Riot and Frolic
a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog
Category: Dancetastic
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Yes, you. I've heard a variety of excuses for not wanting to take a one-on-one lesson with a professional instructor: I'm not ready yet. I'm not good enough. I don't know how to dance. That teacher only takes advanced dancers. I don't know enough. I don't want to compete. I don't know what I'd work…
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just adverb \ ˈjəst \ Synonyms: merely, simply, only I’ve often heard this comment from leads when they’re about to attempt something that is not fully formed in their repertoire and/or are asking a follow to dance that admits not knowing the dance. But I’ve also heard it from follows who claim they’ll “just follow” a dance or…
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Along with my years doing pro-am, I had an excellent couple seasons doing am-am (two amateurs dancing together). While I enjoyed partnering with two lovely gentlemen, and we traveled to USABDA [now USADance] regionals and stayed in Minnesota for the infamous Nationals at Roy Wilkins Auditorium (NOT on a coast?! the audacity!), and we were…
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“Pro-am” dancing refers to a teacher (a PROfessional ballroom dance instructor) and a student (an AMateur ballroom dancer) who dance together, usually in the oddly unknown ballroom dance competition circuit and who patronize the boutique industry of ballroom dancing. The student pays for lessons with the professional to learn the ins and outs of partner…
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I’ve had the odd pleasure and horror of transferring my old dance videos (which were on VHS – YES, VHS) to digital recently and after looking over 20+ years of dancing, I am guaranteed to have some reflections to share with you. Get ready for SOME WORDS, my people. AND PHILSOPHY. OF LIFE. AND DANCE.…
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No, not that coveted six couple dance-off. I'm talking school, people. It's the end of the semester and it's time for your ballroom final. Get out your blue books and put on your thinking caps and take this SUPER SERIOUS and not-at-all-Christmas-themed QUIZ. [Click the words "Ballroom Final" below if you're on a mobile device…
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Long before I made a flowchart, I dreamed of making a silly quiz. Well, in the years since my blog was born (can this count as my eighth kid?), technology has made it easier. Therefore, for your Sunday internet scrolling pleasure, please enjoy this quiz and check out the companion article featuring full descriptions…
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Lest one think I am a jolly penguin and all of the circumstances of the last six months have just rolled off my good-humor-insulated back, I am here to complain about all the crappy stuff that's transpired. Since March 13, when we had our somewhat eerily-timed and, retrospectively, final showcase in our former studio space,…
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To celebrate nine years of the blog, here's some fun facts and greatest hits for you: after over 750 posts, half a million views, and quite a few guest stints, you'd think I'd have run out of things to say, BUT I HAVE NOT. this blog is older than five of my children. the longest…
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In between applying for grants and loans and waiting for responses [… crickets… crickets…], I’ve been doing some reading and research about how to improve my business… when I’m not in business. Clearly, there’s motivation to do something. ANYTHING. Sadly, the biggest motivator is obviously money (which is definitely NOT why I chose to be…
Riot and Frolic 