Dancing Against Labels: Exploring the Transformative Power of Pole Dancing in the RGV
Story by Nina Alegre
Edited by Abigail Vela
When we think of pole dancing, we might think of exotic dancers, nightclubs, or be reminded of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, FKA twigs and Demi Moore, among others, who have given pole dancing a try for their acting roles or in their music. So, if we don’t bat an eye when famous people do it, why should we be bothered when people in our communities try pole dancing?
On January 18, Sam’s Personal Studio took it upon themselves to show the Valley that pole dancing is more than the stigma people see it for. It takes sophistication and strength to dance in sharp 6-inch heels and put on a show for the world to see, and that’s precisely what the snazzy dancers of Sam’s Personal Studio did when they performed at Cine El Rey.
“Sultry Beats”: Dance The Night Away!
In all honesty, there aren’t many places that offer pole dance classes in the RGV. At most, you can find dance academies, bachata or salsa dance classes and aerial arts/fitness. Although these types of classes are available, it seems like we’re forgetting to teach pole dance in South Texas.
However, Sam’s Personal Studio in McAllen is one of the few pole dance studios in the RGV. It offers group and private classes and much more for anyone who has always wanted to try pole dancing or any other kind of dancing.
“Sultry Beats,” a pole dancing recital at Cine El Rey produced by Sam’s Personal Studio, allowed the RGV to witness the performers’ hard work. The performers choreographed their own dances to songs of their choosing. They danced splendidly and charmingly from the evening to late into the night. When it was time for the dancers to say goodbye, they bowed their heads at the applauding crowd with roses Sam had brought and given each of them.
The neon lights, the sound of the music, each dancer brought their own unique style to the stage that evening. There were 15 performers that night. They danced to songs like “Distant Moon,” a lo-fi song with romantic vibes that was well suited to the tenderness Genesis gave on stage that seemed to give celestial energy like that of the moon; there was “Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa which Karen Villarreal gave her own flair almost rivaling that of the singer herself, and finally, there was Hannah Tanguma which featured her throwing a flag up at one point as an added element to her dancing to “Femininomenon” by Chappell Roan. Tanguma mouthed Roan’s spoken lines and matched Roan’s energy perfectly but with some pole dance, too, because why not?!
Another performer that night was Raven. Raven (any pronouns) is an adult entertainer/stripper who considers pole dancing an outlet to express herself. Raven teaches us that pole dancing is an art form and should be appreciated as one.
Raven performed Lana Del Rey’s “Cinnamon Girl,” sporting a dark outfit that showed off her strong arms and legs with her bare feet and braids; the pole looked like her longtime friend! She made the pole look like it was not something to fear but to love wholeheartedly. Raven took the vulnerability of “Cinnamon Girl” and showed the world the same crushing reality of the song as she held yellow roses in her hand and crushed the petals, throwing them at the audience as everyone cheered. With a smile on her face, Raven bowed and left that stage shining as bright as the star she is.
Empowered Women: Freedom Over Their Bodies and Choices
Women like Genesis, Karen, Hannah, Raven, and everyone who performed at “Sultry Beats” deserve freedom over their bodies and their choices. This includes but is not limited to something like pole dancing to abortion. Everywhere women go, they are judged for the choices they make; this should not be the case.
In a world filled with rapidly changing realities and harsh outcomes, the performers at “Sultry Beats” empowered not only themselves but also the audience. They dominated the pole and showed their skills to an audience full of strangers, family and friends.
Raven made it look simple, but that’s because she’s been practicing pole dancing for almost five years. Raven first got into pole dancing to help her prevent injury in her work as a stripper and to improve her technical form. Raven shared her reasoning, saying, “Most athletes that do something for profession go to some type of training. Football players don’t just show up the day of and start playing football. Gymnasts don’t just show up; they train a lot, and that is what initially got me into taking these classes.”
When asked if she has faced any negative criticism due to her choice to pole dance, Raven answered, “Yes, all the time. Whether it be that I’m a pole dancer, […] the classes themselves they already get you stigmatized, but especially because I am actually a stripper, so I’m not just taking the pole dancing classes. People can’t sometimes fathom that after the pole dancing classes, I actually go dance for people and take off my clothes and whatnot.”
Negative criticism and stigma are not the only things Raven has had to deal with. On top of that, Raven also has to endure the physically demanding parts that pole asks of her, from practicing at the studio for her classes later in the day to going into her work and doing more pole for hours and hours.
Ultimately, Raven says that pole dancing is “a really fun way to get active” and urges everyone to respect strippers or check on any of their stripper friends!
Get Active? Try Pole Dance!
“You can start at anywhere, any place in your life, in your body. For example, I had a friend recently tell me, ‘Oh, maybe when I get to my ideal weight, I’ll start taking pole classes.’ And I told her, ‘Taking the pole classes can help you get to a happier place or a more satisfied place with whatever fitness goal that you have.’”
You don’t have to have a specific body type or weight to try pole dance! We all start somewhere. Maybe you’ll want to book classes at Sam’s Personal Studio, and we will see you at their next pole dancing recital because one thing we know for sure is that “Sultry Beats” isn’t the first or last pole dancing recital the RGV will ever have!
