The eagerly anticipated SBDTA competition has concluded - marking the close of my first ballroom competition season. Though I've been looking forward to the break, to allow both my finances (boy, is competing expensive!) and physical condition to recover, there is a sense of loss and emptiness that comes along with it. Emotions run pretty high during the leadup to and during the competition. Post competition brings with it just that bit of loss from the lack of intensity of feelings.
I did pretty well for this competition, though I was really off form, but Lady Luck was smiling on me and we did a pretty nice sweep of medals; 4th for Tango, 3rd for Waltz and Viennese Waltz, as well as 2nd for Quickstep and Slow Foxtrot. I must say that I'm very satisfied with my results for Viennese Waltz & Slow Foxtrot, given that it is the first time that I'm competing in these two events. Waltz has seen a marked improvement and I'm happy with it too. The only disappointment came with the Tango and Quickstep. I feel that we could have done much better - it was definitely not our best performance.
On a positive note, we can at last look forward to taking Novice choreography! Am so excited to learn more complicated steps like the pivot turns, contra check, check, together with step-hop for quickstep and of course, my beloved Tango!
Having gone through the action photos, am happy to note that my posture has improved significantly since the last competition. At least I no longer make cringe inducing mistakes like splayed fingers or total loss of winding.
Like salsa and pool, ballroom is something that I'm proud of having a reasonable level of competency in. I do not wish to live life regretting all the things I started but never achieved anything out of.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
10th Stardust Grandprix
Its Tuesday, and I have sufficiently gotten over the excitement to post on it.
Yes! I have finally taken part in my very first standard ballroom competition!
So overwhelmed by various emotions and thoughts that i scarcely know where to begin.
Firstly, I must say the great sense of accomplishment is stunning. So this is how it feels like to work for something, achieve it, and feel proud that the glory was earned. Not just a mere trick or accident of nature.
(I must really bill myself for rambling to myself - lawyers a la mode)
Having started working on this goal to compete in ballroom a long way back, two years come this September, from starting with salsa, progressing to latin, before finding love in standard, its been a long route.
Rehearsal at 7 in the morning - i was a total bundle of nerves to the extent that my partner commented i was literally trembling.
The first dance of the day was the Quarter-finals for Beginner Waltz. Quietly confident that we will do alright, I blanked out after the first couple of lengths of floor. Something I would have never ever believed of myself before it happened.
Our next event was the Semi-finals for Quickstep. As it was our weakest dance, we felt little pressure as we did not expect to perform. Yet it will turn out to be the only dance that we managed to enter the finals for. Lesson learned - dance to dance well and not to win.
Tango was a personal disappointment to me. As the floor was the most crowded then (as compared to Waltz and Quickstep), our lack of experience in floorcraft resulted in our inability to even dance at our normal standard. On a positive note, the experience has instilled in me an even stronger motivation to perform and do well at the next competition.
Yes! I have finally taken part in my very first standard ballroom competition!
So overwhelmed by various emotions and thoughts that i scarcely know where to begin.
Firstly, I must say the great sense of accomplishment is stunning. So this is how it feels like to work for something, achieve it, and feel proud that the glory was earned. Not just a mere trick or accident of nature.
(I must really bill myself for rambling to myself - lawyers a la mode)
Having started working on this goal to compete in ballroom a long way back, two years come this September, from starting with salsa, progressing to latin, before finding love in standard, its been a long route.
Rehearsal at 7 in the morning - i was a total bundle of nerves to the extent that my partner commented i was literally trembling.
The first dance of the day was the Quarter-finals for Beginner Waltz. Quietly confident that we will do alright, I blanked out after the first couple of lengths of floor. Something I would have never ever believed of myself before it happened.
Our next event was the Semi-finals for Quickstep. As it was our weakest dance, we felt little pressure as we did not expect to perform. Yet it will turn out to be the only dance that we managed to enter the finals for. Lesson learned - dance to dance well and not to win.
Tango was a personal disappointment to me. As the floor was the most crowded then (as compared to Waltz and Quickstep), our lack of experience in floorcraft resulted in our inability to even dance at our normal standard. On a positive note, the experience has instilled in me an even stronger motivation to perform and do well at the next competition.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Romeo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour
Premiering in 2001, Romeo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour is a french musical based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. I'm in love with the song "Aimer", a duet by Romeo & Juliet after their union is blessed by Friar Lawrence. Perchance, I heard the song being sung on a taiwan variety show.
Sung by Cecila Cara & Damien Sargue, this duet moved me to tears. It is rare that I come across such a beautiful piece. Cecilia recorded this piece when she was only 16 years old; the purity and strength of her voice is stunning! She calls to mind of a younger Lara Fabian; the semblance in purity and clarity, though rather lacking in power. I also found out that she was tasked with vocally dubbing the role of Christine Daae in the 2004 french release of the movie Phantom of the Opera.
Sung by Cecila Cara & Damien Sargue, this duet moved me to tears. It is rare that I come across such a beautiful piece. Cecilia recorded this piece when she was only 16 years old; the purity and strength of her voice is stunning! She calls to mind of a younger Lara Fabian; the semblance in purity and clarity, though rather lacking in power. I also found out that she was tasked with vocally dubbing the role of Christine Daae in the 2004 french release of the movie Phantom of the Opera.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Argentine Tango
I had my first brush with Argentine Tango today at a trial class at Dance En-motion.
With the propagation of new media, most of us have probably come across tango in one form or another. Argentine Tango is different from Ballrom Tango, which is characterized by the staccato movements and head-flicks whereas the former's defining point is the intricate legwork of the ladies.
ARGENTINE TANGO
BALLROOM TANGO
Other film examples of Argentinian tango will be the tango scenes from Moulin Rouge and Take the Lead.
Initially, I found the posture slightly difficult to adapt to; the slight lean forward as compared to the centering of weight over one's centre of gravity which is common to salsa due to the spinning. In addition, there is no need for body isolation, as tango is a smooth dance in which the couple move as one. It took a little getting used to, to stop myself from isolating my hips as I move.
In salsa, we step our basic forward and backward to the tempo of the music, however, in tango there is no guidelines music wise for the ladies. You have to put your trust, totally in your partner to guide and lead you. The lady has to feel the weight change of the partner, through the points of contact; the arms and hands, and based on that shift her weight too, to react to the next tension push or pull from the lead to either move backward or forward respectively. The total trust I had to put in my partner was really unnerving. It requires so much more faith than bachata.
I managed to catch on after a couple of partner rotations, and boy did I enjoy myself! By trusting totally and reacting simply on tension, the resulting intimacy enjoyed is very satisfying. Unlike salsa, its not about the difficulty of the combos, the number of spins, the styling, rather, its about going on a journey with your partner.
Places to learn Argentine Tango at:
1)Abrazos (Milongas every friday, saturday)
2)Ixi-danza
3)En-motion
4)Jitterbugs
5)Xenbar (Milonga on tuesdays)
*Milonga is a tango social night*
I'm hooked... On Argentinian Tango!
With the propagation of new media, most of us have probably come across tango in one form or another. Argentine Tango is different from Ballrom Tango, which is characterized by the staccato movements and head-flicks whereas the former's defining point is the intricate legwork of the ladies.
ARGENTINE TANGO
BALLROOM TANGO
Other film examples of Argentinian tango will be the tango scenes from Moulin Rouge and Take the Lead.
Initially, I found the posture slightly difficult to adapt to; the slight lean forward as compared to the centering of weight over one's centre of gravity which is common to salsa due to the spinning. In addition, there is no need for body isolation, as tango is a smooth dance in which the couple move as one. It took a little getting used to, to stop myself from isolating my hips as I move.
In salsa, we step our basic forward and backward to the tempo of the music, however, in tango there is no guidelines music wise for the ladies. You have to put your trust, totally in your partner to guide and lead you. The lady has to feel the weight change of the partner, through the points of contact; the arms and hands, and based on that shift her weight too, to react to the next tension push or pull from the lead to either move backward or forward respectively. The total trust I had to put in my partner was really unnerving. It requires so much more faith than bachata.
I managed to catch on after a couple of partner rotations, and boy did I enjoy myself! By trusting totally and reacting simply on tension, the resulting intimacy enjoyed is very satisfying. Unlike salsa, its not about the difficulty of the combos, the number of spins, the styling, rather, its about going on a journey with your partner.
Places to learn Argentine Tango at:
1)Abrazos (Milongas every friday, saturday)
2)Ixi-danza
3)En-motion
4)Jitterbugs
5)Xenbar (Milonga on tuesdays)
*Milonga is a tango social night*
I'm hooked... On Argentinian Tango!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Phu Dorje: Confidence and the Abyss of Delusions
Of late, after much practise, I've been able to do multiple spins easily, and with more than one partner.
In reflection, I think this was because, after the first time, the knowledge that I'm able to spin more than once (the evidence of a precedent) gave me the confidence, to just put faith in my partner (regardless of whom I'm dancing with) and let him spin me.
Translating into life, the knowledge that you are able to achieve something, emboldens you to try, making a serious effort, and therefore, the probablity of you succeeding is significantly higher.
I remember this from rockclimbing, its all in the mind. We used to say that, and say it to each other, in support and encouragement. Its all in the mind. If you lose mentally, you will never be able to overcome the wall. You would have already lost before you touched the first tile.
Rockclimbing gave me alot. Even though I was never a really good climber, each time i touched the first tile, it was always me against myself. Nothing can stop you but yourself. From making it to the resting point, reaching the overhang, overcoming the overhang, to reaching the top.
Incidentally (though I have no doubt that it wasn't an accident), the wall is named Phu Dorje. Nepalese for Great Teacher.
VP, Treasurer, Secretary, Quartermaster; part of the very first EXCO. Those were the days. Some of the people who made it happen.
Anyway, I digressed.
Ultimately, if one believes in one's capabilities and strengths, confidence naturally manifest, translating into an exponential increase in the probability of succeeding at the task at hand.
Of course, wrongful belief in one's abilities or overestimation of oneself is plain delusional. Its a thin line to tread. The abyss of false confidence and delusional behavior beckons just on the other side.
** Kudos to my wonderful dance partner for patiently practising with me**
OOT: I LOVE SALSA!!!!!!
Really OOT: I MISS ROCKCLIMBING!!!!!!!
# OOT = out of topic
In reflection, I think this was because, after the first time, the knowledge that I'm able to spin more than once (the evidence of a precedent) gave me the confidence, to just put faith in my partner (regardless of whom I'm dancing with) and let him spin me.
Translating into life, the knowledge that you are able to achieve something, emboldens you to try, making a serious effort, and therefore, the probablity of you succeeding is significantly higher.
I remember this from rockclimbing, its all in the mind. We used to say that, and say it to each other, in support and encouragement. Its all in the mind. If you lose mentally, you will never be able to overcome the wall. You would have already lost before you touched the first tile.
Rockclimbing gave me alot. Even though I was never a really good climber, each time i touched the first tile, it was always me against myself. Nothing can stop you but yourself. From making it to the resting point, reaching the overhang, overcoming the overhang, to reaching the top.
Incidentally (though I have no doubt that it wasn't an accident), the wall is named Phu Dorje. Nepalese for Great Teacher.
VP, Treasurer, Secretary, Quartermaster; part of the very first EXCO. Those were the days. Some of the people who made it happen.
Anyway, I digressed.
Ultimately, if one believes in one's capabilities and strengths, confidence naturally manifest, translating into an exponential increase in the probability of succeeding at the task at hand.
Of course, wrongful belief in one's abilities or overestimation of oneself is plain delusional. Its a thin line to tread. The abyss of false confidence and delusional behavior beckons just on the other side.
** Kudos to my wonderful dance partner for patiently practising with me**
OOT: I LOVE SALSA!!!!!!
Really OOT: I MISS ROCKCLIMBING!!!!!!!
# OOT = out of topic
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