Sara James Aerial Burlesque

A true professional, Sara James shows up on time, with bright energy, ready to give your guests a spectacular show. She performs regularly around Portland, Oregon as an aerial and burlesque artist and is willing to travel up to 2.5 hours away. Her individual style has been described as LIQUID, ALLURING, and POWERFUL.

Read below for more information on her different movement offerings.

AERIAL: Aerial dance highlights Sara’s graceful, liquid movement, as well as her powerful strength and flexibility. The spinning of the apparatuses allows for viewing from all sides, which makes it suitable for a dynamic stage act or for ambient sets while attendees roam. Sara James is particularly drawn to using the entire vertical field available, creating a visually commanding act and providing depth and interest to a venue. Aerial acts can be quickly and easily adapted to the theme of the show or event. Aerial acts range from contemporary to sultry, frequently merging the two ends of the spectrum to create visually compelling and impressive performances.

BURLESQUE: Sara James fell in love with the art of tease after seeing a burlesque show in 2015. She was enthralled by the strength, grace, flexibility, and confidence, and she knew she had to try it for herself - and so she did! Drawn to the glitz, glamor, and sensual empowerment, Sara brings a contemporary freshness to her neo-classic burlesque acts. Sara’s burlesque artistry runs the gamut from comedic to sensual; she is proficient at morphing from a classy Hollywood beauty to a fiendishly sexy beast, sometimes in the same act! From stunning costuming to jaw-dropping choreography, Sara crafts and refines each performance to suit the needs of the venue or event.

STAGE ACT vs AMBIENT SET

A STAGE ACT is a dynamic act, highly choreographed to the artist’s selected music and 4-6 minutes in length. A STAGE ACT is a focal piece of an event and are more acrobatic in nature than an ambient set. STAGE ACTS can be chosen or adapted from previous acts or created anew for a particular theme or event.

An AMBIENT SET is decorative backdrop to whatever music is already playing, “living wallpaper” if you will. During an AMBIENT SET, the artist will move fluidly through poses and can stay in the air from 8-12 minutes, at the artist’s discretion. AMBIENT SETS can use costuming already owned by the artist, provided by event, or designed and manufactured for a new event.

Sara James is a multifaceted aerial burlesque dancer driven by fluidity and musicality. Her individual style has been described as liquid, alluring, and powerful. Sara is no stranger to the stage, having performed for thousands of people in stadiums as well as more intimate venues. She performs regularly around Portland, Oregon for productions such as Sinferno Cabaret, Lacy Knightly Productions, Jack London Burly Q Revue, Bergamot Burlesque, and more.

Sara was classically trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance for over a decade before branching out into other movement styles, such as hip hop, tap, partner acrobatics, belly dance, and burlesque. Her true passion was found in pole and aerial dance after witnessing the strength, grace, and flexibility it requires - she has devoted the better part of the last decade to refining these aspects of her craft. She went on to win the 2016 Melee on the Bayou Intermediate Pole Championship; she ended her competitive career early after deciding she’d rather create art free of restraints and judgment.

Sara finds joy in collaborating with many other artists, including through production of shows. Her first production NINE INCH HEELS: Nine Inch Nails Pole Show Tribute was a huge sold out success and gave an independent platform for pole dancers to showcase their art.

AERIAL: Minimum 12 ft ceiling clearance required. A professionally installed rigging point capable of supporting at least a working load of 2000 lbs (910kg) and dynamic swinging motion. The point must be accessible via means provided by the client or venue manager (scissor lift, SAFE ladder, etc). If a venue contains a built-­in aerial point, artist must be notified of the name and contact information for the rigger who installed the point. Aerial equipment can also be hung from I­-beams and trusses given that they satisfy the aforementioned force requirements. Contact artist for a site evaluation if you are unsure about your space. If there is doubt as to the safe load-bearing capacity of beams, a structural engineer must be consulted.

A freestanding, portable aerial rig is available at additional cost for outdoor venues and indoor venues without a suitable rigging point. Footprint 22 ft by 22 ft, adjustable height to a maximum height of 20 ft.

BURLESQUE: can be performed on a large stage or in a smaller space as a floor show. No specialty equipment is needed, though minimal storage may be needed for additional costuming and props (such as a CHAIR).

LOLLIPOP/POLE: A freestanding X-Pole stage lite is available provided there is ample ceiling clearance (minimum 8 ft for pole, 8'6" for lollipop). Footprint of 8 ft by 8 ft required.

Artist will need a private, climate controlled area for changing and warming up.

A sound system to play the artist's music is preferred.