Riot and Frolic
a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog
Category: Dancetastic
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I do not qualify in any way as a beauty expert, except that my sister-in-law stated that "I've never seen anyone in the real world, outside ballroom dancing, do contouring well." So there's my qualification. Not a great resume, but let's run with it. I have four products that make my life infinitely easier and…
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Ladies, stop peeing your pants. I'm not kidding, mamas. It's not normal. I've had a more than a few children, which should put me solidly in the Peeing Your Pants is Cool Club from my in-depth analysis of the market*, but I refuse to join. For years, I have heard off-hand comments from all ages of…
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Previously on Riot and Frolic [cue cleverly edited montage of my witty and amazing writing voiced over by Morgan Freeman with some dramatic and foreboding music in the background]… But really, I was talking about partner dancing and what the hell are we getting into when we go social dancing. And I copied my own…
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Recently, we went out dancing with a gang of our students to a long-standing swing joint, the Wabasha Street Caves. It's an old mob hangout in a cave along the Mississippi River, which now legitimately hosts weekly swing dances with live big bands. While obviously the setting is amazing and atmospheric and nearly everyone had…
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Awhile ago, I wrote a post for Dance Comp Review titled The Smell of Dancers, referring to personal hygiene and all that really sexy stuff. Part Two is coming to Riot and Frolic in the shape of How to Wash Your Costumes because UGH, YOU GUYS. After a competition or show, everyone goes back to…
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Regardless of over 15 years experience and a large handful of awesome mentors, having 5 kids and being part of the ballroom world has been a challenge and a circus act, but I'm a better teacher because of it. WHY? you ask. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU: Patience I am not a saint, but…
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No, I'm not doing a recap of Stranger Things in anticipation of the second season. Nope, I'm answering the age-old question: Should I go to Intermediate Class? There's a flowchart for that. DISCLAIMERS: - of course, if you have a good grasp of the basics of a particular dance (foundation patterns, the default rhythm, good frame, good…
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This is fairly basic idea, but I've seen interesting things happen often, so LET'S REVIEW. Generally speaking, if you go to a syllabus-level group class (hello, "beginner group class", "community education ballroom dancing", "newcomer class", or anything with the words: Bronze, Silver, Beginning, Intermediate), there will be a few to many people (group classes often…
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"I'll fall down!" Dancers: we are dancing. On the floor. With two feet, generally, on the ground. Why is there fear about falling less than three feet from our feet to our rears? I will accept severe osteoporosis or other choice maladies as valid answers. Otherwise, SHUT UP. I figure it's mostly out of embarrassment…
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It seems really obvious to me why you'd learn to lead as a follow, but that's probably because I'm a follow, who thought it was awesome to learn how to lead. But as I lead guys, it's becoming clear that WE SHOULD ALL SWITCH ROLES in our learning careers. Why You Should Learn to Follow…
Riot and Frolic 