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Review: Hustle and West Coast Swing classes and party in Norwalk, CT
In January of 2010, the Norwalk Citizen wrote an article about our Hustle and West Coast Swing lessons and party at Dance Dimensions in Norwalk, CT. The article featured one of our prominent and long-standing members, Pam Ross. It described her journey into her first West Coast Swing class and how she was impressed by the regular people, wearing jeans, dancing to contemporary music.
Your Brain on Dance
One of the joys of being a teacher is figuring out how a student’s mind works. If I can understand how a student learns both generally and specifically, I can become a more effective teacher. The exhibit called The Brain at the American Museum of Natural History is an indispensible tool for both teachers and students alike. For me it was a game-changer.
Saying "Hello" to the Host
I've been professionally teaching dance classes and hosting dances in both West Coast Swing & Hustle for the last decade. I have started to notice a trend that many people go to a party or class and do not say, "hello" to the host. I have seen this both at my own dances and at others.
I'm just wondering if people have fallen off the "my mother taught me good manners" wagon? So let's review the appropriate way to enter a party or class:
Pre-Payment for Dances
Many events, both national and local, offer pre-payment discounts for their functions. In the days of yore, people would send in a registration form and a check to hold their places. In the 21st Century, events use online payment methods such as PayPal to over significant discounts from the "at-the-door" rates.
What astounds me is that most people don't use the pre-payment offers, especially the "early bird" rates, and wait until the last possible moment to sign up, even though they are 99.9% certain that they will be attending a function.
The best part (sarcastically said), is that many people will pay significantly more just to have the "option" not to go - just so that they are not financially bound.
Top Dumbest Opening Lines of a Song
Have any of you actually listened to the music that is played on the radio? Some of the most popular songs have some of the dumbest lyrics. But when the opening verse of the song is so ridiculous or lowbrow, it might say more about us as a listener than the uncreative songwriter.
Here are some of my favorites:
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? - Fireworks (Katy Perry)
Do you have a first aid kit handy? - Damanged (Danity Kane)
Wake up in the morning feeling like P-Diddy - Tick Tock (Kesha)
"Black Swan" co-star, Mila Kunis, says, "I will never dance again"
In a recent interview by given to W Magazine, Mila Kunis describes part of her experience in the 2010 thriller movie, Black Swan.
As a girl who had never danced before, Mila was thrust into a movie in which ballet - one of most challenging of dance forms - was featured. Mila confesses that she had to train for four months, seven days a week, five hours a day. She expresses her naivety when she though that she could handle pointe shoes simply because she was able to wear an expensive pair of Christian Louboutins high heels. And in a shocking statement, Mila says that she will never dance again.
This rebuke of dance is simply embarrassing. Hollywood has cast another pretty face to try an capture the spirit, hardship and beauty of an ephemeral art form and what do we get? A quitter!!
Dancing as Art - Literally
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...then I'm blushing. Artist, April Quast, has been doing something magical - she has been turning dance into paintings (and artistic jewelry). It is nearly impossible for most fine artists to capture dance on a canvas. Dance moves too quickly, it's positions are often fluid. Even when there is stillness, there is an "energy" that is usually preparing to move. In dances such as West Coast Swing, the partnership moments are sometimes subtle and often times the beauty is in the potential energy before the actual movement.
Top 5 things that everyone wants
And how partner dancing can help you attain it.
#1 - Good Health
Most people realize that good health is the #1 most important thing when they've lost their health or are unable to do something because of their lack of health. Imagine not being able to enjoy the home of your dreams because you can no longer climb the stairs due to your knees which are too weak to support your weight. Imagine having to control what types of foods you can eat because it might put you at the risk of diabetic shock.
There have been many studies done on how minimal exercise can help promote better overall health. As little as 15 minutes of low-impact activity can have beneficial results on weight, sugar levels and immune system.1 Most people's top excuses for not exercising are lack of time and simply not enjoying the boredom of a "workout".
2010 - Year in Review
The Competitive Crew:
2010 saw the start of the competitive crew. It was my way to prepare of some members of our group the spring-time events. We started with a modified ballet barre for warm-up, did some jazz across-the-floors to dance away the inhibitions, and ended with some West Coast Swing drills.
July Show:
26 dancers participated in the Hustle & West Coast Swing Medley at the Crystal Theater in Norwalk, CT. That's a real achievement. Most people don't have any idea what type of preparation, dedication and sheer cajones it takes to step on stage and give it your best shot. I'm so proud of the people who stepped up to the plate.
Single in CT?
As I'm writing this, we've just passed the Thanksgiving 2010 Holiday. That means that many more people are about to be single according to a Facebook study. This study indicates that there is a significant spike in break-ups in the weeks leading up to 2 weeks before Christmas.
So if you're in a relationship, it's either time to put on your parachute or prepare to buy your significant other a gift for the holidays. If you happen to be one of the many singles out there, this might be an excellent moment to meet someone new as many relationships are purged.
Here's an idea that might increase your romantic chances whether it's for the holiday season or any other time of year: Partner Dancing. That's right!! Dancing with someone, a partner. Think of it as speed dating plus touching.
