Why do gogo dancers wear

But the city's partygoers have surely seen the alluring nighttime dancer, who frequents Washington D. I never knew that I had that passion until I started. The rise in new-age electronic music has come hand in hand with a rise in go-go dancing, especially as techno, house and trance music transitioned from the underground rave scene to mainstream culture.

Go-go was first inspired by the Parisian discotheque , arising from the sexual revolution during a time when American women sought individuality and liberation -- often through dance. The business commonly attracted would-be entertainers, many of which endeavored to become actresses or Broadway stars.

Today, go-go girls continue to freestyle at shows and nightclubs, but can often be seen raving to techno, house and trance music -- new styles of electronic music that largely emerged in the s and became popular after artists like David Guetta collaborated with pop singers like Nicki Minaj. But while the glitzy showgirls have become celebrated for their short skirts, platform boots and flashy outfits, they never take their clothes off and they never give lap dances -- at least, the serious ones don't.

Ziggy calls herself a "professional entertainer" -- and claims that anyone who does otherwise is not a real go-go dancer. She usually performs with at least one other girl from her group, typically between midnight and 2 a. The wages may seem meager compared to the hundreds, sometimes thousands made by women who bare it all: strippers in the oil boomtown of Williston, N. But a stark commitment to retaining their modesty is what often sets go-go girls apart.

Even if they do show up to nightclubs wearing a crop tops and knee-high platforms, they maintain a considerable distance from the men gawking at them from the dance floor. Go-go dancing demands exhausting vigor, time and energy -- but often yields only one tenth of a stripper's pay.

Still, thousands of young American girls choose to supplement their lives with go-go without surrendering their humility. Many of them are college students.

Some are yoga instructors. Others work full-time day jobs in corporate offices and enjoy the extra cash that a night of dancing can quickly yield them. Although Team Dystrucxion consists of about 30 girls, Ziggy has been a member longer than most, since many of the others come and go quickly, leaving for other opportunities in education or the workforce.

She joined the group shortly after she turned 18 -- the legal age to work as a go-go dancer in many of the District's nightclubs. But her interest in dancing was sparked when she was "probably about 16 or 17," she says. They were dressed like clowns and it was just crazy. I just remember thinking, 'wow, I've never been so moved by an entire experience' -- and not just the music.

The dancing gave it so much more depth. She gets hired to freestyle at festivals all around the country, including the Electric Daisy Carnival EDC , which requires her to dress up as a clown, and Miami's Ultra Music Festival. She even works with America's most-renowned go-go queen, a Denver-based woman known as "Ms. And the mime does not talk," Ziggy says. We have someone that comes with us carrying our water, because we can't be seen holding it, because that's out of character.

Whether taking professional dance classes, designing their clothes or keeping fit at the gym, it's a job with hours that extend far beyond the pay -- and some might even call it a lifestyle. Ziggy was a dance major in college. She knows how to perform with fire, how to design costumes and how to walk in heels so high that it's a miracle she can even maintain her balance. Southern California was the launching pad of the first go-go team nearly half a century ago.

In , the Los Angeles-based club, Whisky A Go Go, accidentally gave birth to a movement that quickly spread across the country. Elmer Valentine, a former police officer and founder of the nightclub, had named his venue after a discotheque he saw during a trip to Paris. The launch of his club was an instant success. Improve your dancing skills through classes. Go-go dancing is a skilled and competitive entertainment industry, with most go-go girls possessing a background in dance.

If you want to work professionally, you will need to attend dancing classes and learn how to choreograph your own freelance dance routines. Practice dancing in the safety of your home: turn on your favorite dance playlist and allow yourself to create your own dance routine to the natural beat. Create an original and creative stage name. If you are planning to work professionally, it is helpful to create a unique stage name that reflects your personality.

Common stage names include Precious, Diamond, Destiny, Paris or Raven, but it is best if you choose a name that will stand out and be remembered. Choose a name that is easily searchable, so hiring managers can find you.

Have a story behind the name. People will want to know why you called yourself your name, so try and think of an interesting story that party-goers will remember. Method 2. Build a versatile repertoire of freestyle dance moves. Go-go dancing styles include electronic, hip-hop, latin and sexy — or a mix of all four.

Build your repertoire through dance classes, watching other dancers at clubs, and practicing dance moves from tutorial videos. Keep your hips moving — swing your hips around in a circle, gracefully, using your belly button as a guide.

It may help to imagine you are hula hooping in slow motion. Move your legs fluidly, not stiffly. Bend your leg when you lift it, and step from side-to-side.

Create variety in your freestyle performance by alternating which leg is straight and which leg is bent. Listen for the bass line of the music the thump-thump-thump of the beat and allow your body to move with the groove.

Use your whole body when dancing. Go-go dancing is all about moving with the music and being as sensual as possible so that you enthuse a crowd.

Dance with your arms as well as your legs, keeping your posture open and appealing to watch. Remember to keep your head moving — a stiff neck will make you look uncomfortable. Roll your head around, move it side-to-side, or nod it up and down. Keep the movements fluid as you change them up. Keep your arms loose, not stiff. You can put your arms in any position you want such as above your head, behind your head, or at chest level , but keep them slightly bent at the elbow so that you look comfortable.

Perform with confidence and good posture. While your freestyle dancing ability will come with study and practice, the most important key to go-go dancing is confidence. If you dance with confidence, then you will succeed in hyping up a crowd and having fun. Stand up straight, keep your shoulders high, and your bottom tucked in.

Never have hunched shoulders. Keep your stomach muscles tight. You can practice keeping your stomach muscles tight when going about your daily routine, such as when you are lying down, waiting in line or making dinner — it will become natural with practice. Smile, relax and enjoy the experience. Regardless of whether you are trying out go-go dancing for fun or whether you are aiming to be a professional, the duty of a go-go dancer is to have fun and to help others have fun. Ensure you are in a good mood and that you feel excited.

If you are smiling and relaxed, then the rest of the dancers will follow your lead. If you are struggling to keep your face relaxed, you could try doing some facial exercises before you perform to loosen up.

Dance energetically with the flow of the music to hype the crowd. The main goal of a go-go dancer is to get the crowd hyped. So when the dance floor is empty, dance as energetically as you can to convince everyone to join in with you. Be uninhibited in your dancing to encourage other party-goers to let go of their fears. Method 3. Be at least 18 or 21 and physically fit. You must be at least 18 years old to work in a nightclub, and since you are likely to be working in a place that sells alcohol, some clubs will require you to be Most clubs require their go-go dancers to be in good physical shape and have the stamina to dance for up to 4 hours at a time.

Build your physical endurance with cardio training. While go-go dancing may seem simple at first, you need to build your physical endurance to be able to dance at high energy for a long period of time. To build up your endurance, work on your cardio exercises at a gym or at home. Learn to be flexible by taking dance classes. If there are no dance classes near you, there are many YouTube dance videos that will help you learn the different methods of moving your body.

Learn how to move your body in a club environment and remember to move your arms when you dance. Go-go dancers are often required to dance for hours in high-heeled shoes or boots, so practice dancing in them beforehand.

Network to find and expand your job opportunities. Finding work as a go-go dancer is often about who you know. If you live in an urban area, check out the local noticeboards to see whether there is a go-go group you can join, as these groups are a networking opportunity and can help beginner dancer to find gigs.

Ask the other dancers about the local requirements of becoming a go-go dancer, as some dancers join teams while others work independently. By building your own network, you can work as an independent go-go dancer and build your own clientele. If you want to find permanent or short-term work as a go-go dancer, research your local clubs and speak to the general manager to find out about job openings or auditions.

Go to an audition. Once you find a club or dance team that you are interested in, go to an audition. Some nightclubs might ask you to dance on a side stage as your audition whereas others will hold separate auditions in a private space for anyone that is interested in joining. Wear an outfit appropriate for the audition: platform boots, fishnets, booty shorts or a short skirt, tank top or bra.

Negotiate your pay by knowing your worth. When negotiating your pay, it can be helpful to know how much you will be investing in costumes, hair, and make-up for the role. Bring these details along with you to the meeting. Promote yourself through social media.