Saturday, May 11, 2013

Zumba at Jam táncműhely

"Hi Everyone! I just moved to Budapest after many years of living abroad. If you are a woman of any age who loves dancing and is interested in learning dances from all around the world at a basic level to develop further and shape yourself, come to my classes Mondays at 6PM in Jam Tàncmuhely, Budapest, Csanady utca 7 (few mins walk form Nyugati/Lehet metro stop). Happy to help you learn to control your moves and become more feminine - and look forward to seeing many of you!"

Teacher: Csányi Edina  
Price: 1500 HUF/occasion; 8500 HUF/8 occasion

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Salsa


Hearing the word ‘salsa’, many associate it with the spicy sauce. That is exactly how the dance genre got its name. Just like the sauce, the dance essence lies in the mixture and harmony of ingredients i.e. the various dance forms.



It was the English and the French who brought their country dance and African workers to the Caribbean.  The European dance form and the African rhumbas (Guaguanco, Colombia, Yambú) influenced the local Cuban dance called Són, and that is how Salsa was born.

The term Salsa was first used to coin a group of dances from Hispanic influence such as Rhumba, Són Montuno, Guaracha, Mambo, Cha cha cha, Danzón, Són, Guguanco, Cubop, Guajira, Charanga, Cumbia, Plena, Bomba, Festejo, Merengue etc. Later, the individual dances separated, while some fused into today’s Salsa. 

As the dance spread across the continent, different styles evolved in the different regions such as: 

Los Angeles /L.A./ Style (danced on the first beat) incorporates elements of Mambo, Swing, Tango and lifts from ballet.



New York Style is more elegant than the L.A. version and is danced on the second count.


Casino Style was born in the Cuban dance halls of the mid-20th century and this style is considered the “original” form.




Colombian/ Cali Style was influenced by Colombian dance rhythms. Its features are quick steps and skipping motions.



You can read more about the various styles on salsalessons.tv or torontodancesalsa.ca or dancecrazy.hubpages.com

The dance itself is loaded with turns, so I advise you to practice them at home because it won’t be easy to keep your balance when you have to turn immediately after a hip movement or step forward after the turn. So, if you have a few minutes to spare: Start from one end and whirl across the room on tiptoe. Your hands should shape a huge circle and when you start a new turn you can gain dynamism by opening the circle with your outer hand. Always locate your glance on one particular point in the distance, and turn your head only last minute. Regarding the steps, whatever direction you leap always put a bit of hip movement to it because that is how the performance becomes playful and more flexible.



I deliberately waited with introducing Salsa until late-spring because how I imagine the best setting for this dance would be: open-air dance floor, live music, cool breeze, and cocktails.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Bachata


                Bachata developed in the Dominican Republic around the 1960s. The name may refer to two things: partying/having fun or trash. Although, one might consider that the calling a dance trash has a negative connotation; actually, the roots for the denomination is rather deductive. Arriving home after a long day, rural workers let the steam out by dancing and playing music. On many occasions they utilized items found around the house as musical instruments like cans or the fence. That is why the music and the dance itself could have been labeled “trash”. However, this genre was despised by higher society because its roots. Moreover, they considered it offensive due to its intimacy. Later, with the deteriorating living situations of the lower-classes, Bachata’s reputation decayed rapidly. It was only in the 1990s that the middle-class became interested in the genre and that is how it started it gained a better reputation and started to spread all over the world. 


          Coming from a Latin American country, the fundamental musical instrument is the guitar:  “Bachata musicians drew upon the Cuban bolero, Mexican rancheros and corridos, Cuban son, guaracha and guajira, Puerto Rican plena and jibaro music, and the Colombian-Ecuadorian vals campesino and pasillo- as well as the Dominican merengue, which was originally guitar-based” (2step2.net). On of the most well-known musicians of the Bachata is José Manuel Calderón who is thought to be the first to record Bachata in his singles “Borracho de amor” and “Condena”.

 


          The position of the dancers is closer than in other dances. So, I would advise you to choose a partner carefully. The right partner would be someone who you emotionally confide in and who you let to lead. I observed two problematic of partner choice: 1.) The female might be reserved and distant, so the fusion of the couple in the dance cannot happen and the dance becomes spasmodic. 2.) Sometimes the female gives in to the leading male and it looks like the man is dragging his partner through the dance floor. You have to keep in mind that you must be open to the man’s guiding, but you have to focus on moving consciously without letting him dominate you.

 

 

          The dance itself is really sensual and sexual as well due to the hip movements, huddling, and leaning backs. As mentioned in an earlier post on Rumba and Salsa, the eye-catching and erotic movement of the hips can be achieved by shifting the balance from one leg to the other or by bending one whole extending the other knee. Also, if you want to improve your hip’s mobility you could exercise on the hula-hoop regularly, which, as a bonus, burns the muffin top too.

 

          The slogan of Bachata in my phrasing would be:  

 

 Want some hot nights with your partner? Try Bachata! 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Paso Doble


Paso Doble, meaning “two steps”, is the reenactment of bullfights in the form of a dance. The origins lie in the Torero’s (bullfighter) ritualistic entrance to the ring and his dramatic performance before the killing. Surprisingly, the dance was invented in Southern France not in Spain. However, while the names of the steppes are French; the music, the theme, and dance are highly influenced by the Spanish. It was in the 1930s’ Paris that Pierre Zurcher-Margolle and Doris Lavelle popularized Paso Doble among the upper classes (zimbio.com). The dance arrived to the US and other English speaking countries in the same decade, but did not gain much success because of its demand for experience.




          In the dance variant of the bullfight, the man personifies the torero, while the woman may change her roles between the bullfighter’s cape, a flamenco dancer, and the bull itself. The performers’ posture, movement, and attitude much resemble that of the Flamenco dancers’. The man acts proud, frightful, courageous, full of dignity, and undefeatable. On the other hand the woman is flexible, playful, and provocative; the skirt following her wimpling like a real cape. 


The music, the dresses, the dancer’s way of looking at each other, and their movements all contribute to the dramatic effect of the performance. The music is the typical music of bullfights with the lofty and combative effect triggered by the sound of trumpets. The opponents are looking deep into each other’s eyes with scrutiny like they were trying to figure out the other’s next step and were preparing for the next clash.  Their movements are very grandiose. All their muscles are tight throughout the performance not letting one moment of rest because it could result in losing the battle.

The dresses are traditionally red and black symbolizing war and blood.


The performers move in long steps, penetrating every inch of the dance floor. Even the arm movements are artistic and well-choreographed. 



Paso Doble is the intertwining of a national tradition, theatrical performance, and the art of dance. Its complexity makes it so brilliant. One can enjoy it on three different levels. This three equals four for those dancing it.