dance shoes

Dancer Shoes: Slippers from Voited

September 14, 2022 by 4dancers

Hello all! We’re back with new content after a hiatus, and we’ll be sharing some reviews of dancer shoes and more from our YouTube channel here on the site. Please take a moment to go there and subscribe if you don’t already follow us on that platform.

We are going to select items for review that we feel dancers would be interested in and/or appreciate. This means things such as music, dancewear, dance shoes, self-care items, and much more. Our debut review is a pair of camping slippers from Voited, which we thought might be a great fit for dancers with very tender toes and heels. Take a second to check out the review below, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our future posts there!

If you have a product you think dancers would enjoy, feel free to reach out to us here so we can consider it. Email us at editor (at) 4dancers.org. Please note that we only accept products and pitches that we feel would be directly helpful to our audience of dancers, dance teachers, and those who love dance.

Thank you!

(*The product for this video was donated to us for review by Voited, but our opinions are always completely our own and we were not compensated for this post or the video.)

Giving Back: Donating Dance Shoes

December 8, 2016 by Rachel Hellwig

by Rachel Hellwig

Footloose, founded in 2010 by Becca Duberman, is an organization that collects new and gently-used dance shoes for aspiring dancers from lower-income backgrounds. Duberman, 19, is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has danced for over 15 years. Learn more about her mission in our interview with her…

What inspired Footloose?

Year after year, I went through the ritual of sorting my old shoes as I prepared for new classes. I found myself thinking, “These shoes hold great sentimental value to me, but why are they just sitting in my closet collecting dust? Wouldn’t they be put to better use by other children wanting to experience dance and the outlet for expression that it offers?” Footloose was my way of giving back. It was born from the realization that my passion for dance as a method of communication may impact others as it has for me.

What is the average age range of the students who receive shoes via Footloose?

On average, Footloose will donate to dancers from ages 8-15. However, Footloose has donated to a variety of dancers ranging in ages from 3-25. There are many aspiring dancers in the world that cannot afford proper footwear and Footloose has done a great job in filling this void.

How and where do you organize shoe collections?

When I receive shoe donations, I store them in my home and separate those by type, such as ballet, tap etc. I often receive large shipments of shoes so keeping an accurate inventory is important. I receive many corporate donations but the vast majority of collections occur from private dance studios. Recently, I have had many dance students reach out to me to start a local drive at their studios and schools for Footloose. In this case, I will either connect them directly with a possible location for donation or I will have them send me the shoes to ship out.

What types of dance shoes do you collect?

Footloose welcomes donations of all types of dance shoes and sizes since we do not target a specific age range or dance style.

What organizations do you donate dance shoes to and how are they distributed?

Footloose donates to various types of organizations and studios across the world. We have donated to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, Soles4Souls, YMCA Sioux, as well as dance studios such as Life Skills Preschool, Bayshore Dance Academy, Hope Rural School, and Gambia Dance Factory. Footloose provides dance shoes to locations throughout the U.S., as well as to other continents such as Africa. The shoes are either shipped out directly from my house or one of Footloose’s ambassadors will ship the shoes they have collected from their locations.

What are your future goals for Footloose?

I am proud to say that Footloose has made a positive impact in lives of aspiring dancers for about 6 years now. I hope that Footloose will continue to inspire other dancers, like myself, to get involved and give back to the dance community, and to help those less fortunate acquire the proper footwear to dance.

How can people get involved with Footloose?

Please visit my website. I welcome anyone to contact me directly by email with any questions about Footloose, either to get involved or for acquiring donations.

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Vegan Ballet Shoe Options

November 5, 2015 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

If you are a vegan dancer, or if you are simply an animal lover, you may want to consider purchasing slippers from Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers. These ballet shoes are made without the use of animal products, and are therefore, cruelty-free. This is also connected to habitat conservation and clean waterways, as livestock production often has a heavy impact on the environment around it.

If you would like to be a part of this conservation effort, it stands to reason you may want to think about using dance shoes that stand behind these principles. Currently, Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers offers three different types of shoes – one designed specifically for professional dancers. Here is some information on each:

1. Original Vegan Ballet Slippers

This is the original line of vegan slippers manufactured by Cynthia King Ballet Slippers. They are canvas shoes with a pleated toe, stretch drawstring and non-slip sole. These shoes are available in both full and split sole options for children, and in split sole for adults. All of the options are available in pink, and the adult split sole also comes in black. The shoes are $24.99, plus shipping and handling.

2. Activiste

The next variety of shoe offered is the Activiste. A light pink canvas option for children, it features many of the same elements of the original shoe (pleated toe, stretch drawstring, canvas material), along with an improved non-slip split sole that provides optimal grip, a u-shaped vamp, and light cushioning at the ball and heel of the foot. It is available in light pink. This line retails for 26.95, plus shipping and handling.

3. Pro-Line

The third option is a line of shoes that was created with the professional and pre-professional dancer in mind. The Pro-Line has all the features of the Activiste (pleated toe, improved split sole with optimal grip, stretch drawstring, u-shaped vamp, light ball and heel cushion), along with it’s own unique “blush” color. In addition, this line features a special stretch canvas upper. Available for both adults and young adults, these shoes retail for $32.95, plus shipping and handling.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers, see our post about the company here. To purchase shoes, find out sizing details, or to read more about Ms. King, please visit their website.

Disclosure: 4dancers was compensated for writing this post.

My Pretty Feet

January 30, 2015 by 4dancers

Pointe shoe “gear” – photo by Jessika Anspach McEliece

He looks over at me with that twinkle in his eyes, and I see the mischievous 7-year-old boy gleam through my husband’s 32-year-old self.

“Come on babe… just do it. Just show them your feet… please?” and turning toward his friends – okay more like acquaintances… practical strangers to me – he proudly says, “You guys have gotta see these things…”

I shoot a half glance-half glare back at him and he knows exactly my train of thought. But how can I be mad at him when he’s looking at me like that? When he’s so proud of them for me? How can I really be that embarrassed by my “worker tools,” as he puts it? After all, that is what they are, callouses and all… And it could be worse… He could ask me to put my leg over my head, or have them guess my weight.

I meekly slip off my loafers and hesitantly raise my gaze to meet their slightly horrified faces.

“Um…. Wow. Aghh… Yeah. So do they hurt? Because they look like they hurt.”

That’s the typical reaction I get whenever pedestrians (non-dancers, that is) see my very ugly ballerina feet – and they are very ugly. Our physical therapist, Boyd Bender, actually keeps a photo of them on his iPhone to show any of his clients who might feel self-conscious about their own toes…

And ever since Center Stage and that scene where Jody Sawyer takes off her pointe shoes to show a very bloody blister (you know the one…), it has been a point of fascination – pun slightly intended.

The funny thing, I find, is what we consider “pretty feet” in the dance world has nothing to do with how pristine they look in flip-flops… That’s relatively easy to accomplish: buff down those callouses and shellac a bit of red nail polish and voila! You’re good to go… ish.

There’s only so much you can do for those bunions…

The hard part is getting those feet to look pretty in pointe shoes… harder still to get the pointe shoe to cooperate with you. To conjure the effect of weightless, effortless floating; balancing or turning on a dime – these are hallmarks of ballet and yet not easy feats by any means. I can’t always blame every problem I have on the shoes, but sometimes they really do have a mind of their own!

Well after 19 years of wearing these mini instruments of torture I’ve learned a few tricks to making them work for me, instead of the other way around… [Read more…]

Shoes For Irish Dance

March 15, 2013 by 4dancers

In honor of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday (and because one of our themes this quarter is dance shoes) today we’re taking a closer look at shoes for Irish dance. We asked the well-known Chicago-area Irish dance instructor, Sheila Tully Driscoll to share some information about these shoes with us – and she was kind enough to oblige…

What are the main types of shoes are used in Irish step dance?

Irish dancers wear two types of soft shoes called Ghillies & Reel Shoes. Ghillies fit more like ballet slippers and are made of black leather, with a leather sole and a very flexible body. They lace from toe to ankle and do not make sounds against the dance surface. They are worn by female dancers for the light jig, the reel, the single jig, the slip jig, and group dances with two or more people.

The second kind of soft shoe is worn by male dancers – these are called “reel shoes” and are similar to jazz shoes in black leather, with fiberglass heels that can be clicked together while dancing. Some male dancers do not wear fiberglass heels. The men’s steps may be choreographed in a different style to girls’ in order to take advantage of the heels and to avoid feminine movements in steps.

Irish dancers also wear a pair of hard shoes, which are much bulkier and typically have fiberglass tips for a louder sound. dancers often refer to them as “Heavies” or Jig shoes. Both are traditionally made of black leather.

Do the shoes require breaking in, and if so, how is that typically done?

Hard shoes need breaking in by wearing them in as much as possible! Doesn’t matter if you’re walking, running, dancing, skipping – the shoes need to be worn in. Repeatedly bending the shoe also helps soften the leather. Some of the dancers use leather softener like Hot Glove cream.

Additionally, make sure the shoes fit CORRECTLY. Nothing is worse than an ill-fitting shoe! The shoes should have a snug fit at the start, allowing for possible stretching of the leather.

irish step hard shoes — Hard shoes for Irish Dance (photo courtesy of Tully Academy of Irish Dance)

On average, how much do the shoes cost?

Soft shoes are around $90 and hard shoes around $180.

Can you share any interesting information about Irish step dance shoes in terms of their history?

The first hard shoes had wooden taps with metal nails. It was common practice in the 17th and 18th century to hammer nails into the soles of a shoe in order to increase the life of the shoe. Dancers used the sounds created by the nails to create the rhythms that characterize hard shoe dancing.

How important are the shoes to overall performance?

Since Irish dance is focused on rhythm and foot placement, it’s ALL about the shoes.

How young can an Irish Dancer start?

We start dancers around 5 years old although we have had a few younger dancers if they are ready.

What is some advice you would give to new dancers?

Anything new is hard. A lot of practice trains your mind, body and feet to move correctly and helps you practice timing as you learn to step to the beats. Also, you may be sore once you start dancing. Buy Sportscreme (or Flexall, or Icyhot, etc.) – its proven to be a lifesaver for many dancers! A little dab of Sportscreme after you dance takes all the pain away.

About Sheila Tully: As Founder and President of the Tully Academy of Irish Dance, Sheila Tully Driscoll has been teaching Irish Dance lessons for over 45 years. A champion Irish dancer herself, she began teaching Irish Dance in her mother’s basement while she was in college. Sheila received her T.C.R.G. designation (official Irish Dancing Teacher certification) in 1972 and her A.D.C.R.G. designation (official Irish Dancing Adjudication certification) in 1976. Today, she is the longest tenured Irish dancing teacher in the Chicago area and is highly regarded nationally and worldwide. She is a member of An Coimisian Le Rinci Gaelacha, the international governing body of Irish Dancing and adjudication as well as a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America. Taught by Pat Roche, one of the pioneers of Irish Dancing in Chicago, Sheila continues her hands on teaching in the classroom as well as participating as a judge at Irish dancing events.

Sheila’s Irish Dancing Academy, which opened its beautiful new studio in Glenview in 2003, is highly regarded in the Irish Dance community as her programs have produced many champion dancers and winning teams. Tully Dancers have successfully competed in many regional and national competitions as well as the World Irish Dance competition in Ireland. Her dancers have also performed all over North America entertaining a wide variety of audiences.

Visit our Website: www.tullyirishdancers.com

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