fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
The Pluriversality of Dance Through Decolonization and Provincialization
By: Aren Vaughn
Tags: Dance

To my best understanding, I believe that while enveloping myself in dance across multiple different cultural backgrounds and techniques I’ve found that it is much more beneficial towards my future career in this field. I’ve found that although it is very important to have a well developed understanding of a classical/traditional or eurocentric background does not mean that one must only develop this, albeit critical, technique.

I agree that you don’t need to have an understanding of what all the positions are for ballet technique in order to be a dancer. Many different types of dance have been created and practiced that do not stem from ballet and still have become just as popular and widespread. However, I do feel it is important to have a broad understanding of different studies of dance and where they developed to increase one’s skill set.

I also believe that it is important to stay true to where movement of a specific background comes from and its development from a cultural standpoint so as to preserve the uniqueness and authenticity of its initial intention. I agree specifically with Xia Yu in the article When Placement Matters. He argues that the universal modernization of a specific style of dance around China was not necessary or respectful towards his practice. He thought it would begin to take away from what he’d spent so

long practicing. I agree with this in that it is very important to remain sensitive and understanding of the importance of the formation of art regionally otherwise you end up with bastardized or even extinct practices.
My ARS POETICA
By: Katlynn Spakousky
Tags: Writing, Dance, Comparison

Here is my personal ARS POETICA.

For this comparison of my writing process I use my experiences with dance. I have been dancing classical ballet for 11 years, and have been in many shows.

For me, my writing process most resembles my dancing. I will prepare for the dance lesson, thinking I have everything I need for it, and that I have prepared based on other classes from before. However, each time I dance, and write, I learn and experience more. I am taken to new levels, I become sore, I do things I hadn’t thought I was going to do or what I thought I could do.

Just like with ballet, in writing I started learning the basics, but with practice I became better and better and was able to do more and more; and, while I never anywhere close to perfect, I learned and refined my movements and writing. Just as in a dance class, each writing experience is different, and I stretch myself in both familiar and different ways.

In both writing and ballet, I often wonder why I put myself through so much pain, why I find this pain enjoyable, and I wonder why I simply don’t quit. For why would any sane person deal with 6 blisters at once, deal with two toenails slowly falling off over a period of weeks, deal with muscles that hurt for weeks, making every movement one of pain?

In all honest, I’m not entirely sure why. I just know, that in the end, when I’m onstage and the audience is cheering for us, or when my dance teacher gives me a nod of approval, or a “Yes, that’s how you do it,” it is always worth the pain and effort.

Writing is the same way. For all the pain, and all the negative feedback, when it works out, and someone likes it, it is worth it all.

Katlynn Spakousky
Hold your Horses Halloween- September Isn’t Over Yet
By: Savannah Sherman
Tags: Downtown, Music, Dance, Fun, Party

5 Great Events Happening this month in Fort Collins.

Locals know Fort Collins is a small town full of life and culture, and with the growing populations, they are working hard to keep it that way. The Historic downtown center is home to an imponderable amount of restaurants, breweries, bars, and venues; many places being a mix of two or three. With venues like the Aggie Theater, and lounges like The Downtown Artery, there is no limit to the fun brought to town in these 5 great events you probably didn’t know were happening:

Blocklisted Media Presents: Autumn Moon

The Downtown Artery hosts more than just concerts, they host DANCE PARTIES. Join the fun at the Autumn Moon event- a costume contest/dance party. For only $10, we can make sure that everyone remembers the 21st night of September.

2.) Songwriters in the Round: Liz Barnes

On September 18th esteemed Colorado musician Liz Barnes will host an event at the Magic rat Lounge. This event will feature Barnes playing her music whilst diving deep into her inspirations and songwriting process. For singer/songwriters, and any die hard music fan, this event is a must.

Listen to Some of Barnes’ Music here.

3. Psychedelic Porn Crumpets w/ Meatbodies, Serpentfoot, My Dog Ate Chad.

If a headline like that doesn’t peak your interest, I’m not sure what will. Hosted at the Aggie on September 18th, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, an Australian funk/rock band will be visiting with friends to rock the Aggie.

Check out More Events at the Aggie.

4. Ruthie Foster

On the outside, Fort Collins may not seem like a town to hold a powerhouse of blues events, and yet her come Ruthie Foster. An absolute powerhouse of a vocalist she is accompanied by her good friend, Liz Barnes, sound familiar? Join Ruthie and Liz on September 19th at the Armory.

Check out some of Ruthie Music Here.

5. Noah Gunderson

Musician Noah Gundersun is putting on a show September 28th, not only as a concert, but a special album release party. He will feature unreleased acoustic songs, host a meet greet, and sign autographs.

Check Out Noah’s Music Here.
Petrichor
Tags: Petrichor, Rain, Dance, Earth, Sing

Petrichor

The first crack of thunder was a warning,now the roar of God thundered across the skies. Listen Carefully. Or you might miss the yell of the angels through the shrieks of the wind that’s cutting through the air like a sharpened blade; circling with a frenzy, clouds darkening like God himself was throwing a fit. Thick dark clouds roll across the atmosphere, thick and dingy with water.

Do you smell that?

That sticky, earthy scent.

When the first drop hits, you’re already running towards sanctuary; A school, your house, underneath the folds of the bright pink umbrella. Or your feet take you to a new path, to the nearest window to watch the race between the thousand of streaks that cascade down the crystal substance.

The pitter patter of rain striking the concrete sidewalks, lulls me to sleep. Tune into the noise it makes as the cars drive by, rubber tires sending waves of dirty water across the pavement. Let the whiff of earth nurture you. So lean your head against the car window on a long car drive, letting your eyes follow the streams that gush down its side.

The rain excites me. I thrive in the heavy flow of icy water. The one to tip their head towards the heavens, wide spread smile as the drops kiss my cheeks. Growing still in the beauty of rain, safe in its downpour. Watch the enrichment of earths soil, the energy that’s produced For all earths creation. The rain is a song, a sheet of earths layer washed anew for another day it’s title.

Standing still as the water stains my shirt. The gentle warmth of sunlight is overrated, rain is what I need. I need the wild storm, trees that crack and bend,raindrops that gather on my eyelashes. Taking a look at earths beauty, the buds of flowers that will bloom for rain fell that day. Rivers that drink their fill, water we drink.

Rain continues to pull me in and out of its embrace And for that I’m forever thankful.

Next time I recommend instead of dismissing the storm I want you to blossom in it. Go outside barefoot, feel earth herself underneath your toes, let the wind pick up and scatter your hair, smile as the rain gives your cheeks a kiss. Dance, skip, walk, run , or jump into the puddles that bubble on the ground. I want a wave of excitement to course through you as the first drop hits the ground. Feel alive and once it ceases go inside, bundle up, and snag yourself a of the steamiest cup of hot chocolate.
Traditional Dance culture in India | Represent Hindu Mythology & Spirituality
By: Hoovu Fresh
Tags: Indian Dance Forms, Dance, Arts And Culture, Traditional Culture

Dance in India signifies the ancient tradition of our culture. A classical dance training & meaning for expression practice is documented and traceable to ancient classical text, particularly the Natya Shastra.

Indian classical dance requires studies of classical texts, physical exercises and extensive training to systematically synchronize the dance repertoire with play or composition, vocalists and Orchestra.

INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS:

It’s believed that classical dance forms enact stories from Hindu Mythology. In Indian culture we have many dance forms coming from different states. But there are 8 forms of classical dance recognized on a national level.

Bharatnatyam — It is a classical dance form of Tamil Nadu state. This dance is usually accompanied by classical carnatic music. Bharatnatyam has been a solo dance that was performed exclusively by women which express spirituality and religious themes of Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti.

Kathakali — Kathakali is one of the most renowned and religious dance forms of India originated from Kerala. This dance form also represents storytelling. It indicates the tales of Ramayana and Shiva stories. Kathakali includes the intriguing face movements, heavy costumes, face mask and body paints.

Kathak — Kathak derives from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha’ which means ‘Story’. It’s often referred to as the dance form of Love. It can be performed by both male and female dancers together. Kathak originated from the northern state of India Uttar Pradesh.

Kuchipudi — Originated from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. According to history, Kuchipudi dancers were all males who would play the roles of men and women in the story after dressing appropriately.

Odissi — Odissi dance form originated in Odisha state of India. This dance form expresses religious and spiritual stories particularly of Lord Vishnu. According to history this dance form is predominantly performed by women.

Manipuri — This dance form originated in the North-east state Manipur. This dance form represents the romantic relationship between the Lord Krishna and Radha, which is famously known as Raasleela.

Sattriya — Sattriya dance form introduced in the 15th century AD by Mahapuresha Sankaradeva, a Vaishava Saint who is the reformer of Assam. This dance was an artistic way of presenting mythological teachings.

Mohiniyattam — This dance form originated from Kerala. The meaning of Attam in Malayalam is rhythmic motion hence adhering to the dance of the divine enchantress. According to mythology, Mohini is the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
2020 Music that Made Me Forget the Detriments of Reality.
By: Jessa Murray
Tags: Distraction, Opinion, Music, Dance, 2020

2020 Music that Made Me Forget the Detriments of Reality.

Image by whoalice-moore from Pixabay.

This year has been a productive one for many artists out there. Thus, lots of music was created and/ or released during lockdown. Here are some of the ones that made me happy enough to forget the world was on fire for about three minutes. These are not claiming to be the “best songs from 2020”, just some that you may not have heard that brought me some joy.

“Judgements from the World’s Greatest Band” by Annie DiRusso.

If you like alternative and strong female vocals, this song is for you. This is a song I could see being really popular on Tik Tok if the right people got ahold of it. This is what one would ideally hear when they go to an open mic.

2. folklore by Taylor Swift.

I could write a dissertation on this album. If you don’t like Taylor Swift’s music, or female artists in general, you should probably just stop reading this post. It isn’t for you. If you’re at all interested in Swift, it’s super fun to read about all the easter eggs hidden within everything she creates. This album alone has several.

3. Party Favors by Sir Chloe.

This is a rock album that works all year round. It contains a popular song titled, “Michelle”, which was a huge hit on Tik Tok.

4. “Kiss U Right Now” by DUCKWRTH.

This hip hop bop has been on loop in my apartment for several months. It’s super groovy and makes me feel like a hot person when I listen to it.

5. THE S(EX) TAPES by Fletcher.

This is a fun pop EP. If you’re looking for pop music that you haven’t heard millions of times, I recommend this EP. The most get-up-and-dance-right-now songs, in my opinion, are “The One”, “Bitter (feat. Kito)”, and “Sex (With My Ex)”.

6. “Words Ain’t Enough” by Tessa Violet feat. chloe moriondo.

Violet released this song in her 2018 album Bad Ideas, but this year she sang it as a duet with moriondo. It’s a super sad indie pop song with lyrics that make me want to be swaddled and placed gently inside a crib.

7. “Diamonds (with Normani)” by Megan Thee Stallion.

This song was featured in the film Birds of Prey. The lyrics are empowering and it’s a good song to dance to. It’s also a good song to play in the car on your way to breakup with your boyfriend.

This barely scratches the surface of incredible music released in 2020, but these are what have stayed in my most recently played throughout the year. Something I learned in 2020 is that I really need to expand my music taste, so I’m interested in hearing what other people’s favorite music from this year was. I know I’ve enjoyed seeing what everyone else is bumping during lockdown.
Wonder | About the Project
By: Kate Hancock
Tags: Performing Arts, Dance, Children, Parenting, Families

Wonder Lab in Adelaide, South Australia. Photo Dave Brown.

Wonder is a new performance project for — and most especially with — young children aged 3 years and younger, including babies.

The project is inspired by young children’s capacity for deep, intense wondering. We began with the words of perhaps the most well known children’s song in the Western world — twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. The project has developed to become an artistic exploration of light, star gazing and the inter-connectedness of all of us in a wide and wondrous universe.

The first stage of Wonder has already kicked off in Adelaide with a group of children, in collaboration with their adults, and with professional artists in a process we call Family Dance Labs. The word Lab may sound a bit scientific, but all we mean is that everyone present is involved in trial, observation, repetition and the consideration of possibilities, all through dance and live music. We could easily replace the words trial with play, observation with connection and repetition with enjoyment.

The next stage of the project — and the final show — will take place in Mount Gambier in March 2021.

Click here for more information on how you can get involved.
Top 5 Tips to Follow to Dance Bachata like a Professional
Tags: Dance Classes In Dubai, Dance Classes, Bachata Classes, Dance, Dance Lessons

When you want to learn a new dance style, it is possible to reach an acceptable minimum level in a short period of time. If you are a novice or an intermediate dancer, it is better to take a dance class to improve your dancing, learn faster, and get better.

Today, Bachata dance has become a popular dance style. Bachata is a cool and trendy dance form, and more and more people want to try it. If you are interested and want to enjoy this beautiful dance, here are five crucial tips for you to dance Bachata like a pro.

1. Join Bachata Class

When you join Bachata classes,it is essential to be consistent. If you attend classes, and if you want to enhance your Bachata dancing, you should go to classes:

· Every week because the repetition can help you build muscle memory, perfect your moves and steps.

· Be goal-oriented, and have a long-term vision. If you are a novice, you should at least spend a year taking classes to become a good Bachata dancer, confident enough to dance on the dance floor.

2. Practice What You’ve Learned

If you want to improve your Bachata dancing, this step is crucial because repetition matters a lot. If you keep on practicing, the moves will become more familiar. You can also review the steps at home, in front of a mirror. When you keep on practicing, you will be able to learn the basic and fundamental step.

It takes time to perfect the basic steps, with correct hips, chest, shoulder, arms movement, posture, frame, footwork, body movement, styling, arms and hands, spinning techniques, flexibility, weight transfer, and so many other things.

3. Get a Dance Partner

Finding a dance partner is essential in your Bachata journey if you want to improve yourself. You can ask someone in your friend circle or find one in your class. If your partner is in your dance class, you will able to review the steps you’ve learned together.

4. Track Your Progress

If you want to become a professional Bachata dancer, you should record yourself anytime during classes, when you practice alone, at home, or with your partner. Recording it regularly can help you to track your progress.

Quite often, you may feel discouraged. But when you look back a few months, you will be able to tell how far you have come. Besides, you can also correct your mistakes or see what you should focus your attention on when you record yourself dancing.

5. Listen to Bachata Music

In order to learn something new, you should soak up and surround yourself with the new thing you are learning. So, listen to Bachata music, and understand the changes in instruments, speed, and tempo.

Learning and improvement take time. So do not rush the process. Keep practicing during classes, at home, and the results will be positive. Do not compare to anyone else. Everyone learns differently and at their own pace, so take your time.

Remember, take Bachata classes, learn with professionals, feel the music, revise what you already know, don’t be afraid to try new moves, and practice a lot.
Dancing in the dark: Berkeley dance community seen, not heard
By: Emma Becerra
Tags: Dance

And there are dance groups outside of BDC, too, showing off an even broader range of dance styles. These include groups practicing anything from traditional Irish dance to salsa. This variety of teams offered to students is exemplified through the sheer number of different teams.

It is easier for dancers to join more than one of these teams, and support competing groups in the summer because there is far less competition for space and resources during this time of year. Main Stacks, AFX, and Sauce even reach out to talent outside of UC Berkeley students during the summer to advance the program and prepare their dancers for the academic year.

Because of the difficulty to rent performance space, especially during the end of the academic year, teams will audition to be apart of other BDC team showcases. “Danceworx holds a showcase every semester. The performances include all Danceworx performances as well as some groups from other teams like AFX and Main Stacks,” says Cristina Ghirardo, former Danceworx president.

In fact, BDC is allied with other groups on campus, including the Pilipino American Alliance and Cal Taiko, because of the difficulties present in securing performance space on campus. These groups cooperate to ensure that space is allocated as efficiently as possible– but Ghirardo says the lack of support from the ASUC makes reserving space “incredibly challenging.”

The ASUC provides students space in Eshleman Hall for various student-run organizations to reserve. However, dancers have expressed frustration with the system as it is set up, and note difficulty in actually securing the spaces they need for auditions, practices, and performances.

“It seems almost impossible to book a room on a short notice because all of the dance rooms are booked for the entire semester by dance groups, from 8 AM to midnight,” says Spring Park, who worked as an urban choreographer for Danceworx.

Infographic by Bhabna Banerjee

These same issues also exist with other formally reserved spaces on campus, such as the Hearst Gymnasium. The limited spaces on campus force groups to move off-campus, to locations like the Underhill Parking Garage, which bring their own brand of problems.

“The air quality’s not so great [in Underhill], so it gets pretty bad for the dancers who have to stay there,” says Robin Lee, an executive for Summer Stacks. The group practices in Underhill for what can be six hours at a time, looking for any opportunity to train and practice.

In fact, space for dancers is so much of an issue for Berkeley that ASUC Senator Karina Sun based her entire election campaign around the issue. Sun sought to improve maintenance of student spaces, expand Hearst Gym’s hours, and increase the visibility of the dance community at Berkeley. Sun lost her reelection campaign in April of this year.

-Story by Francesca Aquino
Dancing in the dark: Berkeley dance community seen, not heard
By: Francesca Aquino
Tags: Dance, Hip Hop

And there are dance groups outside of BDC, too, showing off an even broader range of dance styles. These include groups practicing anything from traditional Irish dance to salsa. This variety of teams offered to students is exemplified through the sheer number of different teams.

It is easier for dancers to join more than one of these teams, and support competing groups in the summer because there is far less competition for space and resources during this time of year. Main Stacks, AFX, and Sauce even reach out to talent outside of UC Berkeley students during the summer to advance the program and prepare their dancers for the academic year.

Because of the difficulty to rent performance space, especially during the end of the academic year, teams will audition to be apart of other BDC team showcases. “Danceworx holds a showcase every semester. The performances include all Danceworx performances as well as some groups from other teams like AFX and Main Stacks,” says Cristina Ghirardo, former Danceworx president.

In fact, BDC is allied with other groups on campus, including the Pilipino American Alliance and Cal Taiko, because of the difficulties present in securing performance space on campus. These groups cooperate to ensure that space is allocated as efficiently as possible– but Ghirardo says the lack of support from the ASUC makes reserving space “incredibly challenging.”

The ASUC provides students space in Eshleman Hall for various student-run organizations to reserve. However, dancers have expressed frustration with the system as it is set up, and note difficulty in actually securing the spaces they need for auditions, practices, and performances.

“It seems almost impossible to book a room on a short notice because all of the dance rooms are booked for the entire semester by dance groups, from 8 AM to midnight,” says Spring Park, who worked as an urban choreographer for Danceworx.

Infographic by Bhabna Banerjee

These same issues also exist with other formally reserved spaces on campus, such as the Hearst Gymnasium. The limited spaces on campus force groups to move off-campus, to locations like the Underhill Parking Garage, which bring their own brand of problems.

“The air quality’s not so great [in Underhill], so it gets pretty bad for the dancers who have to stay there,” says Robin Lee, an executive for Summer Stacks. The group practices in Underhill for what can be six hours at a time, looking for any opportunity to train and practice.

In fact, space for dancers is so much of an issue for Berkeley that ASUC Senator Karina Sun based her entire election campaign around the issue. Sun sought to improve maintenance of student spaces, expand Hearst Gym’s hours, and increase the visibility of the dance community at Berkeley. Sun lost her reelection campaign in April of this year.

-Story by Francesca Aquino
so you think you can dance?
Tags: Dance, New Years Eve, Life Lessons

henry matisse, dance. 1910.

Well at every new year’s eve, i observe an enthusiasm from every kind of people. I don’t know the exact reason. Actually i have some boring explanations in the sense of sociologic elements but let’s just ignore that.

I’m observing these people for five, six years and they’re all doing the same thing all over again: Celebrating the new year, saying it will bring lots of happy days, good luck, etceteras. End of the year, they’re yelling and slanging to the year they just lived and saying the new year will be the best one.

And they’re dancing.

I know human kind living on empty promises, hopes and beliefs but human kind also can learn from their past and be smart about the future events. So why are they doing this at every new year’s eve, why are they dancing inavariably at every 31th december? Are they pure romantics or they’re just afraid of saying the truth?

A man who is planning a new life order using as an excuse to the new year’s eve is either lazy or has low iq. Because whatever he is planning to do can be doable at every day of a year.

Some of them are not even thinking about those things. I don’t know why they’re dancing but they’re doing a thing that can do, again, on every other day in a whole year. So why are they waiting impatiently this night to get drunk? Are they celebrating surviving another year or are they happy because they’re getting old? What’s the deal?

I don’t know. I know one think for sure, they’re bad dancers. They need some figures, some choreography lessons.

I’m saying from here: Whatever you want to do, do it at the proper time. Opening a new page, because coming back to january 1 at the calender… that is a shit motivation to taking important decisions and making plans that will make you a better person. Make some time to your friends, lovers and your family regularly, if you want to have a nice time with them. 31th december is an another day like the rest, that’s all. Think about how much of your big plans are gone well in your life, why the hell they’re gonna go well just because you did those plans on new year’s eve?

By the way, don’t be happy for a new year, be panicked. You’re getting closer to an unclear end in your miserable lifes. You still didn’t decide to your life meaning and time’s not waiting for you.

A song from Radiohead:

https://tinyurl.com/lunlvn5

Don’t get any big ideas

They’re not gonna happen
How to Dance Salsa
By: Health
Tags: Salsa, Dance, Dancing, Salsa Dancing, Salsa Dance

Introductory guide to dancing salsa

Salsa is now wide spread, and everywhere around the globe it continues to gain popularity by the droves. If someone wishes to learn and to attain a degree of expertise in salsa, then lot of hard work is required. For a beginner level salsa dancer, and also for experienced people a good recommendation would be to keep improvising on it. The regular intake of lessons will help us to improve our dancing and be admired by all our friends.

Salsa basically has origins in Cuba and consists of combinations, turns and patterns. This though can be learned in the privacy of our home, but requires dedication. With no regards to our age, shape or size of our physique, dancing is a best way to burn calories and keep you healthy

The Miami style of salsa dancing consists of the basic dance steps including the salsa stance, side and back rocks, small quick turns, cross body leadings, what is popularly called The Adios, then outside turns, the enchufla y dame or instead simply An enchufla and more.

Small Stepwise descriptions:

1. Get into a position where you are facing your facing. Now placing the right hand on your partners waist, around the back, grasping the partner’s right hand.

2. According to beats step forward starting with left foot, with your partner mirroring your steps backward.

3. For second beat repeat with right foot.

4. Now mirror same steps like the above but backwards.

5. Now it’s such that after 6th step, the seventh step you will be in now in starting position.

This is a very basic description of how to do jazz. Hope you enjoy learning more.

Keep Learning

If that sounds like fun to you, click here to watch a video presentation about this relationship enhancement tool.

It’s something you can learn once, but then use for the rest of your life.
Why does the mapalé dance reflects Cartagena de Indias culture?
By: Tropical Experience
Tags: Music, Dance, Culture, Cartagena, Colombia

One of the sensations that define Cartagena the most, is the joy of its people.

Specially the way in which this celebration of life is embodied in their dances. For us, tradition and history is a dance that runs through our veins.

The most traditional one is the mapalé. It owes its name to the fish Cathorops

mapale, which happens to move like no other when it’s out of the water. At the beginning, the mapalé was a dance that was only practiced after each fishing day. Soon, it became one of the most characteristic dance at the entire Colombian coast. That dance permeability was due to the extension of palenques along the coast. In every step an outlaw slave gave, the mapale drums reverberated. Thus, we never stop having memory

through music.

As a musical rhythm, the mapalé is a reflection of the African influence in a

Cartagena full of black slaves who happen to see in music the best way to express their culture.

This is why Cartagena is the mapalé: because it represents our characteristic joy defying all the adversity.

Still don’t know how the mapalé sounds? Take a look, listen and enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=U2bQaXpdCZE
Lion Spotlight: B’Elanna Garcia
By: Jasmine Coleman
Tags: Dance, Kpop, Life, Clubs

-B’Elanna is in the red flannel and bucket hat

This is B’Elanna Garcia, one of Eastside High Schools’ very talented K.D.C. participants.

Here at Eastside, students all have their own ways to stand out amongst others. B’Elanna is apart of K.D.C, a club that focuses on Korean Culture, such as dancing to K-pop.

When asked what inspired her to join, She says, “ I really enjoy dancing. I’ve always wanted to be on a dance team, but I didn’t have courage nor confidence. I recently gained hope, through listening to K-pop. My friends introduced me to BTS and I've been a big fan since 2017. They have good choreography skills, so I want to be just as hardworking like them.”

B’Elanna is always hardworking in her dances. She encourages lots of people in KDC to work harder and try their best. Be sure to look out for her in the end of year pep rally.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we meet in Mrs.Thompson’s, room 116, to discuss important dates and performances coming up in the future. Feel free to stop by!
Traditional Dances Around The World
Tags: Travel, Tradition, Dance, Traditional Culture, Traditional Dance

One of the things we love to experience when traveling is the local culture. That includes food, traditions, music, and of course, dance! The 360 Stories team dug through our platform to try and discover stories about traditional dances that can be found around the world. We weren’t disappointed. Check out our cool finds!

Click on Icon to see the story.

The first story we found comes from Thailand. Thai dance is very dramatic and, for all intents and purposes, is considered to be an elegant art form. Thai dance is associated with graceful body movements coupled with elaborate, dazzling costumes as well as music. According to the story, there are six forms of Thai dance, he khon, li-khe, ram wong, shadow puppetry, lakhon lek, and lakhon. Thai dance is perhaps most easily recognized around the world for the distinct costumes worn by the dancers. The outfits are perhaps the most stunning you will ever come across, usually with bright gold and silver sequins. You might even find some designs that incorporate rarities such as beetle wings!

Another place, where dance is tied to the very culture of the people, is Spain. This story comes from Barcelona, talking about the traditional Spanish dance called the Sardana. To dance the Sardana, participants form a circle while holding hands. As our storyteller points out, this dance is native to the region of Catalunya. The music is played by the Cobla, or a group of 11–12 musicians who play a selection of brass instruments such as the Flabiol the Tible or the Tenora (all of which are cultural symbols of the Catalan identity)!

Then we discovered a dance that is generally performed during the Chinese New Year. This story takes us back into Asia, where dance and culture are deeply intertwined. The lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture where the performers dress in majestic costumes in the form of a lion and try to mimic the movements of a lion. This is said to bring good luck. According to our storyteller, this dance is not reserved for New Years alone but is a popular way of commemorating other festivals or auspicious occasions in the region. The dance is also often accompanied by the sounds of Chinese drums.

Dance is a valued and integral part of traditional culture, it is a way of learning more about a group of people, their customs and beliefs. While on your travels we highly recommend getting acquainted with local traditional dances. What are some dances from your hometown? Maybe you’ve encountered a type of traditional dance during your travels which really left an impression. Dances have a magical way of connecting us together, so we encourage you to share your stories with us on 360 Stories and help us learn more about each other’s cultures!
For the Love of Arts
By: Alison Nicole Vitale
Tags: Motivation, Dance, Dancer, Dandelife

Life as an artist can come in really high highs and really low lows. Artists do not get the appreciation they deserve, they do not get paid enough or at all for the hours of rehearsal they put in for one performance, but one positive is that they are 100% the hardest workers in the room.

I have come across many people who do not get why we love our art form so much. Please understand that art is nothing like a sport you played in high school and look back to think of the good memories. Especially for dancers, most have been dancing since they could walk and would not be who they are without the energy they have put into their craft.

Dance is so much more than putting music on and moving around in a space. For me, dance has healed my soul during countless stages of my life and to give that up is an action I will never do. People ask me why I can’t just give it up or let it go. No offense, but that is honestly the most ignorant question I have ever heard. I have even been told to just walk away from my dreams and move on from it. Do people that speak these words know that I am only using this for motivation?

Building a career in dance does not happen overnight. Nothing in season blooms all year. Dancers and other artists live for the grind, it is truly in their blood. In my personal experience of co-founding my own company, when something is going great, it feels like you are on top of the world. On the other side of things, there is a lot of rejection. Actually, more like a lot of rejection x 2104. Damn does that rejection sting so bad, but that is something we would never let you see.

Recently I’ve been tested with rejection. One thing I learned with that experience is that my wall cannot be knocked down with excessive force and will not set me backward in what I am trying to accomplish. It may not feel good initially to hear the word “no,” but it does a hell of a job in pushing you to be better the next day, the next submission, the next grant, whatever the case may be. Keep going. Keep pushing. Keep working.

I guess this is really just me expressing some feelings, being an advocate for the arts, and telling the world that I am just getting started.
Is Dancing A Sport?
By: Jahtya Tucker
Tags: Dance

There are many different forms of dancing. There is hip hop, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, etc. Dancing allows you to express yourself and it is a type of art. Despite it being art it also is a physical thing. A few students from Eastside High School was questioned on their opinion.

An Instagram poll showed that 82% people believed that dancing should be considered a sport while 18% of the voters said that dancing wasn’t a sport. A quick Google search stated that a sport is, “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess”. Dancing, properly, definitely takes skill so it should be qualified as an sport.

A Junior here at Eastside High School, Hasani Tucker, stated that she believes that dancing isn’t a sport, “ Cause there is no main objective at the end. In all sports you’re trying to win or accomplish something.” Which isn’t true. There are a bunch of dance competitions. One of the many reasons why dancing is a sport is because it’s very competitive.

Not only is dancing a sport but it also makes people feel good about themselves. Freshman, Jasmine Quiros, is not only on the soccer team but is on Eastside’s dance team. She stated that, “ Dancing is something that I can do to let go and forget about everything. Feeling the music and moving around is fun and enjoyable to me.”

Dance might actually be a “superior” sport. While wrestling requires you to have muscles and to be flexible and soccer requires speed, stamina and muscle. Dance is the only sport that requires you to have stamina, speed, flexibility and muscles.
Deep Learning Dance school
By: Jeroen Kromme
Tags: Deep Learning, Dance, AI, Generative Adversarial

After a couple of drinks I might have the upmost conviction that I’m an excellent dancer, however, the day after my friends, and the videos they took, tell a different story: I am not a good dancer. My girlfriend, however, is an outstanding dancer. A sense of rhythm, timing and fluent movements are skills to be jealous of. Time for me to train!

Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash

It turned out that a sense of rhythm, timing and fluent movements are not skills you can easily learn. At least not for me, I might be, what society calls, a lost cause. So in a post-corona world, it’s back to dancing in crowed bars where everybody is too drunk to notice bad-dancing.

Is all hope lost? Luckily not, machines are learning more and more skills normally only restricted to humans. Could machines learn how to dance? That’s what I figured out here. Check out this algorithm, it learns the body and the movements of my girlfriend’s awesome dance-moves and projects them on a static image of myself.

GANs: Battle of the algorithms

It used an algorithm called ‘Liquid Warping GAN’, which is a “Unified Framework for Human Motion Imitation and Appearance Transfer”. GAN stands for Generative Adversarial Networks and are used a quite lot in generating images. Have a look at: https://thispersondoesnotexist.com/, this site has a wealth of faces from people that do not actually exist, they are merely created by an algorithm that learned how a human face should look like.

GANs consists of two algorithms that battle each other. Basically what it does, the first algorithm takes random inputs and tries to create a picture that are indistinguishable from real pictures. The job of the second algorithm is to determine whether the image is real or not.

In the beginning the first algorithm is just creating nonsense picture, where the second algorithm has no difficulty with determining that those are fake. But the first algorithm starts learning, and becomes better and better in tricking the second algorithm until the pictures are indistinguishable from real pictures.

Check out the code: https://github.com/kromme/deeplearning-danceschool
Keep on Dancing
By: Ben Dehart
Tags: Dance, Repent, Jojo Rabbit, Christianity, Episcopal Church

Dear Friends,

On Christmas Eve we danced. We celebrated because St. John’s Gospel makes clear: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”

This Sunday, we’ll read similar news from St. Matthew:

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

For those oppressed by the powers of Sin and Death, this is reason to dance. It is in light of this new context of hope — of having been set free — that Jesus proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

But what does it mean to repent? For some of you this word brings to mind the image of a man with a sign yelling at you, but that is not what Jesus means. When Jesus says “repent” he is saying “be of a new mind;” “change your whole way of thinking;” “wrap your mind around this!” This isn’t so much a call to get your act together. This is a call to embrace a completely different kind of reality: The unexpected reality of God’s gracious love has invaded this broken world. “The kingdom of God has drawn near!”

So what does this new reality look like? It is marked by the forgiveness of sins, the undoing of all that has gone wrong, the inversion of quid pro quo. This new reality has its consequences — it will cause us to doubt our common-sense notions of how the world works — but it’s also the greatest news of all: despair does not have the final word. Death has no dominion over us. We need be nihilists and stoics no more.

And so we keep dancing.

Alleluia, alleluia,

Ben
NOW HIRING: Dance Makers in the Schools Program Director
Tags: Dance Teachers, Dance, Jobs, Education, Arts Education

Movement Research seeks a qualified individual to oversee its arts-in-education program, Dance Makers in the Schools.

Movement Research mission:

Movement Research, founded in 1978, is one of the world’s leading laboratories for the investigation of dance and movement-based forms. Valuing the individual artist, their creative process and their vital role within society, Movement Research is dedicated to the creation and implementation of free and low-cost programs that nurture and instigate discourse and experimentation. Movement Research strives to reflect the cultural, political and economic diversity of its moving community, including artists and audiences alike.

Movement Research is dedicated to supporting the employment of working artists, and most Staff members identify as such.

Dance Makers in the Schools Description

A collaboration with NYC public school communities, Dance Makers in the Schools creates educational opportunities in which working dance artists teach children and share their own creative processes. Movement Research partners with each school to create a unique program that serves the school’s specific needs. The teaching artists and classroom teachers together develop lesson plans for the appropriate age group, learning level and academic environment. Learn more about Dance Makers in the Schools >>
Dance Monkey Song Lyrics | Tones
By: Lyrics Welle
Tags: English, Dance, Monkey, English Songs, Lyrics

This Amazing Song “Dance Monkey” is a sung by Australian singer Tones and released as the second single from her debut EP The Kids Are Coming. In the track, Tones sings about the struggles of being a musical performer, inspired by her experiences as a busker. She explained to Billboard:

[Verse 1]

They say, “Oh my God, I see the way you shine

Take your hands, my dear, and place them both in mine”

You know you stopped me dead while I was passing by

And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

[Pre-Chorus]

Ooh, I see you, see you, see you every time

And oh my, I, I like your style

You, you make me, make me, make me wanna cry

And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

[Chorus]

So they say

“Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh

I’ve never seen anybody do the things you do before”

Dance Monkey Lyrics

They say

“Move for me, move for me, move for me, ayy-ayy-ayy

And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again”

[Verse 2]

I said, “Oh my God, I see you walking by

Take my hands, my dear, and look me in my eyes”

Just like a monkey, I’ve been dancin’ my whole life

But you just beg to see me dance just one more time

[Pre-Chorus]

Ooh, I see you, see you, see you every time

And oh my, I, I like your style

You, you make me, make me, make me wanna cry

And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

Dance Monkey

[Chorus]

So they say

“Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh

I’ve never seen anybody do the things you do before”

They say

“Move for me, move for me, move for me, ayy-ayy-ayy

And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again”

They say

“Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

I’ve never seen anybody do the things you do before”

They say

“Move for me, move for me, move for me, ayy-ayy-ayy

And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again”

Dance Monkey Tones and i

[Bridge]

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh

Ooh, ah-ah, ah-ah

[Chorus]

They say

“Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh

I’ve never seen anybody do the things you do before”

They say

“Move for me, move for me, move for me, ayy-ayy-ayy

And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again”

They say

Dance Monkey

“Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

I’ve never seen anybody do the things you do before”

They say

“Move for me, move for me, move for me, ayy-ayy-ayy

And when you’re done, I’ll make you do it all again

All again”

Dance Monkey
My Journey to New York
By: Cara Treacy
Tags: Life Changing Moment, Dance, Musicals, New York, Ballet

My Journey to New York

The Decision

I always wanted to move to New York. When I was four, my mom and dad took me into the city to see theBroadway musical, Beauty and the Beast. One show and I was hooked. I got the Broadway bug and loved going to shows. I hoped one day I would be up on stage like the performers I watched.

Flash forward 14 years. I was 18 years old and dancing in a professional ballet company in San Antonio, Texas. I was performing and getting paid to do it, but something was missing. I trained so hard to get where I wanted to be, but I was unhappy. I was sitting on the couch, wondering what I could do to fix my state of mind. And then, it hit me. I remembered that bright eyed little girl, so in awe of New York. I instantly knew that I had to move. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in musical theater.

A big change comes with lots of mixed emotions. I packed up my apartment in San Antonio and moved to New York. I was unsure of where my life would lead from this point on. That all changed when I stepped into my New York apartment. I know it sounds cliché, but it was as if my whole life led up to this moment. For the first time in years, I felt totally at peace with my life. I knew it would be hard work, but I was finally on the right track.

Leaping across a crosswalk in New York

The Leap of Faith

People assume that being a musical theater performer in New York is all glitz and glam. To be honest, I did too. When I first moved to New York, I was so green. I had no idea that being a triple threat is no longer a special skill in musical theater. It is a requirement. This means that every performer, including myself, is constantly in acting, singing and dancing classes.

Even though I loved theater growing up, I was always just a dancer. I never took acting classes or voice lessons. Upon moving to New York, l had to get into class as soon as possible. I realized how much I was lacking in many required areas.

I remember walking into my first voice lesson. My voice teacher asked me what my singing experience was. I naivly said that I liked to sing in the car and in the shower, but that was about it. I wasn’t even in choir growing up! I was so nervous to make sound on my own. However, he made me feel so comfortable right away. The first song I ever learned was “In My Own Little Corner” from “Cinderella”.

One of the lines in the song is “I can be whatever I want to be!” Now more than ever, I know that this is the truth. I moved to a huge city at 18. I had no job prospects or any idea what I was getting myself into, but I dove headfirst into a new life.

In today’s world, I think we can all learn from our carefree younger selves. While the world may feel paused, there is so much to experience and learn from.

Dance Photo in Manhattan

The Question

Is there anything you have wanted to try, but have yet to do? What’s holding you back? There is only one way to go and that’s forward. Let’s get the conversation going in the comments below!