For dancers, dance teachers, and those who love dance. – Page 228 – A website for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance

10 Questions With…Jazmine-Youmie Francois

March 3, 2010 by 4dancers

1. Can you tell me your name, your location and a little about your dance background?

Well my name is Jazmine-Youmie Francois. I am originally from Haiti but I have been in the states since I was 5-6 years old. I am a Choreographer, Producer and Believer. I’ve been dancing all my life, but professionally for the last 4 years. I have been a teacher but I believe that I am a student at heart.

2. What is Concrete Dance Couture?

Concrete Dance Couture (CDC) is a site for the Choreographers, Dancers and Stylists who can’t catch the break they’ve been working so hard for. We’ve created a site for dancers whose spirits have been negatively pierced by agency rejections and unresponsive auditions. CDC provides our members with choice auditions in New York City, Los Angeles and other cities all over the United States. We offer legitimate agency listings, exclusive interviews from their favorite choreographers, dancers and celebrities.

We also offer designers and stylists a platform where their work can be seen. In addition, we offer valuable advice from industry insiders and continuous support to help their dreams of being a successful dancer/stylist become a reality.

3. How did the idea for CDC come about?

CDC began with a thought and a prayer. I wanted to provide hungry dancers and designers everywhere a site that focused on the talent and the person. As a dancer, I remembered how hard it was to find auditions to dance with a celebrity, on Broadway and amazing dance companies, but I didn’t want us to be an agency. I wanted us to be an intimate site that provided up and coming dancers with the opportunities that they are constantly searching for. So I asked God to lead and then I followed. I’m still following.

4. What are you currently doing with the site?

Right now CDC is focused on getting every up and coming dancer and stylists/designers out there an opportunity to be seen. We have great auditions/jobs listed for our members, then we post interviews with their favorite choreographers/celebrities. We have 2 sections titled, “Spotlight Dancer and “Wicked Choreography” where we provide sponsors, agencies and the world a chance to see that there are still ambitious dancers out there.

We also have the Reversible Beauty Blog where we focus on building everyone that comes through our site spirits. We understand how hard the industry is so our blog run by Claudine Jean-Mary (Clarity) focuses on spiritual restoration. We want our members to follow CDC’s motto in every area in their lives; Be Fearless, Be Relentless!

5. Can you explain who would benefit from joining and how they can sign on board?

Though CDC is a Dance site, we believe that most people that are entering the industry or are currently working in the industry can benefit from our site. Dancers and designers now have a site that focuses on them and their talent. Our site is very positive and intimate. We are in the business of helping others. Whether it’s finding auditions or helping you with insecurities. We are here to help. We want people to understand that the world is at their feet, not the other way around.

6. What is the cost of membership and what are the benefits?

The cost to become a member of Concrete Dance Couture is $15 dollars a month. We believe that this is very reasonable for struggling dancers everywhere. Members get access to over 100 auditions all over the United States, they get special discounts for special gatherings we have with today’s top choreographers and dancers. Members get to hear the truth about the dance community and are warned about the superficial side of it. In our page “The Industry & You” we have industry insiders and CDC staff answering our member’s biggest questions about the industry. They receive spiritual rejuvenation and support from us personally. Overall our members get educated, empowered and encouraged in every way to follow their dreams.

7. How do you choose your interview subjects?

I get asked that question a lot. It’s simple really. I believe that these people are brilliant and humble. I usually ask them and they say yes, I think that’s by the grace of God. The truth is, everyone that we have interviewed has been very kind and has given back to the dance community in some way. They have broken doors for hungry dancers, choreographers and designers. I wanted our members to hear them speak about their fears, what kept them motivated and their personal message to dancers everywhere.

8. What is it that you hope to accomplish through having this site?

I hope to help people’s dreams come true. I hope to have more people go after their dreams in a way the industry hasn’t seen before, but most of all I hope to have people everywhere spirits restored.

9. Is this your full-time gig or do you do other things as well?

This is currently my full time gig so you can imagine, I get no sleep (laughs) but I do have a lot of part time gigs. I seriously get no sleep.

10. What are the upcoming plans for the site?

I wish I could tell you. I take it day by day. This might sound weird but I do what God tells me to do. The one sure thing is that we have a couple of pieces of clothing coming out catered to dancers. Obviously we want to help dancers and designers everywhere but I don’t like to plan things too much. You can overwhelm yourself that way so I just let God lead and I follow, when he lets me know, you’ll know (laughs)!

Ole! Flamenco And Spanish Dance

March 2, 2010 by 4dancers

by Karen Stelling

Ole! A shout of encouragement given to the bravest, the strongest, the one who makes a connection to self and life. I thought I’d start my first blog post on 4dancers with that particularly Spanish expression and give myself a burst of confidence. (There’s also the term “mierda” which is typically used for good luck but I’ll go with the big “O” for now!)

I’m happy to be here sharing some info and news about flamenco and Spanish dance. My debut in blog land comes at a great time in that the Chicago Flamenco Festival is just winding down and there was plenty to see and hear over the past few weeks. It’s always a neat trick to get great musicians and dancers from Spain into Chicago when the weather is at it’s worst! We aficionados are always telling the artists to “regresa quando es mas caliente!” (come back when it’s warmer!) Thank goodness, the audiences are really warm and welcoming!

A highlight of the many performances was the terrific dancer Concha Jareno, a Madrid native, who is part of the new generation of flamenco dancer’s currently working. It was her first visit to Chicago and she received much high praise. I took a master class with her which was great, and enjoyed the fun material that I’m now trying to pass on to my students. She communicated entirely in Spanish but her movement’s were so clear and her rhythm so steady that the need for translation was an afterthought.

The hallmark of a performer as gifted as Concha is an amazing musicality that allows her to hear the music and move to it in a very rich way, with a vocabulary of steps that beautifully mixes old school with new. Even better, she can teach it so students get it. Que bueno! Many of those who attended her performance were part of the local flamenco scene. Most of them left the theater exclaiming how inspired they were by her dancing and couldn’t wait to get back to the studio or travel to Spain and keep that kind of energy happening. What a great compliment to Concha and isn’t it nice to be reminded that we can still become inspired by great talent and artistry? Ole to that above all.

The Vio Shop

March 1, 2010 by 4dancers

After we interviewed Ballerina, Violeta Angelova I thought it might be fun to talk a bit about her new venture, “The Vio Shop” as well. It has some unique items for sale that dancers might appreciate, such as posters, signed pointe shoes and even a children’s book.

One rather unusual item is the “Angel” Tutu, pictured here to the right. It comes in both white and pink, and it is decorated with crystals pearls and Swarovski elements. This is a professional grade tutu, that is half the price you generally find in the better class of costumes. Since it is custom-built, it fits each dancer perfectly. Designed by Violeta herself , the bodice to skirt proportions and the decorations were chosen with a professional dancer’s eye.

Another item that was created by Violeta is the Viotard. This one-of-a-kind leotard has an extremely bold design, and it was based on the dancer’s own personal style. There are two different versions of the piece–one that is red with red mesh, and a second that is red with nude mesh. The Viotard Violeta came up with is made in the US by LOLAstretch, a company that is known for producing creative designs.

The item that perhaps most intrigued me was the perfume, “Violet Rose“. Rose oil is considered an aphrodisiac by many, and there is a bit of a story that goes along with this particular version, as it is 100% pure Bulgarian rose oil from the Rose Valley. What I found so interesting is that Violeta’s mom was born in that valley, making this a uniquely personal item to sell in the shop.

To learn more about current offerings, or to see when new things are added, take a look at the shop on Violeta’s website.

Dance In The US: Connecticut Concert Ballet

February 28, 2010 by 4dancers

From Colorado, we move on to the state of Connecticut for our series on Dance in the US…

Name: Connecticut Concert Ballet

Location: (Two locations)

280 Garden Grove Rd., Manchester, CT 06040 and 599 Matianuck Ave., Windsor, CT 06095

About: Founded in 1973, this school has over 200 students who have been accepted into programs at places such as American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet and Ballet Austin, among others. Opportunities for students outside the CCB classroom include The Nutcracker and a Spring Performance, both of which take place each year.

The school includes the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE^® National Training Curriculum in Primary through Level 3. These classes are taught by ABT^® Certified Teacher, Wendy Fish-Lawrence, who is also one of the Artistic Directors of Connecticut Concert Ballet. The other Artistic Director is David Lawrence who has been involved with The Ruth Page Dance Foundation in Chicago, Ballet Pacifica and The Orange County Performing Arts Academy, among other prestigious dance organizations.

The Radio City “Stage Door Tour”

February 27, 2010 by 4dancers

Sometimes you get the inspiration to write a post from the most unexpected places. I was talking to someone who took the backstage tour at Radio City Music Hall and they really piqued my interest about the venue. I did a little investigating, and was impressed enough to share it with you here on 4dancers. I know if I ever get out that way, I’m going to check it out myself!

The more you look, the more you see.

As I was reading up on the facts about this particular venue, I could easily understsand why this tour is so fascinating. There are many layers to Radio City Music Hall that you might not ever notice if they weren’t pointed out to you. For example, if you look underfoot, the Grand Foyer has a carpet that features the abstract designs of six musical instruments. More examples of this theater’s hidden majesty include the gigantic Wurlitzer organ which has so many pipes that it takes 11 rooms to house all of them, and the four hydraulic elevators which can be utilized on the stage.

Other facets of the theater are so grand that you can’t help but stare in wonder. Look up and you will see 4,000 pound chandeliers floating in the air. The stage itself is enormous–measuring 66 1/2 feet deep and one full city block wide. In fact, this venue boasts one of the largest stages in the world even today.

Home to the world-famous “Rockettes,” this is the spot where the Radio City Christmas Spectacular takes place. (The holiday show draws over 1.2 million people in an 8-week time period each year.) Part of the Stage Door Tour includes meeting a Rockette in person–a fun touch that has been added to the mix.

This art-deco style theater has seen over 300 million visitors since its debut in December of 1932. It acutally closed its doors for a brief period in 1978 before being designated a landmark. In 1999 a massive restoration project began that took $70 million dollars and spanned 8 months.

This spectacular venue has been the setting for everything from “Disney on Ice” to several WNBA All-Star Games in 2004, and it continues to be an important piece of American history when it comes to the entertainment field. For more information about tickets and tours, take a look at the website.

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