Dangerous Curves V

I would like to congratulate Tausha Ostrander for taking the Dangerous Curves reins from Roz THE DIVA Mays, and putting on a successful event earlier this month in Denver.  I had the pleasure of attending the event and was impressed with Tausha's hard work.  The competitors did an amazing job as well!  I know how difficult it is to plan an event of this magnitude, and I cannot imaging doing it alone.

I really appreciate the safe space that Roz and Tausha have created, which allows plus sized pole dancers to compete.  Although I have often heard that plus sized dancers should just compete at the level in which they feel they are able, I do recognize that our bodies are not usually built the same as our "straight sized" counterparts.  We often have to move boobs out of the way, or we have more thigh skin that shifts when we try to attach ourselves safely to the pole.  Competing against other dancers that face the same challenges evens the playing field.

I have often blamed my size for my inability to invert or climb well.  Mama Bel has recently stopped accepting my whining and excuses and has been forcing me to do the work -- basically, each week I am climbing and inverting in class.  Watching these ladies do so many of the moves that I keep telling myself I'm too big to do makes me realize I really am just making excuses.

Congratulations again to Tausha for putting on a great event and to all of the competitors for sharing their souls with us!  I look forward to next year!

Dangerous Curves III

This weekend is the third annual Dangerous Curves, a celebration of plus size pole athletes, created and hosted by my friend, Roz THE DIVA Mays.  Roz has been a cheerleader for plus sized athletes in pole dance since the birth of modern pole and I appreciate all the love and support she gives me so I try to give it right back when I can.  I cannot be in New York this weekend (but am hoping this is a trip I can make next year, either as a spectator or maybe even as a competitor!!!?).  However, if you ARE in New York, please check out the show and give me a review! 

If you need more incentive, my loves at the Pole Dancing Bloggers Association are giving away a free ticket!!  Click THIS link for more information.

I encourage everyone to support the shit out of Roz and Dangerous Curves!  Please check THIS link if you're in New York and want to purchase tickets! 

West Coast Curves at NCPP

It's hard to say exactly how I heard about Roz the Diva. As soon as I started pole dancing, I started rabidly searching Facebook and the internet for other pole dancers. This was long before we had the close-knit community of pole dancers from around the world at our Facebook finger tips.  I did my first interview with Roz on this blog in 2011.  You can read that HERE. 

I first met her in person at Pole Convention 2012. I was actually at the AERA show and saw her in the crowd. It was like we had known each other for years. When she performed at Convention, I was blown away by her performance. It was full of "did she just do that?!" moments and it is still one of my favorite pole performances to date. You can watch that video HERE.

Roz held her first Dangerous Curves competition in 2012. She gathered plus-sized athletes from the East Coast and gave them a stage. In early 2013, we started talking about bringing it to the West Coast. Roz came to the West Coast again in 2013 to visit Twirly Girls for some workshops and attended Pole Expo, but we didn't have a chance to put that comeptition together. Dangerous Curves II was held in 2013, again in New York.

Well, my friends, after two years of yapping about it, The Diva and I have finally found a home for Dangerous Curves on the West Coast. May I introduce you to West Coast Curves at NCPP. I figured since we were going to be spending all this effort on a venue and rigging for Northern California Pole Presentational, it was time to make Dangerous Curves happen too.

And so it began.

We are so excited to bring West Coast Curves at NCPP to San Jose Stage Company on August 23, 2014. If you are a plus-sized pole athlete and would like to apply to the comeptition, please click HERE.

"West Coast Curves (WCC) is newest installment of Dangerous Curves (DC), the wildly popular competition series for plus size pole dancers. This particular event will feature up to ten (10) competitors to impress a panel of judges that will decide on the top four (4) finishers. From there, the crowd will determine which dancer has earned a guaranteed spot in the Dangerous Curves Grand Finale in NYC (fall 2014) [travel not included]. The Diva will also select a second person to go to NY for the finale!"

And how is plus-sized defined?

"There is no hard and fast definition of "plus size," but women who wear a size 12+ and men who wear a size XL+ are usually considered plus size. If you fall outside of that criteria but still identify as a plus size pole dancer, you are still welcome to enter."

If you are wondering WHY we are having two separate events, it is for two reasons.  (A) I respect Roz and her brand, Dangerous Curves. I respect that plus-sized bodies are built differently than "straight"-sized bodies, and may be unable to perform ALL the moves those bodies can perform (although if you've watched Roz dance, there don't seem to be many moves she can't do). Having a platform with a more even playing field seems like a no-brainer. That being said, I don't really believe that every single comeptition or event needs a plus-sized category. I feel like Roz has spent a lot of time building the DC brand, so I am happy to bring that brand to us rather than start from scratch and compete with her. (B) NCPP is not a competition. It is a showcase, offering three different skill levels, with optional feedback. So if plus-sized dancers are looking to COMPETE, WCC is the event for them. If they just want feedback on their moves, then NCPP is the event for them. If they want both options, they are welcome to apply to both!  It's that simple.

I am really excited about this endeavor. I admire Roz, not only as a pole dancer but as a woman who busts her ass every day to make it in this crazy world. I feel very fortunate to have met her and cannot wait to see her again in August. I believe I may be able to talk her into walking the WCC stage in our almost-matching bikinis.

So, again, if you want to apply to WCC, please click HERE.  You can ALSO apply to NCPP (solos (three levels), duos and groups welcome)...and to do that, click HERE. (We already have one dancer doing both events!) If you want an explanation as to why we must charge fees and/or why we are doing NCPP to begin with, please click HERE.

In addition, if you are interested in SPONSORING WCC (hello there, my local plus-size loving companies), or NCPP (I'll be blogging about this later with what we are looking for), or if you are interested in buying tickets to attend these events, please e-mail us through the website.  Roz is also available to teach workshops while she is here in August. If you are interested in booking a workshop with her (I LOOOOVE her SWAG workshop), then please e-mail us through the website (link above) and I will put you in touch with her.

Thank you again to Roz for allowing Ellen and I to partner with her on this endeavor.  See you all in August! 

Come one, come all: Northern California Pole Presentational and West Coast Curves

I've written in the past about how much it costs to put on a pole show.  Until I started trying to organize a pole show, I had NO FREAKING IDEA how much it actually costs, not only in money, but in blood, sweat and tears, to put on a dang pole show!

Last year, Amy Bond brought me an idea:  Let's put on a pole competition, but not a comeptition, a showcase with feedback!  Initially, she wanted to put our show ahead of PPC in LA (which was held the weekend of March 1-2, 2014) so that competitors could showcase their routine and get feedback from a panel of judges in order to present a more polished routine at the actual competition.  The more we thought about it, the more we realized that most people wouldn't want to reveal all of their cards pre-competition.  But we decided we still liked the idea, so we tabled it for summer of 2014.  Not all pole dancers want to compete but many have a desire to get on the big stage and showcase their talents without the pressure of a competition.  At the same time, if we're going to bring together all of these dancers, why not offer them the option of receiving feedback on their routine, so that they can improve their dancing. 

Then early in 2014, Amy, who recently passed the California Bar Exam and took a new job, e-mailed me to tell me she wanted to focus on other things and needed to drop out of the planning process.  She gave me her blessing to continue without her, and I am honored that she would trust me with bringing her idea to light. 

But now I needed a new partner.  Enter the amazing Ellen Lovelace.  When I told Ellen about my predicament, she immediately stepped up and has been kicking ass ever since.  Ellen has secured the location and has been doing a ton of work behind the scenes to keep the process moving.  It certainly makes me respect Amy and Bayleigh of PSO for putting on multiple shows each year.  And my hat is off to Ellen for all the work she is doing to make this event happen. 

So, let me formally introduce to you the Northern California Pole Presentational (NCPP), which will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the San Jose Stage Company in San Jose, California.  This event will be run PSO-style.  No need to send us a video link to try-out, you just pay your fee, fill out the form and you're in!  Why do we need competitors to pay?  Because, like I said earlier, putting on a pole show is not cheap.  The largest expenses are the venue, rigging and insurance.  In order to keep ticket prices down so that friends and family can come watch, we (like many other pole events) have asked participants to help share the cost.  We use that money to create a safe environment and beautiful stage for you to showcase your routine for your loved ones.  Also, each participant can choose to receive feedback (or not) on their routine from a panel of judges (which we will announce soon).  We don't only accept solo performers, though, we are also excited to include duos and groups. 

Why does Northern California need this event? It is evident by the 200+ participants in PPC that Southern California is inundated with people who want to perform (including many Northeran California polers, who traveled down to compete). Nothern Calfornia does have some really amazing pole shows, however they are generally associated with area studios and/or require try-outs to get in. This will be first independently produced pole event for Northern California, which will be open to everyone. We are trying to give Nor Cal polers a chance to get in first by only allowing Nor Cal and Nevada addresses to apply until April 30. At that time, spots are fair game for any pole dancer in the United States.

In addition to NCPP, we have Roz THE DIVA Mays, bringing her plus-sized pole comptition from New York to us!  West Coast Curves at NCPP (WCC) will be held the same day.  This is an actual competition and the top two competitors, chosen by the audience, will win entrance into the Dangerous Curves finales, which will be held later this year in New York. 

So, with all of this excitment coming to the Bay Area, what is THE topic everyone is talking about?  Our bear logo.  Meet Pat.  Who knew a cute, fluffy bear wearing a pink pole outfit would cause so much chatter?!  In my mind, the purpose of a logo is to brand something and make it memorable.  Even if some of you hate it, it's certainly doing its job.  You will all remember this bear.  For me, the logo is fun, which is how I want this event to be.  It pulls in the California flag, which has a bear on it.  Is it doing a pole trick?  Is that a karate kick?  Who knows?!  Maybe it is a pole ninja doing some innovative new trick that hasn't been revealed yet.  I enjoy all the bear comments, though, so keep them coming.

Ellen and I are really excited about this event.  Sign-ups are currently open to Northern California and Nevada residents.  The cost is only $50 per person/performance slot.  People are certainly encouraged to do solos and group routines.  Or they can particiapte in NCPP and WCC (we have already had someone sign up for both).  Information on sponsorship, vendor booths, and tickets to the show will be available soon.  All information regarding participation, including volunteering, can be found at www.PoleNorCal.com.  If you're on the fence about participating, remember you will be at home in front of all of your loved ones.  I can't think of a better way to get your first pole show under your belt. 

I hope to see all of my Pacific Northwest friends at NCPP in August.  I would love to know what you love most and hate most about big pole events.  We want this to be the best pole event you have ever attended.  Please leave a comment below.  Also, if you have any questions, please e-mail us through the website.  See you in August!

San Francisco Adventure with Roz the Diva!

Right after Pole Expo, Roz The Diva came to town.  There was so much going on.  I had just spent a month off work recovering from foot surgery.  Then straight to Pole Expo in Vegas.  Then back to work.  It was a hectic time and I never got to write about it.  So now that things have calmed down a bit, I need to talk about my pole sister coming to visit!

I first wrote about Roz two years ago.  She was the first normal sized poler I had ever really seen through Facebook.  I wrote about Roz' competition for plus-sized polers, Dangerous Curves, last year.  There are a couple of videos of Roz on that post that you won't want to miss.  Dangerous Curves II was held earlier this month (so sorry I missed it...it sucks to be broke and injured!!!).  We still have hopes of creating Dangerous Curves - West Coast edition sometime in the future.

So, since I had just taken a month off work and then went straight to a vacation, I couldn't really take any time off to hang out with her in my neck of the woods.  I  DID get to take another workshop with her at Twirly Girls (SWAG) and then met her for lunch, then an after-work adventure one evening.  As usual, photos seem to tell a better story, so check them out below.

Warming up for SWAG with Roz the Diva

Warm-up

Our class with Roz

We all learned how to twerk!

So jealous of this girl

Taking Roz on a cable car adventure in San Francisco

The cable car was full so we had to ride on the outside.  She thought she was going to die.

We took Roz to church (Grace Cathedral)

We had cupcakes

We went to a bar

Then Roz got to experience BART

I really, really enjoyed hanging out with Roz and hope that next time we meet, we will have more time to hang out.  I need to make it to New York for the next Dangerous Curves and we still need to bring it to the West Coast!

I love when pole friends come to visit...

I really do love when pole friends come to visit.  I didn't get a chance to write about Roz the Diva coming to visit post-Pole Expo in September (yeah, I twerked!!!).  My last post about Roz was talking about a potential Dangerous Curves - West Coast edition.  Dangerous Curves II JUST happened last weekend.  And someday soon, I do hope we can bring it to the West Coast.  I'm sorry I didn't get to write about her visit to San Francisco.  I guess it's never too late so I will have to put a post together soon!

So, a couple of weeks ago, one of my pole sisters came to San Francisco on business (she lives in Missouri).  I was SO excited!  I LOVE meeting Facebook pole friends in real life!  Angela is also a fellow blogger.  Her blog, Ascending Slowly, is about her own pole journey.  I have always adored Angela because she interacts with me on my blog and Facebook page quite often.  It is always nice to know that real people are reading what you write and have something to say back to you. 

Of course, the week Angela shows up, BART goes on strike.  BART is the train that many commuters use to get in and out of San Francisco for work.  I am one of those commuters.  If BART isn't running, it makes life difficult for everyone.  It gums up the roadways and makes a normal 40-50 minute commute up to 2-1/2 hours long.  

The plan was for Angela to join me Monday night for my class at Twirly Girls, Boys, Girls and Twirls.  BART messed that up.  Luckily, BART got running again later in the week and Angela joined me for Jade's Pole Emotion class.  Unfortunately, the class was getting ready for a group performance, so our class was more about critiquing the routine, videoing and playing around on the back poles while the regular class practiced.

While the class took a break, Angela and I danced.  I haven't had many opportunities to just dance since my foot surgery.  I have lost a lot of strength, what little flexibility I had, and my stamina.  We made it through two songs.  I love watching Angela's videos, and enjoyed watching her dance in real life, because she is so smooth and is fantastic about finishing the moves in a well-rounded and sexy way.  I have kind of let that go as I've had more and more pain in my foot.  Watching Angela really motivated me to want to try harder to get back to how I was dancing before my foot started bothering me. 

And now Angela knows I'm just as crazy in real life as I am on Facebook!  I really, really enjoyed meeting Angela and hope that we will have an opportunity in the future to cross paths again!  Please check out her blog and leave a comment below with the one person on Facebook you'd like to meet in real life if you could! 

Dangerous Curves - West Coast Edition

Last year, I wrote about how Roz the Diva had created a competition for curvy pole dancers.  Dangerous Curves was held on August 25, 2012 at Sacred Studio in Brooklyn, New York.  It was hosted by the hilarious Luenell.  I have not had the pleasure of being able to watch any videos from the competition, but I understand it was an awesome, sell-out performance. 

I spoke on the phone with Roz while I was at Pole Expo in Vegas last September.  We chatted about creating the West Coast edition of the competition.  I don't think there is confirmation of a date or venue yet, but I am hoping that the second edition of this competition will be scheduled in connection with Roz's trip to Las Vegas for the second annual Pole Expo this September.  I am planning to attend that event, and am hoping to schedule some workshops in Northern California for Roz as well (if you are in Las Vegas or California, please let me know if you'd be interested in workshops and I will connect you with Roz). 

Here's the kicker...I may even throw my hat in the ring.  Sure, I have a loooong way to go before I am ready for a competition.  But I feel like, as an advocate for curvy pole dancers, I need to talk the talk AND walk the walk.  Hey, I can't guarantee I'll get in, but I do promise to submit a video for consideration. 

Roz really is one of the most dynamic performers I have ever seen before.  I hope to take a few of her tips to provide an entertaining performance, and I am hoping that having an end goal like this will also keep me on track at the gym.

Now I can start throwing up and sweating.  I don't know why I keep forcing myself to do things that terrify me.  I feel like this is similar to the roller coaster ride I took at Disneyland.  The first two made me almost pee my pants.  But the next four times, I was having a grand ol' time. 

X-Pole US and The Diva Present: Dangerous Curves

I posted about Roz The Diva almost a year ago.  I love how she represents curvy girls and rocks the pole like no one's business.  Check out the Dirty Diana performance on YouTube:



Roz doesn't just pole dance like a champ, she puts on a freaking SHOW!  I had the pleasure of meeting her this year at PoleCon.  I LOVED her solo performance:



Well, Roz has set up a showcase and competition to highlight those with amazing (and dangerous) curves.  X-Pole and The Diva Present: Dangerous Curves!  Here's the description from the website:

Dangerous Curves seeks to highlight the unique contributions of plus size pole athletes. 'Plus size' has traditionally been defined those who wear a size 12 or above. If you fall outside this range but still identify yourself as a plus size athlete, you are absolutely encouraged to audition! The performer with the most dangerous curves, determined by the audience, will get special recognition. A second recognition, The Diva's Award, will be given to the athlete who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to uplifting others as described in their application below. 

The competition will be held in New York on August 25.  I so wish I had the time off from my day job and the money to get to New York for this competition.  I know I'm a bit late with this, but for anyone who CAN get to NY, please submit a video for this competition (see website link above)!  The deadline is THIS WEEKEND!

I really hope this goes well....because the next goal is to get The Diva out to California for Dangerous Curves: West Coast edition!  Would YOU submit for that competition?  Tell me where you'd like to see this competition on the West Coast!