A:
With a roster of celebrity fans including the likes of Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Kate Hudson, Britney Spears, Susan Sarandon, Carmen Electra, Jessica Biel, and even Charles Barkley, pole-dance fever seems to be sweeping the entire western world.
No longer confined to the realms of the strip club, pole dancing is now recognized as an excellent and fun workout. Heck, there's even a campaign to have the "vertical bar" recognized as an Olympic sport. If you watch video of a performer like Felix Cane, winner of Miss Pole Dance World 2009, you'll appreciate what a beautiful and creative dance form it can be -- in a different league to the often lacklustre gyrations you'll witness in a lot of strip clubs. You can see Felix performing live in Las Vegas -- where she currently resides -- not in a strip club, however, but as a performer in Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity.
We don't recall Scores (now Rick's Cabaret) offering pole-dance classes, but we'll take your word for it. In terms of places in Las Vegas where classes are still available, there are four locations that we know of:
- Pole Dance Studio/Aradia Fitness is an established company and has an introductory class starting at $20. Here's the link to their website.
- Stripper 101 is located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood and we've read good reports about how fun these classes are. You even get a complimentary cocktail to conquer the stage fright. Click here for more information.
- From Mind to Body has various studios nationwide, including one in Las Vegas at Sahara and Rainbow. Here's the list of all their locations.
- Just for Trix was the recommendation of Dia Zerva, the exotic dancer interviewed in our Topless Vegas* guide, now in its second edition (and available for the first time in hard copy). An experienced and certified exotic dancer, Trixie offers private pole and lap dance classes. Here's her website.
Have fun (but expect sore thighs and some bruises!)
*Expect an exciting announcement about our plans for Topless Vegas... Coming up soon, so stay tuned.
Update 17 September 2009
We just learned of another pole-dance class. Sasha Viers, a local yoga, gyrotonic, and gyrokinesis (what?!) teacher now also teaches pole dance classes three times a week at
The Pilates Studio (3655 W. Durango, Ste. 26, 702/895-9000). The Studio, and its pole dance facilities, is also available for bachelorette/divorce parties or for a couples-night-out package, which includes limo transportation, a quick private lesson for the lady, and a performance for her man.
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