Kinetic Arts Center's I Hate The Holidays Cabaret

Last Saturday, I went to Kinetic Arts Center in Oakland to watch one of my favorite people compete in the I Hate The Holidays Cabaret.  I purchased my VIP ticket so I could be guaranteed awesome seating.  Rita and I even arrived super early to be at the front of the line.  We took photos when we arrived, using the props to create our very own hateful holiday scene.  I joked with the ladies who worked there that I already knew who I was voting for.  Many acts walked around, interacting with the crowd, and setting us up for their upcoming performances.  It was really cute and fun and we had lots of laughs before the curtain had even been opened. 

Then the show began.  Mind.  Blown.

Seriously, every single performance was great.  I couldn't say one bad thing about any of them.  The kids were especially PHENOMENAL.  I almost felt guilty voting for my Sean Michael.  The hosts were so funny and kept the show moving, which can be difficult when you have different aerial acts using different apparatuses.  I really don't know how to describe it.  Luckily, I took video!  You should watch.  Literally every single act.  You won't be disappointed! 

I want to congratulate Sean Michael, who went on to win the competition on Sunday night!  I'm so sorry I couldn't come watch!  You are amazing, though, and deserved it!!!  So much love for this boy!!

Did I win?  Did I win???

If I won, this would be my "OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST WON" face!

The Sugar Plum Fairy himself

Twirly family

The most amazing family...I love them and I hope this is their Christmas card

I die

Ummmm....I'm a Pole ARTIST

Continuing with the pole dancer versus stripper debate...  Get caught up here:  http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2012/01/stripper-versus-pole-dancer-debate.html

A couple of weeks ago, Twirly Girls were part of a local radio show's live event [http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2012/02/twirly-girls-at-sarah-vinnie-secret.html].  Going into the event, I knew the "stripper thing" was going to come up.  The general public associates pole dancing with stripping.  As we know, one can mean the other.  But it doesn't have to.  I warned the girls that the topic would most likely come up.  I figured it would be mostly in good fun since Sarah and Vinnie have an entertainment show to put on.  It did come up and the S&V show felt like one of our girls in particular was a little bitter in her response.  I didn't think she actually came across bitter or mad, but I know her and they don't, so maybe that's why the disconnect happened.  Either way...on the radio a day or two later, they made the point that we are all swinging on a stripper pole, so we shouldn't be that shocked when the subject came up.  

In my mind, they are right.

Are you a stripper?  A pole dancer?  A pole fitness enthusiast?  A pole artist?  There are many names for what we do.  And there's nothing wrong with being any one of those things, or all of them.  But when someone says to you, "oh you pole dance?!"  Are you the first to say, "but I'm not a stripper!"?

Now this is where I get stuck.  If someone comes at me with the whole, "oooh, so you're a stripper, right?" thing, I usually respond with, "If I had a nicer body and a little more rhythm, I'd definitely consider it!"  But I also grew up in a religious home where acting out and being a little naughty held some appeal.  I've also spent many years learning how to ignore those who tried to make me feel bad about myself or guilty for things that I do.  I sometimes forget not everyone has had that kind of life training. 

I don't want to disconnect from my pole community either.  If it is offensive to some to be called a stripper, am I belittling them by telling them to get over it?  On the other hand, do we owe it to the "pole fitness" community to explain to the general public that there is a bit of a difference between stripping for dollars and taking classes at a pole fitness studio?  Granted, I like working out and feeling stronger but I really enjoy putting on "stripper heels" and cute clothes too.  

In my mind, I say, take me or leave me...I owe you no explanation for anything I do or say.  However, I feel like some of my pole sisters may feel like I am not hearing them or taking their feelings into account. 

At the end of the day, regardless of the words we use to describe what we do, we're still doing it -- swinging around a pole.  And, it's like some of us are almost waiting for the fight...waiting for that outsider to bring up pole dancing, daring them to call us a stripper, so we can attack and explain that we are pole artistes!  We should not be ashamed of what we do.  I feel like if we make excuses and try to distance ourselves from stripping, it almost becomes, "we doth protest too much..."   

It seems like a lot of the negativity and disharmony comes from WITHIN our own pole dancing community. Some spend so much time debating the words we should use to describe what we do -- and even more time judging other dancers in the industry.  I think we need to first band together, then we can worry about what the outsiders think.

At the end of the day, a person who will judge you for pole dancing, doesn't care if you're a stripper or not.  They will judge you the same.  So why not hold your head high and proudly proclaim:  YES, I AM A POLE DANCER [or insert your favorite term here]!  That's what I plan to do. 

My first aerial silks series is over

I had my first taste of aerial silks in September when I did a workshop with Sarah Starlight.  Rita and I then started a four week series at Twirly Girls in November.  You can read my post after the first class HERE.

We have officially finished our first month-long series (and have actually started our second).  I am still working on my core and upper body strength.  It's funny.  I feel like I got stronger every single class.  At the same time, I feel like I got worse at some moves (like climbing).  But I still really enjoy challenging myself and trying something new. 

Like with pole dancing, I feel completely out of my element but I love being slightly uncomfortable.  I am not loving the bruises on my hips bones and the missing skin on my feet.  I appreciate that Sarah is so supportive of me and allows me to move along at my own pace.  She does push me and challenge me but understands my limitations.  I am looking forward to learning even more this month!

*Day 2 of 30 day blogging challenge*

Instructor Spotlight on Ellen Lovelace!

I had heard of Ellen Lovelace many times before I actually met her at a Poletential event. She is an amazing dancer and instructor, and she makes me giggle. I loved the hammocks class I took with her last weekend. Here is Ellen!
 

What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?

I’ve done machine Pilates for about 5 years, twice a week. I pole 3 to 4 days a week. I usually take an aerial yoga class once a week, and now am teaching one about once a week as well. And, due to my unfortunate litany of injuries, I have a whole routine of at-home PT exercises that I do in one form or another almost every night.

What kind of diet do you follow? 

I try to always eat a variety from the major food groups: bread, pasta, cookies, and bagels. ;-) I’m allergic to dairy and eggs, and I choose not to eat pork or beef…so I’m kind of like a vegan who eats chicken and fish. In all seriousness, I’ve tried eating low-carb high-protein tons of fruits and veggies, and it just makes me gain weight and feel hungry all the time. So I eat what I want, but in moderation. 

Do you have a dance background? 

Not formally, no. I’ve always danced in one form or another, starting as a Madonna impersonator in my bedroom, then cheerleading and musical theater, leading up to sensual dance and pole. But not formally trained.

Do you compete (pole fitness or any other kind of fitness competitions)?

No, I don’t. This past summer I actually pushed myself WAY outside my box, and submitted an entry to the Masters (40+) division for the Midwest Pole Championship. I was so incredibly honored and blown away to be chosen by the judges to be one of the 6 competitors! However, due to many reasons, including a crazy summer schedule and a shoulder injury, I had to decline. In hindsight, I’m really glad I entered, but I know I made the right choice for me, and won’t be entering any more competitions. I pole because I love it, and that’s all the validation I need.

Do you teach pole classes? If so, where?

Yes! I teach at Poletential in Redwood City , CA . It’s a great studio with a non-competitive atmosphere full of fun women who pole for the joy of it. I teach a few different things, from choreographed dances to intensive clinics (invert, floorwork, etc.) to pure hard tricks-based classes.
 

Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

I love both, but if I had to pick only one to do forever, it would have to be dancing. I think my joints would prefer that choice, as well. 

What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

To each his or her own. There’s room for all forms of expression. I just don’t like it when people are adamant about one over the other.
 

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
 

Usually, just clean hands and pole are all I use. If I am trying something brand-new super-scary that requires a lot of grip and don’t want to worry about sliding, I use a quick shot of Firm Grip. Our studio poles are 50mm so sometimes it helps to stick your hands in place!

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?

Since I discovered Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion, I haven’t had dry skin in years! I apply it every day—it leaves you moist and slightly sticky, so it’s perfect for pole. On non-pole days, I hydrate deeply with Kiehl’s Crème de Corps.

Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?

I wear a ton of pole tanks from our studio and others. Unfortunately, all the tiny cute pole and yoga tops are not made for my “girls”, so I wear great bras from Champion. And I am eternally on the hunt for the perfect pole shorts. Still haven’t found them! 

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

Both. I tend to go in cycles of one more than the other. I need to get better about making myself practice tricks in heels.
 

What is your favorite thing about dancing on the pole?

It’s everything I love about any form of dance: losing yourself in the music and movement. Plus, the challenge of integrating tricks in a way that the dance never stops. That’s what motivates me--how can I make this seamless and pretty?
 

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?  

So many come to mind! But I guess the two songs that will always get me up and moving are Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer and The Way I Are by Timbaland. Totally schizophrenic, I know! 

What else would you like people to know about you or your studio(s)?

I’m 41, and until I touched a pole 4 years ago I was pretty much an out-of-shape couch potato. Pole has transformed my life and self-confidence, and made me appreciate what my body can do for me. The bruises, calluses, and injuries are all just proof that I’ve turned my body into a tool that can achieve some pretty awesome things!

Aerial Hammock/Yoga at Poletential

Poletential seems to be quickly becoming my home away from home.  Although they are an hour away, so I can't really get there regularly for classes, they have some fun events that I have been really excited to attend.  I didn't get a chance to write much about it, but I was touched that Tracey invited Rita and me to Twirloween -- Poletential's birthday party and student/instructor showcase.  There are some videos on my YouTube account if you are interested. 

Of course my first direct contact with Poletential was the Air Show last July.  I had so much fun and am eagerly anticipating the second Air Show next month.

I also attended a Zumba FUNdraiser to benefit the beautiful Tracey Horne.  What a lovely bunch of women who came together to support their pole sister in a time of need.

Also, don't forget Christina and Pam answered my Studio Spotlight questions recently as well. 

In early October I had tried aerial silks at Twirly Girls and saw that Poletential had aerial hammock.  It looked a little easier than silks.  Rita and I signed up immediately, but due to scheduling issues, didn't get in for a class until yesterday.  I saw an aerial hammock demonstration at OC Pole Fitness' open house in September.  I mean, those girls were advanced and did some amazing things in the hammock but I figured anything with the word "hammock" in it couldn't be that hard.

Rita and I arrived at Poletential yesterday, ready for whatever the afternoon held for us.  Jessica was our instructor.  I guess I knew we wouldn't be gently swinging in the breeze, but I still don't know what I actually expected.  I figured it would be yoga-based as I had also heard aerial hammock described as aerial yoga.  But I certainly didn't expect the workout that I got! 

We started seated on the ground doing a gentle warm-up/stretch and then Jessica told us to reach up and grab the hammock to lift ourselves off the floor.  I giggled.  Surely she was joking.  She wasn't and she lifted herself like a cute little genie and floated above the ground with her legs still folded.  I attempted to pull myself up, then saved myself the embarrassment and just stood up.

Then the real fun began:  Warming up with one of our legs in the hammock.  I will pretend that part of why I struggled so much was because I chose a hammock a little too low to the ground.  So my leg in the hammock was angled downward a bit instead of straight out.  Yeah, we'll go with that.

Ten minutes into the warm-up, I was sweating my ass off.  I struggled through some of the poses, mostly due to my own inability to balance (weak core, yes, I know!).  I joked with Jessica that I had signed up for the gentle hammock class (not the boot camp my body thought I was putting it through).  She shot back that we were almost done with the warm-up...and I don't think she was kidding.  :-)

After some awesome yoga poses, both on the ground and in the air, and some inversions (which I was only able to do for a little bit because the silks dug into my bad hip a little too much), we snuggled into the hammocks like little bugs in a rug for Savasana -- the final resting pose in yoga.  It's the few minutes you get to lay still, recover and reflect after you've worked so hard.  I swear there was a small earthquake.  The hammock swayed gently and bumped into one of the girls behind me.  It was not scary or uncomfortable.  It was kind of weird -- almost re-assuring that another person was floating in space with me. 

I really enjoyed the class and am really sore today.  I know I have a long way to go before I would be able to consider myself even slightly adept at aerial yoga.  But I am always down for a challenge and am hoping to get in there at least once a month.  I also want to thank Jessica for putting up with me.  I know I tend to be a bit silly when I'm uncomfortable. 

Thank you to Poletential for always being so welcoming to the Twirly Girls.  Next up:  I am definitely looking forward to trying some Liquid Pole with Ellen soon!

Pro Spotlight on Sarah Romanowsky

I saw Sarah Romanowsky perform at Poletential's Twirloween last month and loved her.  I am really excited to see her perform again at the Air Show in December.  She is also a really good sport because she answered my questions even though they were initially written for a pole dancer and were badly converted to "aerial questions" by me (bad, bad blogger!!).  We welcome Sarah as an aerial sister!

What is your fitness background?

I spent years training at a gym, but since discovering aerial arts, I've hardly been back. I still dance, I love to hike, and I include Pilates & yoga in my aerial warm-ups, but primarily, the tissu/silks is my apparatus of choice for fitness.

What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole/silks)?

Climbs, meathooks, skin-the-cats, pull-ups, leg lifts, straddles. More than anything, though, I recommend just being in the air. Spend longer amounts of time on the fabric. Stack moves upon moves and you will undoubtedly get stronger.

What kind of diet do you follow?

Believe it or not, after years of being a vegetarian, I've finally added meat into my diet, and I actually feel a lot better. I have more energy and gain muscle more easily. You have to listen to your own body, try different diets, and see what you respond most favorably to.

Do you have a dance background?

Yes. I grew up training in ballet & jazz dance, then obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Loyola Marymount University, where my training also included modern & contemporary styles.

Which competition(s) do you like to do?  Do you have any title(s)?

Competitions & titles are not a big part of the aerial world. I wish there were more opportunities in this arena, though!

Where do you train?  Do you have your own pole/aerial arts studio?

I do not have my own aerial space, but I received all of my training from the instructors at Hollywood Aerial Arts, and now teach there myself, so I consider HAA to be my home studio.

Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?

Once again, we do not have sponsors in the aerial world as you have in the pole world, but this is an avenue I would be interested in exploring.

What first interested you about pole dancing/acrobatics/contortion/aerial arts?

With my extensive dance background, the tissu/silks really spoke to me on an artistic and expressive level. Now that I perform & teach it myself, I feel the exhilarating experience of blending strength and power with grace and extension. The fabric feels alive...it feels like a dance partner - it has me, it holds me. I can wrap it an a garment around me...I can ascend and descend...I can tell a story. I fall in love with it over and over again.

 Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

I think it entirely depends on the approach of any given class or instructor. Similarly to pole, there are some studios that teach aerial silks from a fitness standpoint, and others that teach it from a more artistic standpoint.

What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

I think the pole is an impressive apparatus to work on, and one that I've chosen to cross-train on this year. It's unfortunate that many people still view the work through a clouded lens. More and more, though, opinions are evolving on it, and people are accepting it for the amazing apparatus it is.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole (when you are pole dancing)?

I use Firm Grip spray or rosin on the fabric.

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days?)?

Not a problem on fabric.

 Where do you like to buy your aerial/pole workout clothes?

Dance shops. You need fitted leggings that cover the backs up the knees. Leotards. Unitards. You need your waist covered. You do not "stick" to the fabric as you would to a pole, so stay covered, or get burned!

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

Barefoot!

What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?

I was a professional dancer. I was a classic showgirl in Las Vegas for awhile - in Jubilee!

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

Beyonce's Love on Top. I love her! Her music, especially on this current album, makes me wanna throw my hair around a lot while I'm in the air.

Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?

I freelance around Los Angeles and also travel to perform nationally & internationally. I have lots of fun jobs coming up throughout the holiday season and will be sure to post video and pics!

What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?

Check out my work at www.LAaerialist.com.  I update it constantly with new photos and videos. I will also be starting my own blog soon!

You can also follow Sarah on Twitter!  

Aerial silks at Twirly Girls

The words "pole dancing" have a negative connotation to some people (boooooo to those people), and I've noticed lately that a lot of pole dancers are learning all kinds of acrobatics and (formerly) circus-type acts in order to compete in the pro circuit.  "Pole dancing" is now encompassed in the more tame "aerial arts" description.  Aerial silks are also in that category.  I went to a rotary meeting this morning and one of the men asked if I was one of the girls who did the trapeze.  Sure.  That's what I do.  :-)

On Sunday, I took a beginner aerial silks class at Twirly Girls.  It was so much fun!  I literally cannot do most of the moves, but I did rock the ONE I was able to knock out (I can flip over and hang upside down like a monkey -- only IF the knot is low enough so I can sit without having to lift my own fat ass up using my arms).  It not only requires good core strength, but some upper body strength as well.  I'm really excited that we have silks at Twirly Girls and am looking forward to continuing with my pilates reformer classes so that I can improve at silks AND pole.  I have set all of these pole goals and can't hit any of them until I get into shape!  I'm finally ACTUALLY on my way there now!

Here are some photos from our class.