for a first-time student).  

Roseanne was the instructor and she was fantastic.  I felt like the hammocks were used to assist me into moves instead of making the moves so difficult I couldn't do them.  I even flipped over (with help from Lea and Roseanne) and hung upside down quite a few times. 

I really, really enjoyed meeting both ladies and was excited to meet another Facebook poler in person.  I want to thank Lea for having me out to Aeriform Arts.  Next time I'm in LA, I definitely want to take another class! 

Please enjoy some photos from the studio and if you're in the area, give Aeriform Arts a try!

Pre-class selfies

The studio set-up

More pre-class selfies

Showing gratitude

Lea and I showing gratitude together!

What?!  Thanks to Lea and Roseanne for pushing me over!

Upside down!

Ahhhhh...my back is so much happier!

More back stretching

Lea and me in the waiting area of Aeriform Arts!

Comikaze 2013 - From the Perspective of a Nerd-in-Training

I am a nerd-in-training.  I went...to a comic book convention.  Voluntarily.  And, although I know I didn't "get" half the references, I had SO MUCH FUN.  Only in its third year, Stan Lee's Comikaze boasted 50,000 attendees (I think about half of what San Diego's Comic-Con supposedly gets).  I heard many attendees and vendors say they liked the "smaller" show.  Sure, if 50,000 people is small. 

One thing I noticed about this (and probably many other comic book conventions) is that it is less about comic books and more about pop culture.  Sharknado panel?  Did Sharknado start from a comic book?  And could Ian Ziering have looked any more angry that he was up there on that stage?  They didn't make an appearance at this event, but Supernatural?  Hey, I LOVE the show, but did they start from a comic book?  Anyway, so it is fitting that Comikaze's subtitle is: Where pop culture rules the earth.  

I went to Comikaze with my girls from Chunky Girl Comics, and I had a blast.  I got to meet some celebrities.  I got to play around in costume and take tons of photos.  I got to walk around and meet people and buy cool products.  I really had a fun time.  I stayed in the Figueroa Hotel, which has a really cool Mediterranean theme, and was within walking distance of the Convention Center.  Since I was alone, they upgraded me to a huge room.  Marisa's birthday was on Saturday, so we celebrated with cupcakes from Sprinkles and went to a Day of the Dead concert.  I got to try aerial yoga at Aeriform Arts (I have a Poletry in Motion on that soon).  And, since I was in Los Angeles, I stuck around for California Pole Dance Championship (again, I'll have a separate post on that later). 

Since a picture speaks a thousand words, enjoy my photo journal of my nerd adventures!

WELCOME!

Chunky Girls booth

Fighting Aurora

Michael Rooker

Phil Morris

Ron Jeremy

Ivy Doomkitty

My new boyfriend

How I spent my evenings

My very own minion!  Banana banana!

Yes, please!

Happy birthday, Marisa!

My dragon.  I have named him Logi, which is the element of fire.

Me n Logi

My new hair piece

Awwww T-Rex

Bane

Chunky Girls keeping skinny girls skinny

Day of the Dead celebration

Doc Ock

Elvira by Gris Grimly

He-Man!

The Hulk

I ain't afraid of no ghost!

Kiss!

Javier of Los Comex

Michael Rooker trying to walk through Comikaze

Mother of Dragons

Mud Wrestling girls!

Noah Fine Art - Disney!  So awesome.

Noah Fine Art

Noah signing the piece I bought

Power Rangers with the real-life (on TV) Blue Power Ranger

Candy with the Power Rangers

Reppin' other booths!

Sharknado Panel, including Ian Ziering