I hope you dance~

I L-O-V-E to dance. There is no doubt about it. In past posts, I have often described my years in ballet, tap and jazz, to taking Israeli Folk dance, to Hip Hop classes, to Flamenco.. and now - I am addicted to Zumba.

I always make a point to watch "Dancing with the Stars," "So you think you can Dance," also any other random dance competitions on tv.

When it comes to personal life, I used to LOVE to go dancing with friends in the club. Oh yes, as soon as I was able to sneak in on a fake id - I went crazy for a dance floor. The loud music thumping, a dance floor, the lights.. it's all addictive. My friends and I would dance for hours, not paying attention to anyone around us, just moving.

Even as an adult, I was lucky to meet so many good dancer. My old room mate Keli and our friend Lynn, both were amazing dancers. Keli has a degree in Modern Dance, while Lynn used to dance on her university's dance team. Then there was me, took lessons for years.. together we would hit the dance floor, mixed with a little liquid courage, lots of attitude, and tons of energy.

I miss those days...

But for now, I thought I would share with you a few songs that I still like to dance to. Some of these make their appearance on my Ipod at home, while others are used in Zumba class. Trust me - if they come on - I am dancing! (Even with this silly body of mine now.. it does not stop me!)

So without further delay, here are some videos with either GREAT choreography or just great music to dance to (in general.)


This song is incredible to dance to and the choreography in this video is so much fun!


How about this for a fun little dance?


How hot is this guy's moves? LOL That's what I love about Latin or Mediterranean men.. they are not afraid to dance! (ex.. the egyptian. LOL)



The ending of this has great dance moves



When all is said and done - Shakira can really move! (she is both Colombian and Lebanese! mix the Latin with the middle eastern belly dance!)



How fun is this song, and the dancing?



Great little song for dancing!



Neyo is an amazing dancer!



Usher is another incredible dancer



Does this even need an introduction?



One of my favorite forms of dance... (which  is just a little jazz - sexed up)



Finally..


What about you? Do you enjoy dancing or dance music?

Baby Remember My Name

As I lay here in my pjs recovering from what I am pretty sure is the flu, I have been watching episode after episode of "Fame" from the 1980s. You see, this was one of my favorite tv shows as a kid.

It just so happens, I was a dancer. Don't laugh - I really, really was. People knew me as a dancer. I took classes several days a week and I performed. I started young and kept going as long as my toes would allow me.

I was also a theater kid. BIG time. I find it ironic that my family is still involved with all of that stuff. My sister is known to be the "theater" buff - but honestly, she was a behind-the-scenes sort of girl. I was the performer.

I performed in dozens of shows as a kid/teen/young adult. I would act, dance and sing my way across middle Georgia. I probably would have stayed with it had I not gotten so caught up in other things. I really enjoyed acting and was fairly good at it.

That's where "Fame" comes in. As a kid I dreamed of moving to NYC and going to the High School of Performing Arts. Oh how I wanted to be "famous." LOL I laugh now, but as a kid it was a serious "obsession."

Watching the episodes, it reminded me of my summers at theater camp as a teenager. Oh yes, I would spend weeks at theater camp - studying theater and dance. All day we would be learning new techniques and creating amazing vignettes or theatrical productions. One summer in particular, I took lessons from a former Atlanta Ballet Dancer and was in the best shape of my life. It was hard, it was intense - but soooo worth it.

I miss that atmosphere some days. Some of the kids I was in theater camp with went on to do amazing things. Carrie Preston, for one, is now seen on True Blood, and the others - a few went to Los Angeles and are pursuing different avenues (a few have popped up here and there on commercials, or as small bit parts in movies) then there are a few that took off to NYC and are performing off Broadway.. hoping to make it to the big time.

Sometimes I think I should audition for a play at a local theater in town. Then again, it has been so long, I am not sure if I would have the time. And there is the other idea, that it is fun to remember the past and keep it there. My friends (now) have NO idea about my "performing" past and would probably not be able to even imagine it. But alas, it was a major part of who I was from 6 until my early 20s.

Memories...

What have I learned??

The excitement of the last few days has left me a little off kilter tonight. I want more. I swear I could take a dance class every single night of my life. The time during class feels like 10 minutes.

Some of my friends may not be familiar with the types of dance styles I am working on in my class. (Private lessons, might I add.)

The first class I learned the basic Fox Trot, Waltz and East Coast Swing. My second class I learned the basics of Tango, Rumba and Cha Cha.

Here are the examples of the styles of dance I am attempting:

Fox Trot:



Waltz:




East Coast Swing:



Tango:




Rumba:



Cha Cha:



My dance instructor taught me the basic steps (box steps, back/back/side, side/side/back, etc. etc.

Added a few turns, twists - and laughed the entire time.

It is amazing to be able to actually dance with someone who can 1. lead and 2. know what the hell they are doing.

Girls, let's be honest - few men can do that in America (unless they are trained.)

For someone who danced for years, it's refreshing and an awesome expression of art.

Can you hear that?? The pounds falling off?? And the fun begins..