Every so often when perusing the internet, we stumble across a post that likes to claim that pole dancing was started in any other way except a strip club. While it seems like these posts are made in good faith based on the little information out there about the origins of pole, they are often a misconstrued version that leaves out the pioneers of this industry. Wether that is because of the #notastripper crowd pushing their agenda to erase sex workers and strippers from their studios and spaces with their mission to make pole seem more wholesome, or because of correlation between a pole being used Mallakhamb and Chinese Pole makes people want to connect it to the modern pole community today, both are erasing our history.
Because of this, the exact origin of pole dancing has been somewhat debated, but it has roots in various cultures and has different origin stories depending on where you are geographically. Some attribute its origins to ancient forms of dance around wooden poles, Mallakhamb, while others connect it to Chinese pole, and while those might have an outside influence and some influence on how pole has changed over the years, it is not how it was formed, specifically in America.
To first understand why modern pole didn't spring forth from Mallakhamb or Chinese Pole, we need to first understand what these sports are and what they were used for.
Mallakhamb is a traditional sport that got its starts as a performing art that originated in Maharashtra, India, centuries ago. The word "mallakhamb" is derived from the Sanskrit words "malla" (meaning wrestler) and "khamb" (meaning pole). In mallakhamb, athletes perform various acrobatic and gymnastic maneuvers on a vertical wooden pole, a hanging rope, or a wooden plank showcasing incredible strength, flexibility, and balance. The mallakhamb pole is typically made of hardwood and stands around 2.7 meters tall with a circumference of approximately 55 to 60 centimeters. It is usually smoothed and coated with castor oil to reduce friction and aid gripping. Alternatively, mallakhamb can be practiced on a hanging rope or a hanging wooden plank, offering different challenges and variations to the sport.
Mallakhamb is not only a competitive sport but also a form of cultural expression and entertainment. It is often performed during festivals, cultural events, and competitions across India, captivating audiences with its combination of athleticism and artistry. In recent years, mallakhamb has gained international recognition, with efforts to promote and preserve this traditional Indian sport on a global scale. Traditionally, mallakhamb was predominantly performed by males, particularly in its origins as a training method for wrestlers in Maharashtra, India. However, it wasn't until recent years, there has been a growing interest and participation of females in mallakhamb. Women are also actively training and competing in mallakhamb, showcasing their strength, flexibility, and skill in this dynamic sport. As mallakhamb gains popularity both nationally and internationally, it is becoming more inclusive, with athletes of all genders participating and excelling in the sport.
Let's move on to Chinese Pole. Chinese pole is a traditional circus art form that originated in China around 2,000 years, although it is difficult to pin point the exact timeline. In Chinese pole, performers execute a series of acrobatic and gymnastic maneuvers on tall vertical poles, the same way modern pole has evolved today. The poles themselves are typically made of silicone covered material or wood and can vary in height, ranging from around 3 to 9 meters tall. Performers often wear special shoes or use chalk on their hands to improve grip and traction as they climb, spin, and hold various poses on the poles. Chinese pole routines incorporate a wide range of movements, including climbs, descents, spins, drops, and dynamic holds much like what power pole has evolved into today. So just with that information alone, it is not uncommon to correlate that modern pole dancing must've stemmed from Chinese Pole. However, correlation does not equal causation and it is especially true in this case. Except historically, Chinese pole was predominantly performed by males, particularly in its origins within Chinese circus traditions. However just like Mallakhamb, in more modern times, there is increasing gender diversity in Chinese pole performances. Women are actively participating and excelling in the art form, showcasing their strength, agility, and skill on the poles. As Chinese pole gains popularity globally and becomes integrated into various performance genres, it is becoming more inclusive, with performers of all genders contributing to its evolution and innovation. So we do want to give credit where credit is due, Chinese Pole has helped in shaping modern pole dancing in the last 10 years but it did not give modern pole its origins.
Next we are going to bring up the people who started it all, the " Hoochie Coochie Girls". The reason we are putting this in quotes is because this term is considered inappropriate. However, we are going to use this term so that you can get accurate information when you search this term yourself. The term "Hoochie Coochie" originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. It was used to describe provocative and sensual dance performances, often by women, which were considered risqué or sexually suggestive for the time. These performances were influenced by various cultural elements, including Middle Eastern belly dancing, African dance, and burlesque. Hoochie Coochie dancers became popular in traveling carnivals, vaudeville shows, and burlesque theaters, adding to the rich tapestry of American entertainment history. But where these girls started were traveling circus and carnivals. These girls were not paid as a part of the circus or carnivals but instead relied on the generosity of the crowds to make their money. The often wore very little clothing and danced around the middle pole that was keeping the tent up between sets. They didn't really do tricks but instead leaned on the pole for support when they disrobed or tied their clothing to the pole to entice the crowd. This is where modern pole got its start and while this era isn't quite what we have today, it lead into what we have today.
In the 1920s-1930s, the HC Girls and the traveling circus started to have issues. One of the main issues was the girls were not getting paid yet becoming one of the most popular attractions. They soon had a scuffle with the traveling circus folk and decided to split ways around the 1930s. Around this time burlesque had just started to become more popular in America, brought over by Lydia Thompson in the late 1800s. The girls who broke off from the circus had decided to do something different, so they split up and decided to try and reinvent themselves into burlesque dancers. The only problem with this, was burlesque was heavily segregated, Jean Idelle being the first black burlesque performer in 1950. So only the white or white passing HC Girls were able to make a name for themselves as burlesque dancers. This left a lot of BIPOC performers without work. Since they weren't able to become burlesque dancers, they became "exotic dancers", which is unclear wether that term was given or chosen out of necessity. While burlesque dancers were able to book clubs and venues because most venues were white only in this time period, it left the exotic dancers in the dust. Exotic dancers were only booking shows in small dive bars and vaudeville scenes. This is where our pole journey starts:
1933: The New Orleans Club, San Fransisco, CA.
This club started as a Jazz club and then a speakeasy during the prohibition era and regularly booked both exotic dancers, burlesque dancers, and jazz dancers during this time to dance with and for their patrons. San Fransisco famously never participated in the prohibition and this club went on to being the first known "dancer bar" in America. Unfortunately, you will find almost no information on this speakeasy except by word of mouth because it has been closed for quite some time. This was the pioneer for strip clubs everywhere. It was said to have an old pipe that was on the front part of their makeshift stage but we cannot corroborate this information since there is nothing on the internet that can back this up.
1954: Mary's Club is opened in Portland, OR.
A historic landmark and the oldest full nude bar and strip club in Portland. Established in 1954 by Mary Elleanor Groat, known as "Mary," the club has maintained its presence as a unique and iconic establishment in Portland's entertainment scene for nearly seven decades. Located in downtown Portland at 129 SW Broadway, Mary's Club was the first full nude establishment to open in the United States. One of the distinctive features of Mary's Club is its iconic neon sign, featuring a glowing image of Mary herself, which has become a beloved symbol of the club and a recognizable landmark. In addition to its iconic status, Mary's Club is also known for its diverse and talented performers. While the club primarily features exotic dancing and burlesque shows, it occasionally hosts live music events, comedy nights, and other performances, adding to its appeal as a versatile entertainment venue. Mary took a chance on exotic dancers, hiring girls to perform between piano sets, comedy sets, and more for the port boys on its tiny 10x4 stage. Eventually, exotic dancers became the staple of this club and started the strip club scene which evolved into modern day pole dancing as we know it.
Mary's Club stage had a brass pole installed on the very corner of the stage where it meets the stairwell, which overlooks the stairwell down to basement.. This iconic pole is where pole dancing as we know it started, and the reason why some of the best pole dancers are out of Portland.
1964: Condors Gentleman's Club opened its doors to the public.
Located in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, this club holds a significant place in American strip club history. It is often credited as the birthplace of topless dancing in the United States. At the time of its founding, the Condor Club was owned by Morris "Moe" Dalitz, a prominent figure in organized crime, and managed by Abe "Kid Twist" Weinstein. The club gained notoriety for introducing topless entertainment (NO PASTIES!) to American audiences, a bold move that challenged societal norms and sparked controversy. The club's decision to feature topless dancers marked a significant departure from traditional burlesque shows, paving the way for the modern strip club industry. One of the most famous performers to grace the stage at the Condor Club was Carol Doda, who became an icon of the 1960s counterculture movement. Doda's revolutionary act, which involved her dancing topless while suspended from a piano wire above the bar, drew national attention and helped catapult the Condor Club to fame as well as launching more women to do daring movements we see on the pole today. Today, the club continues to offer adult entertainment in a vibrant and welcoming environment, while also honoring its rich legacy as a pioneering venue in the world of strip clubs and modern pole dancing.
After these three clubs opened their doors, more clubs all over the United States started to pop up. Some with poles and some without, but these daring acts and entertainment remained a staple of strip clubs everywhere, featuring girls doing floor work, stage work, and pole work. Patrons came from all over to see girls disrobe from their sparkly outfits and swing around poles in heels. This was before the times of lap dances.
1980s: Lap dances became popular in strip clubs.
However, pinpointing the exact year when lap dances began in strip clubs is challenging, as it likely varied depending on the establishment and location. As attitudes toward adult entertainment evolved and strip clubs sought to enhance their offerings and attract customers, lap dances emerged as a popular and lucrative feature, providing patrons with a more intimate and interactive experience with dancers. Since then, lap dances have become a standard offering in many strip clubs around the world which has made the attraction of pole dancing dwindle over the years. While there are still clubs that emphasize pole dancing, those clubs are far from what they used to be.
1993: Pleaser Shoes was established.
Since then, it has become a leading manufacturer of footwear, specializing in sexy and exotic shoes, particularly those worn in the adult entertainment industry, including strip clubs and exotic dance performances. Pleaser Shoes offers a wide range of styles that revolutionized the footwear for strippers, pole dancers, burlesque dancers, and more everywhere. They made heels with strippers in mind that would help with foot pain, help with gripping the pole to perform more intricate tricks and all while working long hours.
1994: Fawnia Mondey became the first pole instructor and studio owner.
Fawnia Mondey, often referred to as the "Queen of Pole Dance." She brought pole from inside the clubs and opened her pole dance studio in 1994 and shortly after came out with a collection of VHS and DVDs that helped teach strippers everywhere how to pole. Mondey is credited with pioneering the modern pole dance movement and establishing pole dancing as a legitimate form of fitness and artistic expression. Her studio played a crucial role in popularizing pole dancing as a fitness activity and providing a space for individuals to learn and train modern pole.
Some other notable pioneers of the industry who helped make pole what it is today:
JK Defies gravity: the queen of static spins, teaching people advanced spin moves on static poles. She now owns her own club.
Isis Diamond: the queen of power pole. She revolutionized connecting gymnastics and pole dancing and brought that to the world famous diamond clubs.
Spyda and Magic: the first pole duo. they revolutionized pole doubles and brought you most of the tricks you do today.
Sarah Cretul: first person to handspring on the pole. Queen of handsprings.
and there are so many more!
Alena Downs-One of the first stripper pole competition winners, pole instructors, and studio owners.
Anne Marie Davies: revolutionized how we are able to communicate as dancers. Started research on dancer history, created a podcast called Yes a Stripper to help keep our history alive, and started UPArtists, which revolutionized Instagram and social media for strippers and pole dancers.
All of these girls have one thing in common, they did this in the club before studios were really around. They helped make pole dancing what it is today and we still do a lot of the tricks they brought about, and they all did these in heels! Unfortunately, a lot of this information is getting lost and it is hard to preserve it with a lot of misinformation out there and with most people not wanting to learn the rich history of pole dancing when it pertains to coming from the strip club. We are committed to continuing the legacy of those before us and to continue gathering whatever information we can to keep adding to this list to keep our history alive.
Thank you to every sex worker, every stripper, every club dancer who helped pioneer this industry and thank you for all the ones who continue to pioneer this industry. We see you, we love you, we are you.
Links to things:
A thread recounting lap dances: https://tuscl.net/discussion/15534
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