shine. Beginning in the 2000s, some pole dancers began to recognize and market pole as an art and an intense form of calisthenic exercise. Count- less former dancers and sex workers found a lucrative niche in teaching pole, and shortly after, competitive pole sports emerged. And there are many polers who frequent the Forty Fort studio to learn, practice and teach. Waves holds most of their classes in the evenings for polers who have first-shift jobs, but they also offer open studio time during the day to accommodate night owls, club dancers and, apparently, geriatric pole hobbyists such as myself. So when I stride in the door on a Wednesday afternoon, I usually get an hour to myself to dance, climb, drop, tumble, and roll around on the floor, all in the middle of the standard workday. And I get substantially high, both on the chrome pole and on the adrenaline its use facilitates. It feels ap- ropos: a small dose of counterculture tucked away in a repurposed retail space. And the location is perfect for it. The entire building is a bohemian won- derland, full of “fine arts and curiosities.” There are paintings on every wall, door, and staircase. There are frescos, murals, and metal sculptures. And there is an entire wall full of free books to keep or trade. When I arrive around 2:30 pm, the other tenants of 900 Rutter Avenue are still abuzz with daytime activity. The second floor is also home to a yoga studio, a chocolatery, a haberdashery – yes, really – and a hair salon. The first floor houses a restaurant, a clothing store, and places to buy home furnishings and even groceries. There are numerous empty storefronts with the ghosts of businesses past. There’s also a third floor, but I have never been up there.
For now, the tops of those chrome poles are as high as I can get.
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