Description: In this workshop we play with choreography that embodies masculine energy.
Pole dance is typically based around feminine style and this class is an opportunity to break out of that mold and flow in the opposite direction. Think grounded and flexed feet, leading with your shoulders rather than hips, thrusting forward instead of throwing it back. This class is open to all bodies, genders and sexualities- you do not need to identify as masculine or queer to participate.
Suited for beginners with some pole experience as a foundation (comfortable with pole walks, pirouettes, basic spins like upright leg hooks and sit/dip spins) up to intermediate students want to add their own flair to the choreography and take more advanced modifications. Class starts with a guided full body warm up tapping into our masculine energy, then we will learn the choreography step by step. You are not expected to memorize the choreography, River will call out the moves to you throughout class. Toward the end of class students will be broken up into two groups to dance the choreo while the other group cheers them on and have the opportunity to film their dance if they choose. Finally we will end with a calming cool down before going back out into the world feeling like a badass.
what to wear/bring: Water bottle, your favorite pole grip if you like to use it for basework, kneepads or sweatpants pants you can slide around on the floor with. Wearing pants is not required, wear whatever you want but choreo will be planned so that moves are accessible with pants (minimal leg grip required in pole moves) but more advanced students may want to wear layers or something with legs exposed for more challenging modifications that use leg grip. I recommend planning to be barefoot or wearing clean sneakers or boots (never worn on the street, saved for dancing in studio) - socks work too if you have strong ankle stability otherwise they may be too slippery for some moves.
class accessibility: Students must be able to stand for at least 5 minutes at a time, be able to support body weight in an all fours position on the floor, able to kneel on the floor for short periods of time and hold weight on the pole with upper body for short periods of time (like an upright front or back knee hook sliding down to the ground). Expect short bursts of elevated heart rate followed by rest. Students are always welcome to ask for modifications at any point during class and many will be offered built into the choreo as options.
*This 2-hr Workshop is $45 + tax
River - Instructor
River (they/them, fae/faer) is a sex worker and artist who loves sharing their passion for embodied movement as an entertainer, instructor, producer and media creator. River is endlessly inspired by fellow strippers and works to destigmatize and celebrate strippers through producing Seattle’s first all stripper show series PRO $LUT TAKEOVER, and organizing with the grassroots org Strippers Are Workers. While pole is their primary movement expression, River also loves dancing with fire, hoops and fans, or just the wind. Exploring queerness is central to their dance style, whether it’s with raunchy masculine moves, femme4femme sapphic doubles, or feeling through the ebbs and flows of androgyny - River sees gender, sexuality and dance as a vibrant playground for self expression, healing, and joy. They are active as a pole photographer and videographer and you can book shoots with them both in studio and in nature on their portable pole. They travel back and forth between Seattle and Portland to work and perform and are so grateful for the community they've built and continue to expand across the PNW.