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Pole Performance…length?
Hi all! I have a question and there is no better place to ask it than here with you lovely ladies (and gents)!
I have the opportunity to perform at a charity event and the role I would have is as a background acrobat (on the pole) while everyone is being seated for the main event.
The people running the event would like me to perform for 30 minutes (perfect world), but are open to the possibility that I can only do 15 (which still seems like a lot!)
I’ll be playing around with it until the show (end of May) and building up my endurance. But I wanted to ask you all for any advice on how to make a performance last for 30 minutes? I’m thinking spinning pole and just picking poses I can sit in for a long time? Like spinning in a pole sit for a long time with fancy arms or hanging out in a CKR? Is 30 minutes just entirely unrealistic? Do any of you guys have any experience with something like this? Since I’m not a main event it’s not like I have to be full on for the entire time (hence holding poses for a long time and it would be fine I imagine). But I don’t want to commit to anything that would be unrealistic.
Also, do any of you guys have pole grips you specifically like to use for performances? Since I’ll be on spin pole I won’t need a whole lot of slide give necessary (basically I can probably be a gecko and be fine)
Thanks in advance for any help!
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12 Replies
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Hey Lucca!
WOW 30 minutes seems like a LONG TIME. I don’t think I’ve ever really heard of something like that.
Most performances last about 5-ish minutes, give or take, and depending on how you react to being on stage, and how you are moving, that can feel like an incredibly long time on it’s own. Times that by six, and you might be pretty exhausted by the end!!
My biggest recommendation would to test it out and see what you’re capable of right now. Try your idea- not too much on the movement, just hang out in some easier poses and try to make it look fancy with some arms or footy work. Time yourself to see how long you last, and how long it takes for you to feel super tired. Record it and see how long you actually stay in those poses for.
Honestly, when you’re waiting for something, a single minute can seem like forever. If you’re getting bored in a pose and feel like you want to move, you may only have been there 30 seconds!
I would also think that, if you’re going to spend so much time in one pose, your transitions may also be slowed down very far, too. Thus, it gives your flow and performance a slow and steady progress, nothing like a sudden movement and then stop (spinning notwithstanding, of course). This could also take a lot of your strength and stamina, so a balance will have to be found.
Once you figure out how long “a long time” feels like on the pole, you might have a better idea of whether you can commit to the full 30 minutes, or if you’ll need to bring it down a notch or three.Good luck!! (Good Lucca? Hehe)
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Would adding dance be appropriate for this event? You could add some light dancing but going for 30 minutes straight is kind of crazy. I think you can spread dancing, Climbing the pole and doing pole sits on spin like you mentioned and adding other things like splits or handstands . You will still need to take breaks within that 30 minutes. Add chair if that’s a possibility, add any floor balancing or floor tricks if that’s a possibility . I’ve done 8 hours for events but I shared the 8 hours with 2 other girls. We did a lot of filler work like handstands and pole sits. Too bad you don’t have a partner with you , you could take turns on the pole and/ or do doubles.
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I would get on the pole for a few minutes- take a break for a few minutes. Keep doing this. I believe that’s enough to keep them entertained.
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Dancing should definitely be an option during this. Maybe I’ll just tell her I can do 15 min take a break then do 15 min…
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I kind of thought 30 min was a long time so left the option open that I would play with how long I can last at a time and then get back to her with what that realistically looks like
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Side note: I’ll be an an x stage lite and am 5’10” so “real” floorwork would be limited but the event has a history of being a little risqué so dancing would def still be appropriate
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I would do one or two songs performing then five minute break , repeat till done. 15 is still very long
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Bah! I wish I had a partner but my only friend who could probably do it is already performing with her hoops at the same event… Thanks so much for the advice ðŸ™
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I did a lollipop hour ambient performance…exhausting! 30 is still very long and I would see if they are ok with 10 or 15 on then 10 or 15 off and then on again. This is pretty typical for ambient performing, but if they are looking for full on choreographed dances only ONE song is reasonable. Best thing to remember move slowly so things like climbs and sits take up time lol
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Hey!!!! So happy to see this!
Some of the NYC girls did background dancing at a fashion show a while ago… And a lot of it did involve holding poses and such.
I’m out now, but I’ll try and look for some videos later.
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Ok these are the best videos I could find.. but it’s the Alexander Wang after party. I know Nicole the Pole was there and Irmingard Mayer.
These videos don’t so much, but I feel like both the girls and some others posted a bunch of videos on instagram around the time (Sept 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxe7re4vQvw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTVLBCP1vLM&feature=youtu.be -
This isn’t your first time doing a live pole performance, is it? (apologies if I lacked ability to absorb all info and you mentioned it already. Lonnnng day at work.) If it is your first, then I hope you have high endurance and a large catalog of moves. 15 minutes seems like a lifetime, 30 minutes is Hell, an hour is an eternitiy in Hell, and I’m pretty sure that anything beyond that transcends the seventh circle of Dante’s Inferno.
It’s different for everybody, especially if you have performed live before because you know what to expect. Still, I’ve never heard of anyone actually performing that length of time solid. Yes, take frequent breaks between songs. Slow-burn, chain-drag, take your sweet time from move to move. I don’t want to intoduce any new worries, so I will only say that you are a badass for even taking on this challenge. I tip my hat and clap my heels to you, madam. Try to have fun w/ whatever you choose to bring to the stage.
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