NCPP 2016 Wrap-Up

The third annual Northern California Pole Presentational is in the books.  We did it!

In year one, we worried.  We planned but we worried.  Would everyone want to participate in another pole event?  Turns out, we had nothing to worry about. 

In year two, we knew we were fine.  This wasn't our first rodeo.  We knew what to expect, and we had another amazing year.  I even got to watch a good portion of the show!

Year three finally provided us with a challenge.  It wasn't anything we couldn't handle.  Shirts bearing our awesome brand new logo came in two days before show time with damage.  Damn.  No problem -- discounted shirts for everyone!  New staff at the venue (who did a great job but sometimes when I'm stressed out, I forget people can't read my mind).  A checkerboard floor at the venue only the day before the show -- very cool if you planned your outfit around it, but not if you were wearing black and white yourself.  Parking issues.  Injuries.  But we did it.  A fantastic year and another group of awesome pole dancers successfully crossing our stage!

Ellen and I were discussing how we both really have no idea what the other person does.  We literally could not run this show without the other person.  We have a very easy working relationship.  We rarely disagree and it makes me extremely happy to have someone I can depend on working on this show with me. 

I don't have much to say other than thank you.  Thank you to the dancers, who make this event possible.  There would be no reason to do this if you were not hungry for an event such as ours.  THANK YOU to Chobi!  Seriously!  He travels from Los Angeles and rigs our poles to keep our dancers safe.  He keeps an eye on everyone during the event.  He has a sharp eye, will not hesitate to act as security when necessary, and offers hugs when he knows they are needed.  We could not do this without Chobi.  Thank you to our vendors who come out to support us and haul their wares to sell.  Thank you to our sponsors for supporting us and keeping this show affordable for their students.  Thank you to our volunteers for helping us out all day.  Thank you to Robert for always letting us borrow his stage poles for the warm-up area -- and for basically being our assistant all day last Saturday.  Thank you to Janet and Ginger for keeping the backstage in order and our dancers in line.  Thank you to Kai, Miles and Tiffers for standing in the back of the theater for the entire day taking photos and video.  Thank you to our lovely judges, who travel and give up their day to give feedback to our performers.  Thank you to Amy Bond for trusting me with her idea and letting me run with it.  Thank you to Rita for always helping with our interwebs questions.  Thank you to our audience for supporting local arts.  Thank you to Jonathan, our stage and sound person from the venue, who did that event on two hours of sleep.  Also, thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated my birthday after the event.  As I suspected might happen, after waking up at 4:30 AM and being on my feet all day, the party didn't get all that wild.  We ate dinner at a jazz bar, which had children present, so no lap dances were in the cards that evening.  I was also ready for bed at 8:30 PM.  Sometimes, it is the thought that counts, and I do hope downtown San Jose enjoyed the ass signing that I received in the middle of the sidewalk.  Finally, thank you to my pole mama, Bel, for introducing me to this beautiful world.  Unfortunately, I am sure I have forgotten someone (which is generally why I hate mass thank-you's, but please know that I appreciate everyone who touched this show). 

I am looking forward to year four, and I hope you are too!  (P.S.  If you missed out on one of the new shirts and you would like one, please send me a message.  We can ship!)

The Third Annual Northern California Pole Presentational

We are four days away from the THIRD annual Northern California Pole Presentational.  The third!  If you had asked me four years ago, after Amy brought this idea to me, whether we would still be doing this today, I don't know what I would have said.  (I feel like my wrap-up from 2014 actually still embodies how I feel about the whole experience.  You can read that HERE.) 

I don't need to sell NCPP to you.  If you are reading this, you probably already know what it is and you are either dancing, volunteering or planning to attend.  For that, I thank you.  This show has completely taken on a life of its own.   Every year, we grow -- all thanks to the Northern California dancers who come out to support local dance (and shout out this year to those coming from Florida, Los Angeles and Las Vegas -- we love you too!).  We do very little marketing or promotion because we have a full theater every year. 

When I started this blog, I called myself the self-proclaimed Northern California pole dance ambassador.  I get that businesses are supposed to compete with each other, but I wanted the pole industry to be different.  Pole studios are not cheap or easy to run, so there is no danger of one popping up on every corner.  Therefore, studios in the Bay Area are free to band together and support each other (I am extremely happy that there is now a monthly instructor jam hosted by different studios).  I appreciate that most studio owners are supportive of this business model. 

I have been pole dancing for almost seven years.  I did take a fairly long break last year after getting my new job, but I am ecstatic to be back.  I don't consider myself a super "artsy" type but I love using dance to let out my emotions.  I am so insanely proud of this show and all of the dancers who are performing.  It takes a lot of guts to get up on stage and bare your soul to the world. 

I am also eternally grateful for Ellen.  This show wouldn't have happened without her.  It is rare to find someone you can work this closely with and still like as a friend at the end of the day.  I feel like we have a pretty amazing partnership. 

Sorry for getting all sappy on everyone, but planning for this show begins a year in advance and we spend the months leading up to the show giving up evenings and weekends to make sure everything is planned perfectly.  I am looking forward to Saturday and cannot wait to see what you dancers are bringing this year!

Don't have your tickets yet?  Don't pay more at the door!  Tickets on show day -- if we haven't sold out -- will be $40 CASH ONLY.  So, do yourself a favor and pick up your tickets beforehand:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2567041

Also -- FINALLY -- this year we will have shirts.  And if you are a Pat the Bear hater, we have a new design thanks to Seanmichael.  Bring your dolla dolla bills y'all.  There will be plenty of great shopping in the lobby and courtyard! 

See you on Saturday!