POLE POWER! LIVE THE DREAM!

The Finale, 24th October 2009 (Saturday), 9pm – 11pm

The first ever, Pole Idol 2009, a pole dancing competition with a format similar to American Idol with three expert judges enacting an audition week and a finale—kicked off last weekend on October 9–10 at the soon to be opened ultra cool clublounge, NEO located at 19, Jalan Sultan Ismail. The finale is on this October 24th.

Almost 300 Malaysians and internationals guests filled the space over two nights to see the auditions, to cheer on their favourites as the competition—sponsored by Time Out KL and Expatriate Lifestyle magazines and The Hanging Garden—got under way.

It was there that a spate of contestants, some new to pole dancing, some experienced hands, performed for the three celebrity judges, Sam Coleman, Executive Editor of Expatriate Lifestyle; Lim Chee Wah, Editor of Time Out KL and Maple Loo, owner/operator of The Hanging Garden and one of Malaysia’s top pole dancers herself.

The field was whittled down from the 15 contestants to half that number to compete in the October 24 final with the ultimate winner being sent as the Malaysian representative to the Asian Pole Summit as Malaysia’s Pole Idol 2009 in November.

“It was exciting, they were all very good, even men competing and they were excellent too!” said Chee Wah about the level of contestants.

“I think that when you see a hip hop guy doing a routine on a pole and being utterly amazing at it, that makes you realise that pole dancing is not this sleazy Las Vegas thing. It’s an art, it’s a viable dance form,” says Coleman.

The dancer in question, Adam, nearly brought the house down with his hip hop infused performance, and drew comparisons to Susan Boyle in the unexpected nature of what he presented. “Adam, that was incredible, just incredible,” said Maple Loo, a woman who should know. But the other finalists, Wei Jun, Jin Jin, Nana, Courtney, Jessie and one contestant from the youtube submissions (to be announced) had terrific performances; it will be anybody’s guess who will take away the main prize of the night come October 24. In addition to that, there are exciting prizes worth RM5,000 to be won.

For more information on the event & see videos of the performances, visit

POLE IDOL competition is presented to you by Time Out KL, Expatriate Lifestyle and NEO Restaurant & Luxe Lounge in collaborations with Tamarind Hill, The Hanging Garden, Japamala Resort Tioman Island, Mireica Nutri-Peau and Tripo-X.

Neo restaurant & Luxe Lounge, Expatriate Lifestyle and Time Out KL present Pole Idol.

POLE IDOL is geared to promote pole dancing as the new phenomenon in dance and fitness. This acrobatic sport, undeniably a beautiful art form, has recently captured the interest of many Malaysian women as well as men. This competition is therefore an exciting and eye-opening event for all.

You can join us as a contestant or just come and cheer us on:

Where: Neo Restaurant & Luxe Lounge, 19 Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.
Auditions: Oct 9 (Friday) & Oct 10 (Saturday), 9pm - 10pm
Finals: Oct 24 (Saturday), 9pm – 10pm

Grand Prize: RM3000 cash, Pole Idol will represent Malaysia to compete at the upcoming Asian Pole Summit in Singapore this November. A chance to attend a workshop by the world-renowned Bobbi’s Pole Studio, Australia plus other exciting prizes.

1st Runner Up: RM1500 cash plus other exciting prizes

2nd Runner Up: RM1000 cash plus other exciting prizes

Come and lift, bend, twirl and pose... we know you want to. But if that sounds like too much hard work, join our ‘expert’ judges and cheer on your favourites. Don’t forget to cast your own vote on the heats at www.youtube.com/user/KLPoleidol.