[Charley]

Through practicing the art of pole dancing I grew a pair – if you know what I mean.  I learned that this was something that meant so much to me that I wouldn't allow others to take it from me, I refuse to be pushed down and silenced.  That resiliance only came through hours of soul searching, dancing and struggling to continue to do something that made ME happy.

[Charley]

So here is my open question to the community.  What can be done if we feel that competitions are being run unethically?  USPDF is not the only competition to come under scrutiny in the past with allegations of misdoings.  What do we do about it?  How do we solve the problem?

I urge all dancers and hopeful competitors to do their research on an organization or organizer.  Please get clear answers and criteria in advance of auditioning. 

It's important that we as pole dancers do not allow oursleves to be held "hostage" by organizations that are here to serve us.  Organizations have to be responsible to US and answer to US if they want us to support their events financially.  Organizers should be readily available to answer questions and provide those answers to the public no matter what kind of an event it is.  I realize people are human and may miss some communication but when good questions are asked those answers need to be made public.

I want to see clarity and transperancy.  I never want to see a competitor accepted into a competition then later removed, I don't want to see what looks to be inconsistant behaviour and perhaps partiality towards certain competitors.  i understand this is hard because we are such a small community and many of us are friends with organizers and judges but we must maintain some type of ethical behaviour.

So many of us are so desperate to be accepted into a competition that we don't qualify the competition to see if it is the right thing for us.  How many have tried out for a competition simply because it was accepting submissions without being clear as to what the competition is lookig for?  I have.  I tried out for a tricks competition with a dance video (lol!)  Just because a comeptition exists doesn't mean it's the right competition for you.  I will never be a mega trickster so competitions looking for someone like that are not cup a tea.  Some comeptitions are looking for dancers, others looking for overall great performances with no weight on dance or tricks but an even scoring balance of the two.

The community needs to find a balance.  Organizers should be clear, prospective competitors have the burden of meeting criteria on time.  We all need to be clear and fair with one another. If you miss a deadline and the organizer won't accept your entry – understand that and move on – don't argue.  If you are an organizer with a deadline – enforce it and be sure that it is clearly stated for everyone to know what it is.  If you are accepted into a competition you shouldn't be removed from it based on where you are employed.  If you are putting on a competition be clear about the requirements and competitors study and read those requirements, ask questions when you aren't sure, don't assume anything.  Organizers – please respond to questions in a timely fashion, specifically questions that could effect the outcome of either the selection process or winner of a competition.  Prospective competitors – don't get upset and bitter against an organization because you weren't chosen.  

Everyone needs to be treated equally whether you are Felix Cane or a newbie pole dancer who had your first lesson today.  

I see so much drama surrounding the idea of comeptitions.  Those who submit get upset when they weren't chosen, sometimes people try to barter for an extension on their submission, etc, etc, etc.  I see comeptitions that are surrounded with allegations of things like mistreatment of comepetitors to unfair scoring to special favor being given to certain prospective competitors. It all has to stop but I have no solutions.  It makes me really sad.

[Charley]

It does feel like the expanse betwenn NYC and LA gets ignored a lot in the pole world, doesn't it.  I think it's great that Mary Ellyn is hosting not just a regional but also a national competition here this year.  Plus, there is a pole expo In Vegas, Michelle Mynx does a Pole Extravaganza, Girls's Next Door is out here this year, and we will be doing another festival next year for sure.

One of the reasons I am so passionate about focusing on the Midwest is because I don't feel like we have a lot of opportunites to train and get USPDF ready.  I feel like ew have a lot of talent here that's hidden and I also feel like we have less opportunity to make it as pole dancers.  I love seeing the men and women from here and seeing what they can do without some of the luxeries the coasts have.  🙂

[Charley]

I think because the regionals are hosted are run and hosted by studios a midwest competition woud be a matter of a studio here stepping up to host it.  There used to be a page on the USPDF website for info regarding the hosting of a competition.  I think money is tighter here honestly so it's a bigger risk for our studios than East and West Coast studios.

When NYPD-Kalamazoo was open – I could have seen them hosting a regional but Tracy (Wendy's sister) moved to NYC so they closed up Kzoo.

Wendy is also from the Midwest (Michigan) so I don't think she is opposed to anything midwest based at all.  🙂  I hope that helps and it would be cool to have a USPDF regional someplace around here.

[Charley]

The pole won't ruin the ceiling at all.  My friend has this kind of ceiling and we put poles up all the time at her house.  Just make sure it's level and that it's tightened all the way.  Be sure you are under the beam.  The biggest challenge I have found with these ceilings is that it seems like you get a false reading a lot so be extra careful and double check with your stud finder.

[Charley]

I agree which is why I suspect they will either lengthen pro status or offer more pro cards at the Amateur National level.

From a business perspective the regionals were very expensive and difficult to manage for the organization since they allowed studios to run them based on their guidelines.  So the studio then was responsible for the planning, orgainizing, venue getting, hotel blocking, blah, blah, blah – so that made it hard for USPDF.  The comps were also expensive to use the name USPDF too – I believe – plus the studio was responsible for sales and payouts to everyone *I think.*  I love the USPDF and their comps so it will be interesting to see how things unfold for them in the future.  I'm pretty sure Nationals is the only thing they are doing THIS year.

I wouldn't be surprised if they brought regionals back because in the very few conversations i've had with Wendy she expressed that she liked the regionals alot and had wanted to have more of them.  So  you never know.  It's a lot for one person to handle.  I think the USPDF has experienced some growing pains but never the less has resurfaced with renewed vigor and support from the community.

 

[Charley]

And I agree without regionals to qualify potential pro's that could end up meaning that the National Amateur Comp could just turn into a Pro Comp because Pro's who no longer have their status would then be eligbible to compete in Amateur.  

I didn't see any pro's listed though auditioning as an amateur.  

This also means if there is only 1 competition/year to qualify for pro that maybe they will select more amateurs than before and give out more pro cards?

[Charley]

I had heard the same thing that it was only good for 2 years so that could explain why there were less Pro's submitting this year because you have to keep competing and placing in order to maintain it,  The USPDF is also revamping so perhaps Pro Status is good forever now?

Heidi Coker was in the National Pro last year.  She came in 2nd at 2010 ECR.  She really an amazing talent and gem!

[Charley]

TG lift – it's hit or miss and that is so frustrating

Iron X – can't hold it very long

Split grip Marion Amber – can get it only 20% of the time

Phoenix – 50-50

Jade

Tick Tock

I have some  new combos too I started playing with that I haven't seen before that require opposite air cradle mounting – which I could use some work on.

[Charley]

DOH!

Mina Mortizie

Any Guion

Michelle Stanek 

Nadia Sharif

[Charley]

The first USPDF, the one Jenyne won was an Amateur competition.  So that year Jenyne, Alethea and Sarah became pro's.  through the regionals those who placed 1,2,3 got pro status as well with the USPDF being able to if they wanted give up to 2 pro cards (likely 4&5 places)  So after the first year they had exaclty 12 pro's I believe.  3 from National, 3-5 from both regionals.  Jenyne wasn't able to compete again because she won the innaugural competition the year before.

So in 2010 (I think) was the 2nd USPDF competition which included a Pro and Amateur division.  Mina Mortiezie won that one giving her pro status and I don't remember if 2nd place was awarded pro.

Last year was the third year and in Amatuer Michelle Stanke, Amy Guion and Nadia Sharif were all awarded pro status.

So If I'm correct I believe the complete current list of pros is:

Denise Richards

Faith Daniels

Jenyne Butterfly

Alethea Austin

Karol Helms

Gabrielle V.

Leigh Ann Reilly

Amber Richard

Estee Zakar

Zoraya Judd

Bryniynn Loomis

Allison Cox – Sipes

Shelly Lamb

Rebecca Starr

Heidi Coker

Natasha Wang

Lauren Goldstein

Takeila Fox

Amy Raven

Jessalyn Mediary

 

I *think* that's it but I feel like I am missing someone.

 

[Charley]

Good luck everyone!  Fingers crossed for all of you!

Organic Angel – I love how you took one routine and danced it two different ways to 2 different songs!!!!  I wish I could do that!  Really great!

*I missed the deadline 🙁

[Charley]

Ton be honest, I've been drenched in a heavy depression that has nothing to do with competitions but pole and pole break ups so I've really not been preacticing.  Today I went to film and I couldn't get along in my own skin, so I might not be able to submit this year…no big deal.

Raquelle, I think you are an amazingly talented dancer and sadly too often there just aren;t enough spaces for everyone and it sucks soooo bad.  I see girls, like you, who are off the charts awesome but every competition is inundated with amazing dancers and so few spots.  It really sucks.

I'll also add for everyone that the midwest pole comp has a national division this year and we should all consider that one too.

Upcoming submission dates:

5/24 USPDF (Amateur)

6/10 Regional Mdwest

6/17 National Midwest

6/30 APFA

 

[Charley]

Exactly as Chemmie said and they also have pro cards they can give away at all the comps up to 2 pro cards can be given away which I believe was the case in the regionals in 2009.

[Charley]

The Pro's are in the same spot we are – there are only 12 pro spots and there are more than 12 people who have pro status, so even the pro's get told no sometimes.

I used to get so upset when I wasn't accepted into a competition now I feel like, well atleast I am good enough to submit and even think about it, right?  

BTW, ALL of the videos look really amazing, it's totally making it hard to go film!  LOL!