FASHION BRAIN • MP3 Players
The SGDF Singapore Open DanceSport Championships is wonderful!
I'm able to turn my head well, so I don't think I have any neck problems. But I digress (not that I was making any coherent point anyway.)
The theme song has that magnetic quality that infects everyone to "move it move it". Or perhaps it's been the number of shows I've watched that seem to have all sorts of tunes that make you want to jump out from your seat and dance.
Music and dance seem to be a part of our lives, even if we don't realise it. Sure, I used to watch ballroom dancing on TV as a kid (which might explain why I am the way I am today) and be fascinated by the twirling dresses and dressed up people who spun and spun and never got dizzy.
And as a teenager, I secretly wished I could dance like that, or like John Travolta in Grease. Without the hairdo of course. I thought it was a splendid thing to be able to dance and flip and swing. As a young adult, I was more than faintly amused by the over-dressed couples in absolutely gaudy clothes with make-up thick enough to make a wall.
The flashy moves and fake smiles was often more than enough to send me into bursts of laughter. So when I heard that Singapore was going to host the DanceSport Championships this year, I wasn't sure whether to be laughing my sides out at the thought of dancing as a sport, or simply aghast at the concept. What next? Grocery shopping at NTUC sprints?
I've always considered dancing to be a cultural sort of hobby, and not so much as a sport. Compare it with hockey or basketball, you can hardly put them together right? Still, I guess it's time for me to put aside my stereotypes of "sports", and take a closer look at DanceSport in Singapore.
As it turns out, dancing is no longer a social routine; plenty of people all over the world take part in competitive dancing. If you need some image of what that's like, watch Sophie Ellis Bextor's MTV "Murder on the Dance Floor". Underdressed women and overdressed (and probably sexually repressed) men stepping around each other in order to demonstrate who's the biggest queen who can strut his or her stuff. But it's not as easy as you think.
Or at least, as I thought. It kind of reminds me of the show "Bring It On" when they were talking about cheerleading as a sport. Americans will do anything to see girls in short skirts jump up and down. I was more than amused, but then, I can barely do a backflip, let alone five plus a somersault.
In fact, (and here's where pretend to know our stuff) DanceSport has been internationally recognised by the IOC (that's the International Olympic Committee) as a sport since 1997, and may very well be a new sport in the next Olympics. It's no longer just ballroom dancing either. The duo (couple doesn't sound very sporty right?) can choose fom four categories, Latin, Standard, Dance or Rock n' Roll.
Latin dancing allows couples to use or invent new moves from Cha-Cha, Rhumba, Paso Doble or Jive styles, while Standard allows them to mix Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot, Waltz, Vienesse Waltz or Tango. Rock n' Roll certainly needs no explanation. Yeah baby.
The list doesn't stop here either. Many places are offering hybrid dance lessons, combining the cultural flavour of movement with physical and mental health. After all, who hasn't heard that age-old adage: a move a day keps the doctor away? Movimento is an example of the new-age dance lesson.
It promises to (and here's where you have to keep your eyes wide open) change you on a cellular level. And I thought the only thing relating dance and technology was techno music. But don't let my cynical dissing turn you off. My firm refusal to be more liberal certainly means that I'll never experience change on any cellular level unless I decide to go for plastic surgery.
If you're a poor sob that can't afford high culture, here's where you can sniff the edges of it, at the DanceSport competition to be held in Singapore. And if you are a new-age person who can't wait to try out new things, check out Movimento. At $105 a lesson, it's much cheaper than a regular Botox regime. And it promises to get rid of the wrinkles in your entire system, not just your old and used face.
The 6th SGDF Singapore Open DanceSport Championships will be held at Padang/Collyer Room, Raffles City Convention Centre, on 31 July. Day event: 11:00am - 5:00pm.Tickets at S$40. Evening event: 6:00pm - 10:30pm. Tickets S$228 - 1st Row, S$168 - 2nd Row, S$128 - 3rd Row (includes Chinese dinner).
For further information on the 6th SGDF Singapore Open DanceSport Championships, please visit www.dancesport.org.sg or www.idsf.net
Movimento lessons are held on the first Saturday of each month, at La Vida Loft, 123B Telok Ayer, from 3.30 to 6 pm. You are advised to wear comfortable clothing for each session. For more information, visit www.lavidaloft.com.
Add a comment
Salsa by the beach at Sentosa's Club Islander was a veritable maelstrom. Mark Koh talks with Al and Karla Espinoza about Singapore's love of hot salsa...
"We had a really overwhelming response from Saturday and intend to do it with participants from across the whole region." She was also optimistic with a notable marquee over the performance deck as a wet weather plan: "Hopefully there's longevity and it (Salsa by the beach) will continue forever".
Sentosa are being serious with their emphasis on Salsa with the market responding well. "We want people to learn more about Salsa and have fun," said Regina, Sentosa's Event Manager.
I had the privilege of attending the finals of the salsa dancing competition held on June 25th and bore witness to some truly world class performances in the form of guest act "Liquid Silver Productions", headed by Al "Liquid Silver" Espinoza and his wife / partner Karla whom I had an opportunity to sit down with after the contestants danced their hearts out under the evening sky.
Al and Karla are the two dance instructors that pioneered the teaching of Lindy Hop in Singapore and worked closely with Dance promoter Fen from Jitterbugs Swingapore in Millennia walk (9 Raffles Boulevard #03-02). Al himself invented his famous 'Millennium Style' form of Salsa with hip-hop influences, having started Salsa seven years prior with a whopping 27 year background in Hip-hop dancing.
FASHIONBRAIN: Tell me more about yourselves, where were you born?
Karla: I'm a Peruvian / Columbian
Al: Well, I have Puerto Rican and Mexican blood... so I'm a bit of a 'messed-up-Rican' (laughs)
FASHIONBRAIN: Far from messed up! Where do you operate from?
Al: We are based in Los Angeles in America and perform 2-3 times a month. We dance in Korea, Japan, China, Singapore and parts of Europe.
FASHIONBRAIN: How did you get into it in the first place?
Al: Salsa's in my blood. Mum's from Puerto Rico and I used to dance while the adults were having barbeques. It was Spontaneous, natural, original Salsa. I got interested in Hip-hop at 11 - but even then it was really deep top rocking.
Karla: Al gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I was talent spotted by him 5 years ago in a show in Miami and wanted to perform in a festival in L.A.
FASHIONBRAIN: I've heard about your famous dance routines. The 'Terminator' in particular got you guys across the globe, didn't it?
Karla: (Laughs) yes, the terminator!
Al: Actually we have quite a few numbers with different lineups. We've had some crazy ones like the one where we act like toy robots under the control of some kids. In the 'Terminator', I play the role of Arnold Slazenger's character while Karla is the TX from Terminator 3 and I 'shoot' her. Its dynamic and we act a lot.
FASHIONBRAIN: Given the nature of Salsa, isn't what you are doing very hard?
Al: Karla has a background in Salsa and Jazz. She mastered the 'Cowboy' routine in 12 hours flat! Normally it takes couples months to perfect. I've been choreographing for a while now, so we get it done.
FASHIONBRAIN: Any particularly exciting shows you have done?
Al: We've performed at the 'Salsa Congress' - it's an international festival with up to 5000 people in it. Shows and workshops during the day with nice parties at night.
Karla: Its work and play for us!
FASHIONBRAIN: How do you find Singapore?
Al: Its incredible. And trust me, I've been to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The people here are great, the food is amazing. There's something really different about Singapore
Karla: Its special!
- More information on Liquid Silver Productions can be found on www.alliquidsilver.com
Add a comment
The key to looking smooth on the dancefloor is to practice beforehand... so here is FashionBrain.com's tips for going to a Salsa Club
The addictive rhythms heard at any salsa bar can easily make the casual observer become a dancer overnight.
If you are considering going to a salsa dance club, here are some tips you should follow:
• If you are a female and want to learn how to salsa dance, be open-minded and say yes to any guy that asks you to dance. Regardless of whether he's short, not your type or has on a shirt you don't care too much for, salsa dance is a social event. It's amazing but the guys you would normally avoid in a regular bar or club are actually the same ones you'd dance with at a salsa bar.
They are usually really good dancers who just want to have a good time as well as help you have a good time too. Oh, and I forgot to mention, they are actually really nice too! Often if you say you're not a good dancer, they are very willing to guide you along - all in the name of good fun.
• If you are a guy, be polite when you ask a woman to dance. If she says no, graciously thank her and walk away. There are always more women willing to dance with you.
• Practice good hygiene. Before you go out, pack a few mints, put on that deodorant and brush those teeth. Your partner will thank you for it.
• Wear comfortable shoes that will last you a few hours of dancing.
• Wear breathable clothing. Especially in tropical Singapore, cotton is always a good choice as it allows the sweat to stay off of your skin and keeps you cool. Stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon. These fabrics hold sweat and may make you smell a little unpleasant by the end of the night.
• Drink lots of water. Although you are at a club some alcohol is always a nice addition. But if you'll be dancing the night away, supplement your alcohol with some glasses of water to hydrate yourself.
• And of course... Have fun!
Evan Margolin shares his passion for salsa through DanceSF, the premier salsa studio in the Bay Area, his Learn to Salsa DVDs (www.salsadancedvd .com) and SalsaCrazy.com, a comprehensive guide to salsa news and events in the Bay Area.
Add a comment
More Articles...
Page 1 of 2
