National Dance Week

As spring weather comes into full bloom, it may be a reminder to some that National Dance Week is upon us! At KSD we are thrilled to celebrate the beauty of dance with all our local dance enthusiasts. We want to pay homage to the activity that keeps us happy, healthy, entertained, and balanced.

National Dance Week was created in 1981 when a group of dance-related organizations sought to bring greater awareness to the art of dance. Dance originated from a strong grass roots movement and evolved into a widely popular mainstream activity. NDW was created to bring recognition to dance being a fun and healthy approach to attaining physical fitness. NDW celebrates the power of dance and has set out to inspire dancers by building a strong community. How heartwarming it is to see a community unite together in support of such a positive event.

In celebration of National Dance Week, it’s a great time to get up and get moving! Get out of your chair and away from your desk! Move those feet, shake that body, and swing those arms. Join the rest of the country and celebrate National Dance Week, which will bring recognition to all types of dance and will inspire thousands in the ten day annual celebration this month. Just remember, "Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.” NDW will reflect the unique and creative abilities of the individuals and organizations who participate.

Be on the lookout for an array of events, including events like the annual Flash Mob and annual Kick It Challenge. Check out what kinds of events will be occurring in your local area. Master classes, gala performances, presentations, and museum displays are just a small sampling of the types of activities dancers and non-dancers alike can find during NDW. Kickoff events are frequently held on the steps of state capitols and town halls, as well as in shopping malls and town squares.

If you are a former dancer who is looking for something new, maybe try a genre you have never done before. Look into adult classes such as Zumba, or even belly dancing. You may surprise yourself with how well you pick it up!

It’s never too late to take up some lessons either! Oftentimes people are more comfortable partaking in dance related activities if they have a little instruction first. Check out the dance classes offered in your area to get you up and moving. To all of you dance enthusiasts out there, Happy National Dance Week!

Stage Makeup for Dancers

When you watch dancers and other stage performers, you may wonder why their makeup seems so much heavier than most people wear in everyday life. Stage makeup is utilized and dramatized for many reasons, making it completely different than makeup you would see worn out in the real world. One of the main purposes for stage makeup is to draw attention to certain features of the face so that facial expressions can really animate and project to audience members who may be sitting far from the stage. Another reason performers may wear heavy makeup is to prevent the face from looking washed out under harsh stage lighting. Read on to learn more about the uses and techniques of stage makeup.

1. Intense stage lighting can affect your look

Not wearing makeup while on stage can cause a performer’s face to look blank from the audience’s perspective, as they can become washed out from the bright lights. It is important to see a performer’s eyes, mouth, eyebrows, and cheekbones. Stage lighting can really “flatten” ones features and diminish the dimensions in the face that help the audience clearly identify facial features. Wearing stage makeup will prevent this from happening once the lights hit the performer’s face.

2. Decorative costuming requires makeup

Stage makeup is a part of the performer’s costume. Especially when extravagant costumes are worn, as seen in dance performances, the makeup completes the look. A performer would not want his or her face to be overshadowed by their costume. Professional stage makeup is primarily neutral, earth-toned colors to coordinate well with costume changes, lighting, and a variety of skin tones.

3. Be sure to protect your skin 

Professional stage makeup should be highly-pigmented, hypo-allergenic (no known allergens used), non-comedogenic (non-clogging to the pores so that the performer won’t break out), and as naturally sweat-resistant as possible. Stage lighting is not only bright but can become very hot for performers on stage causing a good deal of sweat, especially for dancers.

4. Keep in mind the distance between performers and the audience

Performers work hard to emote visible expressions for the audience to see. Many auditoriums or arenas have a large area for audience members to sit and watch, with some seats reaching many yards away from the stage. Performers should wear stage makeup so that even the people sitting the furthest away from the stage can easily read their expressions. The makeup should be applied heavily, yet keeping contouring of the face in mind. There are many tutorials that can be utilized to learn more about creating a dynamic and successful stage look. Again, a performer’s eyes and mouth are important features to highlight.

5. Stage makeup can reduce age and look differences

Particularly in the field of dance, oftentimes dancers will perform together in groups containing a large difference in age. Most of the time, the goal of the choreographer is to display a uniform look so that the audience can focus on the dancing and not differences in facial features. Stage makeup helps unify a diverse group, whether in age or appearance.

There are many resources to draw from when searching for the perfect stage look. Consider these tips to refine how you’d like to apply stage makeup for dance competitions, school plays, choir performances, and more!

Popular dance TV shows and how they’ve influenced the dance community

In the past decade, dance related television shows have become increasingly popular. People from all over America and the rest of the world are falling in love with dance and its many styles, often inspiring young people to take lessons in this healthy and thrilling activity. It’s becoming a well-known fact that dance is not only a sport, but an art form as well.

Many of the dance shows on TV involve some form of competition. Some shows feature celebrities, while others focus on undiscovered new artists. Drama ensues on these shows as dancers work diligently to pursue their dream of becoming a known and celebrated dancer.

“Dаnсіng wіth thе Ѕtаrѕ” іs one of thе mоѕt рорulаr оf thеѕе rеаlіtу ТV ѕhоwѕ, and has been airing for many years. Celebrities and professional dancers team up to tackle various styles of ballroom dance as they are judged and scored by a panel of experts. Dancers with the lowest scores are voted off each week so that eventually one winning pair remains. People all across the country tune in to this show every week to cheer on their favorite couples.

Аnоthеr wildly рорulаr dаnсіng rеаlіtу ТV ѕhоw іѕ саllеd "Ѕо уоu Тhіnk уоu саn Dаnсе". SYTYCD has had many successful seasons of portraying the journey to find “America’s Favorite Dancer”. Not only is this program incredibly entertaining for the average person, it is also known to inspire dancers and choreographers alike to dabble in new styles and movements. Every new season and dancer brings a fresh approach to the dance world, creating constant intrigue and delight for viewers across the nation. Dancers on this show are also judged by a panel of experts and given live feedback. Dancers who have made it into the top ranking spots are then invited to participate in a national tour in which they travel the country to perform for often sold out audiences.

“Dance Moms” is a reality show that follows the life of a studio owner and her competitive students. This show has had tremendous success with viewers as they have watched the young dancers of the show grow into talented young adults. This show is often considered controversial, as the studio owner is shown to teach with methods that may be called harsh or intense. This program has opened up much discussion among dancers, studio owners, instructors, and even people who do not study dance at all. “Dance Moms” offers an interesting glimpse into the world of competitive dance.

Dance related television shows have created a whole new avenue for people to see what dance really entails. These programs have also provided insight on where dance can take you professionally, as well as what it can do for your life in a personal sense. Furthermore, these shows have strengthened and united the dance community, creating a huge network of dedicated dancers and fans. We can’t wait to see what new dance shows may emerge in the future.

How the Benefits of Dance Can Be Far-Reaching and Lifelong

The history of dance is rich with intriguing events and changes. Throughout the ages, dance has served as a crucial method for expressing human thought and feeling. Some of the earliest known humans used dance as a means for communication, stress relief, personal expression, and more. As society has progressed through the centuries, dance has evolved as well. Many forms of dance eventually became a more sophisticated and structured activity for people to learn and master. In recent years, it has become the case for many who engage in dance to utilize it for a competitive hobby, as well as an excellent mode of physical exercise.

The reasons for one to become involved in dance can vary greatly. Singles and couples alike have discovered dance as a romantic activity, while others are intrigued about all the health benefits that come from dance. Many have discovered that dance can be an exciting form of exercise that stimulates social interaction and boosts self-confidence. Through dance, many people find that it becomes easy to make new friends in an enjoyable, goal-oriented environment.

Dance is beneficial for people of all ages, as research has proven that dancing can keep one mentally and physically fit. Staying physically active and mentally alert are found to be essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Enrolling your child in a dance class during their developmental years can result in reaping fantastic benefits that will be accessible later in life.

1. Dance Creates Opportunities for Social Interaction for Children
Dance can enhance one’s social skills immensely. In a group dance class, children are required to collaborate and work together to achieve their goals. When children work together in a positive environment, long-term friendships often result. Furthermore, the performance element of dance can assist children conquer fears of public speaking and help them overcome other nerve-wracking social obstacles.

2. Dance Improves Physical Health in Children
When practiced regularly, dance can be an essential component in a child’s maintenance of their physical fitness. Dance may also improve a child’s stamina, body-coordination, and range of movement. It also can help children create healthy exercise habits for later in life. Many children who wish to improve their technical dance skills will find themselves practicing at home, therefore getting even more physical activity into their day.

3. Dance Promotes Education and Discipline for Children

Having a regular, weekly routine is essential in mastering any activity. Having a structured and regimented program is helpful for children in many aspects of their life outside of dance class. Since dance is often an incredibly enjoyable activity, it’s a good way to pair diligence with fun. As children improve as dancers, they will often themselves learn to see the benefits of showing up on time, practicing at home, and maintaining mental focus in class in order to improve as a dancer. These are life lessons that a child will utilize and revisit throughout life’s many challenges.

4. Dance Can Be a Platform for a Child’s Self-Expression
The ability for a dancer to engage in self-expression is what sets dance apart from many other forms of physical exercise. Self-expression is amazingly beneficial to one’s mental health. Oftentimes, children feel that they are lacking an outlet to express themselves. With the freedom of movement that is associated with dance, many children find that through dance they can channel and manage their emotions in a productive way. Creating and maintaining a healthy mental state can lead to boosted confidence and improved personal awareness.