PROGRAM

Saturday, February 24 · 6 - 8pm MST
Sugar Space Arts Warehouse, South 800 West, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Performances by students and teachers of The Salt Mine.

MC: Leah

Leah began her pole journey a little over a year ago, choosing to attend a class on a whim. She had no idea this random decision would change her life. Pole has given her new found strength and flexibility as well as the confidence to try new things she didn't think she could do!

MC: Amberly

Cheyne, Sarah, Mari and Gracie

Ky (aka Mirage)

Mirage began her pole journey four years ago. Little did she know how much her life we change. She now teaches pole at The Salt Mine and performs locally. 

Song: Stand In The Rain by Superchick

Allyson and Sara  

Pole dancing created a safe community for both Sara and Allyson. This piece is about building unlikely friendships within the pole community.

Song: I Love You Bitch by Lizzo

Rachael

Rachael Stoll is a 33-year-old mother of two. She spends as much time as she can writing and reading. She found pole after her husband tried it out for a week last summer and was instantly hooked. 

This piece is about learning to love and accept myself. I always promised myself that I wouldn't be one of those women who lost themselves in motherhood, but after my son was born I realized that I had. Over the past 4 years, I've started to take myself back. I've started to remember both who I am and to love who that is. I started by getting back into writing but I struggled to love and accept my body. I've struggled with that for most of my adult life. Now, through pole, I love my body more than I ever have.

Song: Love Myself by Andy Grammer

Kimberly

I will be doing a piece on being a victim and almost having my civil rights taken from me.

Song: Apology by Dana Dentata

Megan M.

This is Meg's first pole student showcase and she's so excited to share and feels so welcomed into the pole dancing community. Meg is a professional heels dancer and teaches heels classes at The Salt Mine SLC.

Song: POV by Ariana Grande

Voluptuous Raptor

Voluptuous Raptor is an artist, graphic designer, and science communicator, who is leveling up their art practice with performance. She is a burlesque performer trained by Madazon Can Can and a pole student of Kylaman Scheid.

It's been a few tough years for Americans with vaginas, femmes, and everyone with a body that is not understood by politicians. Whether we are queer, trans, non-binary, or cis women, we have a political machine inspecting our genitals, gatekeeping our access to medical care, and generally making sure we know they don't see us as equal. This piece is a protest and a reminder that the female body drove evolution and human society evolved to need everyone. We are big-brained super apes and we not anomalies! We are here for a reason! Go vaginas!

Song: Appreciate Where You Came From by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. They are a local band and you should check them out. www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com

Ciearra

Being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 12 was life-shattering, and I’ve spent the last 15 years trying to piece myself back together. I will never know who I might’ve been had I not had cancer, but I am learning to love who I am now. Thank you to everyone who has loved every version of me. #fuckcancer

Donate to Ciearra’s non-profit, Chemo to Crown and help children fighting to survive cancer just like Ciearra.

Song: Where Do the Good Kids Go? by Maddie Zahm

Sami & Anaïs

Sami and Anais present a sensual pole performance about embracing their own bisexuality. Through fluid movements and captivating choreography, they explore their journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and queer love.

Song: I Think You Turn Me by Chandler Leighton

Ky (aka Mirage) and Taysia

Taysia - began pole dancing a little over 3 years ago after many years of trying other workout styles. She found that pole not only provided her an excellent workout, but also helped her develop skills and confidence that have transitioned into her daily life.

This piece takes a peek into the side of grief and how friendship can not solve it, but can give you a space of understanding through the hard and difficult times. In memory of those we’ve loved and lost.

Song: Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World, performed by Alex Goot ft. Jada Facer

Daisy

This dance is my personal struggle with sobriety and alcohol abuse/dependency, how I would rely heavily on alcohol for socializing/staying happy, then abusing it by overindulging which would lead to black outs, escaping life’s struggles. I would find it near impossible to stop drinking once I’ve started which makes everyday life hard. The dance shows my inability to stop drinking, the panic and depressions of the day after and frustrations that come with trying to stay sober with the temptation of the drug in the corner and happiness/relief of sobriety when I reject it.  Anyways I'm 4 months sober now, wish me luck!

Song: Terrible Thing by AG

10 Minute Intermission

Morgan

Carter

Martial arts and pole both allowed me to gain awareness of myself. This piece is dedicated to bringing both of these loves together and expressing myself in a moment of full authenticity. 

Song: Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas

Desiree W.

‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’

Greif is unavoidable and undeniable, yet its certainty makes it no easier. In time its sharpness softens, and the harshness of the loss fades slowly to the remembrance of those you got to experience. This dance is in tribute to the emergence of remembrance, acceptance, and love.

Song: ‘Crazy’ – by Patsy Cline

@flowbysadako on socials.

Kanna

This is for the ones that is embracing the blackness within themselves and figuring out how to have fun. 

Crystal

Crystal began pole dancing 1.5 years ago while looking for a way to express herself and love her body after years of religious trauma. This piece represents growth and acceptance and the love she’s developed for her body and self. 

Song: Take Me to Church by Hozier

Carissa

This choreography is a depiction of the journey of my unlearning purity culture, and paving a way forward for me to embody a woman unabashedly herself in her expression of love. It is reclaiming the movement inherent to my expression of femininity. This performance is my collection of different skills that I have gained from all of the influential leaders that have taught me something at The Salt Mine. The courage to take a chance on myself from Ky. The dance spins and a safe seat at the table with Mel. The grace and understanding of how to thread combinations from Katie. The marvelous permission to drench myself in sexiness from Baby J. This is a commemoration of me finding myself and finding Pole.

Song: Slut by Taylor Swift

Mari

Growing up in a very strict catholic family, I was always told that there was only one path for happiness; to get married, have three children and a job that still allowed me to be a mother and wife. I am fortunate enough to have found happiness in a very different life style than the Disney happy ending I was told to pursue. My goal as a pole instructor is to make sure everyone gets the same sense of freedom and confidence from this beautiful art.

Song: Cinderella’s Dead by Emeline

Mariah and Ciearra

Pole is a continuous journey of self-love and discovery. This performance is a celebration of ourselves, our bodies, and the community we’ve built. Thank you for celebrating with us.

Song: Into My Body by UPSAHL