Riot and Frolic
a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog
Category: Dancetastic
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People often mention how they "don't want to practice wrong" and while that is a noble and virtuous and heart-warming idea, it is also insane. To slay the dragon, and learn about your insane behavior choices, click here. To continue on towards the castle, and read my ramble about practice, click here.
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To celebrate the anniversary of my first ballroom dance experience, because I have no shame, and because I had to start writing this blog again somehow, I am sharing a completely terrible video of a not-even-close-to-my-first performance. Note: I hope you're sick as you're watching this, because laughter is the best medicine.
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Boys. Men. You have a waist. Wear your pants on it. You might be sexy, or have a nice rear, or killer obliques, or all the above, but wearing your dance pants like you wear your going-to-a-bar pants is going to make you look weird on the dance floor. A) If you wear your well-fitted…
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Happy December, y'all (that was for you, Warren)! ROBERT PLANT. I put my "secret track" for Rumba on here. It's soooooooooo inappropriate to play on lessons, but it's SO PERFECT. If you thought I wouldn't put Christmas music on here, YOU WERE WRONG. And if Pentatonix doesn't give you the feels, YOU MUST BE…
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How many times have you been told to "stand up"? More than 10. Probably 100 times. Just. So. Many. Times. And then you finally learn where Newfoundpostureland is and you have to "stand up" a whole different way: with forward poise, leftward lean, separation of Church and State (or ribs and hips, WHATEVER),…
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Sometimes there's 9 ladies in group class and 3 men. Sometimes you want to even out the ratio by switching roles. Here's how, when, and why you should lead as a regular follow: How Should I Lead? confidently Since you were brave enough to cross the gender divide, be brave enough to make mistakes…
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Fake nails = $60 Tanning = $70 Makeup application = $70 Hair updo = $80 Feeling like a million bucks? = could be cheaper While it's AWESOME to use the talented vendors available at competitions, sometimes time and money can keep you from using their services. Instead of walking on the floor looking unprepared, learn…
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Ballroom shoes are a tortuous necessity. While they do make dancing "easier" with their slippery grip, finding the right pair can be a lifelong challenge. I've worn the same two styles of shoes (Rhythm and Smooth, respectively) for 10+ years and I'm not planning on changing anytime soon. It took my 5 years to figure…
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This is not aimed at you, small weird offspring of mine. No, it's aimed at YOU, my dancerly friends and acquaintances. Stop trying to grow up so fast. Ballroom dancing is a great, social, musical, fun, athletic thing to do. It is also a technical, PROGRESSIVE, CUMULATIVE skill to learn. I promise, PROMISE, PROMISE that…
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Recently, I got one of those damn FitBit devices. I have the super boring black one, but I want THIS ONE I'm a sucker for fitness-tech gear and figured it was a nice stepping stone to getting a heart rate monitor.* Along with keeping track of my exercise (eventually there will running again) without draining…
Riot and Frolic 