Aurelyus XXL - Thick, Ebony, Divine: A Gogo Dancer's Journey
Aurelyus XXL is a force of nature on the go-go stage, capturing audiences with his infectious passion and commanding presence. Markus discusses his path into the exciting world of go-go dancing, from discovering his interest through beloved films to developing his own distinct style. Prepare to be moved by his genuine comments on self-love, embracing individuality, and the deep relationships made under the nightclub lights. Prepare to dig into the heart and soul of a performer who is breaking down barriers and sharing pure joy, one strong dance motion at a time.
I got into go-go dancing through social media and movies, watching Chocolate City and Magic Mike, older movies that my mom and her girlfriends used to watch and swoon over those stripper dudes with the rippled bodies. I have loved to dance since I was a high schooler but never felt sexy enough to do it with my body type.
Twitter and Instagram introduced me to go-go dancers who were bears and big boys, Allowing me to envision myself along that path that was a little taboo but very comfortable for me. I was dancing in underwear all my years growing up but just not for any audiences because I hadn’t known it was a thing until I did.
My first go-go dancing gig was at The Black Eagle in Toronto through being contacted by Danny Buchanan in 2018 to dance at a party named CHUNK. CHUNK is a bear party that happens all over the states and, at the time, in Toronto, and while I was interested in dancing at the time, I had just gotten into a relationship with a man who was not happy to have me go-go dancing.
I had to decline the offer but left the possibility open for the future to dance for the party. After the pandemic, I wanted to pursue the things I never got to do, so I took myself to CHUNK in the spring of 2023 and had a ball. After I sent a message to Danny in May, I believe I was just asking for the opportunity to perform and inquiring about details. After our exchange I got to dance at CHUCK in Toronto in the summer, and it has been a passion for me since.
In the US, there are all kinds of gay events to cater for many different bodies and ethnicities; however, in Toronto, it is still a very White Gay-dominated scene, and the music and clientele reflect that. Somehow the go-go dancers themselves are quite diverse, and that’s thanks to people who are running events that see the need and market for diverse representation.
Shout out to my guy Dubi from Northern Bear Bash and Phil Villeneuve, who is the co-founder of Toronto’s premier LGBTQ2+ culture & nightlife blog YoHomo.ca/, who both have shown me nothing but love and opportunity. As a performer, my body type is unique to the scene, as well as my style, the way I am a hype man for my fellow dancers, and my comfortability on and off stage around the dancers and crowd. I aim to spread the joy of performing, so when I’m out there, I’m smiling and being expressive with my body and my face.
I grew up dancing to soca and dance-hall as well. I was involved in my hip-hop club in high school at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts here in Toronto. I do not have much formal training, so while others vogue or mix contemporary styles with classical training to bring out their uniqueness, I do what my heart and musicality tell me to do. It’s where I, as an artist/background vocalist and go-go performer, meet, and I lip-sync to the songs I know and give it all I can.
It starts at home, a good meal early in the day and sometime in the swimming pool of my building helps relax and energize me. I don’t eat much after so it’s just fruit and liquids till after I’m down dancing. I like to stretch and listen to music to get in a good head space as well. I spend time with my Mom too.
She knows that I dance and her presence and words of wisdom can help me navigate life’s issues while trying to prepare myself for work on stage. I like to arrive early to gigs just in case because I like the little bit of downtime to scope out the scene and see how the DJ is spinning and see the crowd build.
Whether it’s a small crowd of a huge one, I give it my all each set and as a man around 375lbs it can be hard to keep my breathe and pace myself but I got some good advice from a few dancers from my first gig to circumvent some of that stress by not gassing myself out immediately. If it’s something like 3-4 sets, you have to breathe, have fun and make sure to stay hydrated.
Aurelyus XXL Photo Gallery
Aurelyus XXL Photo Gallery
Images 1,2, & 4-6 Where Taken By The Wonderful (Wade Muir - @wademuir) Image 3 Was Taken By The Wonderful (Mitchel Raphael - @mitchelraphael)
Usually, my regular fare of mixes I hear from DJs are dance, house music, Euro disco, 70-80 pop mixed with house tracks, techno, etc. Some DJs are more experimental and add hip-hop, R&B, and dance-hall songs to their rotation and have fantastic sets. I am a lover of many kinds of music, so I love it when the formula changes and I am introduced to a mix I’ve never heard before. As a performer, there is something about certain songs that hit your ear and body in a way that makes you excited.
Makes you want to dance harder and get the crowd moving more so that you can convey that “This DJ is killing it,” though sometimes it’s the crowd that shows us the energy we should have and motivates us to go harder too. I love an interactive crowd and a DJ that has their own style. DJ/ Phillippe is a great DJ who hasn’t disappointed me yet. DJ Armana Khan spun a CRAZY set at the queer party LOVE ON TOP in Toronto and literally made a fan of me on stage.
Ace Dillinger had a powerfully addictive set there as well and had all the dancers dancing past their capacity to not miss the bangers she was playing, proving yet again why she is a top-notch DJ in the GTA. Toronto is diverse, and I love it when the music sets DJs play reflect that. We as dancers and performers have way more fun knowing that at a 4-5 hour party, so many great hits and mixes we’ve heard before and have yet to hear will bless us with energy and pride.
One of my favorite things about dancing in the moment is connecting with the individuals in the crowd. I have experienced a wealth of reactions to my dancing and stage presence, from “Why is he here?” to “YES BITCH!” I am so grateful for the latter but want to touch on the former a little bit. I have seen groups of queers laugh at me or give me undesirable faces while staring at the muscle bear or the lean twink dancer(s) beside me.
I have even heard remarks moving through the crowd about myself, but I am built strong to handle it. Over the years, I have learned to truly and genuinely love myself and understand that just because I occupy space in the queer community, as I should, it doesn’t mean that people are required to desire me or fawn over my body type or skin color; therefore, I sometimes turn their criticisms into a personal challenge.
At my first Love on Top event, I got to dance beside phenomenal dancers who embraced me immediately. Their embracing helped the crowd to embrace, so a group of guys who were clearly not feeling my style or presence on stage at the beginning were won over by the end of the event, giving me props, and one even tearing up and telling me about the joy I shared on stage. They, amongst other plus-sized folx of various skin colors, were giving me hugs and tearfully thanking me for representing them on stage.
I cried in the bathroom after nearly psyching myself out thinking maybe I wasn’t ready to exist with these pro dancers, and imagine if that were the case? I am proud to be on that stage and every stage I occupy, to represent, to share the joy of performance, and to prove to myself that I have certainly come a long way from the shy, introverted boy who lacked confidence. I was when I was young.
Markus Aurelyus is my stage name as an R&B artist, a derivative of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher of old. I decided on Aurelyus XXL as my go-go dancer persona because my mission statement as a go-go dancer hasn’t changed from mine as an R&B singer.
I aim to share my story, share the joy of performance art, and reach young and old people through music and performance, as well as create inspiration and maybe one day opportunities for others who share curiosity to follow in my footsteps. I added the XXL because instead of hiding my weight and thick build, I wanted to feature it. Sadly, most see the name and think I am talking about my BBC and advertising it.
I’m sorry to disappoint y’all, but XXL is for the stomach and the thighs and the booty I carry with pride and understanding that these things, in times past, caused people to belittle me and count me as less valuable. They are sorely mistaken or at least missing out because I can turn on the sex appeal when I am ready, and anyone who has seen me perform knows that firsthand.
That there are many ways to show love to yourself and others. I have learned that showing up even when you’re in pain, broke, and sorrowed by life can make you smile and others smile, leaving you richer than you came. I learned that I am no pussycat doll or member of the House of Miyake-Mugler voguing on the dance floor, but I can sure shake my big sexy ass and get a crowd going when I’m on it.
I am big and beautiful, and while I am on a wellness journey at the moment, I never shun myself or other plus-size entities for existing as they are presently. I love people, and I love to see people smile, laugh, and dance. I am grateful for every stage, every DJ introduction, and every new organization doing the good work of building up and gathering those who care for the LGBTQ2+ communities.
Go-go dancing isn’t just dancing in underwear and making out with strangers for me; it’s bringing in those who need someone to dance with and representing someone who has had a hard day, month, or year needing someone to smile and see them. I’m blessed to be a performer as an artist and go-go dancer. My heart is in this for the long run, and I promise I have more to give.
My Body, My Beat, Your Fantasy Complete.
Want to know more about Aurelyus XXL aka Markus Aurelyus? Check out his last interview.
Click The Image To Check Out The Last Interview.