Stacy Rose, Dance Instructor
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Let the teacher do the teaching

4/26/2015

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It's a message that all dancers should take to heart. If you do a quick Google search for folk dance etiquette, you'll find MANY websites with lists of pointers and tips. 
Dick Oakes advises: do not try to teach your neighbor when someone else is teaching the class. 
The Miami Folk Dancers exhort: there should be only one instructor at a time. Do not try to teach when someone else is teaching. 
The Narodni Folk Dancers echo the sentiment: please keep quiet so that the teacher can be heard by all. 

This is a great rule of thumb across various styles of dancing -- folk, contra, square dancing... anywhere there is a caller, cuer or teacher. It's disrespectful to the teacher, as well as to fellow dancers. If you already know the dance, model good listening for newer dancers. You can transfer so much knowledge through joined hands without saying a word.  

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Shimmy Mob

4/20/2015

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As a dance instructor, I often ask people to try something outside of their comfort zone. My turn. 
On May 9, an international dance event will take place. People from around the world will raise the awareness of belly dancing while raising money for domestic violence programs. The local team leader approached me and asked me to participate in Shimmy Mob. I said yes. 
Our local belly dance group is comprised of women of various ages and levels of experience. Some I recognized from over 30 years ago from their performances at Knight of Cups, a beloved restaurant and cultural hub from years ago. 
Fortunately, to be in Shimmy Mob, you don't need any experience, just a willingness to learn a dance routine. I have that! Recently, I was invited to join the group for a dance demonstration at an assisted living community. Joann, the Shimmy Mob team leader, took good care of me, outfitting me in the costume pictured. (Coolest part of the costume are the shiny, teal-colored harem pants under the skirt!)
The women in this dance troupe were spectacular! I was especially touched by a dance performed by a mother/daughter combo. Both were so poised and graceful. What a wonderful hobby to share!
We did our Shimmy Mob dance, and now I'm excited about being part of the big event on May 9. We'll be at Mingus Park at 10:00 AM. I'll be doing something way outside my comfort zone.   

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"that was so COOL!"

4/5/2015

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Yesterday, I led dances at the Celtic Fest Revue. The event was co-sponsored by Bayside Terrace Assisted Living and South Coast Folk Society. Over 40 people attended this mid-day celebration of Celtic dance, song and music. The show opened with two musicians performing lively dance tunes and swoony waltzes on fiddle and guitar.   

I asked my sweet wife to waltz with me, and she flatly turned me down. Who wants to be a spectacle, dancing in front of so many people? Who wants their pedestrian dancing to detract from the glorious music being performed? 

Off to the side of the room, behind the audience, there was a young girl -- probably 4 or 5 years old at most -- with her mother. That girl had come to dance! She wore her beautiful Easter dress, tights and shiny shoes. She was dancing freely and openly. I had found a dance partner. I approached her, careful not to intrude in what she was doing, and started dancing, as well. Sweeping arm motions with step-together-steps... turns and spins (girls of all ages love to spin)... and when the music ended, a low bow. Her mother was visibly kvelling - bursting with pride and delight. I don't know what pleased the little girl most, but when the music ended, she looked up and proclaimed with such enthusiasm, "That was so cool!"  

Made my day!  

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Shimmy Mob!

4/5/2015

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Last week, bellydance teacher Joanna Marie was a guest teacher in my class. She is the local coordinator for Shimmy Mob. To be held on May 9, World Bellydance Day, Shimmy Mob is an international event to raise money and awareness about domestic violence, as well as elevate the status of bellydance.

Joanna Marie did a marvelous job of teaching us the choreography for the bellydance flash mob chorus. There's a LOT to it! Two other dancers in class are among the 13 local dancers registered to participate in the May 9 event. Our event will be part of a women's health and wellness annual event at Mingus Park. Our tentative time to perform is 10:00 AM. 

Rocky so aptly suggested, when we perform at this event we'll be The Whirling Shimmylelaghs. 
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    Dancing give me SO many things to think about...

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