I keep trying to figure out how to put this into words and I am almost too fried to do it – which doesn’t even make sense, since I didn’t touch a pole all weekend. All I did was meet some of the coolest people on this earth and cheer for the best, most incredible pole dancing ever.
My incredibly insightful analysis of the event
If you saw me at the competitions, then you know I was busy scribbling notes about every single performance, so I would be sure to remember. Which is a great and wonderful idea – except that in the end, how many different words for AWESOME are there?
So, let me put it this way:
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD.
Seriously. I had no idea pole dancing could be that awe-inspiring. I mean, I’ve seen some great performances, but mainly I’ve seen short recitals (and not many of those), or youtube videos.
These are not representative.
The fact is, I was totally unprepared for how much my mind was going to be blown from just seeing so many elite performances, one after another after another.
I was flipping out – as the row of linebackers in front of me learned when they lingered in an upright position too long in the middle of one of the dances. Never before have so many six-footers received the wrath of one tiny blogger. I seem to recall bitch-slapping one of them.
But I digress.
The thing is, I don’t know what to say. It was that incredible. These women are FEARLESS. And so goddamned strong. And so smokin’ hot. I was so proud of my pole sisters – I had no idea what you all could do!
I wish I could list every single detail of what struck me about each performer but … wait a minute … this is my blog; I actually can do that.
Just please don’t go all OCD on my ass if some people’s comments are longer than others – I was scribbling in the dark between sets, so have some pity on me and know that I LOVED THEM ALL.
So now, in the order they were listed in the program, and praying to god I don’t forget anyone (because I know you’ll all hunt me down, and like I could ever fend off a group of marauding pole dancers) …
First, the “amateurs” …
Becca Butcher
Becca especially rocked the optionals, where her style could really be showcased. I loved – LOVED – the reverse striptease she did. Yes, REVERSE striptease – she put ON a shirt. How’s that for originality?
The only word I could ever use to describe Caterina’s style is INTENSE. When she grabs that pole, she means it – pure power.
Amy Guion
Contortions and a real sense of how to give a performance (you know how much I love that!). Gorgeous!
Kyra Johannesen – Runner Up of the USPDF Amateur Division
Ever want to know how to make eye contact with a large audience? Ask Kyra. I also loved how she explored every nuance of her music – and the belly dancer in me especially appreciated the shoulder shimmy!
Mina Mortezaie – Winner of the USPDF Amateur Division
Whenever I see this kind of gymnastic skill coupled with so much stage presence, I am just blown away. Amazing.
Amy Richard
What is with the Richard sisters? It’s as if they are made entirely of long legs and pole ability. Amy has a beautiful style all her own and is definitely one to watch for!
Now, the pro division …
Alethea Austin – 2010 USPDF Champion
When you take a sexy, incredibly bendy girl with a fearless approach to handcuffs, you get Alethea. Seriously. I mean, how do you do all that while shackled to a pole?
Sarah Cretul
My notes on Sarah are two words and two words only: JESUS and WOW. Pretty much says it all.
Takeila is a longtime tweep, but she is so modest I had no idea just how incredible she is. Her tricks absolutely blew me away!
Lauren Goldstein
I could say a thousand things about how smooth and awesome Lauren’s dancing is, but my notes show what I was really thinking: SEX ON A STICK. Truly fantastic!
Hot and bendy, that would be Karol. I’m not yet convinced this girl isn’t made of rubber.
Zoraya Judd
Strong and smooth, that’s Zoraya. I could not believe how long she held some of those tricks! Spell-binding.
Brynlyn Loomis
Brynlyn does pole dancing as true theater – like Broadway, only vertical. Sexy, sassy, and totally fun to see! (Loved meeting her ever-so-proud mom, too!)
Jessalyn Medairy
Jessalyn alternates between so elegant you can’t believe it, and full-speed tricks with the utmost of control. Brilliant!
Leigh Ann Orsi
Leigh Ann’s Wild Thing medley just rocked my world! A complete extravaganza of pole tricks and sexy dancing!
If Amber was scared of being stereotyped as the ballet chick, she sure shot that out of the water! Showing off her classical training at the beginning, and switching (in a moment of hilarious theater!) to sizzling hot, raw pole dancing, Amber was AWESOME.
Gabrielle Valliere
The art of the flirt is alive and well and living inside Gabrielle. My notes on her dance style? DELICIOUS.
I really don’t even know how to describe her tricks. So fast, so smooth, so sharp, I was on the edge of my seat. This is all interpreted in my notes (in my typically vulgar style) as FUCKIN’ A.
Allegra King – 2010 Miss Pole Dance Australia
This was an unexpected treat! I am not sure, but I think I detected some belly dance influence in Allegra’s sensually curving moves. Not to mention the snake. And all the tricks you’ve come to expect when you hear the words “Australian pole dancer.”
Jenyne Butterfly – 2009 USPDF Champion
Jenyne, Jenyne, Jenyne. Videos do not do your pole dancing justice. Your fluidity and grace are matched only by your incredible ability with pole tricks. Mesmerizing.
Huge thanks to …
Anna Grundstrom and Wendy Traskos. You put together a breathtaking show and I take my hat off to you for coordinating all the prizes and tours involved in the USPDF. Great job!
Kira Morris, Dameka Hayes, and Brook Notary. The judges. I don’t know how you do it – I couldn’t have chosen!
The pole cleaners. I’m afraid I didn’t catch their names, but they did a great job keeping the poles clean and safe for each performance. The zambonis of the USPDF!
Poletential Thank you so much for the After Party! No one wanted the pole dancing to end, and it was great knowing that it didn’t have to! (Loved Eddie the doorman, too!)
Symphony Space. A great venue for the event, with the most helpful, kind staff ever. Monica was especially wonderful! Their production manager, whose name I’ve forgotten, is also an EMT, and he was both incredibly helpful and incredibly compassionate in helping an elderly man who fell down in the street outside the theater between events.
Extra hugs and thanks to my pole buddies. It was such a joy to meet all of you! I would list your names, but I am too terrified of forgetting someone. Suffice it to say, that you are all the most amazing, most delightful, most exuberant people I could ever hope to meet. And I only wish I could see you all more often!
And, of course, each and every one of the performers. You gave me an experience I could not have imagined in my dreams. Watching you pole dance – every single one of you – was a gift that I will treasure. THANK YOU.
And now, to sleep
Okay, so that’s my take on the USPDF. Again, please cut me some slack on the comments. I really just wanted to say what was in my heart about each of these women’s amazing performances. I know it’s a competition and not everyone can win, but it’s just unimaginable how beautiful all of these dances were, and how unique each dancer’s style was.
You know how much I go on about stage presence and putting life into your pole dancing? Well, these performers know how to do that backwards and forwards. It was a pure joy to see.
P.S. Thank you to everyone who took a picture with me – like an idiot, I left my camera at home, so you gave me my souvenirs of the event!
Living as I do in the vast, pole dancing wasteland that is Vermont, it is with delirious joy and delight that I say to you that I am going to New York to see the USPDF!
I will be there for both the amateur and pro comps, and I would love to meet up with those of you that are going to be there.
Where shall we meet?
Friday or Saturday are options for me. I’m sure we’d all like to see all the events on Friday, so let’s be sure to work around that. And around the workshop times on Saturday, too, since I bet a lot of you are attending those.
Do you know the area and have some ideas?
If so, please leave them in the comments, or email/message me your suggestions.
Ideally, we’d find a coffee shop or something similar where we could all hang out a bit and chat. It needs to be close to the USPDF events so that we can all get back and forth quickly.
My pole buddies are what keep pole real for me. I have met almost none of you in person and the thought of getting to do so just about turns my head! It will be so fun!
So, send in your ideas and I’ll figure out the best option and post the final meeting time.
Pole Superstar is a pole dance competition to raise money for Single Parents in Need. Barbara Dial was the winner! Read on to get the scoop from Diane, creator of Pole Superstar.
The PoleSuperStar competition was held October 1, 2009, with people texting in their votes. How did the event go? Give us all the details!
The show exceeded my expectations! I was impressed with how creative the finalists got with their routines. I’m aware of how talented the girls are, and they really seemed to push their creative boundaries while showing the audience what they’re about. I was also overwhelmed with the audience turnout including a sold-out VIP section and capacity crowd, plus our webcast demographics show viewers in 22 countries! I was also very pleased that the show ran smoothly and all of our celebrity guests have expressed interest in participating again.
PoleSuperStar was a fundraiser for SPIN (Single Parents in Need). What was the amount raised and how will it be used? Will you be raising more money for this charity with future competitions?
We did reach our monetary goal for this event, and S.P.I.N. plans to donate $25,000 of the total proceeds to NYC’s Single Parent Resource Center to fund their programs, which include Youth Leadership, summer camp, and more. A lot of the children who visit the SPRC facilities do not have proper care at home, so I’m happy to help this organization specifically. S.P.I.N. will have more traditional fundraisers coming up, and we are planning another Pole Superstar competition as well.
How many pole dancers were competing and what were the final scores?
We had six finalists who competed at the show, and the winner was determined through audience & webcast viewer voting, via text message.
Finalists: Alethea Austin, Marlo, Becca Butcher, Sarah Cretul, Mina, Barbara Dial
Barbara Dial won the competition. What set her pole dance performance apart?
Well, ultimately it was the audience that chose her as the winner. In my opinion though, she mentioned in her video interview that she has a background in ballet and that was clear to me when I saw her performance. All of the finalists moved fluidly, and her fluid movement was very graceful and controlled like a ballerina. She also was the only competitor to dance barefoot and had extreme pointed toes at all times, which may have added to the ballet-like quality of her performance.
See Barbara Dial’s winning performance:
How can people find out about the next PoleSuperStar competition?
We have an opt-in newsletter that you can sign up for on our website www.polesuperstar.com. We also keep our Facebook, Twitter and Myspace up-to-date.
Favorite moment of the competition:
Too many to choose from! Each finalist had at least one show-stopping element in their performance, and those were my favorite moments.
Opening number by Diane Passage, Stephanie Vera, and Noelle Wood.
Three things that made the competition so much fun:
Again, too many to list, but my top three might be:
1) The finalists. Not only are they extremely talented, but they are all lovely & stunning women and great representatives of pole dancing.
2) Getting mainstream local & national recognition for pole dance, and having the finalists participate in the publicity. I had Becca, Mina and Sarah with me on the CW11 morning show, and they received a standing ovation from the newsroom & crew and had fans waiting outside the studio. Before the out-of-town finalists arrived, I had the NY girls do a photo shoot and interview with the NY Post and the story was picked up on Regis & Kelly, Fox News, Conan O’Brien, and more. I also enjoyed Becca’s reaction when I told her to watch TMZ and she got to witness the cast analyzing one of her moves! The media was impressed by the performances, and reported very positively on Pole Superstar and pole dancing in general. We had a lot of media covering the show – everywhere from bloggers such as the Huffington Post to newspapers to tv shows! Even HBO was there with a camera crew!
3) Crowd reaction. I am still receiving phone calls & emails from people who were in the audience that night and couldn’t believe what they saw. David Blaine & his fiance Alizee were in the audience with the world’s strongest man Dennis Rogers, and David mentioned to my husband that this type of pole dancing is another form of magic. I have also heard from a lot of women AND men that were inspired to take pole dance classes!
One thing you learned that surprised you:
That Bob Gruen was in the audience! He’s the photographer that took the famous picture of John Lennon in NYC. I didn’t get to meet him. Maybe next time!
Anything else you’d like to share:
As with all first time events, there are some things about the competition that we want to change for next year. I will post details on the Pole Superstar website in the next several months, but you can expect to see changes in how the winner is determined, as well as an increase in prizes. Please also check in with our website and social networks or sign up for our newsletter, as we have some exciting announcements coming up!
*** Looking for an old blog post? Or something on your favorite topic? Find old posts by category in the “Best of” links in the lower right sidebar. Or just type what you’re looking for in the Search, then scroll down until you find exactly what you want!
Tracey Simmonds Performing in Miss Pole Dance UK 2008
Kay Penney is the founder of Pole Passion, which puts on Miss Pole Dance UK and the World Pole Dance Championships.
Pole Passion runs several different pole dance competitions. How did it all begin, and which competitions are coming up?
Miss Pole Dance UK came from the ideas in 2004. I have a performance and acting background and was quite new to pole competitions then (as there were not many around ). I was let down by the organising company who ran the very first competition I entered – “Pole Idol” back in 2004 – bad management, bad communication, unprofessionally run! I felt I could do better. I only wanted to create an opportunity for ladies like me to shine on stage without the fear of being wrongly judged, never dreaming they would be so popular as they are today.
We just ran the first Mr. Pole Fitness UK competition on 4th October. Then we had the big one – Miss Pole Dance UK 2009 professional category on October 25. This has run since 2005 and is probably the largest and most established and prestigious pole competition in the UK.
Can you give us the details on how one becomes a contestant?
The competition is open to all, professional and amateurs. It was always my aim not to prevent anyone from entering who had the passion – and skill, of course. All ladies who reside in the UK, who are over the age of 18 on the day of the competition. A pre-audition selection process takes place in which all applicants must submit a 3-4 minute routine, either in person or via video clip, to the selection committee where the performances are assessed.
What are the judging criteria and who are the judges?
We have quite a complicated judging criteria with very strict rulings and procedures to create and maintain professionalism. I believe, by continually adapting as the industry has adapted, maintaining this process has been very influential in the success of the competitions. The judges are well-respected individuals within the fitness and pole dance domain. This year we are pushing the boundaries yet again by introducing one of the UK top osteopaths and chartered physiotherapists as our concentration is on health and safety on and around the pole from a musculoskeletal point of view. Apparently, we have created a bit of a stir within the osteopaths’ association.
How do people get tickets to watch the competitions?
A drive to do something different that would challenge me mentally and physically. And, at the time of beginning pole dance and fitness, as a fitness professional I was in a stage of my life where I needed an unconventional challenge, something that would help reinstate my self-esteem and boost my inner confidence, which incidentally I was lacking hugely. I was searching for a newfound fun, something I could do for myself. I had a desire to explore my sensuality, which I felt I had lost after the birth of my third child.
Favorite makeup tip:
Hummm … as a qualified beauty therapist, my favourite makeup tip has to be eyeliner and lip gloss. I tend not to leave the house without it. As a busy working mum, I unfortunately don’t have huge amounts of time to do the full makeup routine. I leave that for special occasions.
Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?
Ohhh, can I choose all three – I believe in multi tasking and promote that a modern women has the ability to wear several hats (or even shoes!!).
Favorite grip enhancer:
I must admit I haven’t had the opportunity to try them all, so if all the grip enhancers out there would like to send me a sample I would be willing to do an analysis on them all. However, the ones I have tried – Mighty Grip, Gorilla Gold, Sur Grip (no longer in production), Dry hands, Itac – I have them all in my instructor bag as there are pros and cons on them all (was that answer diplomatic enough?). It depends on my mood, the pole’s mood, and the weather, of course!!
Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:
It has to be my first ankle release – the first invert move I did, within four weeks of learning the pole (I was on an intensive crash course for a TV show at the time). The thrill of going upside down and not falling was amazing.
Pole dance pet peeves:
Nope, sorry, I don’t have any.
Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:
For bruising it has to be good old arnica and a reassessment of pole technique. And for sore muscles – work harder. Oh sorry, I mean rest and relaxation and a wonderful deep tissue massage.
Who would you most like to have in the audience at your competitions?
For me, when I developed the competitions, it was always with women in mind for the audience (at the time of innovation I felt the men had their shows and events in the gentlemen’s clubs). Miss Pole Dance was always about women. For me, success was having 50/50 men and women in the audience. Miss Pole Dance now I feel has 80/20% women in the audience so I feel I have succeeded. It was never about volume, incidentally. That was just a bonus (900 – sell out, in the audience last year at Miss Pole Dance UK).
Who would you most like to have compete?
Competitors come from all backgrounds – for me, anyone who is so passionate about the art of pole they shine on stage. Obviously, acrobatics, ballet dancers and gymnasts inspire me the most due to their amazing flexibility, grace and poise, but honestly anyone has the capabilities to compete – variety and originality are the spice of competing.
Actually, one day I would love to think that my daughter will compete (she’s 15 and still very much influenced by her peers). She is quietly inspired by both Felix and Pantera.
Who is your hero or role model?
My mum (who died a year and a half ago through an awful illness of cancer of the liver). She has taught me so much in my life. Jacqueline Gold of Ann Summers who faced challenges as I did in the early days of promoting pole dance and fitness.
What are your favorite words of encouragement?
Empowerment, confidence, fitness & FUN! Fun in caps, as that is my main focus in life.
Favorite pizza toppings:
Prawns and fresh herbs.
Cupcakes or ice cream?
Home made cupcakes AND ice cream.
Anything else you’d like to share:
I would like to thank everyone who supports me, especially my family and friends who sacrifice a lot for my full time passion, and to all those people who send me lovely wishes and to say I am so privileged to work in an industry with such lovely people.
Given all the pole dance competitions going on, I’ve been thinking a lot on how we rank pole dancing. At the amateur levels, it’s split in the usual manner: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
We value dance ability, but we also value gymnastic skill. So it makes sense to me that the people who excel at both would be the most advanced. Yet the result of this is a trend towards pole dance being pushed towards more and more aerial work.
And I have no quarrel with that.
Except …
The thing is, I’m wondering how that will continue to work as pole dance divides into different styles. It seems to me that pole dancing with an emphasis on dancing would look very different at the advanced level than pole dancing with an emphasis on aerial work.
Think about it: what about a superb performance that does spins and some inverts, but doesn’t really stay purely on the pole the way, say, Jenyne or Felix do? Could that performer never be considered “advanced?” Would they always be beaten by someone who dances beautifully but stays predominantly on the pole?
I really wonder about that, because that steers pole in a particular direction, while leaving other paths off to the side.
An idea
It’s not like I have this idea well thought out, but it seems to me that we might need different styles of pole dancing to have their own divisions at competitions, and have beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories within them.
I don’t know what the terms would be, so, for the sake of clarity, let me just divide things into pole dancing and pole acrobatics. Both would require stage presence and skill, but pole dancing would be more of a cabaret-style performance – lots of dancing, lots of theater. Pole acrobatics, on the other hand, would emphasize the dramatic moves and aerial skills.
To me, both approaches to pole have great artistic and creative potential, and I would like to recognize great pole dancers of both styles. Letting pole dancers compete within their chosen division could encourage creativity in a wider variety of directions, and allow more pole dancers to participate in the competitions.
What are your thoughts?
I’m still toying with this idea. Tell me, what do you think? Would it help to have different pole divisions? Is there a place for fantastic pole dancing that isn’t purely aerial? (And would that place necessarily need to be in a competition?) Or am I just missing some major point?
and promote that a modern women has the ability to wear several hats (or even shoes!!).