October 22nd, 2009 by soullldiva

Doing some more studying the lovely Isadora Duncan, I discovered something new for myself. Isadora actually brought dance into the 20th century as true, pure, high-art form. Until that time, dance was either done in toe shoes, restricted in movement by technique, or on a vaudeville stage (or even possibly bar room).

“I have discovered the dance. I have discovered the art which has been lost for two thousand years.” Isadora Duncan

In 1909 Isadora moved to Paris and started a dance school where the mode was to dance barefoot with loose hair and dress in flowing scarves and Grecian-like tunics. She brought actual primitive, improvisational dance to the forefront–countering rigid ballet styles that she found to be “ugly and against nature.”

At the core of her technique was using the solar plexus and the torso (we would say “center” or “core” these days) as the point where all the body’s movements to come from. With this basic idea Isadora is said to have invented what is known as “Modern Dance.”

“Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual.” Isadora Duncan

Through her dance she demonstrated her defiance of the time and expressed her thought, opinions and feelings with poetic imagination and enthusiastic humor. Isadora sought not only to raise dance to a sacred art form, but to find poetry and beauty in everyday movement and life.

As a dancer who does a lot of improvisation and what I call “dancing from the heart,” I thank Isadora for her gift.

“My motto–sans limites” (without limits) Isadora Duncan

October 20th, 2009 by soullldiva

Tonight Dancing with the Stars had a nice tribute to Michael Jackson, with LaToya and Jermaine Jackson in attendance. It was well done, and just slightly different as Michael didn’t really choreograph couples dancing. But of course they reserved the best for the end: I NEVER get tired of the choreography from the “Thriller” video. This video changed the way music videos were done, does everyone realize this?? John Landis, a motion picture director, famous for Animal House and American Werewolf in London directed this, people. Michael hand-picked him and called him and said “you and I are going to do something awesome together “. Well, I like to imagine that’s what he said.

Thriller Video, 1983

In any case, the production value was off the charts and I remember watching not only the video countless times in my parent’s bedroom (cable TV), but also the making of the video on HBO and being amazed every time. And the dancing just made me so excited, I’d never quite seen anything like it. Dancing like zombies? Sounded odd, turned out to be super cool and scary.

Way to go Michael. You were a revolutionary. And I still miss you.

October 20th, 2009 by soullldiva

Last night was a very interesting night on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.  I have been looking forward to tango/paso doble night for a little while, it never disappoints.

Argentine Tango is my favorite ballroom dance. Heat, passion, lust, anger and awesome legwork are always in order. The one contestant who really pulled it out of the bag and delivered wholeheartedly was “little” Aaron Carter. Damn if he didn’t pull it together, focus and connect with excellent precision and a LOT of lust for Karina (he’s a young man, who can blame him?). After his last two low-score weeks (and I don’t completely agree with the judges on that) this was new life in his dancing. Unfortunately, his scores were not as good as some of the other contestants, but I really think he gave it all and did excellently (and the judges did like it a lot).

The one dance that I was really looking forward to was Kelly Osbourne’s paso doble.  She was doing it to her father Ozzy’s song “Crazy Train” and I thought “oh yeah, this will be great.” It was good, she looked great in her grey skirt and spiky hair, and Louis looked great in his Ozzy Ozbourne makeup.

Kelly and her Daddy 'do

But I think her nerves got the better of her again, I feel like she’s holding on too hard to NOT mess up.  I think she held on less in the very first week of competition maybe because it was her first time doing this and she thought “what do I have to lose?”  And now, she got such high praise (well deserved) that now she’s afraid to not live up to those standards.  Just let go Kelly, and HAVE FUN–you’re great as-is.

On a different note, the hair was completely out of control last night.  In fact, Tom Bergeron called it when he said “hairstyles by Fellini.” The ‘do I really liked was Kelly’s ,she looked like a blonde version of her father from the early 80′s.  But Lacey’s ratty looking faux-hawk just didn’t read well on TV.  As well, Samantha Harris’ terrible, frizzy curly ‘do made her look like she had it done in 1983 with bad hot rollers (and she’s the worlds most glamorous paper doll on TV, they really know how to dress her up).  Ugh.  THEN to top it off, all the guys wore the silliest, poufy wigs for the Hustle group dance–but that was pure fun! ;o)

October 16th, 2009 by soullldiva

Pete Yorn plays live

So last night a good friend of mine (after badgering me for several weeks to see this guy) drug me to a live performance of Pete Yorn at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I haven’t been to a live show since 2002–I’m a bit of a home body, and doubly so now with a toddler.

This guy is officially great, and I didn’t know anything about him, so I had no expectations.  The crowd at the Hard Rock was small and subdued (this was a Sound 103.7 fm / women’s cancer fundraiser event), and I was able to really let the music hit me.  I closed my eyes and swayed to the music, which fully engulfed and surrounded me.  What a trip (no alcohol, either)!  I just about died when he did a cover of  ”Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order.  His band is made up of three guitarists (including himself), a bassist, a drummer (who was playing a box, I kid you not, and a high hat) and a keyboardist.  The sound was amazingly full and lush. Good old acoustic-guitar heavy, melodic rock.

Pete Yorn’s latest album is Back and Forth, and he just released another called The Breakup with saucy Scarlett Johanssen.  Just check out his site at peteyorn.com and you can hear his music.

Back and Fourth by Pete Yorn available from Amazon

October 16th, 2009 by soullldiva

Evan and Ryan (right)

It’s the last elimination round in Vegas for So You Think You Can Dance season 6 and the talent is lining up. I was sad to learn that tap dancer Ryan (brother to Evan, finalist last season) was cut, and earlier than last year. You just wanna put on tap shoes of your own when he starts hoofing it, he will be missed this season. I hope he tries again.

Next up was the group challenge, where they were divided up into groups of 5 and given a random piece of music. They had overnight to choreograph a piece.  The very first group up (with favorite Russell Ferguson) was probably the most notable. They drew a Broadway selection and did a just fantastic combo that melded the best of B’way jazz and street-like moves. Nigel Lithgoe absolutely loved it, and so did I.

Mia Michaels

After that was the (da-da-dummmm) Mia Michaels round.  Before the break, they played snips of quite a few dancers saying how scared they were.  I thought to myself “What?  You get to dance with Mia Michaels and you’re scared????” But then I remembered, I’m not a pro dancer, and I’m not in Vegas with them. ;o)

Here’s the ultimate Mia Michaels dance quote: “Do not give me empty steps.” This she stated to the dancers on stage, knees knocking. And she’s right. Mia is of course known for flat out not liking people who do this and just cutting them. She tells dancers all the time that she cuts, and she likes to cut.  This is a woman who means business.

This year, however, she injected a bit of love to her dancers, with a pep talk beforehand, and a meditation/prayer. What is this? A kinder, gentler Mia Michaels?  Wow!

She was not kinder with her choreography, and I noted how much more difficult this year’s combo was than last.

A B-Boy contestant, Legacy, caught the eye of Mia and the other judges who were blown away by his street interpretation of the steps. He really got the flow and communication of the piece and was able to fill those steps like Mia wanted. Legacy was tremendously moved after his Mia experience, and was visibly emotional as he said she “changed something inside of me.”  He told Mia “Your movement means something and you made me a better dancer.” I LOVE it when dancers really get it about dance. Legacy felt he came out of his comfort zone (which is always a dangerous place for a dancer to be) and moved on to the next round.

Mia, unfortunately, will not be back to So You Think You Can Dance after this round, and her choreography will sorely be missed.

Judges Tyce DiOrio (left), Mary Murphy, Nygel Lithgoe

Next was the Broadway round with Tyce DiOrio.  The girls got “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” from Sweet Charity and the boys did a selection from Movin’ Out (for more see my post on Twyla Tharpe). I love it when men dance together, all the macho comes out (and sometimes shirts come off, as with ballroom dancer favorite Matthew Hauer). There’s just something exciting and invigorating about a bunch of men doing a really strong piece with lots of jumps and moves where they leap up and down on their knees. Yum.

After the Broadway round, 38 dancers were left and from that will be the Top 20 for season 6.  Break a leg to them all!