At last year's Folsom Street Festival, while reveling in the wildlife going on all around us, my editor and I spotted a stud rockin' it on a go-go box. The dancer wore black leather boots, a jock strap, an Air Force cap, aviators and a big smile. The photographers swarmed about him. Not to be outdone, I of course joined the fray.
Over the next year, Simon P. the dancer, with the body and the beard, has appeared in this publication a few times. When not working by day as a marketing strategist, the 32-year-old Austrian-born hunk can be found dancing all over the Bay Area. From his back-up dancing at Trannyshack to his sexy shaking at Club OMG, The Powerhouse and other nightclubs, the reaction to him is the same: everyone loves him.
This week, we've decided to give you a closer look into one of San Francisco's most popular performers, giving you one more excellent reason to get off of the Internet, get out of the house and get into some fun.
Cornelius Washington: What are your physical stats?
Simon P.: I'm between 5'6 and 5'7 (it depends on my mood), 152 lbs. I guess I classify as a Pocket Gay.
What helped you decide to begin your gogo dancing career?
That's simple: I just love to dance. And before gogo dancing I always jumped on boxes in the club. So at one point I told myself, why not making money with it?
How long have you been in San Francisco?
I'm having my ten-year anniversary this fall. It's crazy how fast time flies by. It still feels like yesterday, when I came here for the first time.
What initially led you to come to SF?
First it was love with a guy, and then I fell in love with the city.
Where are you from?
I'm originally from Vienna, Austria. I spent most of my life there, until I moved to San Francisco. So, I have not lived anywhere else other than Vienna.
What was life like there for you, especially for someone who loves to dance?
When I was in elementary school, I went a jazz dance class, which I loved. It was just two or three boys and ten girls. But, it was a lot of fun and I knew right then that I loved dancing. Unfortunately, I didn't pursue anything further in that area (which I still regret until this day). I guess that's why I'm doing gogo dancing now. It's a bit of living my dream.
Your Joe Mazza pictures are sexy. How did you come to work with him?
Thank you very much! I'm really proud of what we have done, so far. I had followed and loved his photos for a while. After my last relationship ended, I changed my life quite a lot, with a different workout routine and diet and, at one point, I thought to myself that I was in the best shape I had ever been and that I would like to have photos of that to remember, when I'm old and out of shape.
So, I wrote him and asked if he was interested in doing something with me. We met for coffee and talked to see if it could work and, luckily, we got along really well. Joe has the gift to make you feel really comfortable and relaxed, which I think you can see in all of his photos.
Your beard looks like a natural extension of you, whereas so many others' look like a overworked trend. How do you take care of it? How often do you trim it?
I have a really simple routine with my beard. Sometimes, I let it grow for a while before I trim it off again, sometimes trim it regularly, once a week. Other times, I dye it blond. I really do a lot, depending on my mood. Plus, I love to surprise people with my look.
Is dancing nearly nude a more sensual or sexual experience for you?
I'd say neither. I love moving my body and people seem to enjoy it. It's really nothing sexual to me. You could say it's a happy experience.
You wear the most amazing costumes. What inspires you to make and wear them?
To be honest, for gogo dancing it tends to be skimpy with lots of jockstraps. It's Heklina's Trannyshack when I dance backup and get to wear super fun costumes and become somebody totally different
What have you not worn that you'd kill to wear?
Spontaneously, I would say dancing in heels. I just haven't gotten to do it. But I like the contrast between masculinity and femininity. There is something hot about it.
Why do you think that your dancing is so very popular?
It comes back again that I really love doing it and that I have fun. I hear a lot that people enjoy watching me because I actually smile while performing.
Please describe your fitness regime.
I try to mix it up a lot. I go to the gym, I like running or I do boot camps. I started doing springboard diving, so that's a totally new challenge for me, but I love it! And then there is the gogo dancing itself. It's great cardio, and the next day I eat what ever I wanna eat.
Were you nervous the first time you danced?
Yes. I was very nervous. I totally remember everything. My good friend DJ Christopher B was spinning at the Lookout and he asked me and a friend if we'd be up for gogo dancing there. I had all these different thoughts; what if people ignored me? If I just sucked? Luckily, my boyfriend at the time and a lot of my friends were there, so I had great support. One thing you need to know about me is that I don't drink. So I can't just pour down any fear.
What's your favorite body part? On your body? On other men?
I guess it's what people usually like best about me: my ass. A nicely defined and big chest on guys tends to drive me crazy.
What music gets you really pumping?
Well-produced or remixed European House music. Unfortunately, we don't have enough places here in San Francisco that play that sort of music.
Who's your favorite dancer?
One of Kylie Minogue's big dancers, Marco da Silva comes to mind, immediately. He is a great dancer, and knows how to move. I think he is only a DJ nowadays. I was actually lucky enough to gogo dance when he was spinning at Beatbox once.
You were excellent at managing the Deviant stage at this year's Folsom Street Fair. How did you get the gig?
It was really by coincidence. I share the same taste in music with Demetri Moshoyannis (Executive Director at Folsom Street Events). About a month before Folsom Street Fair, he randomly asked me if I'd be interested. It sounded like a great opportunity despite the fact that it meant that I couldn't gogo dance at the fair.
Where do you perform regularly?
I dance the most at Beatbox and the Powerhouse. I've no firm schedule, though. It really depends on the party and if I'm available. One place you can pretty much catch me every time is Trannyshack.