Tag Archives: Dance Starz

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Showcase

Well, where to start?

Last night was the showcase.  It was a great experience and completely different than dancing in a competition.  My parents came to come watch along with their dear friends the Watsons.  I got to watch Katie and Mavis dance with Ivan as well as a bunch of other teacher and student couples.  At the end, Ivan and Marietta danced a Cha Cha and a Mambo.  Ivan also made a friend during the evening, a 3-year-old, who he pulled onto the dance floor during one of the heats, which was adorable and entertaining.  Videos of these will be forthcoming but I’m having technical difficulties getting them off my phone at the moment.

Lucky (or not?) for you, I had a friend video my performance on a flip video camera and that came off easy enough so I will include it in the post for your viewing pleasure (or discomfrot…I’m not sure).

The way they set this event up at Dance Starz was that they had little heats in Smooth dancing and then the showcase numbers and then more dancing heats in the American Rhythm category.  They had judges who didn’t just rank the competitors but rather provided specific feedback on their performance, how they could improve, what they did well, and all that.

I didn’t participate in the dancing heats but it was entertaining to watch nonetheless.  I also found out that there were over 120 people present for the event on the Dance Starz page update!  That means about 240 eyes were on me at one time.

You know, I never get that nervous at competitions.  But last night I was very nervous, about ready to pee my pants a few times, before the showcase number.  It is a completely different thing to be the only couple on the floor, all attention focused upon me, and doing a choreographed number that we’ve worked on for a while.  Plus, never at a competition in the divisions in which I compete are there that many people spectating.

In any case, finally it was my turn to dance.  I just watched the video and my feelings are mixed.  When I performed, I felt pretty good about the whole thing.  Maybe not an earth-shattering performance, but pretty solid.  It felt a bit weird dancing it though because usually Ivan and I were pretty solid during the dancing in rehearsals but then shaky toward the end of the number especially on the last move.  But last night the reverse was true.  We were both antsy and shaky during the number but we pretty much nailed the final pose.  As you will see on the video, Ivan was so happy that he actually kissed my belly at the end.  I didn’t even feel it.  I was staring at the upside down audience.

So anyways,  When I got into my starting position, the music began pretty abruptly.  You’ll see in the video that I was a little unsure in my first few steps.  Ivan and Katie also experienced some music problems with the song cutting in and out during their number.  I had the disadvantage of being choreographed with the first note of music, no introductory notes providing time to take a breath and then move.  Anyways, I wobble a little bit in the beginning but then just kept going.

Also as the dance progresses, my top comes up revealing my belly a few times.  I had no idea this was happening during the dancing.  For a slim person this might not be bothersome, but I was pretty much cringing while watching the recording.  But hey, I’m all about the whole authentic truth, you know, so here’s how it was.  Note to self: next time use safety pins!

Also, I’m glad I wore some swimming trunks under my skirt.  It raised up higher than I’d prefer a few times, especially during a few turns.  Why did I choose to do ballroom dancing when I have so many body issues already?  Aargh!

Okay, enough griping.  I’m pretty pleased with the passion I put into the number.  I think it shows on my a face a few times.  And, I got lots of compliments on the number, such as, “lovely,” “fantastic,” “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and got chills,” “You were my favorite.”  Ivonne’s congratulations were the best.  She gave me a big hug and didn’t let go.  She almost had tears in her eyes and said how proud she was of me.  All this felt really good to be sure, however, seeing myself on film, I’m not 100% pleased.  I find it really difficult to watch myself, especially when I don’t love my body in its current state.  But if the choice is to dance or not to dance, I’m going to choose dancing, no matter how I look.  Life is too short, you know?

Ivan said that we danced about 70% of what we could do, and upon reflection, think I agree with him.  The nerves didn’t help but hopefully there will be other opportunities to improve this number and dance it again.  Losing some more weight wouldn’t hurt either, that’s for sure!  Once again, I was the biggest girl in the ballroom. Sigh.

But one of the most magical moments actually came from a fellow dancer.  She did a fantastic number to the Austin Powers theme song with her instructor that was very entertaining and completely in 60’s character.  In any case, she came up to me at one point and told me that she reads the blog.  I was so excited but didn’t really know how to respond.  She said to me, “You know that line in Jerry Maguire, ‘You complete me?’ Well you express me.”  Like when she reads about my experiences dancing she is reading by extension about herself and how she feels about the process.  I guess I’m doing something right with the blog and that it is providing some value to people and for that bit of feedback I am truly, truly grateful.  It’s nice to know there are more people out there like me and that I am not alone.

Alright, enough “talking.”  Without further ado, here is the dang video so you can judge it for yourself.  Please be gentle!

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Action, Reaction

Boy am I glad to be back dancing.  It makes my entire world seem better.

Ivan and I had a lesson today at Dance Starz.  It was odd for two reasons: 1) it was on a Monday and 2) we ended up dancing most of the lesson during a Zumba class

Usually I dance with Ivan Tuesdays, Thursdays, and maybe Saturday but because of President’s Day I guess he figured most people would be off work today and so he planned to help out his father-in-law on Tuesday with a contracting job.

So anyways, a little variety is a good thing.  And it is an opportunity to be seen.

Seen dancing.

Seen emoting.

Seen doing all sorts of crazy things with my instructor.  Like going up on one foot with my left knee in posse’ position, arms up above my head, trying to balance by pressing my forehead against the wall.

Um, Ivan, this is a dance class, not yoga!

This particular contortion was created by Ivan to try and get me to not lead with my belly but rather my chest and upper body on a particular move we are doing for the showcase.

He may have me try weirdo things on my lessons, but I love his enthusiasm, passion, and desire to improve my dancing.  Plus, he’s really not letting me get away with hiding out.  He continues to pull out my inner fabulous diva, even though she tries desperately to hide.

He made me do a cross-over about 15 times right in front of the mirror.  I mean, right in front of it. So close my breath fogged it up and I had to be careful I didn’t smash my wedding ring into the mirror and crack it.

Why?

Ah, the familiar refrain, “Don’t be scary!”  (Which, if you’ve been reading my posts translates to “Don’t be scared,” in Ivan-ese).

He wants me to be all cheesy and say, “Pah!” as I do the cross-over.  Well, maybe the cheesy part is my own judgement.  It is just so uncomfortable, dang it, to do all this facial expression stuff.  That, combined with breathing, well, it is a double whammy.  Throw in a class full of Zumba fanatics watching this exchange and it becomes an intimidation trifecta.

So I try to push all these insecurities out of my mind and focus on the task at hand.  I get that just like in Tai Chi, a dancer could channel the breath to aid movements, modulating their quality from slinky, slow, to sharp, fast, or powerful, but it just seems like cheese-factor overkill.  But truthfully, Ivan is pretty quick to call me out the moment I am not being real.  If I do movement without conviction, without authenticity behind them, he knows it and he lets me know he knows it.  So, I actually don’t think he wants me to be cheesy.  I think that is how I fear others will perceive me if I go full-out in this way.

You see, I still struggle with connecting with people who are watching me dance.  Part of me wants to show off all my hard work and dedication.  The other part of me wants to hide and not be noticed.  But guess what?  I get noticed.

I always have.

Ever since I started dancing with my first instructor in the gym, people have watched and noticed.  I don’t think it’s every day you see a 300 pound woman shaking all her goodies, and doing it pretty well.

Anyways, people would comment at the gym.  Then with my next instructor, when we would dance on the weekend, people would pass by and watch through the window, sometimes even venturing inside to see more and learn more.

With Ivan, I usually have the luxury of being the only person in the studio.  Except of course when we go to Dance Starz.

And, yes, I got noticed.  People watched.

But this time, something magical happened.  I actually made eye contact with one of the women.  When I did, she smiled.

“Gee, that wasn’t so bad or scary,” I thought to myself.  “Actually, it was pretty cool! Actually, it was easy.”

It just sorta happened.  I wasn’t really thinking of connecting with anyone watching me.  I mean, I was aware on some level that I had a bit of an audience, but usually I just pretend I’m an ostrich and metaphorically put my head in the sand.  However, today, I must have noticed her energy or something and responded to it.  I actually, authentically, spontaneously did what I always say I want to do with my dancing….I moved someone.  I moved her to smile, in this case, just by making eye contact!

Well, being fair and all, Ivan was there too.  He might have made her smile.  He at least contributed to it!

But it seemed like, to me, a concept we talk about a lot in dancing.  Among the “tiki tiki booms,” and admonitions for “more hips,” we also have discussed a concept called action-reaction.  In my own body, my leg moves because my body moves and then causes my hips to move.  It’s all connected.  I can’t move one part of my body without affecting other parts.  In partnership, the leader acts, and then the follower naturally reacts to that action.  And I discovered a third dimension to this concept today.  I connected with someone watching me (action) and she smiled (reaction).  I’m just counting my lucky stars that it was a grin, not a grimace, ha ha!

I can actually see this principle in an even wider context in my life.  I truly believe that we have no control if we affect one another, but we do control how we affect one another.  Even the simplest action causes a reaction and can affect others in ways we often don’t realize.

But this I know; Ivan is affecting me in a positive way.  I count that as a major blessing.

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Dance Party at Dance Starz!

It is exciting to me to see my dancing community thriving.

I’m not kidding.

I love dancing and I think everyone should do it.

So, it makes sense that I am genuinely pleased for owner Bill Jones who has opened an independent studio called Dance Starz (I’ve written about it in some of my blog posts) because last night I had the pleasure of seeing first-hand what creating a safe, welcoming, encouraging, and comfortable dance space can do.

The place was hopping!

Before I get any further, I want to write a disclaimer:

1) In no way did anyone ask me to write this post

2) In no way did I receive any monetary or other form of compensation for this post

I want to clarify this point, up front, because the following is an unabashed, happy, fully supportive description of a place I have been.  I say what I say because I believe it or experience it.  Period.

I think many websites could be suspect because of commercial sponsorship.  This is neither good or bad, right or wrong, it is just that I have no obligation to write what I write heretofore except that I desire to.  That, in and of itself, should be compelling evidence.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I am open to the possibility of making some money to pay for my lessons, and dress, and diet, and competitions through this blog someday.  But today is not that day.

Whew!  Glad we are all clear.

Okay, so now let’s get on with business.  Now that the disclaimer has been satisfied, allow me to continue with my evening….like a normal blogger!

I arrived at Dance Starz, too late to make the “Sassy Cabaret” group class, but too early for the open dance party.  But this was no problem – I felt comfortable enough to lounge.  I perched on one of the striped chairs at the front of the studio and drank in my surroundings.  The studio is bright and clean.  It even boasts a chandelier and a mirrored disco ball.  (Okay, maybe I’m a dorkus maximus, but I think this is cool…a person can go from Foxtrot to Cha Cha in one second).  It’s a subtle hint that the space is inclusive for all types of dancers.  Also importantly, the staff is very welcoming, and Bill alone has over 25 years in the dance business industry, not to mention he competed professionally!  He has made sure to hire some top-notch instructors and has recently welcomed a few more because of the increased volume of dance students inundating the studio.

In any case, during this particular night, I looked out onto the floor to see that there were about five couples and their instructors working.  Some were learning the Waltz, others Salsa.  There were younger couples and sexagenerians.  It may have even been a first lesson for some people.  But the point is, there was a place for every type of person, every type of dancer and it was fun to watch.

Since Bill has opened his doors the stream of dancers has flooded in.  He kicked things off with a Grand Opening hosted by Mary Murphy from So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).  The place was packed for the entire day while staff instructors led classes in Hip Hop, Zumba, Modern, and Salsa dancing.  One lucky attendant even got to eat dinner with Ms. Murphy!

In any case, I came last night and since I was early Bill came over to have a chat.  Where else do you get personal attention from the owner of a dance studio?  This is when I learned a little more about his history and expertise, which I have happily been able to share with you, dear reader.

But finally it was time for the dance party.  My trusty friend Randall arrived and threw on his shoes.  Joe (you can read about him on the website for Dance Starz) led a little warm-up exercise teaching us the start to a Country Western Line Dance.  Then the music changed and we did a Waltz mixer.  I got to dance with a bunch of different partners and meet some friendly people.  I hope to see them again and even more new faces at future parties.  Then came open dancing.  The music was great and the atmosphere comfortable and non-threatening, even for a beginner.  All-in-all it was a very fun night.

To me, this is what dancing is about.  Well, being a competitive dancer is another part (if people choose to participate that way) but being a good social dancer is a very valuable skill.  It is fun and good for you to just dance for the heck of dancing, without concern for technique or being judged, or doing anything other than simply dancing and connecting with another human being.  It is also is a way to meet a lot of different and interesting people…I mean, the most interesting people I know in my life are dancers.  And finally, having a party like the one hosted by this a dance studio is a much more comfortable environment than say a bar or club because generally people are there for the dancing, not for picking someone up.

Even though I was really sad to lose Ivan for a month when he went to Bulgaria to get married, one of the wonderful blessings to have found Dance Starz studio.  Can you understand why I wrote the disclaimer at the beginning of this post?!

If you want to learn more about this studio, you can visit their website at: http://www.dancestarzaz.com/

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Hot Like A Mocha

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Allegre Studio

Private Lesson With Ivan and bonus, Marieta comes too!

My coffee machine is messed up. My husband, bless his little heart, decalcified it as it had been begging us to do for a week, but when I made my cup of joe this morning to caffeinate myself for my 9am lesson, it was frothy, chunky, and oily.

“Oh, It’s fine.” He says.

“No, I’m not going to drink motor oil this morning. It looks disgusting. I’ve got to get going so I can pick up something at Starbucks.”

“You were right, Stef. Just dump it out and make another cup.”

“No, I gotta go.”

I get a text a few minutes later advising me to not drink any more coffee until the issue had been resolved. The second cup was just as toxic as the first it seems.

So I call Ivan, since I’m making a special stop, and ask if he wants a coffee, but I get his voicemail.

“Call me back immediately, Ivan, if you want coffee.”

A minute or two later the phone buzzes.

“What’s up, girl?”

I bust out laughing. I can’t do it justice, the way he said it. It was like a Russian Bugs Bunny or something. He emphasized the “p” sound on “up” and “girl” sounded like, “gurrrrl.”

What’s more, he then told me that he was cool because he was saying this. “See, I cool. What’s up girl?”

“Nothing, Ivan. I’m stopping at Starbucks, want something?”

“No, I’m okay, but maybe Marieta. Ya, get a white chocolate mocha.”

“Hot or Iced?”

“Hot. Like you.”

OMG! I almost spit on my steering wheel. It’s like I’m hearing this from my brother. What a freakazoid.

“Ivan, you are ridiculous!”

He is a source of never-ending entertainment, I tell you. Laughing heartily, I agree to get him a hot mocha and hang up.

I fear the coffee will be cool by the time I arrive to the lesson – it is a good 35 to 40 minutes away using freeways – but it stays warm enough that when I see Marieta and hand it to her, she says it is a good temperature.

“What’s this?” she asks.

“Your coffee. I stopped at Starbucks. Ivan said you would share.”

Apparently he hadn’t consulted his wife. But she took one sip and knew right away, it was a white chocolate mocha. I guess it’s not the first time he’s gotten it.

We start straight away on Latin Rumba because I now know the date for the showcase at Dance Starz is February 24th. We have little time to prepare.

Ivan’s process is pretty interesting, I have to admit. He hasn’t really choreographed any cohesive chunks just yet. So far we are trying little tricks, then maybe dancing syllabus moves, and then talking about how to start and end the dance. So I have no idea what this thing will look like in the end.

What I do know is that I love the Latin Rumba. I know that I love the song I got to pick. And even though the Rumba is an over-the-top romantic dance, it feels comfortable to do the moves with Ivan. It is so great to feel that safe to express myself in this way.

I also know that I am going to pour every ounce of emotion I can muster into the number come showtime. I love it when dance moves me and my goal is to be able to be expressive enough that my dancing will move others.

The story of this Rumba is based on the song and is one of sadness, yearning, and denial. The woman singing it keeps telling her ex-lover he will come back, that he’s going to repent, that nobody could ever love him like she did. But as the song progresses, she realizes that she needs to know if the love isn’t for forever, and even so, she can’t let go. She is saying “you’ll be back” while at the same time she is coming to the realization that this love is over and her lover is truly leaving.

Where do I come up with this stuff? I have no idea. I haven’t personally experienced a situation like this so I don’t really know why it resonates with me at this time. But I can imagine how painful it could be to go through something like this, and for whatever reason I can’t wait to put all this longing, and sadness, and beauty, and fading away of love into the dance. I only hope my hips and face will be able to convey the story and that my body will hold up…it is not used to doing all this leaning, and hanging, and otherwise, dangling from another person and then dancing on top of that.

But Ivan seems excited about it too. He says that once we get the routine down, we can remove all the tricks and perform it in open competition heats. I’m beginning to feel like I’m growing up a little bit in the ballroom.

He told me, “We gonna have the best Rumba in the world.”

A scene from the Champ Latin Finals of 2005 USA Dance Nationals. Pictured: Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Valeriya Kozharinova by Tendancer

I love his enthusiasm! And it is even more exciting because after the lesson, I talked with Marieta about making me a practice outfit that will be nice enough to wear for the showcase…something flowy and lovely to accentuate the movement. Ivan felt obligated to share his opinion of what I should wear as well. He told us both what he did and didn’t like very plainly. Luckily, we all seemed to be on the same page and he liked the same skirt that I did.

New, practice shoes, new heels, and now a new practice outfit! I’m feeling like a “professional” ballroom student!

The thing that makes me feel most like I’m stepping into being a woman, rather than a cutesy-woo girl, on the dance floor, is the opportunity for creative expression. Not that you can’t have that shine through in competition heats, but there you pretty much stick to syllabus moves and you never get to pick your music. But now, I have a piece of work that I can pour myself into…physically, mentally, and emotionally. I didn’t realize how long I’d been waiting to do this.

Now, let’s be honest. This Rumba, once it finally gets created, probably won’t be the best Rumba in the world (though whatever would qualify as the best Rumba in the world I’ll never know since it is so subjective). And I’ve seen his Rumba with Marieta…it is pretty dang amazing.

But you know what?

It will be the best Rumba in my world.

No longer will I be a spectator, watching others on television or even at competitions playing this part.

I get to be it! It’s my turn!

And that, my friends, however it ends up looking

(probably about as hot as a mocha)

is enough.