Pies Felices: Happy Feet

Great night of dancing at Union Square!

2009-08-08T23:59:00.002+08:00

It was a great night of dancing! Possibly because this weekend is a long weekend, alot of good dancers came in from 10+p.m to just enjoy through dancing. I had alot of good dances, but the best dance I had was so way out of league, I had to stop a while to reflect on what makes that dance great:

1. Simply moving to the music and expressing its accents. A significant part of that dance is only just vaguely following the salsa framework. Although we were dancing to salsa music, we were simply moving in accordance with how the music progresses for a large part of it. Through these, the dance is not simply a sequence of actions that were danced by sequence, but both parties are actually simply expressing what the music brings out in us.

2. Not anticipating what they guy is going to lead me. Through this, alot of the moves he brought me through did not quite follow the salsa framework, but I can tell that the moves are smooth. Also, given how empty the dance floor is before 10p.m, we were able to travel from one end of the dance floor to another, that was so shiok!

I wanna do this again soon!

Bachata videos by Juan Ruiz

2009-07-18T11:17:00.005+08:00

Juan seems to mix a few different styles, zouk, exotic, salsa, tango into his bachata and to come up with his own brand called "Bachata Moderna". He's coming to Singapore to teach Bachata in end Jul/early Aug through en-motion dance school. I must say I've got got concerned after watching the videos, the moves look a little too sexy for me personally to express through dance, but he has good musicality. In anticipation of his coming, here are some videos of his Bachata videos.

Incorporation of tango? and zouk elements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DF7vsTcXM&feature=related

Incorporation of zouk and exotic elements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPWTtRW08IY

Video showcasing cheeky bachata shines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJ2yKjgmI0

Funny "Nobody" - Wonder Girls video done by Thai fan

2009-07-18T01:26:00.002+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seVqU9_dqGQ

The Beauty of Rueda

2009-03-21T16:22:00.003+08:00

I started rueda late, 2 years after I had started salsa because I had wanted to stabilise salsa as its own dance discipline first before starting on the rueda discipline which is decidedly different from salsa.

One of its differences from the on 1 salsa normally executed in Singapore, is that while the partnerwork is executed as straight lines of motion between the two partners, cuban salsa has the partners moving around each other in circles. For fast salsa numbers then, there is no pressure to reach "the other side" on time (at the end of the 8 bar count) when executing cross-body-lead variations.

In rueda (and it is based on cuban salsa), the partners are moving in circles, and so there's no "end of the line" you need to reach by the end of the turn pattern at the end of the 8 beats. So all I need to respect as a follower is my partner's lead, I don't really care where I end up on as long as I'm around my partner. It takes up more space than salsa on 1 or on 2, but it takes alot less energy and stress to dance - ideal for fast numbers.

The beauty of rueda is its teamwork, which results in better identification of the rhythm, spatial awareness, lead and following which has greater potential to lead to stronger social bonding.

There is greater motivation for each dancer to identify the rhythm and the beats of the music. A caller who mixes up his first and fifth beat will result in uncomfortable dissonance in the circle's followers. A follower whose rhythmic sense is weak will result in a discordant circle.

There's also greater spatial awareness, not just of your partner, but also of the pairs besides you and the caller. Ideal for avoiding being stepped on by people on the dance floor.

Different people have different leads and following (strengths, signalling etc) as we move through different people in the rueda circle, there's also greater consciousness to adjust the lead and follow to the different people. Good platform to learn.

As we adjust to each other's style, lead, follow, strengths and weaknesses, it naturally leads us to know each other better. Although my group doesn't quite fully gel with each other yet, this is a platform which allows for better mixing and communication on a neutral, non-personal factor.

So if these are your concerns and you have been dancing salsa for some time. Why not consider rueda? If you stay open, humble and being willing to ask others for feedback and not taking offense from that, it can be a period of growth in your salsa dancing life.

Exhilarating Salsa Day - Rueda Practice

2009-03-20T23:59:00.003+08:00

The evening got to a hilarious start on my way to New Harbour, our designated dinner place.

I had e-mailed everyone in my rueda class my contact number so that they can contact me should they have challenges reaching us at our designated meeting places in our programme for the evening. Not only had I contacted my rueda class, I had also contacted many other friends to join us so that we would have a decent rueda circle no matter who's not available at each song.

I was searching in my bag for my handphone to contact a friend, when I spied my handphone pouch. Ok, I reassured myself, if my handphone poach is inside, my handphone should not be far off. However, much as I riffled through the contents of my handbag, I couldn't find my phone.

"Oh no, I've lost my phone!" was my first thought

Then, "Oh dear, how can my friends contact me!!!" was my second

I reached our meeting place early, where I spied on my friend who's attending the Argentina Tango class at En-motion. Quickly calling my home, I discovered to my relief that my handphone is at home. My mom however stood firm in not helping me find the contact list of the key people I would need to contact for the night. *sighz*

Dependable Do-do arrived early. "Do you have B's number?" was my harried question. He doesn't. So we went on a friend chain search. Calling ukigeta, I asked, "Do you have B's number?", he doesn't. So I asked for C's number, who is B's friend. As we waited for him to sms C's number, my mind turned on how to contact the rest of my rueda classmates.

And this is the reason why all Singaporeans should make it a point to be on time for appointments!

As my mind turned on how to contact my rueda mates, what should happen but everyone of my rueda mates who were supposed to eat dinner together turned up at our meeting place on the dot. It was such a relief to that I would be letting down less people with my forgetfulness. Also, they were so wonderful in contacting the rest of the rueda mates who would be meeting us later in the evening I could kiss everyone of them.

Starting off with wonderful company over wonderful abundant food, we made our way into union. That's when we got into a bit of a surprise there. Union had started a system of collecting money for the first drink before we can enter union. Not a huge biggie, but something to be aware and take into account of in planning to get into union on a friday before 9p.m.

On entering union, we wasted no time in starting our rueda circle and we bonded over laughs of our gaffes over all the moving rueda steps (e.g ocho, izequiera, el zero) and misdirected partnerwork.

Then we proceeded to JJSalsaRengue at their bi-weekly social night on Friday evenings where we met up with another classmate who had arrived. The music being played was some sort of wierd zouk-bachata variety, which gave us time to change our shoes and gathered together. But when the first salsa song was played, we quickly gathered into our rueda circle and practise our steps. The teamwork as we executed our moves, giving grace to callers who may not be leading the circle on time and patience as we teach each other the way to do the partnerwork is a wonderful, wonderful experience. Jackson was smiling from ear to ear when he saw our rueda circle.

It was nice dancing salsa one-on-one with my rueda classmates and super fun to dance with Ronnie who executed alot of unexpected moves. My stamina gave out though before the end of the song and I felt so bad. *blech* Do-do gave me a breather and an opportunity to express myself through open-hold bachata and cha-cha. Ukigeta is getting better and better at choosing nice cha-cha songs as a DJ. :)

I left at 11:40p.m, much later than I had planned because I had lost track of time! Super, duper fun, let's have rueda practise again soon!

The power of a cha-cha music

2009-02-22T00:48:00.000+08:00

My SO was trying (unsuccessfully!) to wake me up from my afternoon doze - from which I was actively fighting against being busy saving my 2-storey bungalow from burning down in dreamland.

When suddenly, his phone rang cha-cha music.

In his words, it’s like before and after pictures placed side by side in slimming ads. One moment, I was there like a dead log, refusing to respond to any of his efforts. The next moment, I sprang up and shine to the music - my steps perfectly in time with the rhythm.

He laughed:
“My dear is not tired at all,
She is not sleeping at all.
She’s a huge bluffer!“

I wonder if this works for my funeral too… :p

Super cool West Coast Swing Video

2009-02-06T11:05:00.001+08:00

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fXulOk14D4

I wish I can dance like that!

Resolutions after Singapore International Salsa Festival (SISF) '08

2008-10-28T14:03:00.002+08:00

In the night parties of SISF '08, I find to my horror that I'm breathless just one hour into the night party. So 2 simple disciplines I'm planning to start for myself:

i) 5 min of stretching exercise a day
[When that becomes my routine, I'll add on doing purely shines to music :)]
ii) 1 hr a week of swimming/cycling

Ask me again in 3 months if I'm keeping to these disciplines... :p

Da:ns Festival's Footwork Workshop: Salsa Hip Hop

2008-09-01T14:23:00.007+08:00

The one-off "Salsa Hip Hop", one of Esplanade's Da:n Festival's Footwork workshop, coincided with Nike + Human Race 10K in the same area so we found ourselves in the unlucky position of a jam, hoping against hope, that we'll make it to the workshop in time.

And true enough we did. We came in just in time as the instructor, Yenny, from LA Dance Connection was going through salsa moves, which was a relief for intermediate salsa dancers like us.

And soon, we were doing the salsa moves to salsa hip hop music which was cool, until she came to the hip hop actions. Then oh boy, most of us collapse into giggles as we strive to achieve fluidity with the actions that was demonstrated. This was followed by intense stetching exercises that had me groaning as my muscles appeared to be at breaking point with each "flex and stretch".

The cool part, somehow the difference between salsa and hip hop rhythms is resolved through learning the cheoreography and the hip hop drawling gait is incorporated into mambo steps which is uber cool. The 4 coolest moves I've learned? The diagonal body roll, shoulder-rolled "Michael Jackson"'s moonwalk and hip hop arm waves and body rolls. I'm not sure whether they can be incorporated into smooth and sexy salsa but they sure look fun. :p

The Hip Hop culture appeared to be infused into the littlest component of the workshop, from the attire of the instructor, to her hip hop drawl, the music that permeates the dance studio and the casual (but gruelling) culture in learning the cheoreo. For this particular workshop, Hip Hop is fun! (But tiring! As evidenced by the immediately post-adolescent participants' profile and our need to massage our feet before we attempted to walk out of the theatre after the workshop.) Yenny herself is also a fun and cool babe. As an instructor, she opened for clarifications periodically, seamlessly stitched in new moves progressively, linking with the previous point in the cheoreo we had practiced to music and add on optional styling into each dance move to achieve that hip hop feel if she feels we're comfortable with the move while emphasizing that knowing the footwork is the foundation, a competent and clear instructor overall.

Based on the 2 Da:ns Festival's Footloose workshops I've attended, they are great, inexpensive opportunities to experience different dances by doing the cheoreo. You could try attending the workshops belonging to the genre you are interested in exploring further before deciding whether or not to try out the dance long term (with the participating dance studio or with others.)

"Notre Dame de Paris" Musical

2008-08-16T13:58:00.002+08:00

For some reason, while going through my stuff today, the "Notre Dame de Paris" CD fell out. I bought it when I watched the musical live 2 years or so ago. It was superb! Strong storyline, incorporation of many dance influences and "Cirque de Soleil" moves. But such a pity that the stadium was less than 1/5 filled (I think it was due to poor marketing)

I've included 2 video clips on why this musical is so superb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7vN2RL0te4
Amazing contemporary dance incorporated into the musical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbKYksxeXh8
Acrobatics incorporated. This particular segment is not where the best acrobatics is seen. But I also want to showcase how they incorporated the strong characterisation in their songs that move the story along.

Do try to catch it if you next have the chance!

Sexy Cha Cha routine followed by a fast salsa movement

2008-08-09T12:50:00.006+08:00

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8YGgWNYMA0

Sexy! I like... Nice musicality too. It may be more appropriate for performers but I think there's a thing or two social dancers can learn from this too.

If I'm not wrong, Francisco (Franky Vazquez??) will also be at the Singapore International Salsa Festival (SISF) this year. :)

Basic step in salsa

2008-07-29T20:35:00.004+08:00

No bad habits to correct.. (painful progress... I know coz I'm right now trying to keeping to keep to my line of dancing)

New stuff learned being built on a firm foundation...

Confidence from doing things right...

The ability to progress fast comes from building a strong foundation, and in salsa, nothing is as foundational as the basic step.

I was lucky in having experiencing and getting hooked on salsa on the dance floor before starting my first salsa lesson. I was burning with passion and with no outlet to express myself for 2 weeks, I turned to youtube for help and spent 2 weeks getting my basic step right. The later new things for beginners like turn patterns of right turn, left turn etc came more easily to me probably because they were built on this foundation which was right.

And this is the salsa video that had helped me, enjoy!

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfDVnX4j3-w

My first Salsa Video

2008-07-24T07:51:00.008+08:00

My first social salsa video @ Union Square on Saturday, 12th Jul 2008 from Carpe Diem on Vimeo.

Magna Gopal freestyling

2008-07-23T22:56:00.005+08:00

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhAel-buXy0
Woah, great musicality and fun. Magna Gopal's fantastic! My top video I think.

Magna Gopal's shine moves

2008-07-23T21:04:00.009+08:00

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L7b0nCHw9E

Great night at Union Square! (Tuesday, 23rd July 2008)

2008-07-23T13:45:00.004+08:00

Many, many new faces, alot of newcomers were around (New blood!) but surprisingly (because it's Beginner's Tuesday) alot of instructors and performers/ex-performers were around too. (Yay!)

Men outnumber women 2:1, salseras' paradise! One period I did 6 dances at a stretch, just going along the bar-line closest to the dance floor and asking the performers/instructors lounging there one song after another for a dance.

Nearly every dancer I danced with was a good lead except for a beginner dancer because... well he's a beginner. Generally I had good dance patterns to react to and to try grooving to the music. One dancer, who likes to play with the rhythm and the beats, had unorthodox dance moves so it was a challenge keeping up with him and at the same time feeling the music. Fun though! He refuses to tell me which dance school he comes from though. :( Another led with his eyes close which is a first for me so that was pretty scary but quite an experience.

Thanks to all who gave me pies felices (happy feet) yesterday. All of you had been great! Sadly, I was off-form so it's not my usual standard. Continue dancing with me! Hee hee. ;)

A salsaing Cinderella would have gone home after 12mn yesterday.

Videos with 2 of the dancers should be uploaded soon made available to my friends... Give me comments! (Up as soon as I can squeeze in time to upload...)

Salsa trip in KL this weekend

2008-07-16T10:35:00.004+08:00

So excited. :)

Social @ JJSalsaRengue

2008-07-16T09:50:00.000+08:00

Day: 25th July 2008, Friday
Time: 9:30p.m - 12:30mn
Location: At their studio
Price: S$5 at the door

For more information, click here.

Vamos Bailar! Come dance at ADS

2008-07-16T09:37:00.002+08:00

Day: 25th July 2008, Friday
Time: 9:30p.m till late
Location: At their studio
Free

For more information, click here.

My learning experience with Attitude Dance Studio (ADS)

2008-07-12T14:36:00.020+08:00

Website: Attitude Dance Studio (ADS)

Having gone through 1 round of salsa lessons with JJ Salsa Rengue in '07, I started again from ground zero with ADS from April this year in order to improve on my follow with other dancers. It is a surprise to realise over time that their differences lies not simply in a matter of styles, but of totally different schools of thought, different philosophies and mindsets in dancing. It is such a find to discover how beautifully different salsa on 1 can be. But more of this in a future article.

The strength of ADS lies in their styling, that insidious transmission of having flair (oozing attitude!) while dancing. That makes us look good.

For me personally, while JJ's style is more of that lithe, quick-feeted and approachable jie-jie or gor-gor that I can always approach for advice and feel easy to interract with, ADS is more of that hot babe/dude that I will admire from afar but not dare approach - both equally talented and beautiful in their own ways.

For beginners, they break every move into every control of the muscle group for awareness and are very observant while the students are executing the moves. For shines and styling, having basic spatial and body movement awareness will be ideal in order to quickly internalise what they teach so that the moves could quickly become ours. They focus on the placement of the entire body (position of head, shoulders, arms, degree of alignment, any strain expected etc) in every move of the shine and if possible, deconstruct by using simpler exercises to isolate and move the isolated muscle groups in the desired direction first before putting everything into the move.

Currently taking their I1 classes and am wondering what's in store for me as I progress with ADS to I3. :)

Period of my taking lessons from them: Jun '07, Sept '07, Jan '08, Apr '08 (ongoing)
My regular classes with them: Salsa Beg - Int 1 (ongoing)
Ad hoc workshops: Dips and Tricks with Spin City, Ladies' Styling by Sharon Pakir, Ladies' Styling and Spins by Magna Gopal
Website: Attitude Dance Studio (ADS)

My learning experience with JJ Salsa Rengue

2008-07-12T13:05:00.024+08:00

Website: JJ Salsa Rengue

JJ Salsa Rengue has a special place in my heart because I'd started my dance life with them. Some of the beginner habits they have emphasized, so foundational to good dancing, have stayed with me till now. Habits like keeping the thumb out of the way rather than to press down and endanger your partners, magnet tension in leading and following etc will be some of the imprints they have left on me. In essence, they make the experience of social dancing smooth and fun.

Their strength lie in leading and following principles and imbuing beginners, (with absolutely no background in dance but who are willing to practise regularly), with confidence to go down to the dance floor and encouraging their classes to just start dancing at Union Square, the regular hangout place of salseros and salseras, with our classmates. (An absolute must if we are to have any confidence at all to start dancing.)

Classmates from Intermediate Class

I remembered being absolutely paralysed my first time in union - clutching desperately to my bag on my knee to prevent anyone from asking me to dance, content simply to sit and watch. But thanks to the support of my classmates: Karen, Bella, Henry, Dennis, Louis, Lucius, Alex, Vincent etc and more senior dancers like Derrick, Ukigeta, Kenneth, Jenny, Belinda, Berenda, Cilia, Valerie, Cedric and of course my then-friend, Mr Maybe-Right etc, they helped me take a deep breath and have confidence to dance on the dance floor. It's a pity most of them are no longer dancing now though... I miss you all... :(

My friends' and JJ Salsa Rengue's support of my first plunge is really important as it normally marks the important transition phase in the beginner's life - from just been amazed at the grace of other dancers (though we rather die than try!) to taking those first, ugly-duckling, small dancing steps that are such big steps of a dancer's progress.

And this is where Jackson and June (JJ (geddit? geddit?) Salsa Rengue's founders and instructors) are so amazing in.

I remembered being a beginner and contenting myself with a fruit punch in hand and watching others dance. Suddenly a lithe hand took away my drink and pulled me to the dance floor. (My friends said that I have this deer-in-the-headlights look on my face.) When I recovered my sense to look up, behold there is Jackson. I was absolutely terrified but really enjoyed my dance with him and it was one of the first few times I've experienced really good lead.

It is this spirit of taking care of their students when they spot them on the dance floor and not minding less desirable and fun dances with us just to give us good experiences that really endear the instructors to their students' (at least mine!!!) hearts.

Their lessons are light-hearted and fun (though this does not mean that JJ will allow mistakes in their classes.) They will point out the mistakes by demonstrating them (without singling out the erring student) and then showing the correct way to execute the dance patterns and they have a focus on leading and following principles. June's warmth, patience and approachability which was also extended to their waiting room (at least in their old studio, I have yet to see their new studio) combined with Jackson's humour and antics make each class a fruitful and fun session.

Thank you, JJ Salsa Rengue!

Period of my taking lessons from them: Feb '07 - Mar '08
My regular classes with them: Salsa beginner - intermediate 3; bachata beginner; merengue beginner
Ad hoc workshops: Spins
Website: JJ Salsa Rengue

SOS Party at Azzucar

2008-07-10T15:51:00.002+08:00

Day: 17th July 2008, Thursday
Time: 8pm - 1am (Band plays at 1a.m)
Location: Clarke Quay, Block 3D, River Valley Road Unit #02-03 S(179023) (near the squirting fountain)
Tickets: Early bird S$12 (Available now till 16th July); Door S$15
To book your tickets, please email Jean Kleinman at:kleinjean1979@hotmail.com or sms at: 90292624

Places to Salsa (Singapore)

2008-07-10T11:23:00.016+08:00

Salsa

Union Square (must go!)

The Amara Hotel 165, Tanjong Pagar Road, #02-05 (Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pager) Tel: (65) 224-6116
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, music starts at 9p.m till late
Most happening days: With the exception of days with special performances, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Wednesdays and Thursday are good alternatives should you prefer a less crowded dance floor.
Charge:
Before 9p.m, price of a drink (at Happy Hour Prices) - be sure to get a stamp on your wrist at the door for unlimited entry at the door after 9p.m BEFORE exiting from union.
After 9p.m, cover charge applies. Mon-Thurs: (S$8 (S$6 for NTUC members) + 10% GST inclusive of 1 drink, Fri, Sat: S$15 (S$10 for NTUC members) + 10% GST inclusive of 2 drinks
Ladies' Night on Fridays (free house pours and soft drinks 9p.m-11p.m)

Union Square is THE place to be if you dance salsa in Singapore. Place where salseros and salseras hang out for their salsa fix normally. Live band performance every night.

Xenbar

Blk 163 Bukit Merah Central #04-3575 (Nearest MRT: Redhill) Tel: (65) 6225 2620
Opening hours: Every night, 8:15p.m till late
Charge: S$5 per entry inclusive of free drinking water

Azzucar!

Clarke Quay, Block 3D, River Valley Road Unit #02-03 (Nearest MRT: Clark Quay) Tel: (65) 6336 8718
Opening hours: Every night, 8:00p.m till late
Charge: Cost of a drink

Once a month, on a Thursday there is an SOS party for all salseros and salseras. (Looking at their first 2 SOS parties, one on the 19th June, second one on the 17th July, there may be a trend to have it every 3rd Thursday of the month.)

Look out for further updates to this post...

Lori Perez in a Cha-Cha shine

2008-07-07T12:24:00.001+08:00

Thanks to salsaslut for putting this link up in a forum some time back. It opened my eyes to how cha-cha could be done.

Lori Perez is a great dancer. I especially admire how these actions fit well into the music and her body movements (especially (as the author of this video puts it) what even your hands can do!) A little saucy (some like it HOT! ;) ) which means that there will need to be huge adaptations to be my more conservative style.

Shines videos by Yanqing

2008-07-07T12:19:00.002+08:00

I find it amazing that people can shine for more than 2 minutes plus a reminder to look at some of the moves.

Stacey Lopez in a Street Cha-cha workshop

2008-07-07T10:42:00.003+08:00

I first got to know about Stacey Lopez in a video that talks about musicality and is amazed by how he infuses musicality into the simplest of steps. (Gimme anything that is simple and nice!)

This video will remind me about how it can be doable to dance nice cha-cha. Having said that, I don't like every action in this video (Dancing is a personal thing :) ) so it's to learn the moves that I like (musicality, some simple, interesting moves) and learn from the actions that I don't like.

A nice latin rumba video

2008-07-07T10:04:00.001+08:00

Thanks to blurcat for posting the link in a forum a long time back. It is really inspirational dancing. :)

By Sergey Ryupin & Elena Khvorova at The World Superstars 2005.

Sharp hip flicks, clean lines in form... wow! Wish I can dance like this. :)

I'm starting to shine :)

2008-07-05T23:59:00.001+08:00

Today marks the first day that I can really say that I've shined (not much, a little bit but my beginning :) )

It happened at So you think you can Groove, at upper club tonight. I was not even planning to be there, but decided to when my packing was done ahead of schedule. (Hee so the S$25, the extra S$5 premium, was worth it. :) )

Done to cha-cha (I like cha-cha :) ) it was done when Mr-Maybe-Right let me go during a dance. For once, I was not trying to recall any cheoreography that was learned, but simply moving along with the music. It was not long (I probably did at most 1 bar of 8), but it's my beginning and the start of my confidence booster.

Thanks to my dear Mr-Maybe-Right, who is like a facilitator (amongst many people) of my dance education, you've given me the scaffolding when I needed and had let me go when you felt I'm ready. Your comments had been an encouragement. Thank you!

Slow learner as I am, 1 year 4 months and 22 days since I've been introduced to salsa (thanks to Mrs Matchmaker) and 1 year 4 months and 11 days since I've picked up picked up salsa and dance in general, hello world! I'm starting to shine. May improvement continue. :)

About Pies Felices

2008-07-04T12:45:00.001+08:00

Pies Felices - "Happy Feet" in Spanish.

Dance - an ultimate way to experience and enjoy the music and to have fun with the people around.

Aiming to share its joy with people, this blog site is started on the 7th July 2008, 1 year 4 months and 13 days after an ordinary girl's first encounter with dance through salsa on 1 (and since then has dabbled with street cha cha, merengue, bachata and latin rumba!) This site is this (sometimes shy, socially awkward and invisible) girl's expression of joy for dancing and a repository of materials that she has come across in her quest to become a better dancer.

Hopefully these will be a joy and benefit for you as well. If you are able to recognise this invisible girl, gift her with happy feet by inviting her for a dance. :)

Dance like no one's watching

2008-06-23T16:19:00.001+08:00

MSN between Mr Fox and myself many, many moons ago:

Mr Fox: You'll never be good in salsa.
Me: You know, that's so encouraging. Thanks for letting me know.
Mr Fox: You're not hiao enough lah.

I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted at this point so I did my usual diversionary tactic of changing the topic.

I wonder if it's the experience that comes with age (Gasp!) but sometimes I'm saddened by the changes that happen in me. From being a chirpy, forthcoming girl (who usually says the wrong thing, apologising unabashedly before being forgiven magnanimously by the other party), I've somehow changed into this self-conscious hag who is conscious about not making a mistake, not saying the wrong thing and not stepping on anyone's toes.

And somehow, this translates into my dancing as well.

It's alright when I'm following a partner, feeling free to express myself, styling without abandon even if it sometimes interfere with his lead (oops). But somehow when the lead lets me go or even just stand stock still to encourage me to shine or style, I suddenly feel like I'm floating in space - awkwardly manoeuvring back to a place with gravity.

This happens even despite the tips and encouragement of nice girls, like Danielle and Chantel who try to explain how to signal that the shine movement parts have ended. All these sound well and good in my head. But when it gets to the dance floor...

I think Mr Fox is right. Some girls just show their best side when they know others are watching, and are thus able to play with and have chemistry with the audience.

For ordinary girls like me, this advice might be best:
"Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching."

The heart of the matter, is the matter of the heart. Whether from the lack of self-consciousness (in a good way), the full seizing of the moment, or just simply enjoying the surroundings as it is (with the music, the people and most importantly, the dance partner.) It is setting the heart and body loose to go with the flow.

With that principle in place, I'd guess it's just a matter of modelling and learning the strategies. Now, to get my body to listen to that same maxim... :)

Attitude's Summer Salsa Splash Party

2008-06-22T20:54:00.003+08:00

Summer... the beach, clothing to reduce heat... That's precisely the spirit that Attitude Dance Studio (ADS) inculcated in dancers through their Summer Salsa Splash party in Upper Club on 21st June 2008, Sat with allusions to loosened inhibitions.

Sharon Pakir started the ball rolling by a mini-workshop on simple shines for simple partnerworks. With her "guys, appreciate the butt that your partner pops out" and "girls, if he's paying too much attention to you, get really close and in his face" and with their great dance performances (8 in all including performances by Spin City, by ADS' very own students and performance teams, awesome...) that showcases wonderful musicality, it is nothing short of inspiring.

And inspire me it did. For once in a very long time, I'm able to take a deep breath, remind myself to go slow and be willing to lengthen the beats, and just style and shine with where my heart takes me. I'm sure my dance partner grimaces at my contortions yesterday night but I believe I'll be improving slowly and surely.

The final fun barometer? Instead of doing my usual Cinderella thing, (I have to. :( My work and lifestyle dictates my waking hours...) when I come up for air from dancing, I glanced at the watch on my friend's wrist and gape that it is already after 12mn! In fact, I'm not deterred from the dance floor even when the aircon broke down just before midnight but simply got right back to dancing till the wee hours of 2a.m.

Of all the parties I've attended, ADS' has always been the most inspiring in terms of their performances, choice of music played and funky (and not too difficult) dance themes. I'm so going for the next party they organise. :)