indian dance

Expanding Your Dance Horizons

April 19, 2010 by 4dancers

When I was younger, almost all I knew was classical ballet. I studied Irish Step Dance for a few years, but other than that, I didn’t recognize the fact that there are many different types of dance out there in the world. These days it is far easier, with YouTube, cable and the increasing popularity of dance styles that didn’t get as much attention in the past.

breakj — Copyright Catherine L. Tully 2005

None of this is news to you I’m sure. Still…how often do you go and see something out of your comfort zone? When is the last time you checked out a performance that was completely new and different? Sometimes these can be the most impactful. And they can help inform your dancing, teaching or choreography.

My encouragement today is simply this…expand your dance horizons. Go to an Indian dance performance. Check out a belly dance group. Stop and watch some street dancers–or simply attend the showing of a new choreographer and see what they have to offer. You cannot lose by doing this. Even if you don’t enjoy what you see, it will give you a more comprehensive view of dance and the possibilities that exist out there.

Have you ever been impacted strongly by something like this?

If your answer is yes–I’d love to hear about it.

If your answer is no–perhaps it’s time…

4dancers In 2010

December 27, 2009 by 4dancers

Well if a new look and new site isn’t enough, you’re in luck…there’s more to come! 4dancers will be rolling out a lot of new content in the New Year, including:

+ Featured Studio – we’re going through the states in alphabetical order this year and featuring 2 per week that we have hand-picked. We’ll take a look at what they offer, why they stand out and what they are all about. Look for these features primarily on the weekend.

+ 10 Questions With… This new feature will highlight different people in dance, asking them ten questions about themselves and their art. We will feature fellow dance bloggers, dancers, teachers and more in this section.

+ More reviews – in 2009 we opened the doors to those in the dance world who have products for sale. We’ll be reviewing these for you throughout the year.

+ 4dancers t-shirts and bags – 4dancers will be introducing an exclusive line of t-shirts and dance bags that you will not be able to buy anywhere else. Designs will include ballet, Irish dance, Indian dance and more…

We’re excited about the New Year, and we hope that you will check back regularly to see what we have in store for you in 2010!

American Tribal Belly Dance

July 30, 2009 by 4dancers

Belly dance is a form of movement that many women find liberating. One style that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years is a style called American Tribal Belly Dance. I wrote a bit about this dance form for an article which can be seen online at Her Circle E-Zine. Here is an excerpt from the piece:

“One of the first dance styles I photographed was American tribal belly dance. This form is largely improvisational and eclectic and it borrows elements from different dance styles, such as Flamenco and Egyptian belly dance, and blends them together in a beautiful, unique form. Interestingly, this dance style echoes the history of the United States in that it is both fairly new, and it is also a “melting pot” of styles, but with a distinct stamp of its own.”

Belly dance is just one of many dance styles that will be featured periodically on 4dancers. Check back often for updates and new posts. We aren’t just about one dance style–because there are so many to experience. Upcoming posts will look at everything from Irish Step Dance to Indian Dance.

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