Rozelle resident and pole dancer Catherine Wait (AKA Missy) is starring in her very own fringe festival show, featuring coffee, incredible circus skills and did we mention coffee?
You are performing your show about ‘Love, Loss and Lattes’, how do you balance coffees and circus skills?
To me coffee and circus go hand in hand. I like to grab a coffee on my way to training. I think the caffeine helps. I’d like to think my balance and dexterity are pretty good so there aren’t too many spilt lattes!
You took up pole dancing as a university student, a sport that has become so popular in the last five years or so. How do you account for its popularity?
I’ve been pole dancing for just over 12 years and the growth over that time has been astounding. I think it attracts a lot of people who are looking for a fun way to get fit without slogging it out at the gym. Learning new moves or sequences is so rewarding that you forget that it’s actually a hard work out.
What have you learnt from circus craft that you wouldn’t have otherwise?
Persistence, resilience and tenacity!
What is your relationship with coffee?
It’s a one sided affair- I need it more than it needs me.
What do you use to fuel your body in a high intensity performance week?
A good, hearty breakfast is really important as I don’t usually want to eat too heavy for the rest of the day. Nuts, fruit or a smoothie for lunch. After the show I like to eat a satisfying meal.
How has living in the Inner West influenced your art?
I love the Inner West. I’ve lived in Rozelle for 13 years, before that I’ve resided in Glebe, Ultimo and Newtown. I feel like the Inner West has an incredibly strong and supportive artistic community. We have great galleries, studios, and training spaces at our fingertips and usually a much-appreciated barista around the corner.
Do you have any date-night recommendations?
I love to go to see other shows preferably with a tasty meal beforehand.
Do you like cooking at home?
I quite enjoy cooking. My partner and I make our own laksa paste in bulk. It is a great way to prepare a really quick weekday meal. We eat lots of veggies, fruit, tofu and legumes. I also love cheese and usually have a tub of Bellingen Gelato in the freezer.
What should people expect from your show?
Love, Loss and Lattes is a solo dance, acrobatic and circus show analysing the ways in which coffee accompanies and comforts many of us during our everyday lives.
Catherine is performing in her show Love, Loss & Lattes as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival on September 13th-17th at the Seymour Centre. Go to: sydneyfringe.com
Veg and Bean Nachos with Sweet Potato chips
Ingredients
1 sweet potato finely sliced to form round chips
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion diced
3 cloves of garlic
2 small red chilli
½ small zucchini finely diced
5 mushrooms finely diced
¼ carrot grated
400g can kidney beans
1 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground coriander,
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated cheese.
Method
Preheat oven to 200 C. Finely slice sweet potato to create round chips and place on two baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper. Coat with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for approx. 30min In a saucepan on medium heat add oil and sauté onion until it browns then add garlic and chilli, stir for a minute or two. Add mushrooms, zucchini, kidney beans, carrot and tomato paste. When softened add cumin, coriander and season. Arrange chips as you would corn chips, nachos bean mix and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Place under grill until cheese melts.