Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

A bride-to-be can do so many things from the comfort of her own home — shop for a gown, craft favors for guests, pick out the best spot for that area rug on the registry. Oh and what else? Learn some sexy dance moves with a few of her closest friends.

Pole dancing — that’s right, stripper-style, but less X-rated — is enjoying a surge of popularity beyond the gentlemen’s club, popping up in gym classes, workout videos and even living rooms. Meet Stacy Burns, a Maine mother who brings the power of the pole right to your front door with at-home parties.

L&L: Tell us about Pole Parties by Stacy.

SB: Pole Parties by Stacy comes to your home (or wherever!) to give you and your girlfriends a fantastic evening with an in-home pole dancing party/lesson. I bring my own portable pole and stage, along with music and fun props to give the ladies an unforgettable night.

L&L: Are the parties are popular for bachelorette celebrations?

SB: ABSOLUTELY! I’d say that’s probably at least 95% of my business. Many of the ladies use this to kick off their night, then they hit the town feeling all sassy, I love it! Others use it for a great girls’ night in. It can also make fast friends — many brides have friends from different parts of their life who are meeting for the first time at their bachelorette party. But by the end of the evening, I can never tell who didn’t know who at the beginning of the party!

L&L: How long have you been doing the parties and where do you travel to?

SB: I’ve been doing in-home pole parties for 4 years. I’ve traveled as far north as Rockland, Maine and as far south as Connecticut. If I can make it work, I’ll be there!

L&L: What’s your background?

SB: This is a question I get a lot. I wish I could say I had some fabulously naughty former life but no, I saw pole dancing on Oprah! It was many years ago and I was intrigued and determined to get my own pole someday. Then I came across a Canadian-based company that was offering in-home pole dancing parties. There was no one in my area doing them, so I decided to become an instructor myself. They trained me and I also took classes in Boston and I have attended “Pole Camp” in Canada as well. I got a late start in life on this one — I took up pole at 38 years old with 2 kids! Perhaps if I had known I had the talent earlier in life, who knows.

L&L: What can women expect during one of your parties?

SB: They can expect to have a great time! I teach simple moves that just about anyone can do, and to see them just light up and let loose is so much fun. I get such fabulous comments after the party, I love hearing things like, “I was so nervous, but you made us feel so comfortable, we had a great time!” The night belongs to the party girls, I just give them the basics and let them do their thing. What the ladies usually take away from it are very sore cheeks … the ones on their faces, from laughing so much! But not only do they have a great time with their friends, I think they also leave with a little swagger in their step. Knowing you’ve just had a night of being a little naughty and surprising yourself with the sexy moves you didn’t know you had in you puts a little mischievous twinkle in your eye!

L&L: So, how racy do things get?

SB: It all depends on the crowd. I go in teaching the same moves to everyone, what they do with it and how they give their “final performance” is all up to them. I’ve never had anything too out of control, I’ve only had one or two guests actually perform in her underwear!

L&L: Is it something more reserved women can try?

SB: Absolutely! In all honestly, those are the ones I’m prying off the pole by the end of the night! I always say, watch out for the quiet ones. As I said, I teach the same basic moves, and I have been told many times that I’ve surprised people at how classy and tasteful the parties actually are. Remember, I’m a 40-something-year-old mom, so I understand peoples’ preconceived notions and can calm their fears and usually get them to come out of their shell.