The Dance Primer

This look at the blogroll is a bit shorter than usual, but I’d rather get them out there instead of waiting around in my drafts…
If you are an author on one of these blogs, I’d love for you add a little more about what your site is all about, or about yourself personally, in the […]

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In my last post, I focused on critics and also mentioned how to deal with them specifically. I think it would also be helpful to take a look at the different ways people react to criticism. Doesn’t it make you cringe when you watch a performer on a reality competition show that gets super defensive […]

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Criticism is a huge part of our lives, and if it hasn’t been there in our dancing yet - it’s very possible it will be soon, especially if you’re serious about improving. The most public example I can think of is American Idol/SYTYCD - where those who have the confidence to audition in the […]

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We’ve looked at motivation before. As you know, I dance because I think it’s fun. Recently though, I’ve posted about some struggles I’ve faced in my dancing. Gretchen Rubin, who authors The Happiness Project, has once again posted an article that I think can relate to us as dancers. She titles the post “Six questions […]

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Whoa! It’s been too long since I’ve posted a video. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I think Tango would be most appropriate, don’t you? Here’s a fun, flashy Argentine Tango performance with a sense of humor for your viewing pleasure.

Tango dancers, what’s your opinion? Too much? I’m *not* a tango expert by any means, but […]

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I can’t believe I haven’t posted a video of my favorite style of dance yet! I’ve heard it said that Balboa is a “dancer’s dance” meaning it’s much more enjoyable for dancers to watch than non-dancers. Or, it’s not your typical crowd pleaser. However, I’ve performed a crowd pleasing Bal routine (thanks to Russ at […]

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Not many states out there have an official State Dance, but in the Caronlina’s, Shag is it. I really regret not learning it when I lived in Raleigh. I was too busy salsa dancing, I guess. I love how smooth the movement is in this dance.
This video features Doug Silton and Ginger Pickeral.

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Do you know the difference between a Romantic and a Classicist? When I was a music major in college, I got in trouble for interpreting a Mozart piece Romantically. I had done so intentionally, and had my justifications, but it didn’t fly with the department head.
In music, and in dance, I am most definitely a […]

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You’ve been reading what she has to say, but have you been watching her dance? The link you can’t really see under the YouTube logo is for lindylibrary.com, where a lot of great contemporary footage of the Lindy Hop scene can be found.

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Here’s more of our interview with Naomi Uyama. In this part, she has some pretty inspiring things to say about performance and competition. Read on!
Amberlynn: So what’s the best thing you done to really improve you dancing?
Naomi: The most effective, or the more rewarding?
A: Both.
N: I really think the thing that helped me […]

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