Bold letters and colourful pictures splashed in the front pages of the local papers. Singapore National Day Grand Celebration showcased Pole Dancing for the first time. Next, it was Getai Pole Performances. Then, it is Men’s Fit Pole classes making its debut in local dance school. Pole dancing has stormed into Singapore bringing in a sea of change.
Singapore’s 44th National Day celebration introduced 8 ladies from Acro Polates, doing pole spins and tricks. Several articles were covered about this event. The Straits Times News paper and online forum of The Straits Times shared mixed views on the idea.
The Straits Times reporter, Magdalen Ng wrote an article Pole of contention Aug 9 2009. A Human resource executive Gregory Ho, 25, who saw the pole-dancing act at an NDP preview commented that 'I can't see what pole dancing has to do with Singapore. The performance was a bit raunchy and it shouldn't be the way, especially when there were so many kids around.' V-Lynn Song, a pole dancer performed at the NDP rehearsal; felt that “it’s just that the pole gymnasts use is horizontal while ours is vertical.'
This stirred up an online debate in the cyber space.
A concerned parent had left a comment on the online forum The Straits Times
“As a parent, I am concerned about the portrayal of women in skimpy outfits and sensual dancing at the NDP. Pole dancing has its origins in strip clubs, however toned down the sensuality is now.
I am surprised that it should even make an appearance at the NDP when it is not local to Singapore. In fact, I have not heard of any nation celebrating its National Day with performances by pole dancers.”
However, Sam Remmer from UK Pole Dance Community Forum included a different view. An explanation that, “I would argue that the inclusion of pole dancing demonstrates that Singapore is a forward thinking nation with a vibrant culture, the pole dance display itself was tasteful and demonstrated extreme fitness and flexibility.”
From the issue, we are able to view two contrasting views. One group are for and another against. There must be a reason that the National Day's organizers included pole dancing into the show. In addition, it is a prestigious event with important people watching them. By expanding our horizon and seeing through that pole dancing is not portrayed as a stripper dance.
We come to see it in a new light, that these ladies had put in a lot of hard work like any gymnast or other dancers practicing for a show.
From the issue, we are able to view two contrasting views. One group are for and another against. There must be a reason that the National Day's organizers included pole dancing into the show. In addition, it is a prestigious event with important people watching them. By expanding our horizon and seeing through that pole dancing is not portrayed as a stripper dance.
We come to see it in a new light, that these ladies had put in a lot of hard work like any gymnast or other dancers practicing for a show.
The new paper Shree Ann Mathavan sensationalized Getai Pole Dancing Teen, Lim Zi Yee in Aug 26 2009. Getai is a popular event during the 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival. The organizer said it was a brand new addition to getai. The audience adored the performance showcased by Zi Yee and drew loud applauses. After her show, the organizer noted 35% of the crowd left soon after.
After the national day parade, the public began to embrace pole dancing positively. Their warm response towards her performance showed that it was alright to pole dance in public. There was no sleazy show. It was based on physical strength and pole tricks.
After the national day parade, the public began to embrace pole dancing positively. Their warm response towards her performance showed that it was alright to pole dance in public. There was no sleazy show. It was based on physical strength and pole tricks.
Soon, a piping hot news headline came to shine Men jumping on to pole by Tan Yi Hui Sept 1 2009. Modern Men are now turning to Pole dancing to get fit. One of the participant, a project manager Mun Leong, 47, who has had 'no background in dance', but signed up for pole dancing classes after taking a trial lesson. He says: 'I see it more as a form of exercise, and also a chance to build up some coordination. 'If I were younger, I would have done gymnastics. So this is the next best thing. It completely changed my impression of pole dancing.' In general, there are many male gymnast. It doesn't any difference if they were using a pole to flex their muscles.
Many more male pole dancers came to light, Eric Yeoh a hairdresser added, 'Actually, any form of dance can be done in a macho or feminine way. To me, pole dancing is an art. It depends on how you interpret it.' These were from a male perspective who pole dances. They felt dancing should not be determined by gender. Furthermore, western countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States; dance studios are already offering pole dancing classes just for men, according to experts.
That’s not the last of words. There would be certainly more flashy media coverage, sexy eye candy and loud voices to be seen and heard. After all, there are exciting pole competitions to be held in our local scene; Pole Position and Asian Pole Summit.
How would Pole dance influence and change our local society? Only time could tell.
How would Pole dance influence and change our local society? Only time could tell.
References:
Credit: AsiaOne for Pictures.
I saw the video over at Reality TV.sg explaining how everything works. The debate wasn't necessary i must say, considering the fact that it's not really an easy task to do. We should really look at things on the other side of the leaf ):
ReplyDeleteI guess it is harder to change the perceptions of the older people towards pole dancing as they feel it is too suggestive. Furthermore, there weren't any news about pole dancing untill recently. When the news appear, they comes in a splash.
ReplyDeleteThis splash places pole dancing in a positive light which challenges their long held perception towards pole dance. Hence, the initial negative reaction from them. I feel that their perception could be changed slowly, if more of such positive news come to their attention.
I recently read an Agatha Christie novel published over seventy years ago where a character expressed dismay over the fact that women were to be allowed to wear shorts at Wimbledon. Yet today you would not blink twice at any woman wearing shorts. Pole dancing is somewhat like that; merely a sign of changing times. In twenty or thirty years it may even be accepted as a mainstream dance form.
ReplyDeleteEvery generation will have it's topic of controversy, be it violence on television, or pole dancing. The older generation shouldn't try to keep things as they were forty or fifty years ago. But we should also remind ourselves to be more tolerant and open-minded when we become the old people of tomorrow.
Hello Ashikin,
ReplyDeleteThat's true! The dancers put in a lot of efforts and sacrificed time for the rehearsal like any other dances or performance.
Hello Shawn!
ReplyDeleteLately pole dancing seems to be the "boomz" of Singapore! ha ha ha!
Hello Grace!
ReplyDeleteThat's true. When we aged, we may look back and go oh dear! What was that! It's a constant reminder for us to keep an open mind and challenge our own ideas. ;)
Perceptions form from prior experience. Most of the time, these experiences are from the spectators and other on-lookers. Hence, our perception is somewhat only from one side of the event, in this case, the rising popularity of pole dancing.
ReplyDeleteThis article has given us spotlight from the other side of the situation, the dancers themselves. With both sides now communication through this newspaper article, wrong perceptions might just disappear. As society develops, it is certain that new notions will slowly become acceptable as mention by others (think divorce, it has become more widely accepted though not approved).
Hello Takeshi!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the media and locals feel to pole dancing now. After all, it had been a while.
Would it be more positive or are values & norms are still stuck?
Since the focus on pole dancing has already been toned down, i guess the forgetful general public are likely to go back to their norms. It takes more than a simple article to change people perception.
ReplyDeleteWhat our media covers, generally follows societal perceptions. If the society perceives pole dancing as something to be frowned upon, then the media will generally cover news in that direction. Yet, it needs to maintain a font that it is balanced and hence, throw up opposing views once in awhile. Looking at the way they covered pole dancing then and now, it really seems to follow this way ... ...
ReplyDelete