Student pole dancers hung from their feet and performed the splits mid-air in Willard Straight Hall to a nearly full audience on Sunday at Pole Posse’s annual Valentine’s Day Showcase, named “Love at First Spin.”
Pole Posse teaches students pole dancing in free weekly lessons. They also hold performances twice a semester, with the proceeds often going towards supporting marginalized groups, such as Women for Women International’s Winter Relief for Palestine in the past.
During the showcase, each dancer wore a distinct costume and danced to a song that showcased their individuality.
“I loved how each dance had a unique theme that really expressed each performer’s personality. Especially the dance to ‘Juno’ by Sabrina Carpenter really stuck out to me,” said Emilia Perez ’27. “You could tell how committed and in the moment [the dancer] was — just her and the music.”
Upon entry, students could purchase tips — in the form of dollar bills — in addition to their ticket. At the end of each performance, students could tip the dancers to support their favorite acts by depositing their money into bags carried through the audience by Pole Posse volunteers.
“The tip system was a super cool idea,” said Ianna Banfield ’27. “It was nice to be able to show my appreciation for the dances that resonated with me and really made me as a viewer feel like an active part of the show.”
Dancers can make a slight profit from their performance through tips. However, Pole Posse President Jay Sobers ’25 explained that proceeds from ticket purchases would be donated to give back to the broader community. The specific organization the proceeds would go to was not specified, but the group said that it would be disclosed in the coming days.
During the closing ceremony, Pole Posse Social Chair Tiernan Tobin ’25 kept the audience laughing with her jokes. The dancers performed a curtain call sequence, where each dancer showcased a final move on the pole before taking their bows.
According to Pole Posse’s Campus Groups page, pole dancers have been “marginalized” because of the art form’s ties to sex work, but the group’s mission is to reconcile that oppression and embrace the art form’s roots.
Pole Posse works to create an open, inclusive space for interested students of any skill level, fitness level or body type to get involved with pole dancing. Pole Posse’s weekly classes in Willard Straight Hall are entirely free and have “cultivated a safe space for people to explore this new art form and create stronger connections with their minds, bodies, and other students,” Sobers said.
Students recognized the unique opportunities Pole Posse provides to the Cornell community.
“Pole dancing is something most students probably have never had access to prior to coming to Cornell, so it’s awesome that they are so inclusive and accessible,” Banfield said.
Pole Posse will hold another showcase near the end of the semester celebrating the group’s 20-year anniversary.
“I have so much love for this club,” Sobers said. “I hope to end my career as Pole Posse president knowing that I have left a positive mark on the members of my pole family.”
Lily Kangas ’27 is a Sun contributor and can be reached at lak267@cornell.edu.
