A girls guide to taking it all off
What: The Inaugural Amateur Boot Ballet
Where: The Boot Pub
When: Saturday, Jan. 25
Have you ever wondered what its really like to strip? What its like to dance nude in high heels and have people pay you for it? If you look anything like me, being nude is not nice. Dont know about you but copping an eyeful of myself every morning makes me layer up more than needed. But for some girls out there, their flesh works well when on parade.
Its the eve of the Boot Pubs inaugural amateur Boot Ballet, a booty call for wanna-be disrobing divas and as part of the naïve sisterhood of non-strippers, I thought it was only fitting to find out what its like to flop out around a firemans pole. How does it really feel to grab a few greenbacks with just the flash of a nipple?
There must be a few girls out there interested because their inquiring minds prompted the Boot Pubs boss, Paul McNaught, to offer them the chance to dance.
"We get quite a few girls in the audience at our shows and theyre always asking when they can have a try. I guess because the Boot Ballet is not your typical strip joint, they feel comfortable in giving it a go, so this night is for them," said McNaught.
Two of Whistlers own pro exotic dancers, 25-year-old Mary and 21-year-old Diana, are firm friends with firm bodies. Between dances last Friday night, they happily agreed to share their strip tips, the good, the bad and the ugly. For the record, theyd like to say its not easy being an exotic dancer. Apart from the social stigma you have to deal with when it comes to your chosen profession, theres unwanted hair, unwanted advances, bras that wont undo and stilettos that can collapse underneath you.
But for these girls, the upside is hard to ignore. Fast money, loads of travel, and the chance to dance.
Pique: How long have you been stripping?
Mary: Six years
Diana: Four and a half months
Pique: How did you get involved?
Mary: I had a boyfriend that cheated on me so to get out I needed my independence. Exotic dancing got me out of there real quick.
Diana: I really wanted to buy myself a snowmobile so I entered an amateur contest and from there Ive travelled the country.
Pique: What was your first time on stage like?
Diana: I was pretty awkward and couldnt walk in high heels. It was pretty funny but the crowd were really supportive which helped lighten me up. At one point I accidentally kicked my dress right off the stage and just stood there staring at it. The crowd thought it was part of my act. It wasnt. I was just thinking "whoah, Im really naked."
Pique: How do your friends and family feel about you dancing nude?
Mary: Ive had people make hurtful comments behind my back but at least I know who my real friends are. As for my parents, I tried to hide it from my dad but he knows now. We just dont discuss it as he still sees me as his little girl. Ive brought my mom along to a show and shes cool with it, she sees its not as seedy as you might think. Were not doing drugs and having orgies out the back yknow.
Diana: Not too many people know yet but the ones who do dont care at all. Im such a tom boy that most of them cant believe I can be all sexy. I saw my math teacher in the crowd once and I was like "Ewww, thats so gross, get me out of here."
Pique: Do you get hit on by sleazy guys much?
Diana: Nobody really touches you, if they do, you give the bouncer a quick knowing glance and theyre history.
Mary: You get all the lines but Ive got come backs that are 10 times better. At first I was like "Oohh, I have so much power," and you feel like a bit of a celebrity but its just another job. Guys might come up and say "Hey baby, lets go party," and Ill say "Dude, Im at work."
Pique: So whats the best part about exotic dancing?
Diana: Its good exercise and good money.
Mary: Ive always loved to dance and perform. I dont care that Im naked. Its just a body. It still makes me laugh we can make money off guys immature fixation with nudity.
Pique: Whats the worst part?
Mary: Long term its not good for the soul with all those late nights. I try and only do it a couple of months a year.
Pique: Is the pole hard to master?
Diana: I love the pole. I love to try new moves on it, although Ive fallen on my head a few times. I also love the glider that goes across the stage. Ive fallen off that too and got bruises on my chin.
Pique: So whats the secret to looking good out there?
Mary and Diana unanimously: Lighting!
Mary: Seriously though, tidy up down there, ladies. Clean up all the skank and always check to make sure you dont have any toilet paper stuck.
Diana: Practice unhooking your bra because it can get caught, and make sure your G-string is not inside out.
Mary: Dont do drugs, have some rhythm and if you cant dance, get a boob job cause then you can just bounce.
Diana: If youre really fat, dont do it but if youve got a bit of meat, great. Guys like an ass anyway. Youd be surprised under these lights how many of your fat flaws can actually disappear.
Pique: How do you make it look so easy strutting around in 10-inch platform stiletto knee-high boots?
Diana: Practice. Walk around the house in them, do your laundry, do your vacuuming in them.
Pique: What costumes work best?
Mary: You wont lose with short and trampy.
Diana: I find simple costumes. They love the school girl look and the sensible secretary who turns into the wild woman.
So there you go girls, if youre still interested the Boot still has spare spots for Saturday nights showdown. The stage and the pole will even be available all day Saturday for practice. On the night, a warm, welcoming crowd is encouraged and a co-ed panel of judges will be on-hand to dispense advice and points on choreography, tricks and talent. The audience will provide the clap-o-meter. Its not necessary to get completely nude but entrants must come armed with a routine in mind and their own music. The top three finalists will take home cash prizes. Call the Boot Pub for more info: 604-932-3338 ext.112.