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I’m thinking of entering into my first competition!
https://www.facebook.com/events/484122724972000/?fref=ts
Michelle Mynx is proud to present the Gateway Pole Dance Competition: Midwest Regional Semi-Finals!
The first place winner of the Gateway Pole Dance Elite Division will go on to compete for the coveted title of Midwest Elite Performer of the Year 2013!
If you are looking to challenge yourself with the world of competitive pole dancing, or if you are looking for a great opportunity to push yourself closer to your potential, this is your chance!
This event is open to all ages and genders. The deadline for online submissions is midnight January 12th. The final round will be held March 2nd at the Koken Exhibition Hall in St. Louis, Mo.. There will be two divisions: Essentials and Elite.
This competition is proud to be sanctioned by Mid West Pole Dancing and the rules and criteria for these two divisions will be in accordance to the rules and criteria of those divisions at the Midwest Pole Dance Competition. Our webpage will be live shortly. For now please see the rules and criteria at http://midwestpoledancing.com/Divisions.htm
More information for appllying will be available soon! Start preparing your videos now! Get ready to send your submissions to Ga*************@***il.com
now! Good poling and hold fast! -
30 Replies
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So I am thinking about submitting for my first pole competition!
I missed Midwest Pole last year cause I was getting married, and my family threw me a bridal shower that weekend. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome, but there was no pole dancing there lol. I am super excited to have a competition in the St Louis area that I don't have to travel to, hurray!
There will be 2 divisions: Essentials and Elite.
Midwest Regional – Essential Pole Division:
This level is open to dancers who have accomplished a skill level consisting of mastering the following moves and who may be working at the advanced level but have not yet mastered advanced skills nor qualify for the Elite division. (See the advanced division)
Open to any aged dancer including ages 40 and up.
Open to both men and women.
Open to students as well as instructors who are not yet qualified to compete at the advanced level.
NOT open to previous competitors of the Elite division.Static pole only.
Moves are limited to
Floor work, transitions, spins, combination moves of any number of one or two-handed spins in a row3 Compulsory moves: done in any order
+One split grip spin without legs on pole (Bottom hand thumb up or thumb down is acceptable)
Example but not limited to: Straddle spin, Carousel spin, Chair spin, etc+One spin combo on static of at least 2 spins, both upright or horizontal, each with one full rotation around the pole for each spin. May not touch the floor between these two spins. No inverted spins.
Examples but not limited to: Reverse grab to back hook, front hook to back hook, straddle spin to back hook, Inside leg hook spin to attitude hooked heel spin, front hook to fireman, spinning supermen to tuck spin, etc+At least 30 seconds of continuous floor work (crawling, reclining, kneeling, somersaults, shoulder/hand stands, etc.)
Clarification of moves allowed:
Horizontal and upright full and half bracket spins – two handed or single handed. Unlimited combination of spins with either aerial or grounded transitions between spins, transitional moves and poses which include at least one foot on the floor at all times and all floor work including splits and inverted poses while not on the pole.
Example of moves allowed: Fireman/basic spin, cradle/tuck spin, chair spin, upright chopper/boomerang spin, spinning superman, reverse attitude grab/blind spin etc. Any number of combo spins such as front to back hook with grounded or aerial transitions. Transitions: Pirouettes, back slides, standing knee hook pose, etc. Floor work: splits, shoulder stands/plows, head/handstands, somersaults/rollovers, etc
Exception: Head can be below hips during back arch as long as one or both feet are on the floor.
Examples of moves not allowed: No inverted spins such as inverted chopper/boomerang, Phoenix (combo of reverse attitude grab to twisted grip inverted chopper) No spins or poses which require a step up onto the pole in order to execute (no standing fireman) No hands-free spins. No climbing, seated poses or standing poses on the pole up above the floor. No horizontal or upright poses on the pole such as sits, planks, standing crucifix, laybacks, suspended mid air poses of any type (feet off floor) inverts, ballerina, knee holds, flag, superman, etc.
Note: A good rule of thumb to follow – You must have one or both feet on the floor at all times except for spins and floor work.
Horizontal spins are allowed – inverted spins, standing or climbing spins are NOT.Clarification of floor work: Hips may be over the head during floor work. Example: Handstands/forearm stands, somersaults, shoulder stand positions, etc. Handstands/forearm/shoulder stands may be done against the pole but you must not lift or sit up onto the pole as in reversing up from a layback position into a seated position.
Midwest Regional – Elite Division:
Open to all dancers regardless of their months or years of experience.
No limits to the type and skill level of moves allowed.
Any aged dancer may apply including 40 years old and over.
Open to men and women.
Open only to residents of the Midwest StatesChoice of static and spin or using only one pole. One pole will be on static and one on spin.
3 Compulsory moves: done in any order
+One spin combo on static of at least 2 spins, both upright or horizontal, each with one full rotation around the pole for each spin. May not touch the floor between these two spins. No inverted spins.
Examples but not limited to: Reverse grab to back hook, front hook to back hook, straddle spin to back hook, Inside leg hook spin to attitude hooked heel spin, front hook to fireman, spinning supermen to tuck spin, etc+One sequence of three distinctively different poses on either spin or static pole, changing body direction, without returning to floor between poses (Ex: Ayesha with straddle legs to ayesha with straight legs to ayesha with fang legs does not qualify but Ayesha to Brass monkey to pole sit does qualify) The key is changing torso alignment, not necessarily changing hand grips although change of hand grips is allowed if desired.
+At least 20 seconds of continuous floor work (crawling, reclining, kneeling, somersaults, shoulder stands, etc.)Moves not allowed: None
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I feel like the essential category wouldn't be challenging enough for me, but I don't consider myself to be in the same league as last years Elite winners. I'm lucky enough to be able to schedule a lesson with Michelle Mynx, hopefully she can give me some feedback and coaching.
Who else is interested in entering??? Come to St Louis and pole with me!
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I entered Midwest as my first competition last year and couldn't have asked for a better experience 🙂 I'm hoping to enter again this year now that I know what I'm getting myself into, lol.
So are this comp and the other ones I've seen around on FB (Motor City, Windy City) linked under Midwest Pole Dancing? Are there any other cities hosting these?
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From my undersatnding there are going to be regional comps and then those winners will go on to a comp at Midwest. I am not exactly sure how the whole thing is being planned, maybe ME can pop in and explain it all.
I will state again that out of all of the comps this is probably one of the most transparent when it comes to everything. There are so many poorly run competitions that have no transparency whatsoever when it comes to who gets in, how things are scored, etc etc etc.
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And go for it!! You cannot have a better coach than Michelle.
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Hi Kyrsten,
I linked your video from last year here. =) You were very good!
Do you have any helpful tips or tricks? I'm not really sure if I'm up to the level of competition that is out there, but I figure it's time to set some goals and give it a whirl!
I don't know what other competitions this is involved with, other than Midwest pole. I would contact Mary Ellen with any questions.
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From what I read on Facebook, The Windy City one is sactioned by Midwest Pole Dancing. It is April 13th in St Charles, Il. Hoping to go! The first place winner of the Elite Division will compete in the Midwest Comp in August.
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I have done this competition twice, Michelle and Veena have both been my coaches. I will tell you not to underestimate the beginner levels as they have their own challenges. About half my division said this was their first and only competition and the other half enjoyed it and a few of us have done it both years in a row. It is awesome not having to travel to compete so you have a big advantage there. Let me know if I can answer any of your questions, Michelle wants me to enter but I have my own wedding coming up this fall so I am not sure what I can swing, but I am hoping to for sure enter the Windy City division. Good luck!!!
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The Gateway Pole Competition is a semi-final round of the Midwest Pole Competition. First place Elite winner gets to compete in the Midwest Pole Comp.
I think Essentials is plenty challenging- just in a different way. You have to focus more on the dance and spins and form of those aspects rather than the acrobatics. Dance can be easier for some people, I guess, but it's hard for me to come up with somthing truly interesting all on the floor! A fun challenge! 🙂 I might enter for both Essentials and Elite… I'd be more likely to get into Essentials though.
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Thanks FitChix! My advice to anyone thinking of entering: do it, seriously. I went back and forth about entering, and I really wasn't expecting to make it in (I'm still kind of surprised I did, considering the quality of the entries!) I convinced myself by thinking well, worst case scenario: you don't make it this time but you gain experience, have an awesome video to show for your hard work, and get useful feedback from judges. 🙂
As for Midwest specifically, it's not really about busting the craziest tricks, so don't feel pressured to do the hardest tricks in your bag… Figure out what you do well and stick to it. If you look at their criteria, difficulty plays a smaller role in the scoring than do your ability to craft an entertaining, smooth performance. (This is one of the great things about Midwest, the judging critera is laid out very well for potential competitors )Honestly, I'm more of a pole trickster than a dancer, so I think the Essential category would be a HUGE challenge for me… props to all those girls! Elite and Essential are both challenges in their own way, so think about your strengths and how they could apply. Don't be afraid to go for Elite, though!
Good luck to everyone though!!
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You can always apply to both divisions, and see what happens! it never hurts to apply 🙂
competing at Midwest in Aug was one of the greatest experiences of my life, so my suggestion would be to do it! however, some people do find out that they really don't like competing, and that its just not for them.
I heard Mary Ellyn's announcement about the four semi finals, but I haven't seen more details anywhere. are the other three semi final locations announced? are there rules about needing to live in certain places to be eligible? or are we just waiting on more information to be released?
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So far there's been one announced for Chicago, Detroit, and St Louis… I believe I read somewhere that anyone in the Midwest can apply for them, I guess it just depends on which city you would prefer to do it in? I recall someone saying that on Facebook but I am not sure if that information is correct.
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Midwest as defined on the website, that is:
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Hey ladies, thanks for all the great feedback and info.
I think I will meet with Michelle first and let her evaluate my skills, and then decide what to go with. I spent a day looking up all the competitors videos from last year to get an idea of what I would be up against. Pretty tough competition out there! =)
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I think Michelle told me in class that you can apply to as many of the semi-finals as you wish, unless your teacher happens to be a judge. I believe Michelle is judging the Detroit semi-final, so I cannot apply for that one. Perhaps I misunderstood, but it does make sense, since the teacher could be biased one way or the other.
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I wonder what happens if you apply to more than one, can you be accepted into two or do you have to pick? I'd be scared to enter two and there being the possibility of having to do two comps in one month! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif
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I am so sorry I missed this post! I pop in every couple of days for a quick look and hadn't seen this so far!
We've had some initial stumbling blocks in organizing the event so not all of the information has been promoted as smoothly as I had hoped but the individual organizers have been allowed to announce each of their own event as they were ready. Tomorrow I'm going to be officially announcing that we are sanctioning 4 semi-finals – one in Merrilleville Indiana, one near Chicago Illinois, then Detroit Michigan and of course, St Louis.
Though all are simultaneously offering a second division, some like the essential division we run, ONLY the first place winner of the Elite division will automatically advance to the finals at Midwest in August.
The rules and criteria are identical to that of Midwest with two exceptions:
Poles are all stage poles – no standard competition poles on rigging
Compulsory moves are required for online video roundWe have changed a few things from last year…for example only 3 compulsory moves and the breakdown of scoring is a bit different from last year. Still the same components, just weighted differently.
Emphasis is on polish and form, more so than crazy tricks but as always, if your artistry, showmanship and form are all equal with someone else's then the final call will depend on your skill level.
This is open only to residents of the Midwest states.
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Update – They have also added a "polelesque" division:
Polesque*
A combination of pole dancing and burlesque.This level is open to dancers of all skill levels who incorporate elements of burlesque into their choreography.
Open to dancers of any age (18+) or gender.
Open to all dancers regardless of their months or years of experience.
Solo Performers Only.
2 standard 45mm X-Stage Poles. One pole will be set to static and one to spin. Choice of using both poles or only one.
No limits to the type and skill level of moves allowed.
Winning this division does not secure a spot in the Midwest Pole Competition.
Criteria:
No limits to the type and skill level of moves allowed.
3 Compulsory moves: done in any order
One spin combo on static of at least 2 spins, both upright or horizontal, each with one full rotation around the pole for each spin. May not touch the floor between these two spins.
One layback (thigh hang, ankle hang, cross ankle release).
One acrobatic combo of any level consisting of two or more positions on the pole.
At least half of allotted performance time must be spent on pole.
Props are allowed, but setup and breakdown must take less than 60 seconds.
Contestants will be judged on: extensions, transitions, overall execution of tricks and/or spins, creativity and grace in clothing removal, musicality, stage presence/command of audience, and theatricality and costuming.
It is not required, but contestants may strip down as far as pasties and/or merkins.
All performances must comply with all local nudity laws.
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So I had a private lesson with Michelle Mynx, who is hosting the Gateway competition. It was my first time at her studio, and dancing with her, and I have to say it was very informative! I am still not decided if which division to enter, she did confirm that I have the skill level to enter any of the 3 divisions. So I'm really deciding between submitting for both essentials and elite, or just elite. I'm just concerned that I would get overwhelmed trying to create unique routines for each division. I guess I'll do some freestyle and see how I feel when I film my submissions this weekend. She did say that the deadline has been extended – though it has yet to be updated on the website. Really nervous to try this, but excited at the same time! I'm looking forward to seeing all the talented girls perform and perhaps make some new pole buddies! She also told me that Aerial Amy will be a judge and will be teaching workshops that weekend! SCORE! Time to booty pop? LOL.
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I have such a high regard for Michelle. Go for it.
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I SUBMITTED TO ELITE!!!
I filmed my submission like 10 times, and although I didn't do as much as I want to do in the competition, I focused on doing the compulsory moves really well. Hoping some more practice sessions and new trick combos will clean up my routine if I get accepted. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Here is a link of my video!
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Best of Luck!!!
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Good luck!! You should be proud of yourself for submitting!!
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Thanks for the support ladies! 🙂 They announce the finalists on Feb 9.
I wonder how many people ended up actually submitting videos?!? Only 3 have been publicly posted on YT, but there was also an option to post it privately and just send in the link.
I’m totally nervous and excited at the same time. Lol.
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Last year I remember there being only a handful of videos public on YouTube but there were over a hundred submissions, so who knows… I think most people post privately. Good luck and yay for you for entering!
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