Monday, October 20, 2008
Teaching Tuesday Night
Just a quick FYI that I will be teaching Deborah's classes at The Ballroom tomorrow, Tuesday the 21st. I will also be DJing at Sac Ballroom Society on Friday.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Belly dancing!
OK, I am a dance nut. It's kind of silly, really. Some people have a fierce loyalty to their chosen discipline and have no interest whatsoever in doing or watching other styles. I, however, wish I could learn every style that's out there! If I were 15 years younger, 70 pounds lighter, way more flexible and 200% more talented, I'd totally love to be on So You Think You Can Dance. However, I'm not. Nor do I have the time or the money too pursue all the dance styles I'd like to! My experience is pretty much limited to Ballroom. I have done a tiny bit of ballet and belly dancing.
Every time I read about or watch a new style of dance, I want to do it. Although, I have to say that some of the "contemporary" stuff they do on SYTYCD is pretty weird and doesn't float my boat. Recently, I wrote an article about Highland dance and wanted to do that. The other night, Greg took me to Marrakech (a Moroccan restaurant in Sacramento) for my birthday. One of our favorite features about that place is the fact that they have a belly dancer on Friday and Saturday nights. Watching her got me all excited about belly dancing again, as she did when I first saw her (assuming it was the same one) there a few years ago.
I did get to learn a little belly dancing a couple of years ago for a variety show I was in, and I really loved it. I think it's time to do some more! My friend Ally said she wants to go with me, and we want Ashley to go with us, but I think they'll chicken out. Either way, I'm doing it! There's a lady who teaches in Folsom, where I live, so I've contacted her for info. yay!
Every time I read about or watch a new style of dance, I want to do it. Although, I have to say that some of the "contemporary" stuff they do on SYTYCD is pretty weird and doesn't float my boat. Recently, I wrote an article about Highland dance and wanted to do that. The other night, Greg took me to Marrakech (a Moroccan restaurant in Sacramento) for my birthday. One of our favorite features about that place is the fact that they have a belly dancer on Friday and Saturday nights. Watching her got me all excited about belly dancing again, as she did when I first saw her (assuming it was the same one) there a few years ago.
I did get to learn a little belly dancing a couple of years ago for a variety show I was in, and I really loved it. I think it's time to do some more! My friend Ally said she wants to go with me, and we want Ashley to go with us, but I think they'll chicken out. Either way, I'm doing it! There's a lady who teaches in Folsom, where I live, so I've contacted her for info. yay!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bolero workshop today, and a discussion of technique
I don't know why I don't think to announce these things sooner, but I am giving a Bolero workshop today from 2:30 to 4:00 at The Ballroom of Sacramento. We will be working on styling and technique and applying those to a couple of patterns.
Technique is good for everyone, whether you compete or not. Most people, in my experience, would like to look better on the dance floor and lead/follow better. However, these same people don't want to take the time to work on their technique! They think they just need to learn some "styling" to look better. However, while learning where to put your free arm in a cross-over break will help you look a little better, using proper technique will take you much further! It also helps you to interact better with your partner, because you are both using your bodies properly.
Technique does not have to be hard, and you do not have to spend hours on drills. Simple things like using correct footwork, rise and fall, moving your body correctly over your feet and improving your frame are things that are easy to learn and improve, but go a long way toward improving your dancing--for you and your partner.
Technique is good for everyone, whether you compete or not. Most people, in my experience, would like to look better on the dance floor and lead/follow better. However, these same people don't want to take the time to work on their technique! They think they just need to learn some "styling" to look better. However, while learning where to put your free arm in a cross-over break will help you look a little better, using proper technique will take you much further! It also helps you to interact better with your partner, because you are both using your bodies properly.
Technique does not have to be hard, and you do not have to spend hours on drills. Simple things like using correct footwork, rise and fall, moving your body correctly over your feet and improving your frame are things that are easy to learn and improve, but go a long way toward improving your dancing--for you and your partner.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
DJing this weekend
Attention dance fans, I will be DJing this Saturday night at The Ballroom of Sacramento, 6009 Folsom Blvd in Sacramento. Hope to see you there! Maybe I'll come back with some new material to talk about, since I haven't updated this blog in a while.
Friday, August 8, 2008
What is dance all about?
If you ask five people what dancing is about, you will probably get five different answers. However, I will tell you the real answer: dancing is about connection. Connection to the music, to your partner, and within yourself.
When you dance, what are you thinking about? The steps, how to wiggle your hips? You should be thinking about relating to your partner and to the music. Yes, steps are important, but they are only part of the connection.
I watch dancers who are technically pretty good, but they have no connection to each other or the music. They are just going through the motions. Or, they are so busy trying to do cuban motion, they are ignoring each other (I mentioned this in an earlier post). Their arms aren't connected to what their bodies or legs are doing. None of it is expressing the music, although they might be on the music.
When you see the top professionals dancing, they put together all the pieces. The team is working together as one, every part of both bodies are working together, telling the same story--the story the music is telling. Although their technique is very, very good (and, truly, that technique is a foundation that helps the rest of it), but what gives them the extra edge is all the other stuff.
Dancing is connection.
When you dance, what are you thinking about? The steps, how to wiggle your hips? You should be thinking about relating to your partner and to the music. Yes, steps are important, but they are only part of the connection.
I watch dancers who are technically pretty good, but they have no connection to each other or the music. They are just going through the motions. Or, they are so busy trying to do cuban motion, they are ignoring each other (I mentioned this in an earlier post). Their arms aren't connected to what their bodies or legs are doing. None of it is expressing the music, although they might be on the music.
When you see the top professionals dancing, they put together all the pieces. The team is working together as one, every part of both bodies are working together, telling the same story--the story the music is telling. Although their technique is very, very good (and, truly, that technique is a foundation that helps the rest of it), but what gives them the extra edge is all the other stuff.
Dancing is connection.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Teaching tomorrow
I forgot to post that I taught Samba at the Sac Ballroom Society dance last week...now all two of my readers missed it! Ah, well. Tomorrow I'm teaching Deborah's classes at The Ballroom. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Free online dance lessons!
I have started posting some dance steps on my Associated Content page. Please check them out! They're just basics, but if you are just learning to ballroom dance, you may find them useful.
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