The Pontani Sisters are a dance group composed of Angie, Helen, & Tara. I have seen them perform several times at Marion’s Continental (354 Bowery) & can only describe the show as a must-see. Drawing on influences ranging from go-go to musical theater (Bob Fosse & Jack Cole come specifically to mind) to more conventional floor-show forms, they have forged their own unique style, one that is equal parts brass, kitsch, beauty, grace, sex, & drive.
This interview was conducted via email in August 2001 & edited for purposes of integrity & continuity.
CS: Why Dance? Was there a certain aptitude when you were kids or was it simply the pleasure of dancing?
Angie: We’ve all been dancing since we were babies. We grew up dancing, performing in recitals & taking classes four nights a week. As I got older, I knew I wanted to be a performer/entertainer. Dance became my prescription for performance.
Helen: I’ve always loved dancing. I can’t imagine a life without it.
Tara: I’m not sure why. I almost feel like, “Why not?” It’s our instrument. We all love it & have studied it our entire lives.
CS:How long have you been dancing professionally?
Tara: I started dancing professionally with Angie & Helen, about two years ago.
Angie: I’ve been dancing professionally in New York since I was eighteen, which translates into almost eight years.
Helen: I had a few professional gigs as a child, so I guess I could say I’ve been doing this my whole life.
CS: When you started the group, what determined where & when you would perform?
Angie: The group was formed to dance in a show I choreographed at a midtown supper club. After that show closed, I sent out a ton of press kits but ironically we’ve landed all of our weekly gigs through people we know. Originally, we weren’t picky about where we performed, we just wanted to dance as often as possible.
Helen: Marion’s was one of our first regular gigs. We were doing other shows before, but Marion’s was the first place where you could see the Pontani Sisters at a certain time and place every week.
CS: The group seems to function more like a band than a dance outfit. Have you been influenced by the music scene in terms of your booking & promotional activity?
Angie: Absolutely. I worked in a Brooklyn recording studio — Coyote Studios — for years & was around musicians constantly. It’s where I learned about booking & promotion, touring, & dealing with people in the entertainment biz. A lot of the club owners I knew at that time later gave us dancing jobs or connections with other club owners. We do function like a band. In fact people refer to us as a band & we’ve opened for bands in place of other musical acts.
Tara: This is something we talk about a bunch. I think we feel like we’re a band, just not your typical band. Most of our really close friends have been in bands. It’s been part of our daily environment.
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CS: I’ve noticed that you have more regular gigs than you used to. Is this a matter of just getting out & looking for jobs, or do you feel that there is a trend of some kind that is making club owners more open to your performances?
Helen: I think it’s a mixture of both. We’ve been lucky in having regular places to perform. It gives people a chance to see us & also contact us if they want to hire us.
Tara: There is a change in the style of entertainment taking place right now, & the idea of being truly entertained — old Vegas style — is on the rebound with a twist. I’m excited about this change & feel it’s embodied in what we do.
Angie: This last year there has been a huge sway in entertainment trends. This vaudeville/burlesque style is definitely making a comeback. Club owners are seeking it out, people want it at their birthday parties & private events. In this age of reality TV, I think people are relieved to see such over-the-top, fantasy-land, entertainment.
CS: Who would you list as influences & why? Who are your heroes?
Angie: I love over-the-top performers. Elvis is a huge influence in my life: the jumpsuits, the kung fu dance moves, the hips & shoe polish hair — that’s entertainment! I grew up watching the MGM Technicolor musicals & my father too is an influence. He’s an artistic genius & sees beauty in everything. He taught me to look at things in different ways. I mean, who says just because a fruit basket is a fruit basket you can’t wear it on your head? My mom is also a great influence. She has always believed 100% in whatever strange endeavor we’ve taken on.
Helen: Gene Kelly & Katherine Dunham. I just love the way Gene Kelly danced. He was so strong & he made it look so easy. Katherine Dunham is an amazing person. The first time I took a Dunham class I understood why I love to dance.
Tara: My dance teacher, first & foremost. She instilled us with this crazy, die-hard “the show must go on” attitude that’s so present with all of us, it’s uncanny. As kids we were always putting on shows, & Dad documented every minute of it. Then you throw in Saturday afternoons at Grandma’s watching On the Town or Easter Parade or Singin’ in the Rain; Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Danny Kaye, Carmen Miranda — they’ve all influenced us.
CS: Describe an average Pontani Sisters performance.
Tara: Pretty hilarious.
Angie: Entertaining! An evening sprinkled with decadent dance numbers.
CS: Anything you’d like to add?
Helen: Yes. I still can’t believe I do what I do. Making a living from performing is a dream come true.
Angie: We are circling the globe on a quest to bring glamour back to entertainment!
Tara: A thank you.