(Again, I've been M.I.A. I've been @ Coachella and Vegas. Interesting times at both).
But I'm here now. When I first started dancing, the highest heels I wore were all of 3 inches with no platform whatsoever. They were usually pumps. I recall I did have a pair of the infamous Frederick's of Hollywood mules which were strapless with the fuzzy feathers on the foot band. I believe I had some maryjanes too.
Around 1985-86, I added ankle socks into the mix. Back then, I still had a very young look, so I could rock them. (No way I would do that now!). I did graduate to some strappy high-heeled (still around 3 to 4 in.), but still no platform.
In the late 80's, I started taking a lot of various dance classes. In my head, I fancied myself "a real dancer". So, I went through a phase of wearing character shoes. I think some people did find them adorable. But looking back, I guess that was sort of a dork move on my part.
In the mid-nineties, I purchased my first pumps with a 1 in platform. Apparently, this was a ground breaking move and a lot of my co-workers disapproved and really hated the look. I found they were a bit more comfortable than the lower heels I had been wearing previously. Who knew I was starting a future trend in my area, lol?
In the late nineties, I went through a period of wearing retro go-go boots. Again, the heels were relatively low and being small I could pull them off. I didn't start wearing actual platform boots with at least a five inch heel until 2002. I was 42 then!
Finally, in 2003, I bought my first pair of 6 inch platform heels! It took me over 20 years!! In the past two years or so, I do prefer platform boots, but if I find a pair of magic heels, I go with them.
I think dancing in such low heels for so long has added to my longevity as a dancer. Also, when I moved to San Francisco, I wore low heels or even Teva sandals because I walked those treacherous hills all the time. Wearing low heels and flats were saviors to me feet and ankles. At least I think that helped keep those areas strong.
If I can find some pics, I will try to stage an evolution of exotic dancer shoes.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Senior Citizen Stripper: I know, I've been MIA:-)
Senior Citizen Stripper: I know, I've been MIA:-): I cant' believe it's been a month since I've posted, but it has been. My energy was completely centered on a recital given by the dance stu...
I know, I've been MIA:-)
I cant' believe it's been a month since I've posted, but it has been. My energy was completely centered on a recital given by the dance studio that I work out in. I'm in an advanced pole class. Our choreographer/ instructor is a well known acrobat in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. I was very honored to be chosen by her to be in her routine. Everybody wanted to work with her. She had nearly 16 dancers at first. Then she started asking if they could do certain core moves like an aerial shoulder mount. A few of them said they almost had it. This was back in late January/early February. One other dancer and myself were the only ones. Fast forward to the middle of March...we were still the only ones. The body count of dancers then went to 10. We had to rework the choreography more than once and 4 hours before performance, me and the other aerial dancer got new choreography! It was nerve racking, but a lot of fun. People paid $20 a ticket to see us and we sold out our first show within a week. We did two shows that day.
The dynamic of doing a team performance is so different than performing in a club. People get so exited by the acrobatics of it all! And you don't have to hustle and talk to them:-) Women are totally cheering you on as well. Oh and how can I forget: I performed without heels, not only without heels but without SHOES!! I have never never ever pole danced without heels. Hell! I prefer boots over heels! I relied on boots. But this was the best thing that has happened to my dancing. (I actually wore these sort of sticky, shiny leg warmers that protected my ankles from bruising and helped with my grip a little). The benefits from training the last 6 weeks without heels are 1.) my posture is better, I saw from photos I can still look tallish (I'm so not) without heels, 2.) I am now confident in my muscles holding me up and not my boot heels, 3.) I realized I was doing some stupidly dangerous dismounts relying on my boots like I was and 4.) my inverts and iguana lifts are now done with my core and hip flexors, not by jumping/kicking up. I have become a stronger dancer.
So, all the above is why I havent' written lately. I'll get off my feet and sit on my ass so I can catch up!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Senior Citizen Stripper: Lap Dances: 1983 & Present
Senior Citizen Stripper: Lap Dances: 1983 & Present: Lap Dances. The Pink Poodle didn't have them or any of the clubs in the Silicon Valley in 1983. I had heard rumors of a club in Redwood Ci...
Lap Dances: 1983 & Present
Lap Dances. The Pink Poodle didn't have them or any of the clubs in the Silicon Valley in 1983. I had heard rumors of a club in Redwood City, CA called The Lily Theater that was opened in the 1970's and closed by the time I had started dancing. They actually had sex shows on stage and would invite patrons to participate. ( I do hope the "dancers" were well payed).
It had been a good year or so into dancing before I was confronted with the idea of a lap dance. I was actually baffled by the idea. I had been used to working in places in which patrons tipped me on stage because they thought I was attractive, fun...whatever. So the thought of asking someone if I could sit in their lap was just preposterous to me! They should just ask me. The PP also paid us hourly and provided us with workman's comp (which I actually did use once and they were happy to provide).
I moved to San Francisco to pursue acting and just for the sheer excitement of living in the "city". I had quit the Pink Poodle and had joined a company called "Stripper-Gram". The company was run by part-time male models. Most of the gigs I got sent out on were very PG rated. I was usually hired as a gag for birthdays, tame bachelor parties (no toys or complete nudity) or even corporate events. (This was the 80's. It would be so not PC to hire a stripper as a gag these days. Even at one event in the 80's, the guy that hired me for a corporate event got drinks thrown in his face by three female employees!) So, even back then, civilian chicks hated on us:-)
Ahh, San Francisco! So exiting! It was the post-punk era, I had so much energy. I would do 2 or 3 gigs in a night and got done with work early enough to go catch a live show like Killing Joke or Lords of The New Church. I was hard-core! I would go to clubs alone. For the 80's , this was ballsy. I loved the freedom. But some of that energy was chemical. This led to not getting it together to make my gigs or to not look perfect enough.
When Stripper-Gram put me on suspension, I decided to look for extra work. Being young and cute, it was not hard to find a dancing job in the city. Hence, I got hired at The Sutter Street Theater. This was my first club in San Francisco. This was an "eye opener"so to speak. First of all, dancer's received a small stipend to work. I thought this was strange as I was used to getting paid hourly. Then I found out that two girls were scheduled each night to do girl on girl shows. I was so-o-o-o straight. I had my attractions, but they few and far between. None of these girls fit the bill. This club was in an older building that used to be a traditional theater. The seats looked to be very early 20th century with velvet cushions. The stage was a basic proscenium stage with an extended runway. The SST was located on , of course, Sutter Street, in a fairly posh part of town. This is one of the reasons I chose it. The theater was run by a guy named Bob (they are almost all "Bobs" and "Als"), and his wife whose name I can't recall who had a shrill British accent. The club was fair in that we didn't have to give the club money from our lap dances. The dances were done in the theater seats. Back then, I was so secretive about my dancing career. I would dress like I was working in an office job. Since the weather is usually pretty cold up there, I would wear a big coat and scarf to cover my face, just in case someone recognized me.
I got hired there because I participated in a contest and won it. I kept going back for contests, as I kept placing and I was making money. Finally, I didn't place, so I finally accepted a job.
I just could not get over the fact that I had to ask a guy if I could sit in his lap:-( I still can't). This place had a rather dark vibe to it, considering where it was located. The management was fair, the DJ loved me, the few customers I meant were not so bad (except for the Japanese tourist who was at my stage and sleeping. I kicked him awake. It worked.). It was the dancers. There was something dark and sad about most of them. The vibe and the girls had been so much lighter at the Pink Poodle. This was the first place I saw my first pierced genitalia (1983), my first pierced anything (besides the punk safety pins) ever!! I didn't feel ballsy anymore, I felt intimidated and kind of disgusted. I slowly started to feel despair. There was no happiness there. This was also the first club I was robbed by another dancer.
I didn't last long. But I wasn't fired. I politely left and I was welcomed back any time.
Eventually, I went back to the Pink Poodle. Still no lap dances, but it had been almost a year and the vibe had changed there too. New dancers were hired that had no dancing ability whatsoever. There was Yvette Garcia who was called "super pussy'. She spread her lips so far on stage, her gyno wouldn't have needed to insert the cold spreader thingies in her to do an exam. And Sally, who would twirl a cigar and banana (though I never saw them at the same time) without using her hands. I had an ex-good friend there, who was spreading rumors about me, so that didnt' help. These people made me feel obsolete and not welcomed at barely 25!
I have somehow been able to avoid clubs in which lap dances are not the main source of income, but now they are diminishing. I have become more accustomed to them, but I am still way too polite when approaching someone. I once made over $300 in two stage dancing songs, just for going topless. I have had nights where I have made nearly $1K without doing lap dances. Even recently, I have pulled $100 within minutes on stage.
Off topic: I'm sorry I hadn't posted in so long. I've had family stuff come up with two relatives in extended hospital stays. I will try to write on a more consistent schedule.
It had been a good year or so into dancing before I was confronted with the idea of a lap dance. I was actually baffled by the idea. I had been used to working in places in which patrons tipped me on stage because they thought I was attractive, fun...whatever. So the thought of asking someone if I could sit in their lap was just preposterous to me! They should just ask me. The PP also paid us hourly and provided us with workman's comp (which I actually did use once and they were happy to provide).
I moved to San Francisco to pursue acting and just for the sheer excitement of living in the "city". I had quit the Pink Poodle and had joined a company called "Stripper-Gram". The company was run by part-time male models. Most of the gigs I got sent out on were very PG rated. I was usually hired as a gag for birthdays, tame bachelor parties (no toys or complete nudity) or even corporate events. (This was the 80's. It would be so not PC to hire a stripper as a gag these days. Even at one event in the 80's, the guy that hired me for a corporate event got drinks thrown in his face by three female employees!) So, even back then, civilian chicks hated on us:-)
Ahh, San Francisco! So exiting! It was the post-punk era, I had so much energy. I would do 2 or 3 gigs in a night and got done with work early enough to go catch a live show like Killing Joke or Lords of The New Church. I was hard-core! I would go to clubs alone. For the 80's , this was ballsy. I loved the freedom. But some of that energy was chemical. This led to not getting it together to make my gigs or to not look perfect enough.
When Stripper-Gram put me on suspension, I decided to look for extra work. Being young and cute, it was not hard to find a dancing job in the city. Hence, I got hired at The Sutter Street Theater. This was my first club in San Francisco. This was an "eye opener"so to speak. First of all, dancer's received a small stipend to work. I thought this was strange as I was used to getting paid hourly. Then I found out that two girls were scheduled each night to do girl on girl shows. I was so-o-o-o straight. I had my attractions, but they few and far between. None of these girls fit the bill. This club was in an older building that used to be a traditional theater. The seats looked to be very early 20th century with velvet cushions. The stage was a basic proscenium stage with an extended runway. The SST was located on , of course, Sutter Street, in a fairly posh part of town. This is one of the reasons I chose it. The theater was run by a guy named Bob (they are almost all "Bobs" and "Als"), and his wife whose name I can't recall who had a shrill British accent. The club was fair in that we didn't have to give the club money from our lap dances. The dances were done in the theater seats. Back then, I was so secretive about my dancing career. I would dress like I was working in an office job. Since the weather is usually pretty cold up there, I would wear a big coat and scarf to cover my face, just in case someone recognized me.
I got hired there because I participated in a contest and won it. I kept going back for contests, as I kept placing and I was making money. Finally, I didn't place, so I finally accepted a job.
I just could not get over the fact that I had to ask a guy if I could sit in his lap:-( I still can't). This place had a rather dark vibe to it, considering where it was located. The management was fair, the DJ loved me, the few customers I meant were not so bad (except for the Japanese tourist who was at my stage and sleeping. I kicked him awake. It worked.). It was the dancers. There was something dark and sad about most of them. The vibe and the girls had been so much lighter at the Pink Poodle. This was the first place I saw my first pierced genitalia (1983), my first pierced anything (besides the punk safety pins) ever!! I didn't feel ballsy anymore, I felt intimidated and kind of disgusted. I slowly started to feel despair. There was no happiness there. This was also the first club I was robbed by another dancer.
I didn't last long. But I wasn't fired. I politely left and I was welcomed back any time.
Eventually, I went back to the Pink Poodle. Still no lap dances, but it had been almost a year and the vibe had changed there too. New dancers were hired that had no dancing ability whatsoever. There was Yvette Garcia who was called "super pussy'. She spread her lips so far on stage, her gyno wouldn't have needed to insert the cold spreader thingies in her to do an exam. And Sally, who would twirl a cigar and banana (though I never saw them at the same time) without using her hands. I had an ex-good friend there, who was spreading rumors about me, so that didnt' help. These people made me feel obsolete and not welcomed at barely 25!
I have somehow been able to avoid clubs in which lap dances are not the main source of income, but now they are diminishing. I have become more accustomed to them, but I am still way too polite when approaching someone. I once made over $300 in two stage dancing songs, just for going topless. I have had nights where I have made nearly $1K without doing lap dances. Even recently, I have pulled $100 within minutes on stage.
Off topic: I'm sorry I hadn't posted in so long. I've had family stuff come up with two relatives in extended hospital stays. I will try to write on a more consistent schedule.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Senior Citizen Stripper: "I Really Like Your Booty Because There Are No Hol...
Senior Citizen Stripper: "I Really Like Your Booty Because There Are No Hol...: Yes, this was actually said to me tonight.:-) When I started this blog, I wanted to alternate between writing about my very distant past a...
"I Really Like Your Booty Because There Are No Holes in It".
Yes, this was actually said to me tonight.:-)
When I started this blog, I wanted to alternate between writing about my very distant past and the present. I've been busy lately. I've felt like my present hasn't been too interesting. I also knew if I went over a week without writing, I would lose the rhythm or schedule I had planned for myself. (The following is what I have been doing lately:). I have started rehearsals for a pole dance recital that I will be in on March 31st. I get to be a boy. We are being paired off and little ol' barely 100lbs me, gets to be a boy. How did that happen? It happened because I was the only one out of 12 dancers who was capable of demonstrating an aerial shoulder mount that night. There were others who said they could do it, or that they would be able to do it by/before 3/31 (recital date). Now I am OK with this boy stuff. But what got to me was that the "boys" will be dancing barefoot. BAREFOOT!! In the almost 30 years that I have been dancing, I have danced barefoot to only one song for a period of a couple of months. In most clubs, dancing barefoot is strictly not allowed! Not only that, but I'm the tiniest one in this thing! And..we have to flip our "girl" on to the pole using only our wrists/hands! Most of those girls are a lot bigger than me and my right wrist had issues for nearly 8 months. It's OK now and I would like it to stay that way, thanks.
So, this is what I've been doing. It's more grueling than sexy. I'm extremely fit at this point in time and learning a lot of new pole stuff. It's maddening, but fun.
So about not having "holes" on my butt. One of the clubs I work in is a club in which the clientele is mostly Latin. Many of them were raised speaking Spanish, so their English isn't perfect. Most of the women that work in the club are also Latin They all want to look like Kim Kardashian, hence there are a lot of fake bootys in this club. So this man pointed to another dancer with round, full, firm, fake booty (but slightly flabby hamstrings) and said "I mean your booty and legs don't look like that". I am taking this as a compliment.
Another dancer and I were talking about the weirdness of our club. It's been hit by the economy, just like all the others. However, it has the potential to be the best club to make money without ever having to take your clothes off. I make more money here than I do at the topless clubs I work in. But for some reason most of the Latins guys I encounter really feel the need to grab what they are not suppose to grab during a dance.
Hmm...maybe it's just me..
When I started this blog, I wanted to alternate between writing about my very distant past and the present. I've been busy lately. I've felt like my present hasn't been too interesting. I also knew if I went over a week without writing, I would lose the rhythm or schedule I had planned for myself. (The following is what I have been doing lately:). I have started rehearsals for a pole dance recital that I will be in on March 31st. I get to be a boy. We are being paired off and little ol' barely 100lbs me, gets to be a boy. How did that happen? It happened because I was the only one out of 12 dancers who was capable of demonstrating an aerial shoulder mount that night. There were others who said they could do it, or that they would be able to do it by/before 3/31 (recital date). Now I am OK with this boy stuff. But what got to me was that the "boys" will be dancing barefoot. BAREFOOT!! In the almost 30 years that I have been dancing, I have danced barefoot to only one song for a period of a couple of months. In most clubs, dancing barefoot is strictly not allowed! Not only that, but I'm the tiniest one in this thing! And..we have to flip our "girl" on to the pole using only our wrists/hands! Most of those girls are a lot bigger than me and my right wrist had issues for nearly 8 months. It's OK now and I would like it to stay that way, thanks.
So, this is what I've been doing. It's more grueling than sexy. I'm extremely fit at this point in time and learning a lot of new pole stuff. It's maddening, but fun.
So about not having "holes" on my butt. One of the clubs I work in is a club in which the clientele is mostly Latin. Many of them were raised speaking Spanish, so their English isn't perfect. Most of the women that work in the club are also Latin They all want to look like Kim Kardashian, hence there are a lot of fake bootys in this club. So this man pointed to another dancer with round, full, firm, fake booty (but slightly flabby hamstrings) and said "I mean your booty and legs don't look like that". I am taking this as a compliment.
Another dancer and I were talking about the weirdness of our club. It's been hit by the economy, just like all the others. However, it has the potential to be the best club to make money without ever having to take your clothes off. I make more money here than I do at the topless clubs I work in. But for some reason most of the Latins guys I encounter really feel the need to grab what they are not suppose to grab during a dance.
Hmm...maybe it's just me..
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