Hot Go-Go Girls Discuss WMC/Ultra, Dancing and Drunks
By Mickey Weems
You’ve seen them at every major pool party, big venue, and main stages during WMC and Ultra. Dressed in a dazzling array of costumes that accent their firm bodies, these women play an important part as entertainers, eye candy, and motivators for the hundreds of thousands of EDM fans who descend on Miami every March.
Here is a behind-the-scenes peek into the glam life, courtesy of three hotties.
WMC, UMF, and More Money
I put out the call to go-go dancers, and the responses were immediate and brilliant. Bengi Cid, Jenniffer Gertman and Melissa Brouard took the time to answer some questions as they prepare for WMC and Ultra.
The women see the WMC/UMF divorce as a good thing for them in terms of getting more gigs, although they are concerned that the split may be a hassle for EDM lovers.
On her facebook page, Jenniffer Gertman describes herself as “Just kicking ass and taking names while rippin' up every single disco dance floor set at her 5 inch heeled feet.” She has performed around the world, and rocked renowned parties such as;F*** Me… I'm Famous, Subliminal, Defected, Def Mix, Release Yourself, and Pacha Winter Tours.
“Actually, I think its good for the city as it seems to stretch out a really fantastic week over a month long period,” said Ms. Gertman. “But the way its being done with not really a clear explanation to many, is giving many people major confusion, making artists decide which week is more worthy of them coming and/or completely steering away from the drama between WMC and UMF.”
Bottom line: “I think it's Miami, baby. It's always gonna be amazing!”
Bengi Cid has been in the business for about 15 years. She started as a go-go dancer. She is now the CEO of Zhandra, a company that provides dancers for events (Zhantra's Website).
Bengi has watched the scene go through changes since the 1990s. “Back in the 90s, the cool go-go dancer had different color neon little china wigs and high-waisted boy shorts,” she reminisced. “Now the natural long hair look is in and tiny Brazilian style boy shorts. But overall, the scene still wants the hot looking go-go dancer for their venues.”
Her take on the split is mixed, along with a wait-and-see attitude. “I think it is sad that it had to come to a split but for us in the talent business it is an advantage because girls get double the work. Instead of one week, they look forward to two weeks of parties. I am curious to see the numbers after March to see if WMC or UMF pulled more people.”
A great synopsis of the situation came from Melissa Brouard, a performer for A Concept Fashion Group (ACFG's Website).
Her solution is to declare a series of events encompassing all of March. “We could have Miami Music Month!”
But such an enticing prospect may not be economically feasible, at least not yet. Even Brazil’s carnaval can only be sustained for two weeks max. Nevertheless, a month of Miami music madness may be the logical conclusion of what is now a painful separation, something that could inspire both WMC and UMF organizers to look back at 2011 and say with some satisfaction, “It was bigger than both of us.”
DO’s and DON’T’s for Dancers
Besides this year’s Miami drama, I asked the women about the business of go-go, such as what dancers should or should not do. Here are their responses, starting with Melissa.
1. Be on time and be prepared. Come with all your supplies you’re going to need for the night. It’s your responsibility to bring your own dance tights, make up, hairpiece, shoes, etc.
2. Don’t complain. Not all gigs are going to be glamorous, so suck it up. At the end of the day it’s a job and you’re getting paid very well for a few hours of work. We’ve all had to pay our dues. Don’t cry over the petty things.
3. Don’t be a bitch. It’s a small industry and word travels fast. Be courteous to others. Your personal drama has no room in the workplace.
4. Do your job and do it well. That’s what we get paid to do. You are a DANCER, so F****** DANCE. Don’t just stand there or move side to side. I have no tolerance for lazy dancers.
Jennifer’s answer was to the point: “No crying or fighting in the disco… move around the club. Do not stay in the dressing room. The people paid good money to come see your show, always give 'em fever, hunny!!!”
As CEO, Bengi’s response was framed in terms of employer’s rules for employees:
1. Must be drug free and cannot drink alcohol on the job.
2. Must always be polite to customers
3. Must have all basic attires with them to all of their job bookings.
4. Must be on time and cannot call out sick same night or you get suspended for a week unless you have a doctor's note.
5. No boyfriends, husbands, or friends allowed at work.
Customers DO’s and DON’T’s
I’ll end this article with rules of basic courtesy that everyone should have when interacting with dancers. Guys who get turned on by go-go girls, please commit these to memory.
Melissa’s rules:
DO NOT:
1. Place/spill your drink on my dance box. If I slip and fall due to your carelessness, you’re paying for my medical bills.
2. Get on my dance box while I’m dancing. Again, if you’re drunk and not paying attention, you could knock me over and seriously injure me. This is my job, I’m getting paid to be here so don’t jump on while I’m dancing. It’s rude.
3. Just because I’m dressed in a sexy costume DOES NOT give you the right to touch me, PERIOD. Keep your hands to yourself.
4. Don’t touch my costume. Dancers/ Entertainment companies invest a lot of money on materials for their costumes, so don’t pull at it. Would you yank at some total stranger's t-shirt while walking down the street? No, so DON’T TOUCH MY COSTUME! It's not polite and it's extremely rude.
As before, Jennifer’s comments are brief. Both dancers and customers have the same first rule: “No crying or fighting in the disco.” The second rule applies equally to kindergartners and sleazy men: “Don't touch anything.” The last rule made me laugh out loud: “Give the dancers champagne! Lots of champagne!! Olé!!”
Bengi put her one rule for customers in all caps: “DON'T TOUCH THE DANCERS OR YOU WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE CLUB!”
The No-Touchy rule was repeated in some form or another by all three women, so it must be one that is often broken. Gals, tattoo Bengi’s rule on the back of your boyfriends’ hands, just in case they get obnoxiously drunk, frisky, or belligerent. If necessary, get him wasted and have it tattooed on his johnson, just to make sure he takes it seriously.
Beachmonkey also features the full “Go-Go” interviews with Bengi, Jenniffer, and Melissa as three separate articles.
Just a reminder: I will be sending articles to this site the morning after each day of the conference, so check back here on March 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 for updates and pictures.
