Solo

14th October
Solo rehearsal
In today's rehearsal I came up with styles of dance I want to develop into my 2minute routine the style I would really like to focus in for my solo of international is Bollywood mixed with jazz.
I shall be using a lot of dynamics such as force speed and flow when contrasting movements together to make it a move entertaining dance to watch. By making it interesting I shall use short sharp movements quickly and then use big movements and take my time using flow.
I shall be adding in floor patterns and will be working on this during the rehersal time given in class.
Floors patterns make a dance better because a audience doesn't want to see a dance just placed in one space/facing. To me to watch a dance that is just central would become boring to me.

21st October
Solo rehearsal
Today I came up with a new idea of my solo this time I'm going to stick to it this is by whacking with a object (batons) mixing the style of dance with abit of Bollywood and Maculele. I thought is would be challenging for me as i have never done wacking before but am willing to put myself up for a challenge. I will research ideas for whacking by using youtube and other people from the class who know the style (whacking).


4th November 
solo rehearsal 
Today I planned out my floor patterns for my solo and also planned on what styles on international i would be developing into my solo this would be Maculele as i think it would go well with whacking I will also be using dynamics as heavy movements (force) fast and slow movements by contrasting them together  to make my performance alot better to be watched. I also have been looking on youtube to get some insprations on wacking and some ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIvhxBJikoI

Understanding and Representing International Dance Styles

Understanding and Representing International Dance Styles 

Samba

Samba Is An Old Brazilian Style Of Dance With Many Variations With African Origins But Later Also Developed From Indian And European Influences. It Is Performed At Carnivals To Help Celebrate The Pre-Lantern For Almost 100 Years, From Baion To Marcha Samba Is danced In Local Carnivals IN Rio Which Has Grown Very Popular To This Day. Before 1914 It Was Known Under A Brazilian Name ‘Maxixe’.The Word Samba Originally Meant To Pray, So The Dances Where Used To Connect To The Dancers God Or Saint.In The Beginning Of The 20th Century The Modern Samba Emerged And Became A 2/4 Tempo And A Chorus Was Sung To The Sound Of Palms And Batucada Rhythm. Samba Has Changed Through The Years Starting From Carnivals With Guitars And Simple Percussion Instruments To Now Where There Are Various Music Artists Involved With Performances. Vania West Was Born In Brazil She Is A Professional Latin Dancer And Choreographer. Since The Age Of 6 She Has Danced Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Samba, Salsa And Many More. (http://www.tasteofbrasil.co.uk/vania.php) Also Janelle Keane Campoverde Is A Choreographer For Afro-Brazilian Dance At Festivals And Dance Schools.

(http://samba-dance.com/biojan.html)

       Samba Is Part Of A Cultural Tradition As It Helps The People Of Brazil And Anyone Who Dances Samba To Reach Their Roots And Feel Closer To Their God Or Saints.

 The Types Of Movements Used In Samba are Strong, For Females There Is The Poses When There Is A Pause In The Music, This Shows That They Are Strong And Independent And They Are Bringing Attitude To The Floor.

        Samba Originated From A Reaction To Political Situations Of The Time As The Dance Was A Way Of Freedom For Those Being Held As Slaves And It Was A Way OF Them Telling Their Household That They Will Not Be Broken No Matter How Much They Work Them.

When dancing Samba in class I feel that it is a grounded dance and danced in groups. It creates a performance and a character when I am dancing samba as I feel like I can get into the movements as it is a very fun dance for me to learn.

Samba Reggae

Samba Reggae Is A Blend Of Brazilian Samba And Jamaican Reggae. It Started Around The 1970’s.During the 20th century This New Rio-Style OF Samba Had Spread Through Brazil And They Became To Embrace What Racism Has Held Back When Embracing The African Culture. Samba Reggae Is Performed In Carnivals And Parades, But Black Brazilians Didn’t Always Perform In Them As Of Black Brazilian Cultural Movement.Now Samba Reggae Is Also Known As Zumba Which Has Strong Afro And Samba Influences. It Is Mainly Done In A Follow The Leader Fashion. Even Though It Has Developed To Get To Where It Is Today It Still Carries The Ethnic Identity And Pride For Afro-Brazilians. Samba Reggae Is A Cultural Tradition As The Dance Itself Allowed Them To Show People What Their Culture Is All About Even If They Didn't Perform Their Dance Themselves.Samba Reggae Originated From A Cultural Situation As It Was Used To Show The True Culture Of The Afro Brazilians Until Racism Held Back A Lot From The Dance And As They Weren’t Allowed To Perform The Dance In Carnivals The True Message Didn’t Get Out As Strong As It Could Have Been. Samba Reggae Creates A Story Behind The Dance/Music And Is Danced About The Gods/Goddess.
When Dancing Samba Reggae I Found That You Can Dance It At Different Speeds (dynamics)  Contrasting Slow/Fast Together A Also Found Out That Samba Reggae Is More Of A Group Dance. Samba Reggae Dance Also Uses A Lot Of Hip Movements And Its Repetitive. The Mood I Have When Dancing Samba Reggae Is A Happy Mood As My Feeling Connect To The Music, The Music Reminds Me of Being Happy And Showing Off To The Best Of Your Ability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVKsuzi-1lM

Maculele

 Maculele is a Afro- Brazilian dance that originated from the slave trade in the 19th century. The maculele was orginaly danced by African slaves, who performed with a pair of machetes large tools which were used on slave plantations. Since the slave trade the maculele has been developed to being performed in popular culture. The maculele represents an old tribal story about a boy with two swords fighting off an enemy tribe, every time the maculele is danced it represents this story. The three main characteristics of the maculele are strong and sharp arm movements with the use of two machetes, entering the dance in the shape of a circle and using strong body movements. When dancing Maculele i feel like it it a fast dance with contrasting dynamics all the way through, i feel like you can put yourself into a character to make your performance alot better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mw5X0vCAFU

Maracatu

Maracatu  is a Brazilian dance from the Parnambuco state in  Northeastern Brazil. The dance originates from the early 20th century when African slaves would come together and dance in front of the Royal Court and the public to show pride of who they were. The dance is a mixture of traditional African dance and Portuguese Court dance. Since the days of slaves Maracatu had developed to be a dance presented in the Brazilian Carnival periods in several states. Maracatu has gone world wide with more and more people interested in learning this fascinating dance. The characteristics of Maracatu are strong and sharp and upper body movements, lose hip and leg movements and a wide range of levels throughout the dance. Maracatu characteristics look the same as Maculel as they are both dances that incorporate sharp movements use of different levels. When Dancing Maracatu I can feel the contrast of dynamics in routines that we learn in class. I also feel that we can put on a character behind the dance as we are the African slaves back in the time and dancing to show pride of who we are. I also feel that it is danced in mainly groups and on stages.












http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_reggae
http://www.adoclife.com/sambareggae.aspx
http://www.capoeiranyc.com/maculele.html
http://www.solsamba.co.uk/maracatu.html