Pole dancing to the music of a 20-piece live orchestra, including violins? Yes, says one Philippine pole dance troupe that seeks respect for its art and athleticism.
Against the background of women around the world turning to pole dancing as a form of exercise, the Manila-based group Polecats proved at a recent weekend show that performances are no longer only for strip clubs and sleazy bars — or just for women, either.
As the orchestra played classical-style arrangements of modern songs, dancers of both genders swung and climbed gracefully up 4m poles, combining flexibility, strength, and moves bordering on acrobatics, with sensuality.
Photo: EPA
照片：歐新社
“You don’t go to Cirque du Soleil to get turned on, although maybe you will, but I just want people to see that we’re really good at what we do, and not just hot,” said Christina Dy, the Polecats director.
Routines involving swings and twirls require balance, concentration and a high level of technical skills, and that is what audiences should appreciate, she added.
“I just want people to see that this is very hard ... if you just want the hair flipping, the grinding and all that, the boob popping, you can get that anywhere.”
Photo: EPA
照片：歐新社
The group has gathered male performers, as well as male viewers, by focusing on the athletic aspects of performing, said Job Bautista, the first man to become a regular Polecats member.
Organizations such as the International Pole Dance Fitness Association have been advocating professional pole dancing for fitness and sport. Ultimately, the goal is to include it in the Olympics.
(REUTERS)
鋼管舞配上包含小提琴的二十人樂團現場伴奏？一個為鋼管舞在藝術與體育活動領域中尋求尊重的菲律賓鋼管舞團表示，這是真的。
Photo: EPA
照片：歐新社
在來自世界各地女性將跳鋼管當成一種運動的情況下，馬尼拉的鋼管貓鋼管舞團（暫譯）在最近的一個週末以舞宣示，鋼管舞蹈表演不再侷限於脫衣舞夜總會與聲色酒吧，也不再是女性的專利。
當樂團響起現代歌曲的古典風格改編曲，男女舞者搖擺起舞並優雅地爬上四公尺的鋼管上。他們的演出結合了肢體柔軟度、爆發力，以及近乎特技表演般並同時帶來感官刺激的動作。
鋼管貓舞團團長克莉絲汀娜‧戴表示：「你不會為了讓身體感到興奮而去看太陽劇團，雖然你還是會有感覺，不過我只是想讓民眾看到，我們所做的是非常棒的，而非單單只是火辣而已。」
她補充道，每日練習的搖擺與旋轉動作，需要良好的平衡、集中的注意力，以及高級技巧。而這也是觀眾應該欣賞的。
她表示：「我只是要讓人們看清楚該舞蹈技巧難度超高…如果你只是要甩頭髮、磨蹭，以及那些爆乳場面，這些則隨處可見。」
鋼管貓舞團的首位男性常駐團員賈伯‧鮑提斯塔表示，這個團體已納入男性舞者，以及吸引男性觀眾，他們的演出則著重在體魄的呈現。
像是國際鋼管舞健身協會等組織，已開始倡導跳專業鋼管舞，可當作是一項健身運動。推廣的終極目標，是要讓鋼管舞成為奧運競賽的項目之一。
（路透／翻譯：林亞蒂）
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