2/12

Today we was all given the running order of the show and therefore I was very pleased that our duo was put in the show case. This then hit reality and we needed to put alot more commitment , communication skills am rehearsal into consideration due to this lacking week on end previously . However when we performed the piece , there is a few parts  that need tidying up, however all the choreography is there. Drilling the choreography is the key now due to only having matters of days before the show. When taking critisim of peers and teachers , the only critisim is not to think about what is next , and not to pout when performing my solo part, I never knew I did this before but have taken this into consideration and now I am characterising each performance with different faces that are suitable, 

; eg 

House- dead happy, smiling 

In the second half the 2nd year actors came in to see what dances they liked for there cabaret . I got the choreography mixed up and kicked myself for this due to getting it spot on previous, however ; at the end a 2 nd year asked me if my name was opal and said they really liked my duo , due to this it has positively increased my self esteem about my duo as I felt it was not at a Hugh standard . Fingers crossed that it goes into the cabaret due to this being a life time opportunity and lots of fun, getting into the Christmas spirit. 

28/11

The past few weeks after taking the critisim into consideration . I felt I have over complicated things for our duo. We re edited the music and therefore this took a while we're we could have just been working on the dynamics not musicality , I lacked confidents a few weeks ago with performing to an audience, however once I had spoken my problems to my partner. We then went Back to a professionalism and worked hard. Our mind was set on choreographing the rest of the piece. Due to Kat explaining this has potential to go in the show case. 

assignment solo

SOLO

Reflecting back on my solo performance, I felt that I spent to much time worrying about the musicality than the actual movement. Therefore due to this on reflecting my performance I knew I could of performed a lot better.

Once performing my solo on Wednesday, afterwards I had a very negative feeling, I knew I could of performed it a lot better, and wanted to reperform my solo.

I felt the dynamics should have been a lot stronger and due to this is made the moves not as powerfull as they should of, and therefore it did not correspond with the tempo of the music, by hitting certain beats.

Watching the clip of my solo, I felt it shown understanding of musicality, as well as a different knowledge of international dance styles,

The dance styles that I had interpreted into my Solo were ;

• Wacking
• House
• Popping
• Ticking
• Bollywood
• Samba Reggae
• Maractu

I love Bollywood and previously have taught myself individual moves from this style, I find it entertaining and when a performer is performing this, the expressions on their face says it all to the audience, therefore I wanted to interpret these stylistic qualities for my own individual performance.

strengths of the performance were; I was able to indentify different styles and interpret them into my dance piece, from when I was given the assignment I felt that I worked independently and started to structure my piece, starting with styles, then musicality. This helped a lot as I like to have a structure or guide to help me, and during the process I would be able to identify if I was developing my progress.
I completed the assignment on the correct date, as well as having the appropriate time management, of 2 minutes 17 seconds.

weaknesses ; I felt I did not put enough characterisation into the piece, and therefore lacked a lot of motion and precise movement. In some sequences my house style looked messy and therefore the dynamics were not developed 100%.

improvement; If I had the chance to perform the piece again, I would take each style and drill the movement full out throughout the whole sequence, by doing this the timeing aswell as movement will be performed to a high standard. But the theme/ story to my dance is I am A puppet that has came alive, escapeing from the box into the wide world, the dynamics were showing this, however, to get into more characterisation, I would dress up as a puppet with full on make -up to show this.

Rosario gave me quick feedback, and explained that the musicality was there, as well as herself being able to identify my story before I physically told her, this therefore made me happy and positive that she got the story from entering the stage, however she explained a lot more performance, I knew I needed to do this and make the moves much more sharper and bigger with a performance face.

I think I lacked confidents when performing my solo piece, as I did not know what to expect, however I am now going  to take all this into consideration for all my other performances.

21st October

In todays lesson, Korneilia presented the warm up, ready to start learning Tango. Today we recapped on Tango that we had performed last week. However I developed my Technique through tango, We was put into partners to perform the 8 steps. I throught from learning this step as well as Tango as a whole I have picked up the movement and technique fast. I do not struggle to perform the dance, alot of the movement is performed from the control of your core. You need to hold up yourself with an adjust lift from the heels to present yourself upright and high.

When learning the 8 step we was put into groups, I was in the girls side, this is were we learnt the 8 step, I felt that I picked up the movement fast and due to this my self- esteem was positive and I wanted to learn more. I was told about character shoes, and this will help on developing the movements more positive due to not wearing trainers, it will look much more elegant and with alot more Force and sharpness.

Once learning the 8 step, we went into partners, this was performed continously, this was good due to it being drilled and staying in my head better with the correct counts.

Strengths and weaknesses of Tango ;

I remembered the previous sequence of Tango movement so I could interpret the movement into the new sequence

I felt im getting more confident with learning new styles and getting a good pisitive self - esteem and motivation.

I worked efficiently with my Partner and we got the steps and control correct.

Weaknesses; I have still got alot of technique to learn, yet I need to remember to stand up straight with an excellent posture making sure that I engage the core. 


I had 40 minutes to start developing my Solo alot more. During my own time I started to draw up a structure of how I was going to begin aswell as the different styles I was going to engage into the dance. I felt by presenting this it helped me alot today as I was not wasteing any time, I could straight away start my choreography, and movements that I had already thought of to see if they go. I have the first 20 seconds of my dance solo, yet I am developing alot of this in my own time, and not knowing how close the deadline is, during the holidays I want to be able to finish my Solo, so when I come back during lesson time, I can perfect and drill my solo,k making sure it is at a High standard ready to perform in November.

16th october

Today I lead the warm- up I felt confident on this and was pleased with the outcome. I got assesed by Sammi, and hopefully would of got positive feedback from this.

Today in Rosarios class I explored movement skills, this was based on the floor, we each had a matt and would interpret movement demonstrated by rosario. I really enjoyed this and gained into the activity well. I felt that this exercise was very relaxing, even though I was still stretching.

We then went over the Maculele dance, today we was going to finish the piece, and start engaging in technique and stamina for this routine, as this is a must due to not learning this dance style before.
I felt confident and like the Maculele dance, as it is a new style and I want to interpret this ready for further education in dance.

Strengths; I remembered the choreography from last week, due to this I was confident to move on to learn the last bit of choreography ready for the show. Rosario taught me the last piece of the dance and therefore the structure for this was different that what you would normally follow.
At the start we started learning the middle section, then the end and then we learnt the start. I learnt different teachers, teach differently, depending on the circumstances like time, ability.

Once performing the Maculele dance, we then interpreted the sticks that we will be using in the show, this felt much more natural using these, due to previous rehearsals we had to perform all the arm movements even though we did not physically have the sticks. After half of the lesson we then got seperated into different groups, this was to start are solo's, as we had been given the assingment now and only have a matter of week to choreograph.

I was in the first group so I had just over 30 minutes to start looking up songs and start choreographing, therefore that was not enough time, so I need to choreograph in my own time.
Weakness; By not drawing up a guidence for my solo, I struggled to start my piece as I did not know were to start, yet I did not want to waste any time, so I looked / researched into songs that I like and can choreograph to.

Todays lesson was useful, and I have a full understanding of what I need to do for my Solo, as well as rehearsing the Maculele dance because this has now been finished.

7th october

Today I learnt how to develop constructive criticism, when giving out criticism there are different structures to proceed this, the structure would require a starting point where the cristism would be suggesting good things that they interpreted in the class, with then a criticism of what they should improve for next time. Followed by more good points for the show.

Today I developed Flamenco and Salsa, that followed with small exercises to interpret the styles of each individual dance.

peer evaluation

 Today Mike lead the warm - up. I really enjoyed mikes due to him exploring exercises himself and not copying what others have done during the past warm - ups. Mike explained what he wanted us to do, as well as the counts . Mike spoke clearly as due to being a big group it is hard to hear as well as the music on in the back ground.
Mikes warm - up was intense and lasted a whole 2 songs, Mike illiterated new techniques for the core, which was hard work but I kept up. An Improvement for Mike would be, be more strict on the performers that are not trying and warming up, as due to this it will be there own fault but Mike needs that level of command, while leading a warm up, as well as teaching any individuals dance.

Solo Ideas

I need to interpret Samba Reggae, Maculele, Maracuta and Samba into my Solo Dance. However I am thinking of adding in ;

• Bollywood
• House dance
• Locking
• Wacking
• Jazz techniques - Chenne, Jazz kicks and pirouettes.

Well known dancers in the Urban industry that I have been researching on are;

• Dey Dey
• ChaChi
• Ian Eastwood
• Brian Puspos

I have a few songs that have inspired me to perform, house and wacking to are ;

Im fly - ozonto
Nicki Minaj  wip it - great for wacking
Ms dynamite - for house

I am still undesisive and still researching, however I need to pick soon because of the deadline being soon, as well as editing songs that I need to take for Jim to do.

Assignment international dance styles

Understanding and representing internation dance styles
Throughout 3 weeks I have been learning 3 different international dances, these are Samba Reggae, Maculele and Maracuta.

Samba Reggae is a music genre from Brazil.It has a blend from samba and Jamaican Reggae as typified by Bob Marley.
Bahia's population has a large proportion of dark-skinned Brazilians, these were protests of Arfican Slaves , who were brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Afro- brazilians had a big role in the early development of Samba. The results show that Samba was brought back to Bahia from Rio.
Samba-reggae is influenced from a style African dance this originated from Afro - Brazilian
and candomble dance moves. In a social setting, samba-reggae dances tend to be done in a follow-the-leader fashion, with a few skilled dancers initiating moves in a line in front of the crowd.

Samba reggae is recognised all around the world as a symbol of Brazil to engage and spread there religous traditions , Samba Reggae is a huge entertainment in the Brazil carnival.

Samba Reggae, Maracuta and Maculele are all originated from Brazil. However Maracuta is from the North East. All three of these dancers are performed from different cultures, Maculele and Samba Reggae are all peformed by Afro - Brazilian slaves. However Maracuta is performed by Black Africans.

Maracuta is part of an Ancient carnival tradition. Maracuta is part of a religious brotherhood to preserve African culture. Africans think very highly of Kings and Queens so every year each slave will not be classed as a slave, each one will be a King and Queen, performing greatly with each other.
In 1674 Maracuta was created and throughout the years, this dance has developed through an ancient Carnival tradition, were over 65 groups will perform this style of dance. Magnificient clothing will be worn on this day aswell as a great atmosphere and Drums being played all day and night.

Maculue :
Maculele is a Afro- brazilian Dance were a numberous of people will gather to watch this dance being performed. Maculule is classed as a ' War tribe, yet peaceful.' Maculue is a tradition to be perfromed each year, and is something the slaves can look forward to.

Maculele's dance is based around props, these are sticks. The reason why each slave uses these skills is to represent safety. They feel these are their own personal weapons to protect each other from any harm. Alternatively the Afro - Brazilians dance Maculule yet they do not respond to it being a dance personally to them, this is because each slave will go and perform, yet when they are performing it is preventing them from any Angre, as well as letting out any frustration from being a slave. During the dance there is alot of shouting and singing throughout this in their own individual language.

All three of the dances are part of a cultural tradition because each year, each dance will gather for the special occassion were they will all perform there dances in the different regions of Brazil. When each dance performs hundreds gather together to watch these performances. Each performance is part of the traditional carnival, this day only the Slaves can be themselfs and show each individual who they are and what they are representing. From this it shows there spirit is still alive, as well as skills being shown and all the importance represening their own individual religion, culuture.

Each dance will perform their style of dance will props, Sticks are used for Maculue and these are interpreted with the movement and dynamics for the dance. Each performer will have these sticks and dance through the whole song with this. Maracuta therefore uses Drums these are interpreted with the beats from the music, as well as making up individual beats were the slaves will respond and dance to.

However Samba Reggae does not use props but their Dynamics and performance are based around godesses. So each movement will represent an individual godess.
 There are 4 main goddesses for this Dance, they are ;
Xango this goddess represents Thunder, so the movement will interpret the arms for this.
Then there is Oyasin this godess is a herbalist, were the medicine will come from to cure each individual slave, the godess will plant seeds that will grow into plants and then medication. Then there is Yemanja this is the sea godess, the dynamics for this are very gentle and smooth. Oya is the wind, religious beliefs show that there is a big connection between the slaves and this godess. The Afro brazilians are very religious.

Characteristic ;
The sticks, called grimas, traditionally measure 24 inches long by 1 and 1/8 inch thick..
A interesting characteristic about Samba Reggae is that there is 90 - 120 beats per minute, so this is a solid performance.
In Samba Reggae each movement performed is originated from their goddesses.

Maculele dance is based around a young lad who picked up the sticks during the dance and faught with the team against the other team, during this the lad got killed, and to show recognisition and bravery they called this dance Maculele, due to this being the lads name, so on honour they named the dance by him.

Maracute dressed as Kings and Queens on this day to represent whom they are.
Maracute is the best dressed and colourful in the nation parade. This shows recognisition of who they are.

Personal Opinion:
I feel honoured to be able to get taught these dances, due to not realising how many different styyles there are internationally. Street is a well known style as well as Ballet, but there is so many other dances, that myself as well as others have never heard of before. When performing each of these dances as soon as the music starts to play it is natural to start dancing, the music gets the atmosphere going positively and therefore due to this I can feel and get an idea of how the slaves feel when they get this moment to perform. Slaves are known to nothing, yet this is not true, they are talented and for them to perform these dances, it was just a regonisition of a day of games, like 'Limbo'. The dances are a way of speaking out to show who they are. I loved learning these dances and I am thinking of interpreting these dance styles in my Solo, I am thinking Maculule and will be looking into more depth of this.

Samba Reggae

Samba Reggae is a music genre from Brazil.It has a blend from samba and Jamaican Reggae as typified by Bob Marley.

 Bahia's population has a large proportion of dark-skinned Brazilians, these were protests of Arfican Slaves , who were brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Afro- brazilians had a big role in the early development of Samba. The results show that Samba was brought back to Bahia from Rio.

Musical Characteristics :

Samba reggae is based from 90 to 120 beats per minute. Samba is much more straighter, slower and less swung than Rio Samba.


Samba-reggae is influenced from a style African dance this originated from Afro - Brazilian
 and candomble dance moves. In a social setting, samba-reggae dances tend to be done in a follow-the-leader fashion, with a few skilled dancers initiating moves in a line in front of the crowd.

 In addition, samba-reggae drummers often dance while they drum. The third- and fourth-surdos do short choreographies, using their mallets to emphasize arm moves. Most dramatically, the fundos (first and second surdos) frequently take center stage to do elaborate, showy mallet lifts and throws, and tossing their huge drums high overhead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVKsuzi-1lM
In this Video it shows exactly what samba - reggae is and it is easy to spot which movements are showing Samba and which ones show Reggae dance. In this Video it also shows dance techniques that Rosario has taught us in the past 2 weeks.

Personal Opinion;

Samba Reggae I had never heard of before, and was looking forward to learning this Dance style, due to already learning all the different street styles in her class. I found the class very tiring, you need to have a very high stamina for this dance, to the amount of beats per minute. Excellent Hip control is really important due to alot of the movement requires you to move your hips fast and efficent, with a good level of control. I feel I have learnt alot of techniques already and I have found while researching into universitys, that at ' Lipa ' you study. samba reggae, I am applying for this university and therefore for future reference if I get accepted into this university then I will already know the historical context of this and experience on this dance style.