The Business of Show Business- A night with Luscious Dance

Tonight I share my experience with luscious dance, a performance pole-dancing troop. You see I have recently joined their extension group and last night was my 1st performance with them. I guess this is a written record mostly for me, to take what I have learned into further performances, so thanks for indulging me.

The wonderful experience gave me a lesson in reading an audience, something this trio has gotten very good at over the past 2 years. And I in all my careful observations of pole dancing have not. We arrived at the fundraiser and after careful inspection and some heartache over the extension of the compression pole we were ready to get into costume and begin the show.

I dressed and just before I went out I was handed a choker and bracelet, with the words... it is to tie us together... something so simple and yet very effective. So there we were all 4 dressed in sexy black and wearing our purple accessories. The show started and my adrenaline raced as I hoped not to stumble, or spend endless moments circling the pole waiting for inspiration as to what to do next. I hit one turn after another and then my foot fell out of my shoe. I fumbled a bit but pushed on and then the set was done. I wonder if the 50 + noticed. Of course they did, and politely re-framed from verbalizing it.

Then it was the second set, with all of us taking our turn at double spins and pole tricks. 1st was the double chair. I know I could do it but I was so out of practice... one spin, oh yikes I forgot to control the speed and landed right on top of Jodi Leigh, "again" she whispered with her brilliant smile that I possessed but had forgotten to offer, telling me to re-position my hand...and yes the second spin was much more controlled. Later, as planned, I climbed the pole, descended into to a sleeping beauty (a straight leg hold), Jodi doing the same below me. Did it look right I couldn't tell... where were my hands supposed to be? I had forgotten to plan that part. We finish the hold exited the stage, and I was politely informed it would be better for the audience if I had positioned to face them. At present all they saw were my feet, better planning next time. Pink Rayne and Raven Stroke went into a complicated hold, and it was fumbled, but it was not ignored, instead acknowledged by both with a playful nudge to the audience, which I could see involved them in the performance, and with the entertaining interaction between the two performers, and the show went on without a hitch.

The 3rd set was the well rehearsed choreography, between the three. Raven had taken a moment to inform the DJ of the musical cues so that there would be few surprises; Pink took a moment to inform me I would bridge the time they needed to get into costume. The three took the stage and I had the opportunity to watch the trio and the audience who moved in closer, and watched intently. It was hypnotizing, as each musical cue met with an action and they moved from single features to duos and trios. Each acknowledging the audience, in a pause. Did I see the audience during my feature? Was anyone watching me? ... I guess I should have taken my moment to notice the audience, too.

The 4th and last set, we began united, standing behind the pole hips swaying to the right and left. Then in turn we took our moment to do a solo improve. The remaining three posing like slow moving sculptures. This is when the audiences' cameras came out. At our best we the rotating three, watched each other to contribute a pose that complimented the group silhouette. Preparing and pausing for those readying cameras. We watched the featured dancer for that eye gaze that signaled the switch. Somehow the three spoke to each other with out a word, and knew exactly which double spin, or hold to do. I was felt a bit lost in comparison but in the end I was happy to join the trio for their long legged strut to the sidelines concluding the night.

I learned allot about performing in a team and the communication required to make it seem rehearsed when it was anything but. I learned allot about reading the stage and the audience and knowing when the choreography is best served up high (on the pole) an slow, or when there was interest in floor work (which was not this group where only the 1st few tables could see the floor) I witnessed how to tie it together and wow the crowd, by keeping the features short, and dynamic. I learned allot form Luscious in a single show and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a comforting environment... thank you ladies for the opportunity, can't wait to do it again. Oh and I learned one other important thing... to stretch before and after the performance because when that adrenaline courses through, there is no pain but the next morning... well that is another bog all together.