Pole and Aerial All Stars 2014

Pole and Aerial All Stars 2014 is the very FIRST pole competition I have ever witnessed in real life. Real life as in bum on the seat watching with my own two eyes, hearing and feeling the loud music pulse over me, hearing the occasional grunt from a performer, the Emcee's funnies, and applauding so hard I though my palms would bruise.

The comp had been on my radar for a few months, my physio actually mentioned there was a new competition being held in Melbourne to try to get the best of the best together to compete, this conversation was well before the end of 2013. So I kept my eyes open on social media sites and before long information slowly started trickling out through the event's Facebook page.

I booked the venue immediately and was stoked at where my seats were. Fortunately with my birthday being a week after the competition I could justify it as a birthday gift from the family, not that I ever needed to justify anything I do. But it was as good an excuse as any.

The plane fare from Brisbane to Melbourne was the killer. I had procrastinated and left it too late to get the cheaper flights, but managed to score some not too steep ones the week before flying out.

Just the right amount of everything!

Arriving Friday evening a quick recon from the hotel, which was in the heart of Melbourne city, to the Forum theatre and I knew exactly where I'd be going the following Saturday night. 

The Forum, Melbourne

A few hours wandering the streets of Melbourne, listening to the sounds coming from the little laneways, pubs, bars, taverns and restaurants. I just delighted in the atmosphere of it all. It was noisy but relaxed and I really liked that.

The lane ways are alive with food and noise.

The hotel I was staying in was in the middle of a refurbishment, even that was kinda cool too.

One of the winding hallways, mid re-furb

I was put in a 'wing' that had already been done up. I'm a woman of basic needs, it was clean, it was tidy, and it had a super clean bathroom, so I was thrilled.

Neat, clean, & tidy... perfect!

Saturday was spent exploring Melbourne CBD.

Kilometre upon kilometre, upon kilometre was walked.

I was the quintessential tourist, rubber necking, taking random pics of random things, inundating my Facebook friends with images that I thought were cool. I didn't stray too far and made it back in time for a quick nap before getting ready for the evening.

Dressed and ready to go it was time. I had packed the wrong pantyhose, so bare legged I went, no one noticed because the shoes were awesome.

The ensemble for the evening

It took less than five minutes, and those five minutes were walked in an almost six inch heel, to get to the Forum.

I love my shoes! <3

At the foyer of the Forum the stalls were set up. For sale was an array of poling wear, magazines, poling products, and DVD's.   

The interior of the Forum was quite decadent. I'm no good with architectural era's but there was a lot of ornate wood panelling, marble, baroque carpet, chandeliers, muted lighting, and a sense of old world opulence. I liked it. Like most theatres it could always do with a spruce up and good spit and polish but nonetheless it was holding its own.

The time came to take our seats. I realised I'd made a mistake in my seat selection I was sixth row back which made me amazingly close, but on the flat. I'm only short so I really did miss quite a bit of floor work with the bigger than me people sitting in front of me. I did crane my neck quite a bit, sit on my leg to lift myself up, so I didn't miss too much, but I did miss some things. I know for next time and will select all the wiser for it.

The competition itself was brilliant. The Pole and Aerial competitors were by invitation only so the standard was extremely high, incredibly professional, and definitely show worthy.

This is the first time I've actually seen the polers whose names I have been reading about, following on Facebook or watching on YouTube. These are the people who I've listened to for tips and advice, and these are the people who make me proud to be part of the Pole Dancing community in Australia.

I won't describe the competition in too much detail, there is plenty of video and photos if you just do a Google search for Pole and Aerial All Stars 2014. 

I will congratulate Suzie Q for being a delightful, quirky, funny, intelligent Emcee for the night. She did a brilliant job winging it when stage people needed an extended time to sort out equipment, she filled the gaps beautifully, and she has won herself a new fan in me. She's definitely one woman I'd love to sit and have a coffee and chat with one day.

I fell in love with Carlos the Mexican orphan and his pole performance. I had tears of laughter and screams coming from me. I adore him and if I ever get a photo op I am so in. Carlos rocks my pole dreams and is the epitome of enjoying life for all its worth, duct tape and all.

My personal highlight of the night was watching my Australian pole crush Cleo the Hurricane perform. She did a duet with Alethea Austin and they brought the house down. Their dance was sexy, sensual, flirty and fun, and they finished it with a kiss that I'm sure lifted the roof with the reaction from the audience. In unison we all screamed with delight.

So Pole and Aerial All Stars 2014 has been my introduction to poling events in Australia.

Has the bar been set high? I don't know yet. It will certainly be one that I will remember and refer to when I think of high quality events with high quality performers.

Being the person I am I know I will judge each event on its merits, what it's trying to achieve or make available to its competitors, and to its audience. My next event will be in June and it will be in my home state of Queensland. Bring it - I'm looking forward to it. Oh, and I've already got good seats sorted... VIP table!