Show & Tell: Revolver dancer Liz Olker

7577397-0-4

Q: You started in gymnastics?

A: I started training in gymnastics when I was 10, and after that first year I started ballet, jazz, tap. The dance teacher recommended I take ballet for gymnastics. From there, I went into other forms of dance and ended up competing in all of them, too.

Q: Did you see yourself dancing professionally someday?

A: I was looking at at least studying dance (in college), not as a major, but continuing to study dance.

Q: What did you major in?

A: I graduated with a degree in culinary arts. I stopped probably my second year in college with dancing. I ended up pursuing the culinary arts part of it and I didn’t follow through because I ended up not liking it when I went to work. … I started waiting tables instead, working the other parts of restaurants, and I started bartending. Then I owned a flower shop for a little while and moved to Las Vegas three years ago.

Q: Why here?

A: I wanted a change and it was far away from home. I moved here with $1,000 and I did auditions and some event work. Then I applied (at Revolver).

Q: Besides that outfit, how is this job different from the other bartending jobs you’ve had?

A: This is definitely more high-volume and fast-paced, even compared to bars on the Strip, and it’s a much more energetic atmosphere. We’re out there on the dance floor and on the bar doing dances.

Q: Were you into country dancing before you got the job?

A: I didn’t know any line dances before I started here. I started doing Yogalates at the gym, which is yoga and Pilates, and Piloxing, which is Pilates and boxing mixed together.

Q: Now you’re just making up words.

A: No, no! (Laughs) They’re actually at the gym.

Q: Best part of the job?

A: Honestly, I think getting up on the bar and dancing is probably the best part of my night.

Q: Do you ever work gymnastic moves into your dances on the bar?

A: I’d be afraid. It’s a tiny bar.

Q: It’s bigger than that balance beam you used to jump around on.

A: If you actually think about it, that’s true. (Laughs) I don’t have the guts I had when I was younger.