September 16th, 2011 by soul4dance

Move It! UK’s biggest dance competition for all, reveals the new dance trends shaking up the nation in 2011! Be sure you how to groove it on the dance floor this year, with the hottest and coolest dancers in the world. What’s more better you can log on to the website www.moveitdance.co.uk trends and check out the awesome trends and learn it too so you can show off too in front of your friends and be the envy of all. Step by step guidelines are available and anyone can learn themjust by watching it! Be sure to check them out soon!

These are the dance trends for 2011 –

INDIE BALLET – This is all about the music and it shocks the rules of traditional ballet. The classic ballet pirouettes, pique and twirls which are danced and blended with rock indie tunes create a totally new and unique style of dance, movement and entertainment.

WAACKING – This style originated in the US, it’s called ‘The Waacking Phenomenon’ and it is sweeping the nation with its cool new funk style. This is inspired from Madonna’s ‘Vogueing. This is an underground street dance movement which is much faster and packs more attitude, passion and style.

ICONIC 1980’s – Flash Dance era is back with a vengeance – Big hair, loud clothes and leg warmers with dramatic movements are the basics for this 1980’s dance movement.

HEYDAY DANCE – The end of war celebrations is called ‘heydays’, as the name suggests lets rewind the clock to the 1920’s , 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s with this retro inspired dance style. This is heavily influenced by vintage fashion, old school dance hall and flappers. This is a new age twist for 2011!

CHEERLEADING – Give me a D A N C E! What’d you get DANCE! Cheerleading, Come-on! With the recent influences with the sitcoms of high school, cheerleading is all popular among the dance world. So let’s get the cheer outfits ready!

Nowadays people wanna have fun with dancing and working out, they want a new twist. Add new music where it is required, add old school music and voila we have a new trend happening in our midst!

September 16th, 2011 by soul4dance

The DanceSport Association of Maharashtra has announced its Third Maharashtra Open DanceSport Championship, 2011 for the Latina and Ballroom dancing. Where many dancers can participate in the Latin American Dance forms with different grades of expertise. They can showcase their talents in the competition which will be appraised by a panel of experts from all around the country.

There are many categories of competitions for the Latin American dance forms like the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Salsa, Paso Doble, Jive, and Samba. Also there are competitions for the different forms of Ballroom dance forms like the Waltz, Quickstep, Fox Trot, Viennese Waltz and Social Dancing.

During this competition there will be over 50 couples which will be invited to compete for the Championship. All these dances and dancers will be conducted at the venue where the audience also gets a chance to watch the sensual and beautiful Latin Dances as well as the lively and joyous Ballroom Dances.

This is happening on 17th September at 6:00 pm at the Experimental Theatre, Mumbai. Hope to see you there! Book your tickets now!

September 12th, 2011 by soul4dance

Know the CHA CHA CHA:

This particular dance was created in Cuba in 1951, the Cha-Cha-Chá followed Mambo in becoming an international success. Its popularity as a musical style and a dance was partly due to the fact that it was less syncopated and easier to dance than the Mambo.
The name “Cha-Cha-Chá” comes from the dance: where the dancers, take alternating right-left steps on each beat, take two steps on the fourth beat and then a third accented step on the first beat of the next measure (1-2-3-cha-cha-chá-2-3-cha-cha-chá-2-3…)

It originated as a modification of the traditional Cuban Danzón and so was typically performed by Danzón charanga ensembles. However, its international popularity meant that more traditional dance orchestras found themselves also playing Cha-Cha-Chá tunes. The Cha-Cha-Chá’s popularity faded as Rock & Roll appeared on the scene, but the simpler rhythms of the Cha-Cha-Chá still appeal today.

Know the SALSA:

Born in New York City in the 1960s and 70s, Salsa is a hybrid of traditional rhythms from Cuba (Son) and Puerto Rico (Bomba y Plena), with influences from Jazz and R&B. Primarily a dance genre, it is characterized by syncopated arrangements in clave rhythm, Spanish lyrics, and a strong rhythmic pulse punctuated by the trumpet or trombone.

The word “Salsa” was used as an umbrella term for a variety of different existing rhythms and song styles (Guaracha, Son, Mambo to name a few), to help market the genre as a uniquely Latino music.

By the late 70s, Salsa had grown far beyond New York, becoming the emblematic music for much of Latin America. Salsa also grew in political and social consciousness, but, in the 80s, sub-genres such as the smooth Salsa Romántica brought the genre great success in Latin America, but didn’t appeal as much too young Latinos in New York.

The Pop Salsa sound developed in the early 90s by producer Sergio George with singers such as Marc Anthony and La India brought new Salsa fans onto the dance floors of the world.

September 5th, 2011 by soul4dance

The temple dancer glides across the floor of the cave as if she were floating on air. Her arms move with incredible grace as her hands and fingers form intricate movements. The ageless huge statue of the stone goddess seems to greet her and welcome her to her temple. Suddenly the dancer is transported to the palm of goddess where she finishes her dance. A seven-year-old Shahrazad watching “The Tiger of Ishnapoor” on her TV set is captivated and decides then and there that this will be her life.

ShahrazadShahrazad’s Indonesian uncles, having lived in Malaysia for many years, were also a heavy influence on her dance career. They told her fairy tales and stories about there culture. Her first exposure learning basic temple dance movements, such as head sliding with eyeball movements came from her uncles. At the age of 16 she memorized a book about South Indian temple dan
As a young girl Shahrazad had a great hunger to learn as much as she could about any form of dance. Fortunately, her mother had been a ballet dancer in her youth. She taught Shahrazad proper dance position and form. Her mother had traveled extensively and brought home folkloric dresses and music. Both of Shahrazad’s parents supported her love of dance. They took her to dance shows and variety shows. She was given a broad musical and cultural education. Her Father taught her philosophy, psychology and religion. Shahrazad had become a well-rounded and well-educated young woman.

Shahrazad spent four months in 1976 traveling through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India for the first time. During her six years of study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht Holland, she started taking lessons in the discipline of Bharat Natyam with Dr. Ronald Sequeira from Bombay. 1978 was a pivotal year in her dance career for that was when she started learning Middle Eastern dance. Her first classes were from a dancer called Samyra. She continued her oriental dance instruction with other professionals. The most important and influential of these teachers was Prof. Hassan Khalil of Cairo and Kuwait.

ahrazad – dancer, instructor, student, world traveler, choreographer, producer. The 7 year-old Shahrazad never would have thought that not only would she be that temple dancer but that she would be so much more.

May 23rd, 2011 by soul4dance

It’s not difficult to fall in love with Auckland, New Zealand. This stunning piece of land situated on the North Island is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean’s pristine waters. Auckland is the country’s largest and most populated urban area. It is also a place of ironies, because Auckland is where nature thrives in the form of rich rainforests and breathtaking islands and where modern city living is also at its finest. Auckland is a place to explore and escape to. Shopping and dining destinations are found in the city’s center, while beaches and forests are always ready to welcome eager adventurers.

This bustling city - which is also called the City of Sails - is located between two harbors –Manukau and Waitemata. The fascinating features of Auckland have made it a frontrunner in the rankings of the world’s foremost destinations. Moreover, Auckland is a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultural backgrounds. This interesting diversity has indeed attracted tourists and migrants alike.

As with most top cities of the world, Auckland offers a variety of activities so that locals and tourists alike can live up to the Auckland experience. One of the many interesting activities that one can do while in Auckland is to attend dance and fitness classes.

Dance and fitness classes are enjoying increased popularity in recent years because they are not like your ordinary workout. While ordinary gym workouts have proven to be boring and strenuous, dance and fitness classes prove to be more enjoyable.

Dance and fitness classes combine the benefits of gym workouts without sacrificing the fun and artistry found in dancing, so that are more carefree and can also become avenues for self-expression while one stays fit.
Auckland has countless dance schools which offer classes in salsa, hip-hop, zumba, Latin dance and belly dance. These dance schools also have more adventurous classes in the sensual styles of burlesque and zouk. Classes are available for beginners, intermediate and advanced-level dancers. Some dance classes are also held casually so that students can dance for fun even if they are not yet ready to commit to classes. This, then, becomes an effective way to try the classes before enrolling, and if you’re a little shy, then there is no need to worry. Most dance schools offer one-on-one lessons so you can still shake that groove even if you’re uncomfortable dancing in front of other people. Socializing with other dancing friends also wouldn’t hurt, would it?

May 16th, 2011 by soul4dance

The International Association of Middle Eastern Dance’s (IAMED) latest video release Thrillin’ Drillin’ is all that it purports to be and more. The world renown and most sought after U.S. born belly dancer Sadie shares the intricacies of her stylized technique in this fabulous instructional DVD. IAMED is known to be the purveyor of the finest DVD’s on the belly dance market and Thrillin’ Drillin’ parallels the quality of their stock – and sets a new bar.

The first segment of this DVD features Sadie dissecting each movement in an easy to follow dialogue that is accessible to dancers of any level. Since I have been dancing for thirteen years, I found the review helpful for several reasons. Firstly, it reminded me of the finer points of the dance and secondly, it gave me lingo to help my students who have been struggling with certain movements I have been teaching in class. Sadie then progresses to more challenging and faster paced drills.

The drills are fantastic and take the movements just reviewed into sequences that will engage beginners and cause seasoned dancers to rise to new levels. Sadie recently held workshops at the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association’s (MECDA) annual Belly Dance Festival and revealed one of the secrets of her physical interpretations of Danse Oriental. She takes very basic movements and does them fast – that is to say VERY fast. It results in a stylistic appeal that wows audiences and fellow dancers alike. To have access to the means to achieve this “wow” factor is worth its weight in gold.

The components of her drill segment and the unique manner in which she weaves together movement are priceless. Utilizing Thrillin’ Drillin’ properly will enable dancers mastering her moves to integrate a higher level of choreography into their own work. Instead of ye old chest lift, Sadie suggests new forms of presentation that provide dancers with ideas of how to blend a novel air of creativity into their dance.

May 12th, 2011 by soul4dance

You may already have a wealth of wonderful memories when it comes to tap dancing. There’s something about watching the magic that happens when those feet start to tap that literally takes your breath away. From the moment an audience is drawn to the floor where some of the most amazing melodies of the feet are created to the very last tap or stomp of the performance, many times we are riveted to the screen or the individual on the stage.

Tap dance has been an enjoyable pastime for many people for years. Children who admire tap have often creative attempted to emulate tap shoes with their own homemade versions with thumb tacks inserted into the bottom of the toes of their shoes. Although this is not a safe practice for many types of shoes, for thicker soled types, it has given children the opportunity to create their own tap magic on the sidewalks, in the basement and sometimes to the chagrin of their parents, nicely finished wood floors in their homes.

Tap dancing greats like Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly have given us performances time after time that we have applauded with standing ovations. In movie theaters we’ve gone back again and again to see their feats and watch in near unbelief as they have defied what seems to be the logic of gravity with their moves.

Do you remember the first time you saw an excellent tap dancing performance? Perhaps you were a child and found yourself riveted to the performance. If so, then you most likely stared with starry eyes and wondered how they made it seem as if they were dancing on air. It was a wonder to behold just to see them dance from one side of the stage to the other and back again without ever missing a beat. And if you were lucky, the audience rose to their feet, clapped and cheered so long that the dancer would return to the stage and perform again. That’s if you were lucky.

Tap dancing today is regarded as one of the most interesting forms of dance in existence. People of all ages and sizes can participate in this form of dance that lets you start with the simplest of moves of the feet. A toe tapping delight for those who like to get into it, tap dancing can take it to the next level with feats that require significant practice to accomplish.

There is no question that there’s something about the professional dancer who comes out in front of a crowd to perform that he or she is enjoying what they do. From the young, talented artists today like singer/performer Mya to the greats of days gone by, the smile on their face and the beat in their feet makes you want to get into the act and enjoy yourself.

May 9th, 2011 by soul4dance

The dance syllabus figures are used in two fundamental ways. First, they provide a learning framework for the student of dancing. One learns Bronze, then Silver, then Gold and then non-syllabus figures. The syllabus is also used to define competition proficiency levels. For example, a Gold Syllabus competition event will have more advanced dancers than a Silver Syllabus event.

*Please note that while the International Standard and Latin styles have relatively consistent syllabus lists throughout the world, the American Smooth and Rhythm syllabus lists can differ significantly depending on the organization which provides them. Because of the differences between various syllabi, syllabus events in the American styles at USA Dance competitions will require that the competitors stay within the technical difficulty of the proficiency level in which they are dancing (Bronze, Silver, Gold) but not necessarily within a specific set of steps. The American syllabi provided should be used as a measure of the difficulty of each proficiency level for the Rhythm and Smooth styles. See current syllabus lists in the USA Dance Rule Book available for review or download under forms and resources in the DanceSport section of our website.

April 19th, 2011 by soul4dance

“Panorama” – a high-energy signature dance choreographed by Martha Graham – originally was performed by student dancers at Bennington College in Vermont in 1935.

Keeping with this tradition, the University of Arizona Dance Ensemble will perform the piece as part of the UApresents program featuring the Martha Graham Dance Company on Saturday, April 16.

Forty UA dance students were chosen for the reconstruction, and the dance will be performed in groups of 30 during a variety of offerings beginning with the Saturday performance and continuing with the UA Dance Legacy Series Spring Collection at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre starting April 21.

“This level of opportunity to perform is why I chose the UA,” said Gretchen LaWall, a dance major who is the lead female dancer featured in the section of “Panorama” with five dancers who slow the imperial rhythmic pace of the piece down with a nod toward spatial composition and classical form.

According to the original program notes, Graham designed “Panorama” to express the new, more-modern aspects of dance and to express the power of the people to bring about change.

On Saturday, the Graham Company will perform “Dance is a Weapon,” which includes “Panorama,” “Lamentation Variations” and “Appalachian Spring.”

The collaboration with the UA Dance Ensemble and the Graham Company was possible through the contributions of UApresents, Stephen Golden, Susan Tarrence, Ginnie and Bob McKay, Dr. Mary Jo Ghory and Dan Leach, said Douglas Nielsen, UA dance professor.

Nielsen credits these contributions also for making a trip possible from Miki Orihara, a member of the Graham Dance Company, who worked with the UA dance team on the “Panorama” reconstruction weeks before the scheduled performance.

April 13th, 2011 by soul4dance

“Three charities joined together to form a team and make ballroom dancing available to individuals with special needs — Special Olympics Indiana, Easter Seals Arc and USA Dance Chapter Fort Wayne Dancesport .

“Special Olympics Indiana trained and did back ground checks on the all the volunteers; Easter Seals Arc transported their members to the dance studio and paid the instructors for group lessons from funds raised at the Fort Wayne Dancesport Charity event, helped them select their dance shoes and costumes for the competition, while Fort Wayne Dancesport provided volunteers to be the Unified Sports Dancesport Dance Partners and organized and fund this competition event. “The Quest for the Gold” is now a reality for so many dancers in the Fort Wayne area.”