Riot and Frolic

a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog

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about

I own and rock people’s faces off teaching ballroom dancing at Dancers Studio in St. Paul, MN. My husband and I compete professionally in American style and wrangle eight children in our spare time. I’ve been teaching and competing in ballroom dancing for over 25 years and have lots of opinions on it. I am an expert by any means, but there are quite a few dancers who are better than me and I have a solid knowledge of basic technique, so suck it.

Category: Dancetastic

  • List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

    – a bunch of dance practice.   Most of my rounds had felt pretty good lately and that's never a good sign.  Too comfortable.  A bit too easy.   I had reached a lovely plateau and it was so nice there.  These ornery coaches of ours want us to do MORE and, like, work, or…

  • DON’T DANCE [What You See]- Episode V- Body Contact- Part Deux

     Let's pick up where we left off yesterday– in pain and unable to move.  And that was just from watching dance.  [Ba-dum ching!] Seriously though, men, stop doing this: Could his left arm BE anymore on her side? Several things could have happened here: he could have pulled her in with his right hand farther…

  • DON’T DANCE [What You See]- Episode V- Body Contact

    Due to some scheduling difficulities, today's subject will be tomorrow's subject, also.  Like, it'll be in two parts.  Like, I'll start telling you something today and then I'll illustrate it on Thursday.  Like, a to-be-continued! My name is Kate.  I can write. You see this… And duh, you want to look like that.   She…

  • List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

    – made chicken makhani and garlic naan for my bestie's "birthday" dinner.       Everything was pretty decent tasting, though I'll be messing around with the recipes a bit (could that naan BE any more dense?).  The makhani was surprisingly simple to make (like making marinara sauce) once I had all the ingredients.  But son-of-a-biscuit, if I…

  • DON’T DANCE [What You See]- Episode IV- the crossover break

          You see this.   You like this. You know this figure. So, you go dance this. No.  I mean, you go Dance this. With gusto. In front of judges. And you do it all wrong.                   First of all, you think The Face needs…

  • Beginning the Rant

    I've been absent for a few days and it's for no better reason than I'm trying to work through the myriad of ideas I have for ballroom dance posts.   I have been on a bit of a rant (all mental, of course, no family or friends have been injured in this process) about things…

  • List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

    – discovery that I can't say "please" as one syllable into a microphone.  I'm like Jenna from 30 Rock saying "camer-ah". – French macarons from Sweets Bakeshop.  So pretty.  So delicious.     – a visit to "the only good thing in Wisconsin".  [Not my quote.  Don't send me hate mail…  But I agree.] Beer.…

  • Being Good Is The WORST

    If you'd like to listen to me complain, this is your day.  Your very special day. Most of you know I had another adorable little baby about six months ago. She's a total goon. And while I obviously love and cherish all my little hellions, they are also wreaking havoc on my body. Not to mention…

  • Don’t Judge Me

    I'm not officially a ballroom dance judge yet.  But I will be.  Soon.   I do, however, judge non-sanctioned/unofficial, fun events like a few amateur and pro/am competitions and showcases around the Midwest.  I'm good at it and love doing it.   Yes.  I'm judgemental. As a competitor and judge-in-training, I'd like to offer some…

  • Beyond Ballroom Dance Company- 2012… A Review.

    Last night, I saw Beyond Ballroom's new show debut at the beautiful Cowles Center.  Here's what I learned… I have a dance crush on Scott Anderson.   Wait.  No.  I have a dance crush on EVERYONE IN THE SHOW. Christine Hallberg wore the hottest dress in the world in "Night and Day".  I will be taking…