Jess and I were buzzing for ages after the Performance Workshop last Sunday. We had 5 students (1 per pole), which worked really well. I don't think it would have worked as well with 2 per pole. Everyone really got into it and worked hard to create the mood of the songs through their dancing. It was lovely to see everyone creating their own routines at the end, using the techniques given to them. Everyone's interpretation of the songs were different and unique, and I think everyone left feeling confident about putting routines together, even though they only had a short space of time to do it.
Suze will be starting a new class on Tuesdays in Reading on the 15th March, from 8pm to 9pm. She has put together a weekly mat based class to bring you lots of exercises relevant to the muscles you use on the pole and stretches to increase flexibility. Pole experience is not a necessity for this class, and you don't need to already be a Purity Student to come along.
This is a drop-in style class, meaning you can book on the day up until 6pm either through the website, or by bank transfer (please note enough time needs to be given for the transfer to complete before the class), cash or cheque is not accepted in class. The price is £7 per class (extra 50p for Paypal) or you can book a block of 4 consecutive classes to receive a discount, making it £25 (extra £1 for Paypal).
Jessabelle Polesista and I have been working together on a performance workshop. Tips will be given out on characterisation, themes, costumes, entering the stage, creating your own pole routine and finding what style works best for you. An information pack will be given out on the day, a small basic routine will be taught and you'll learn how to perform it.
Spaces are limited to 10, the cost of the workshop is £40 and you can book through the website, or I can give you bank details.
So I have admitted I have a guilty pleasure of liking a JLS song, not normally what I would be into, but for this song and my love for spinny pole I made an exception.
This is my freestyle I did yesterday to Love You More by JLS.
I received some very happy news last week, we won our battle against 2 people who attended classes back in November 2009 and the one who paid decided that she would cancel her cheque which covered both her and a friend for classes.
Both of them chose not to pay, and were given countless opportunities to settle this outside of court, neither of them wanted to and continually changed their story. one minute they were there and happy to pay, next minute they weren't there at all.
After some abusive phone calls, to which I had to hang up from, I decided enough was enough.
We started court proceedings, and very quickly the one who had not been doing any talking paid up, the other more abusive one refused to. This was settled in writing rather than being in court. It only took one simple statement from us and now she has been forced to pay up.
The court charges are more than what the classes cost came too! Which by the way they have both had to pay themselves too!
This really doesn't happen very often, pretty much everyone who comes for classes are always friendly and do pay up, even if sometimes they do run a little late ;)
I have to say that the only thing I regret is not taking them to court sooner, I believe the best in people and really thought they would not steel from me.
It is a shame it has come to this, especially as now both of them, especially the one who paid the latest will now have a bad credit history and will find it very difficult if they ever need to get loans, credit cards, mortgage etc.
I hope you have all had a wonderful break and are now keen to get back on the pole.
Not only have I had a lovely break over Christmas and New Year, but also I have been working on a few projects ready for 2011. Laying down new mats in the studio was one of the projects, when faced with the choice of regular gray mats or multi coloured, there isn't much surprise about which ones I went for!!
Here are some photos so you can see the transformation
On Sunday 5th December 2010 I put on the Purity Christmas Showcase at Hotel de Vie in Farnham. This was an idea given to me by one of the Reading students, Kerri, originally she suggested it was in the studio but I ran away with the idea and made it bigger!! Fortunately she still performed!
I started the night by introducing Jessabelle Polesista, he routine was to Frank Sinatra – ‘Let It Snow’ very fun and consisted of lots of sparkly snow being thrown everywhere, a perfect start to the evening. Once she had got changed she came back on to compare the rest of the evening.
Jess done a fantastic job throughout the night at keeping the guests entertained with her well planned out notes and silly Christmas jokes.
There were 3 student performances, all of them performing for the first time, first up was Kelly dancing to Track One by Swedish House Mafia, even though she was very nervous and the last couple of practice sessions that week hadn't gone to plan, she done a brilliant job and put in every move that she wanted to.
Next up was a doubles Purity Routine Workshop by Kate and Kerri. This was a routine they learnt in class with me earlier in the year to Bring Me To Life by Evanescence. They looked liked they thoroughly enjoyed themselves during their performance.
3rd on was Ruth dancing to Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. This was her own routine which she started a few months ago but never got the chance to perform it. Ruth had some funky little steps in her routine, making it fun to watch. She was buzzing once she finished.
After the 20 minute interval the instructors (including myself) got ready to go on.
Suze, our teacher from Wraysbury and Reading went on first. Inspired by the strength moves she gave an awesome performance of moves I am only dreaming about doing. The Jacknife drop springs to mind! it was nice to see she started off with a little Christmas tune before breaking into a rock version of 'Wicked Game'.
Next up was me, Jolene Redtrip, it seemed a bit unusual for me not to do a Christmas number but I was really into 'Let you Go' by Chase and Status. My performance was quite bouncy and was really fun. This was the first routine I have managed to put in the Handspring, partly why I did it first!
Lisa Williams, who used to teach for us in Twickenham was on after me, she seems to have gotten ever so strong since the last time I saw her rock the pole which was about a year ago. her routine had many strong moves and lots of funky dance moves. She was dancing to Video Phone by Lady Gaga and Boyonce.
To end the night on a fun note Emma Park Watt and Beth Hadcroft we all set to do their upbeat performance to House of Pain - 'Jump Around', it was off to a great start and everyone was enjoying the tongue in cheek performance, unfortunately about a minute before the end the music cut out and the amp had over heated! Like true stars they carried on anyway and got a massive cheer at the end!!
The night was a high success and there seems to be a growing list of performers wanting to have a go at the next Purity showcase, which is looking like it will be Easter time.
Thanks to everyone involved, Jason for doing the photos, Jess for being our fabulous compare, Claire for keeping the poles clean and warm, Hotel de Vie for being such a wicked little venue, and of course all the amazing performers and our lovely guests!
Looking forward to the next one already, Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Photo's will follow soon, in the mean time here is the video of my performance:
