Classes, Art Walk, and a little bit of Stripper History
October is here, and that means it's time for the final ART WALK of the season! The weather's going to be perfect, and we’re bringing the pole right out onto the street! Swing by to say hi, snap a pole selfie, or try out a beginner spin. Feeling bold? Show us your moves! Everyone’s welcome. Plus, our studio will be open for tours, and you might even catch a free mini class! If you’ve missed out on ART WALK, this is your last chance to experience all the creative magic Wichita Falls has to offer—or just come for the tasty food, live music, and top-tier people watching!
Next Week’s Dance + Fitness Class Highlights
Stripper History!
Documenting the history of dance in all its forms is no easy feat—how do you capture movement on paper? This challenge is especially true when it comes to the history of stripper and pole dance. Personally, I love tuning into podcasts that interview Burlesque and Pole performers from the so-called 'dark ages' of the 1980s, 1990s, and earlier. Fun fact: the Spearmint Rhino in Upland, California, became the first U.S. strip club to install poles specifically designed for dancing. The year? 1989.
But that wasn’t the birth of pole dance. It seems to trace back to the Hoochie Coochie Girls performing in one-pole tent shows during the carnival era, and it continued sporadically until clubs and hotels in Canada began featuring pole dancers on stages once dominated by Burlesque performers. Burlesque (the 'naughty') and much of modern dance (the 'nice') evolved from early 20th-century dancers who creatively—and often loosely—interpreted Asian and Middle Eastern dance for Western audiences. This blend gave rise to the term 'exotic dancers,' for better or worse. One of the most infamous was Mata Hari, while more celebrated figures include Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis.
For a deep dive into this fascinating history, check out my favorite blog—it’s packed with visuals as an added bonus.
https://bloggeronpole.com/2021/07/a-history-of-modern-pole-dance/
My favorite Pole and stripper podcasts are:
https://www.addictivepolefitness.com/uncoveredpodcast
https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast/
https://yesastripperpodcast.com/
https://loneylife.com/theaerialhourpodcast/
