Although a plethora of unique and eclectic shows have come to Durham throughout the years, an especially unusual performance will be at Motorco Music Hall this month.
Metal Pole Mayhem is a pole and aerial showcase and is set to debut in Durham Saturday, Jan. 30. The show’s coordinator and one of its performers, Theresa Rappleye, said that this will be their first show ever and that every act has been made in preparation for Jan. 30. The performers are primarily professionals and students of pole dance fitness and aerial arts in the Raleigh-Durham area as well as performers coming from Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Florida for the show.
“We love a good, lyrical, pretty dance but many of [the performers] also have a non-traditional, edgy, push the envelope sort of approach to the world, or we wouldn’t have taken up an alternative to the regular gym fitness/Zumba/aerobics class fitness routine,” Rappleye said.
Metal Pole Mayhem is different from many of the pole and/or aerial shows that have been performed in Durham. Instead of the typical lyrical, dreamy music to which most of these shows are performed, every act included in the event will be performed alongside rock music.
“When thinking up the show concept, we were hoping to create an edgy tribute to the gritty garage rock bands and allow the performers to have a good time along with the audience. This gives the performers a chance to ‘let their hair down’ and have fun dancing to something different.”
The showcase also prides itself on integrating varying types of rock, which performer Janine Cooper said creates a performance through which the performers can be creative with their artistic expression.
“We all are telling such individual and different stories of rock ‘n’ roll, but they come together to show a strong history of rock ‘n’ roll and the influence it has made on generations,” Cooper said. “This show allows all of us to showcase our art, while showing each of our interpretations of rock n’ roll through different varieties of music. ”
As each performer had the chance to choose the song for their own performance, the event will feature an eclectic mix of songs from each sub genre of rock, each with its own special meaning to the performer.
“My inspiration for my piece came from an old song that was remade,” said performer Tamarra Walker. “My interpretation of the song is that the band identifies some of the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the group, but they need each other to do extraordinary things. It’s classic. We all have strengths and weaknesses and we need those two facets of our being to make and do extraordinary things.”
Metal Pole Mayhem’s combination of pole, lyra hoop and burlesque acts may be surprising or unconventional to those who go to see the performance, which is mirrored in the way some dancers themselves have chosen to be pushed physically and artistically by their pieces.
“[My piece] is longer and faster than my usual song selections but I can’t wait to bring it to life,” said performer Ellie Russell. “This piece has challenged me as a dancer. It is way out of my comfort zone.”
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