Your Jumps are too Graceful!!!

Last week we added something new to our normal routine, sparkles. I really don't know how to explain it but you have to jump and pop like your a firework. At least thats how the teacher explained it. When it was my turn she said that my jumps were too "graceful".

If there is anything i have learned from modern dance is that imperfection equals perfection. The only problem is I've been taught so dance gracefully for so long that I don't really know what imperfection would look like or feel like, not that I am the perfect dancer, I am far from it. I like the idea, the rough is beautiful and it tells a story all its own that is full of life and definition.

Modern Dance 101

Last Thursday was my first day of my Modern dance class. I really didn't know what to expect because I have never danced modern before but it was very interesting. Our teacher was very enthusiastic and playful and made everyone feel comfortable no matter how much or how little dancing experience they had.

While modern dance is different from other styles of dancing it does have a base that is ballet oriented, so i was not that lost. modern dance, form what I have experienced so far, is all about your back and how you move it. Bending your back is very important, and it is not so much about posture as it is about moving your body to form a figure of some sort.

The music was very earthy and tribal like, overall it was a great experience!

NYC Here I Come

No I have not made it to New York for anything dance relate (although that would be amazing!!) I am going to New York to visit friends. I have lived in New Jersey for most of my life but I have always called NYC home. It has inspired me one to dance and I am hoping it can inspire me further. To me New York City has so much culture that engulfs it, I think it is very inspirational. And that is what I am looking for some dance inspiration and possibly some street performances!! So on this trip I'll be trying to find anything dance related and share it with you all. NYC is a great place to see some amazing things!

From Ballroom to Modern

Ballroom dancing has been a fun expeirence for me this year. Although I am not very good at it, I found that It has been a good learning experience for me. It showed me that I still love dance. It seemed like dance got in the way of me doing a lot of other things as a child. I remember saying ""sorry I have dance" alot. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep that up forever.

Now I realize that I don't mind saying it because it is something I am passionate about. Plus I don't mind missing out on things if I am doing something I really love.

I decided that I want to go back to what I know. I plan on taking a modern dance class this summer and seeing where that takes me. I am hoping that I will be able to get into NCSU Dance Company this fall if I work hard.

Triangle Open Competition Pictures

After many weeks I was able to get home and finally get the competition pictures from my dad. He was nice enough to take pictures for me at the competition, unfortunately he didn't know how to email the pictures to me so I could put the pictures on my blog.

Competition was a lot of fun. I danced in Newcomer Cha Cha, Waltz and Rumba. My partner and I did not place but we both learned a lot. (I am in the creme dress.) Plus it was a lot of fun watch and cheering for our other team members. Everyone was so welcoming, it made it a memorable experience.

NCSU Best Dance Crews Results

 

A couple of weeks back I went to go see the show that Dancelife put on called NCSU Best Dance Crews. The show was very good and it featured a lot of dance crews from around campus such as Dancing with Wolves, Fusion, Bollywood, the Clogging team and more. The performance opened with an opening number that featured all the dance crews. 

Each crew was given an alloted time to dance and after their dance the judges critiqued them. Everyone pulled together some amazing dances. My favorite was Fusion they did a hip hop, break dancing, pop lock routine. The trophy went to Bollywood that night who also did an awesome job! In all it was a great show.

Is that A Fire Bell I Hear?

So week two of learning quickstep a mysterious sound went off in the gym. We all stopped and listened to try and figure out where and what the mysterious noise was. Eventually we all realized that it was a fire drill.

Time for everyone to run out of the building right?? Apparently not! We all stood around trying to figure out of we should go or not. Then once it was decided that we should leave, we all sat down took off our dancing shoes and put on our regular outdoors shoes, grabbed our belongings and left. It just astonished me that we were all willing to do all that before exiting a possibly burning building.

Eventually we ended up outside and resumed our practice under the stars, which was really nice.

Quickstep Please Step Quickly Out of My Life

The last ballroom dance I learned this semester was called Quickstep. I came into class about 20 minutes late because I could not find parking. So when I finally got there I was really confused. Everyone had already learned a couple of combinations. I just found a spot and started doing what they were doing.

I think as far as dances go this is just as bad as the Waltz was to me. There are a lot of technical body movements that go along with the feet. It's just awkward and weird to learn at the same time. Plus there is a lot of galloping involved which also means alot of steping on toes. Not fun for my partner nor I. I think I'll leave this dance to the professionals. Here is an example of what quickstep should look like after lots of practice (video taken from youtube from user latus.)

NCSU Dance Company Try Outs

Today the NCSU Dance Company will be holding ty outs for their dance season next year. It will be from 7 to 9 pm in the Carmichael Gym in Room 2307.

You will be taught some combinations to perform and then you will be given a scenario for which you much come up with your own combination.

Any one can try out regardless of your dance experience you just need to be a NCSU student.

To learn more about NCSU Dance Company click here.

Also If you have any questions please email: danceprogram@ncsu.edu

Free Spirited

So last Friday I blogged saying that I was Waiting in Anticipation for the break dancing show I was supposed to go see.

So we all pack into my friends car and head over to That's Amore's Lounge on Hillsborough Street. We paid the fee to get in turned the corner and realized there was not a single person on the dance floor. What had happened?

Did we get there too early?? I doubt it it was past 11 pm, people shoudl be dancing by now. But never the less we had already paid the $10 to dget in and we weren't about to waste out money. So we went upstairs and starting dancing.

It was kind of awkward for me at first. As long as I have been dancing I can get out on a dance floor and just free style. I find club dancing really hard to do because no one is standing there telling me what dance steps to do, I'm on my own. My friend and I have the same problem, she has been a dancer for a long time too. I would think that because I can dance, could do the same on a club dance floor. Everytime I try I have no clue what to do first.

There was hardly anyone on the dance fllor so I had no one to hide behind. I eventually got over it and started dancing to the intense electro/house beats that blasted out of the speakers. I finally fel tfree spirited while dancing probably because I knew Itwas my on creation and not something someone else created for me.

In all it was a ton of fun with some great people, even if the dance floor was more than half empty. I left the lounge wanting more.

Panoramic Dance Project Auditions

I just found out that the Panoramic Dance Project will be having auditions for their upcoming dance year today from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 2307 in the Carmichael Gym. Any one can audition as long as you are an NCSU student. Also you don't need dance experience to audition.

The Panoramic Dance Project is a great dancing company whose perfomances are inspired by ethnic culture of the world. For more information click here: Panoramic Dance Project.

If you have any questions email: danceprogram@ncsu.edu

Waiting in Anticipation

So it's Friday night and I am all excited to see a break dancing show that will be taking place today at That's Amore Longe in Raleigh, NC. I am goign with a good friend of mine, she always seems to be able to find the most interesting things to do!

 I really don't know what to expect. Since I am from NJ I am wondering if the styles of breakdancing that will be showcaseds tonight will be anything like I  am used to seeing in the NYC/NJ area.

Either way new or old I am super excited to watch. I feel like there is some sort of intensity that comes with breakdancing that other types of dance just don't have. Plus I  have always really wanted to know how to break dance since high school. Watching it just makes me want to learn even more.

My expectations are open and I am ready for an amazing time and a mind blowing show. I'll let you know who it goes.

Don't Judge a Dancer by Her Dance Wear

A couple of weeks ago I went to this conference called Campus Harvest. After the main section of the conference for the day was over, they hosted a dance party down stairs. After getting something to eat with a friend I found myself in the dance room.

Everyone was crowded around in a circle cheering on dancers in the middle who were pop locking, break-dancing and krumping. I have no clue how to do any of these things, so I am just a bystander.

Eventually a girl who came with us to the conference was pushed into the middle of the circle. We all, even me, figured that she couldn't dance and if she actually did try to do something she would fail to reach the greatness of everyone else who just showcased their talent.

However, we were all wrong! She started pop locking, krumping and break-dancing at a level that wasn't seen or tried by anyone in who danced in that circle. Then she had the guts to go up to the best dancer, take his hat, and did this sick amazing break dancing move, spun around and put his hat back on his head. We all went crazy and she definitely owned the night. That just goes to show you that looks does equal dance talent.

A Taste of Africa

NCSU's Dance program will be hosting an African dance class this Saturday, April 16th that is free to NCSU students, staff and faculty.

It will be held from 11am to 12:30pm in Room 2307 in the Carmicheal Gym.

The class will be taught by L. D. Burris.

If you have any questions email danceprogram@ncsu.edu 

Dedication or Insanity?

Most of the time I time the number 7 bus to ballroom class; however, I eventually started missing the bus back to my apartment after class was over. One time it was during competition time when we were having an important conversation about competition where and another was while I was getting dinner from Taco Bell. I was stuck in front of the gym at 10 pm at night with no way to get back to the apartment except to walk.

 So I did, pepper spray in one hand and my cell phone in the other. It was about a thirty minute walk.  I figured I should probably call someone so I wouldn’t have such a lonely walk back. So I called some friends, no answer. Then I called mom. I didn’t tell her what I was doing; she would have killed me if she knew I was walking home in the dark. I just told her that I was walking home from the bus stop. She thought I was talking about the one in front of my apartment; I was referring to the one by Talley. After having to do this twice, I decided I should probably drive to dance class.

So I set out to find a parking space at 7:40pm, class is at 8 pm.  I keep circling and I notice there was no parking. So I told myself, ok one more round and then I was going back to the apartment.  But when the round ended I just kept driving, 8 pm came and the 8:20 and I was still in the car looking for parking spaces. I eventually found one a couple of minutes later.  I just can’t believe I rode around looking for a parking space for 40 minutes. So am I crazy or just dedicated? Probably a bit of both but I am mostly stubborn and finding a parking space became a game I was playing, and I wasn’t willing to give up until I found one. Game or not I made it to dance when I told myself so many times to turn around and go home.

NCSU Dance Company Concert

The NCSU Dance Company will be hosting a concert on Thursday April 14 and Friday April 15 at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for general admission.

 The Company will be performing Doug Varone’s 1986 The Bench Quartet which will be danced to  “Jesu, der du meine seele” by Sebastian Bach as well as other numbers. So if you are into ballet. This show is for you. If you have questions email autumn_belk@ncsu.edu.

NCSU Best Dance Crews

DanceLife will be hosting its annual NCSU Best Dance Crews this Sunday, March 27 at 7 pm in Stewart Theatre.

Different dance crews along with DanceLife will be performing throughout the show and the best dance crew takes home a special prize.

Come out and support NCSU. Tickets are $5 for students. if you have any questions email Lauren Wingard at lbwingar@ncsu.edu.

Of Course I Can Do It All

The weekend of the dance competition had to be one of the most hectic I have had since my days of actually dancing in a dance school. I used to dance in three shows, one Saturday evening and two back to back on Sunday. But the weekend of the 25 of February really gave me a run for my money.

I originally planned to go home on Friday to get my stuff for competition right after class,. but my brother wanted to go visit me at State. So I spent most of my afternoon with him and a friend on Hillsborough Street.

We eventually came back just as dark arrived, but then I ended up talking to my roommate about rugby. I had a rugby game to tape the next day (I work for Wolk TV) and I didn't really know what to ask the players. I evetually left at 10 pm, got home at 11 and was in bed by one.

The next morning I was back at State at 12 pm to tape the Rugby game. I only planed to spend an hour at the game because I had to get ready for competition. By the time I got to the field the girls were realy to play and I didn't have anyone to interview. So I taped a couple minutes of the game, left got ready for competition and packed my car, and got back to the field just as the game ended. I finished the interview and arrived at the Arena at 3:15 with 15 mins left until it was time for me to go on. Close Call!!

How Do You Do That Again?

On Wednesday, the 25th of February, I finally got my dance partner for the competition we were supposed to be in on Saturday and Sunday.

In dance class that day the President decided it be best if we just did rounds. Rounds is where one performs all the dances they are in back to back with breaks sparingly.

As my partner and I started doing rounds we realized that we had forgot a lot of the footing for Cha Cha Rumba, and Waltz. We paniced, it was way to close to competition to for us to be having these problems. Everyone else around us was doing fine, why were we?

Well we eventually worked up the nerve to ask for help and everyone in the class was glad to help us in any way they could. So much so that we were motivated to come back on Thursday to practice.

 I realized Thursday that my partner and I had only been dancing for a month and everyone else around us had been dancing for atleast a semester. Realizing that made me calm down a bit and focus on dancing. By the end of the class we had the dances down packed.

For the Love of Dance and My Empty Wallet

Last Tuesday I decided to go get my dance shoes for ballroom dance. I ended up paying $82 for a pair of shoes that essentially look a lot like high heels.

 To me this was a lot of money to pay and I left the store feeling defeated knowing that I was leaving with only $25 dollars in my pocket when I came in the store with so much more.

This feeling of defeat really got me thinking. I have been dancing since I was two in tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. My parents had to pay for four or more pairs of shoes a year for me. So if my high heels cost $82 I could just imagine how deated they must have been when they took me shoping for dance.

Thats not including the $100+ for the dance school I went to. They never complained, they always seemed eager and happy to pay for something they knew made me happy. So my feeling of defeat quickly turned to admoration for my parents.

Triangle Open Competition

Raleigh will be hosting a ballroom competition called the Triangle Open this Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27  at the Dorton Arena at NC State Fair Grounds.

Competition will run from 12am to 10pm on Saturday. The professional ballroom dancers will come and put on a show during the evening session which lasts from 7pm to 10pm. The Sunday session lasts from 9am to 5pm. For more information about times the url is http://www.triangleopen.org/schedule.php

The tickets are are $5 per session for students and the prices range for those who aren't.

Come out and support NCSU's ballroom dance team Dancing with Wolves!!!

Me + The Waltz = Sworn Enemies

Over the past couple of two weeks I have been learning the International Waltz. This dance is driving me crazy!

The first week I paid no attention to the names of the steps we learned. So as we were going over the steps I thought, hey this isn't so bad. But when the teachers called out the names of the steps we were supposed to perform and I felt like they were speaking another language. That's what I get for not paying attention.

 This week I made a point to  pay attention to the names of the steps, and while that helped me understand the dance better, I still despise performing this dance with a passion.

Just in case anyone was wondering what a Beginner International Waltz looked like, I found this clip on YouTube that should give you an idea:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZLb9jv8eAk&feature=related