ABOUT US
here, all bodies
are sacred.
Welcome to After Dark, Olympia's newest pole and aerial movement community. Our studio offers a space for exploration, self-expression, and channeling your inner magic.
Beneath the moonlight, we find transformation through aerial pole tricks, fluid choreography, and enrichment classes to empower your artistry in motion.
We celebrate sensuality as power, honoring the flow of bodies in all forms. At After Dark, movement is more than physical—it's an act of self-love, resistance, and liberation.
here, all bodies are sacred.
Welcome to After Dark, Olympia's newest pole and aerial movement community. Our studio offers a space for exploration, self-expression, and channeling your inner magic.
Beneath the moonlight, we find transformation through aerial pole tricks, fluid choreography, and enrichment classes to empower your artistry in motion.
We celebrate sensuality as power, honoring the flow of bodies in all forms. At After Dark, movement is more than physical—it's an act of self-love, resistance, and liberation.
our values
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We welcome all identities. After Dark is a space for every gender and sexual identity, every ability, every shape and size. We value the beauty in our community's diversity and believe everyone has the right to a space free of judgment. Whatever you seek in your movement journey, your presence is enough. Your body is powerful. You belong here.
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Movement is our community. We are more than individuals—we are a collective. We lift each other up, support one another’s journeys, and create space to explore, to fall, and to rise.
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We celebrate the roots of pole dance. Pole dance exists because of strippers and sex workers—its origins are rooted in strength, sex-positivity, and defiance. We deeply respect this history, ensuring that our space remains one of gratitude, education, and advocacy.
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We are moved by a desire for artistic expression. Every movement tells a story. At After Dark, movement is a language, a spell, a rebellion. Whether you flow with hypnotic grace, strike with fierce precision, or carve out a style all your own, this is a space to unearth and embody your most authentic expression.
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We honor the original stewards of this land. After Dark Pole and Aerial Movement is located on the lands of The Water People, the Steh-Chass band of the Squaxin Island Tribe. We honor the past, present, and future of Indigenous Coast Salish communities and recognize that the land we gather on was, and always will be, theirs.
our values
-
WE WELCOME ALL IDENTITIES.
After Dark is a space for every gender and sexual identity, every ability, every shape and size. We value the beauty in our community's diversity and believe everyone has the right to a space free of judgment. Whatever you seek in your movement journey, your presence is enough. Your body is powerful. You belong here.
-
MOVEMENT IS OUR COMMUNITY.
We are more than individuals—we are a collective. We lift each other up, support one another’s journeys, and create space to explore, to fall, and to rise.
-
WE CELEBRATE POLE'S ROOTS.
Pole dance exists because of strippers and sex workers—its origins are rooted in strength, sex-positivity, and defiance. We deeply respect this history, ensuring that our space remains one of gratitude, education, and advocacy.
-
WE ARE MOVED BY A DESIRE FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.
Every movement tells a story. At After Dark, movement is a language, a spell, a rebellion. Whether you flow with hypnotic grace, strike with fierce precision, or carve out a style all your own, this is a space to unearth and embody your most authentic expression.
-
WE HONOR THE ORIGINAL STEWARDS OF THIS LAND.
After Dark Pole and Aerial Movement is located on the lands of The Water People, the Steh-Chass band of the Squaxin Island Tribe. We honor the past, present, and future of Indigenous Coast Salish communities and recognize that the land we gather on was, and always will be, theirs.
our team
Lauren
owner & instructor
Barb
instructor
Analiese
instructor
Jaclyn
instructor
Kate H.
instructor
Kate U.
instructor
Lexie
instructor
faqs
First, welcome to the family! Pole spaces can be extremely vulnerable environments for some, especially when you’re putting yourself out there and trying something new for the first time. All of our pole instructors have had this exact experience starting out and meet that emotion with love and understanding.
All are welcome to explore and express themselves freely! We’re here to support you wherever you are in your journey—no judgment, just encouragement.
Pole requires skin grip and contact! Make sure that your body is free of lotions or oils before coming to class. Avoid wearing jewelry that could scratch the poles or get snagged while you practice.
We recommend beginners wear athletic shorts and a tank top or sports bra for skin contact, but wear what makes you comfortable. Feel free to layer up!
Grip aids are optional but helpful to support your skin gripping the pole. If you want to use them, feel free to bring your own. Popular brands include Dry Hands, Dew Point, and Monkey Grip.
The studio provides mats and other equipment for conditioning and warm-ups, but remember to bring your own water bottle!
Always check class prerequisites beforehand, as they may specify what else you might need to bring, such as leggings, knee pads, or heels.
Nope! You’re always welcome to dance barefoot or in socks. In fact, we recommend taking a few classes before trying heels.
As you spend more time in the dance-based pole classes, you may run into certain moves that make a lot more sense with heels as a tool. This is one reason pole dancers wear heels—besides creating long lines and feeling badass!
Pole-safe heels with ankle straps or closed-toe boots, such as those from Pleasers, are recommended for beginners as you build the strength in your feet and ankles. No stilettos or street shoes, please!
Absolutely! We encourage new students to take advantage of the Introductory Offer in our pricing menu. This deal can only be purchased once by new students and includes 4 classes of your choice over 2 weeks. This is a great way to get a feel for pole!
Our classes are designed for adults 18 and older, but we can make exceptions for teens with parental permission. If your teen is interested in trying pole, please reach out to the owner at alexaafterdark@gmail.com so we can find a class that would be a good fit.
Students under 18 must contact us and have a signed parental consent waiver on file before registering for class.
Yes! We offer private lessons, semi-private sessions, and private parties. Email us at alexaafterdark@gmail.com to book. See pricing for details.
We ask that you cancel at least 2 hours in advance to avoid losing your class credit or drop-in fee. Full details are on our policies page.
We share a building with a chiropractic office and a beauty salon/spa. Accessing the studio door requires walking through both businesses.
For classes after business hours, we'll lock the front door to all businesses 5 minutes into class to ensure everyone's safety and security.
Doors will be unlocked 15 minutes before the start of class. If the door is unlocked and you arrive at the studio before the previous class has ended, we request that you wait in the main lobby to avoid disruptions.
pricing
Explore flexible pricing options, including drop-ins, class packs, and memberships designed to fit your movement goals and schedule. Whether you're just beginning or building a consistent practice, there’s a path that fits.
DROP-IN: $35
INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $80
4-class pack for new students only. One-time offer.
5-CLASS PACK: $154
Valid for 3 months. 12% discount from full price
10-CLASS PACK: $280
Valid for 6 months. 20% discount from full price.
20-CLASS PACK: $532
Valid for 12 months. 24% discount from full price.
Membership Policies: Memberships are automatically billed monthly on the same date as the original purchase and can be canceled anytime. Cancellations must be made at least 5 days before the next payment date.
TWILIGHT MEMBERSHIP: $125/month
Includes 4 Beginner or Intro level classes a month (this applies to both pole tricks and intro dance classes up to Level 2). Also allows access to Strength & Conditioning and Flexibility.
MIDNIGHT MEMBERSHIP: $150/month
Includes 6 classes per month.
AFTER DARK MEMBERSHIP: $200/month
Includes 10 classes per month.
NOCTURNAL MEMBERSHIP: $250/month
Unlimited classes and 10% discount on merchandise and workshops.
PRIVATE LESSONS: $85/hour
One-on-one personalized coaching for technique improvement, choreography, or specific goals.
PRIVATE PARTY/EVENT: $40/person*
*or $300 for up to 10 people. Includes 1.5 hours of pole dance fun, a dedicated instructor, and the option to bring your own light refreshments.
faqs
First, welcome to the family! Pole spaces can be extremely vulnerable environments for some, especially when you’re putting yourself out there and trying something new for the first time. All of our pole instructors have had this exact experience starting out and meet that emotion with love and understanding.
All are welcome to explore and express themselves freely! We’re here to support you wherever you are in your journey—no judgment, just encouragement.
Pole requires skin grip and contact! Make sure that your body is free of lotions or oils before coming to class. Avoid wearing jewelry that could scratch the poles or get snagged while you practice.
We recommend athletic shorts and a tank top or sports bra for skin contact, but wear what makes you comfortable. Feel free to layer up!
Grip aids are optional but helpful to support your skin gripping the pole. If you want to use them, feel free to bring your own. Popular brands include Dry Hands, Dew Point, and Monkey Grip.
The studio provides mats and other equipment for conditioning and warm-ups, but remember to bring your own water bottle!
Always check class prerequisites beforehand, as they may specify what else you might need to bring, such as leggings, knee pads, or heels.
Nope! You’re always welcome to dance barefoot or in socks. In fact, we recommend taking a few classes before trying heels.
As you spend more time in the dance-based pole classes, you may run into certain moves that make a lot more sense with heels as a tool. This is one reason pole dancers wear heels—besides creating long lines and feeling badass!
Pole-safe heels with ankle straps or closed-toe boots, such as those from Pleasers, are recommended for beginners as you build the strength in your feet and ankles. No stilettos or street shoes, please!
Absolutely! We encourage new students to take advantage of the Introductory Offer in our pricing menu. This deal can only be purchased once by new students and includes 4 classes of your choice over 2 weeks. This is a great way to get a feel for pole!
Our classes are designed for adults 18 and older, but we can make exceptions for teens with parental permission. If your teen is interested in trying pole, please reach out to the owner at alexaafterdark@gmail.com so we find a class that would be a good fit.
Students under 18 must contact us and have a signed parental consent waiver on file before registering for class.
Yes! We offer private lessons, semi-private sessions, and private parties. Email us at alexaafterdark@gmail.com to book. See pricing for details.
We ask that you cancel at least 2 hours in advance to avoid losing your class credit or drop-in fee. Full details are on our policies page.
We share a building with a chiropractic office and a beauty salon/spa. Accessing the studio door requires walking through both businesses.
For classes after business hours, we'll lock the front door to all businesses 5 minutes into class to ensure everyone's safety and security.
Doors will be unlocked 15 minutes before the start of class. If the door is unlocked and you arrive at the studio before the previous class has ended, we request that you wait in the main lobby to avoid disruptions.
Accessing Our Studio
After Dark Pole and Aerial Movement is located at 326 5th Ave. SE in Olympia, on the Northeast corner of 5th Avenue SE and Adams Street SE. Google Maps will sometimes inadvertently mark our address as a parking garage, and we are working to correct this error.
Our studio is located in a fusion space, and we share our entrance with a chiropractic office and a beauty salon and spa. Please note you will need to walk through the fusion space to enter our studio. To reduce disruptions, the door between our studio and the fusion space will close five minutes after class has started.
Please allow an extra ten minutes to find street parking prior to class, which is metered. Our neighborhood can become more congested during weekday and weekend afternoons.
To learn more about our sister businesses in our fusion space, please visit: