Perfecting the Pole

I was walking my pooch down a new street tonight, exploring my new neighborhood when I saw a dance studio that caught my attention. Pole by Patrica, located on Juniper Street between Snyder and McKean, is a pole dancing studio, a workout I've been wanting to try since my friend spoke so highly of her S Factor classes in NYC a couple of years ago. Said friend has since installed a pole in her bedroom.

When I got home and looked up Pole by Patricia's website, I was both surprised and disappointed to see that their first-timers class and beginners classes both start at 5pm. Really? Don't any of their students work 9 - 5 jobs? I work in Center City and have a short commute, but I work until 5pm and could never make a 5 - 6pm class. The very earliest I could be there would be 5:30pm and that would be pushing it. I can't imagine I am their first potential client to face this challenge. I wonder if their class times ever change or if they are on a rotating schedule? It just seems such a shame to dismiss a whole group of working women who may be interested in classes, and I just emailed Patricia and told her as much. Maybe it's the heat that's making me fiesty.

A quick Google search also presented 3 Philly pole dancing locations for Philly Premier Pole Dance. While not a short walk from my apartment, they seem to have some classes at more convenient times and are less expensive. I also found Poise Dance Studio, also in South Philly.

I'm curious, has anyone taken a pole dancing class? I think it would be fun to get some girls together for a private lesson. Pole by Patricia offers private lessons for 4-6 girls for $200 or a 2-hour party (90-minute lesson included) for up to 12 girls for $300. Sounds good to me.

Image credit: The Pole by Patricia website.

Solstice

Summer Solstice event at the Kimmel Center was completely wonderful. I had gotten a 50% of flyer and was able to attend the event for only $5. It was a bargain and definitely worth the trip.

I got there around 8:30 and joined a throng dancing to PhillyBloco, a local Brazilian band. The band is in yellow in the photo to the left. For an encore they left the stage and joined the audience filling Verizon Hall with the hypnotic sounds of drums.




Right after PhillyBloco, I went for the Bollywood dance lesson. That was truly exhausting and aerobic because the dance moves incorporate vigorous arm and leg movements, synchronized and strong. I flailed for an hour, arms akimbo and sweating profusely. Very fun, but my legs are still sore from last night.

It was great dancing in areas where food and beverages were prohibited. No spilled drinks on the floor or in my hair. A nice break from my usual weekend dance experience.


After Bollywood dancing I check out Karen Gross' Caberet show and saw some of a drag show out in a main area. That drew a lot of attention and the performers were quite fabulous and bigger than life. I ran into Pop Culture Casualty who was there with her sisters and some friends.

A great night. Who else went and did you have fun?

DANCE PARTY!!!

This year is becoming one never-ending dance party, so in the spirit of the Day 15 challenge I will make a resolution to hit the following 15 dance venues before December 31st. Some of these parties will be repeats for me. But it's late and I'm tired so I'm not going to list all 15...just a few and I'll do more on subsequent days. Here goes:

1. Fluid

This South Street area club needs no introduction. It is the best in my book. Good mix of music. It was the former residency of minimal techno genius Josh Wink (follow him on Twitter @joshwink1) and good regular parties such as the monthly Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control.

By far my favorite spot in terms of comfort and range of parties.

2. Barbary

Just plain cheap hipster fun in Fishtown. I guess not everybody likes it, but I do.

Here read the Yelp reviews. I don't know if they'll help you, but I find Yelp reviews addictive.

I've had ridiculous fun at the Barbary and it costs next to nothing. And public transportation is right there. What's not to like?

3. Pure

Pure is one of the few places open until 3:30 am, which I am completely in favor of. It's a gay club in the heart of the Gayborhood, but I find it very friendly to all people.

Can't miss the Making Time party, which was founded in 2000 by Dave P. Here is a great piece that Philadelphia Weekly wrote about Making Time. It is called "straight night" at Pure and attracts a hipster crowd. I love the mix of gay and straight at Making Time. Really fun.

4. Arts Garage

The Arts Garage has some interesting local, underground electronic dance events. I think it might emerge as one of my favorite venues. I want to spend more time there.

5. Bubble House

Last Sunday of the month Fuzion events is hosting a block party outside of Bubble House at 3404 Sansom Street. With DJs like Proper and others, this promises to be a great party. The first one was really fun.

I'm going to stop here. I'll post the rest of the list later in the week. I hope people will come dancing with me.

Sundae

Can't think of anything more fun for today.

SUNDAE

It's free before 9 pm. Good recession party. And family friendly.

(I'll be there)

Ignore Mom, Talk to Strangers

Last night, I did something that some may find unusual, but for me is completely routine. I went out sans friends on a Saturday night. After my usual begging of my friends to dance with me, I was turned down. The truth is that my friends don't dance. And never will, no matter how much fun I have or the crazy stories I tell, they will never be enticed to grinding their aging asses to the latest music.

Even though I love going out dancing alone, I have adopted strategies to try to find dancing partners. Dating sites have been the most successful ways I've met dancing partners. Generally, I play it off as a platonic thing, just friends. And after they watch me dance, which is not a pretty thing, the last thing they want is a sweaty kiss from me.

My dance partner for the night was Larry, a 30 year old who had recently transplanted from Western New York. He described himself as an aging raver, which made me wonder what I am as I'm older than him. He posted an announcement looking for something to do that night. And with very little to go on except his picture and his profile which stated "I'm weird" I went for it. I invited him to the monthly Live Forever party at the Barbary. I'm ashamed to admit I've never danced at the Barbary and had been dying to go.

After vetting Larry through 1.5 hours of IM and a 20 minute phone call, we decided to meet. Larry showed up earlier than me and was in full swing when I got there. My first reaction was displeasure that he was wearing a headband, but then I realized that was the theme of the night, "Get Physical" so party organizers were handing out colorful sweatbands.

I'm glad Larry was weird because he was such a good sport about checking out a dance venue with a total stranger. And a dance venue where people were wearing nerdy gym gear and leotards. We danced a lot until he got picked up by another woman. I spent about an hour sort of dancing sort of near them before I got bored. I ended up meeting this guy Brian who was a good looking hipster and we danced through acting out Wonderwall. Miming in dance is very fun. I highly recommend it.

Sadly, I completely lost Larry, who had become a dear friend in the 3 hours that I had known him. Oh well, I thought that I'd text him another day (sadly his cell was temporarily cut off do to lack of funds. Recession is a bitch). But happily, I ran into Larry at the bus stop (we both are too poor to have cars). He thought I abandoned him, which I didn't. We hugged. And now he's my new best friend.

Emboldened by my success in talking to strangers, I chatted up a guy at the bus stop while I was saying goodnight to Larry. On the bus ride home I chatted with Sam, who is a progressive activist in Philly. So am I (sorta) and he used to live in West Philly (me too). And we share a mutual friend, so we had tons to talk about. He's an organizer for Philly for Change, a group I've wanted to join but was too shy. So I guess I'll go to their next meetup upcoming on a Wednesday. I got his number before he got off the bus.

So there you have it, I met three strangers last night. And I lived to tell the tale.

So I'm going dancing next weekend, who's with me?