[chemgoddess1]

There is a line between “helping out” and handing over a complete piece to someone. I have no issues with the former, I do with the latter. We all have had a helping hand, whether it be a friend or a husband or your trainer or whoever. Phoenix, Felix, Jenyne, Alethea, Karol, Marlo, David, Oona, Leigh Ann, AnneMarie, etc….when we hear those names we can pinpoint their style. THAT is what makes them champions.

Charley, with you and Claire, I know the two of you had a very close relationship and quite honestly I did not see *you* when she performed. That to me is the difference between a *trainer* and a *choreographer*.

I have been having a really hard time trying to express what I am trying to get out and have retyped a section several times and it is still not quite there. It is kind of like going to a Fosse production, it does not matter who the dancers are or what city you see it in, it is all going to be relatively the same. You may have some performers that stand out but in the end we remember the choreographer, not the dancer. I don’t want to watch a bunch of Marlo puppets because all I will see is Marlo. And while the dancer may execute every move superbly I, in my heart, would not see that person as a *champion*.

[chemgoddess1]

I guess when pole started out it was just the dancer involved…….. similar to modern music. To me any of the current “stars” are just people with good voices and they come and go. It is uncommon to find the likes of someone like Pink who writes her own music these days. I honestly think it makes an unfair competition. It is just how I feel ….. how can we name someone a champion when they cannot put 2 moves together to save their lives? Choreographing a production or show is something very different.

[chemgoddess1]

What specifically has rust? There are 2 bearings in your pole, one at the top and one at the bottom. A light oil used on them may be able to help you. Besides that I am not sure what other rust would keep it from spinning.

[chemgoddess1]

Love that Chemmie is in your autocorrect, too!

[chemgoddess1]

Danielle, I was going to mention you because you to me do not fit that mold as you have a very different look, and considering you placed at Midwest this year I would consider you holding a title. I also want to mention Michelle Mynx and Katrina Dohl. They have won numerous Burlesque awards and Michelle has judged countless competitions. Both are very well known and do not fit the mold. I will however say that I do think that some of the competitions are looking not only for ability but someone who will be the face of their competition for the next year, but that is also me having a bad taste in my mouth for many of the comps.

[chemgoddess1]

And I am going to get on my soapbox now and say how against this I am. There is one thing of getting feedback of your routine and something totally different in having an entire piece handed to you. Part of why I love pole is people telling their OWN story, not someone else’s. I don’t think this is fair nor “right” in competitions and it dives me insane. I though we were “judging” on the competitior, not on the ability of the competitor to dance like someone else.

[chemgoddess1]

It all depends on who you have do your choreography. I know quite a few who have worked with The Choreography House out in LA. I might check with them. Phoenix does some stuff too but I am not exactly sure what.

[chemgoddess1]

Pantera and Shadow both have titles.

[chemgoddess1]

What kind of flooring? I can say that the studios that I have been to that have wood floors you can definitely tell shoe marks on the floor. But that is from quite a bit if use. Also when I had a piece of paneling under my pole in the garage I had little swirl marks from my shoes and pivots.

[chemgoddess1]

It is my understanding that the topic went away with this version of the site.

[chemgoddess1]

You can try taping over the rings with electrical tape. It has similar grip to your hands if not just a little more. I have found though that when I pole with my wedding ring on I get a nasty callous right under that ring.

[chemgoddess1]

If I remember correctly the screw is about 2.5-3 inches. THere is a picture here of it:
http://www.lilmynx.com/index.php/dance-poles-accessories/pole-mounts/additional-ceiling-mount.html

Also, I never used the skid pad as mine never came with it. I just used the rubber footies and I had mine on both a smooth floor and also berber carpeting.

[chemgoddess1]

Since you are in the Midwest I would also check out the training at Empowerment Through Exotic Dance. It is not the easiest and not only shows you pole but also the business end of things. She is in Chicago. http://www.empowermentthroughexoticdance.com/ETEDInstructorTraining.htm

[chemgoddess1]

Mary, I can follow discussions and see photos.

[chemgoddess1]

Hey Webbie, is chat available on mobile? I see the chat 0 on my phone however I do not have the link and I’m running Android.