I got my first job tonight!!! I live in the Philadelphia area and have never danced, never audtioned and finally got up the courage to go to my first choice club which is Delilah's. I walked in and they don't do auditions, just take a topless picture of you in a g-string from the front and back and told me to call tomorrow. No one was mean or too stuck up, but they didn't exactly go out of their way to be friendly, didn't show me around or explain anything to me and being as I haven't danced before, I am really looking to find out more about the clubs and the industry so I can decide what's best for me. Granted, I didn't really ask any questions, I just figured I'd get the low down if I was hired ::shrug::
So since I was in the city anyway, I figured I'd go to my second choice, Club Risque (Philly location) which I had actually never been to. (I have been to Delilah's twice as a customer, no other clubs so it was all new to me.) I walk in and when they find one of the managers for me, the first thing he asks me is, "Where have you danced before?" And I'm like, "I actually haven't." He took a long pause and didn't quite know what to say. Honestly, I thought he was just going to tell me to leave, haha. Then he's like, okay... and he sort of explained things to me a bit but he was really skeptical, he's like, "Did you even bring anything to audition in, did you want to audtion today?" as if he thought I just walked off the street and decided to be a dancer, lol. He had no confidence in me whatsoever. I showed him that I had a bag with clothes and shoes and whatnot and he's like, "Well, let me introduce you to our housemom and she can work with your and try and put something together." Again, skeptical is the best word I can use to describe his attitude to me. He was very nice, don't get me wrong, just skeptical. The housemom was SO NICE she made me feel so comfortable! But she too was a bit skeptical, told me that I was pretty enough to be a dancer and we'd give it a try, asked to see what I had brought and when I pulled our 2 pairs of 6" platforms and some shirt skirts and cute tops shes like, "Oh you do have all the right stuff. Now how do you have all this if you never danced before?" And I told her that I have modeled and it's what is worn to the types of clubs I go to (goth/industrial/fetish, lots of girls dress like strippers/fetish models so I'm very used to "stripper attire" and sexy dancing, even though no, I've never actually been on a stage).
So she told me to pick something and get dressed so I chose a cropped black top that ties in front and pink plaid school girl kilt with clear heels. Hair down. The girls in the dressing room were very nice too, everyone said hi to me, seemed very encouraging. Housemom then showed me around the club and explained how everything worked and told me what I'd be doing for my audition. Had to do my song on the main stage first, clothes then remove my top, then move to the second stage and remove my bottoms, then walk the bar for tips. I love how the stage is in the middle of the bar, and you are not allowed on the floor topless, you must be completely clothed. It's so comforting to know that when you are almost naked, they can look but not touch, and when you're out and about you are coverd, very nice. She then sent me to the DJ so he could find out what kind of music I liked and tell me when to go on. He was so nice as well! I told him that I like harder stuff, rock and whatnot, but could dance to anything and probably for the audition would prefer something slower and easier to dance to. I have no clue what he played but it was perfect.
So I made my way to the main stage. The club wasn't very full (Thursday early evening) but I felt so at home! I just started dancing and having fun with the pole. I have NEVER even been near a pole before, just watched, fantasized, etc, but it was so great. I even did a few little spins. One girl I met who was so nice, said she had just started for the first time a few months ago said she was impressed that I did pole tricks and everything. Most importantly, I didn't fall!!! Even though I was comfortable, my legs wouldn't stop shaking! I get that a lot, I don't feel nervous but my body tells me I should be nervous by shaking, haha.
After my 2 songs, I did my tip walk and got a least a dollar from everyone (only like 10 guys though). No one believed that was my first dance. They're like, "No seriously, where did you work before this? Don't lie." Hehehe I'm a natural! Went back to the offices/dressing area and they had me fll out paperwork, showed me the video, etc. I love how they run the place, it's a family run business and they are just so nice and it seems so safe and clean. There is a couch room for lapdances, $20 a dance, we keep $15. Then a champagne room is $200 for half an hour, we keep $125 unless you upsell then you keep $150. There are also table dances for $10 a song, we keep all of that. Songs are 4 minutes in length. What else? Hmmm OH they said that you must wear an ankle length gown, but I think it's just for walking the floor because a lot of the girls on stage had on outfits like me. I did end up ordering some more tops and whatnot, but I do NOT have a gown and I have to go back on Saturday... So I guess I'll figure that out, might just have to spend the $125 at South Street to buy one rather then waiting to order online for $60!!!
It is very structured though with shifts and schedules which I didn't like. I was hoping to find a club that I can just show up when I want because I do work full-time and my schedule is sometimes very busy and sometimes very open, it changes. So we'll see, but I did like it so I do plan on going on Saturday and again Monday and then when we talk abotu scheduling, I'll see how feasible it is for me to do this. I am hoping maybe I can work on Monday nights and then a Friday or Saturday, just 2 days a week. The video said they required the dancers to work 2 Saturdays or Sundays every month... Don't know if thats 2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays or if it's 2 combined, guess I'll find out on Saturday when we talk scheduling.
I had SO MUCH FUN! I guess I should still call Delilah's to see if they're interested and if they are I guess see what their scheduling and rules and whatnot are like. ::shrugs:: We shall see.
My questions for you girls: I NEED THONGS!!!!! I went to South Street and bought one thong that worked. I honestly couldn't find many. There were some that looked like they would and were not good enough, so right now I only have ONE THONG. It's perfect though, perfect fit, thick, doesn't move. I went to a few stores and all the thongs were together. They all looked alike, stretchy, one size thongs so I had to pick through them all and examine them ot find the one that I did. I would like to order a bunch online. I found one that says it's a lined dance thong. My only questions is are those snaps on the side for breakaway or are they just there? Cause I can't have the thong come off!
http://alakiss.stores.yahoo.net/exdanlucthon.html
Anyone have any links to where I can order thongs? I have looked at all of the big dancewear/clubwear suppliers and none of them specifically differentiate sturdy dancer thong, so It's hard to know what will be good and what will be like what I already have and don't need...
Also, any Philly girls who work or have worked at Risque have any comments/tips/etc?
ALSO I think I need a new stage name. I REALLLLY wanted to use Desty, and I was afraid that people would think Dusty or Destiny but I figured I'd try it and see what kind of response it got. Not good. They did JUST THAT! "Wait....desss...dusty? Or...?" Grrrrr. SO I need to think of a few more... I'm so bummed cause Desty has been my planned stripper name and alterego for 2 years now :(
Only 2 I can think of that I was considering in the past are Venus, Tess and Taylor. My real name actually sounds good but I don't wanna use that :/
-Desty (or soon to be someone else!)

