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Bring Bloch Shoes to These Summer Dance Festivals

Posted by elizabethr in Events - (0 Comments)

Break Out Of The Capezio Tights For A Week For These Festivals While dancing is a sport that can be enjoyed all year round, the joy of summer dance festivals simply cannot be rivaled. Thousands of troupes spend all year honing their skills and breaking in their Bloch shoes to prepare for these three short months. Therefore, as the season rapidly approaches us, we have decided to give our readers a quick rundown of some especially exciting summer dance festivals. Book your tickets, pack your Capezio tights and get going!

Summer Dance Festivals 2013:

  1. American Dance Festival: Hosted in both New York City and Durham, North Carolina, this festival is celebrating its 80th year with a bang. With world premiere performances of brand new troupes and crowd favorites, an anniversary fete that promises a good time and awesome weather, this is not an event to be missed.
  2. Bates Dance Festival: This summer Bates Dance Festival offers a number of show-stopping performances and a host of professional-led workshops. This is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to be inspired and learn.
  3. Chicago SummerDance: Every year, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events brings all ages together with their SummerDance festival. The city provides 4,900 square feet of open-air dance floor space. The floor is made entirely of recycled materials, and there is a free, one-hour introductory dance lesson. After that, you are on your own with the other thousands celebrating.

Check out these sites and get dancing!

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Turning Old Dance Costumes Into a Quilt

Posted by elizabethr in Leotards | NY Dancewear | Shoes | Tights - (0 Comments)

Turning The Capezio Tights Into A QuiltWhile a chosen few turn their first pair of Bloch shoes into a life-long career in dance, the vast majority of children who sign up for dance classes have a blast for a few years before hanging up their shoes. Many parents find themselves in the predicament of having boxes upon boxes of old dance costumes without a clue as to what to do with them. On the one hand, they are reluctant to throw out the costumes that brought so much joy to their children. But they also do not want to continue to house these outfits for the rest of their lives.

Some parents have found an interesting, creative and inspiring solution to this dilemma. Once your children have outgrown their Capezio tights, gather the old costumes, and use them to create a uniquely personal quilt to pass down from generation to generation. Quilting to preserve old blankets and clothing is a practice that has been around for decades. The beauty of this is twofold. First, you get rid of the old clothing items that are simply taking up space. Second, you get to create a truly meaningful gift to pass on to your children and their children. Beginners to quilting can find tutorials online or join a local class. It will take a little dedication, but the outcome will be entirely worth it.

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Protecting Yourself From Long-Term Dancing Injuries

Posted by elizabethr in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Preventing Injuries Before They End Your Ability To Slip On Capezio Tights

Whether you dance for fun or are competitive in your sport, dancing injuries are par for the course. While a sprained ankle is not the end of the world, repeatedly injuring yourself can cause lasting injuries that will haunt you right up until old age. By no means should you let this discourage you from continuing to slip into your Bloch shoes and leotard. You should, however, be aware of the top risk factors for lasting dancing injuries. Knowing what leads to these injuries can help you avoid a lifetime of aches and pains. Before you pull on your next pair of Capezio tights, read through the list below and learn what factors are most likely to lead to injury.

Risk Factors for Injuries:

  1. Inexperience: Without the skills and experience to meet the demands of dancing lifestyle, beginners are often the ones who suffer the most injuries on the dance floor. Prevent this by going at a pace your body is comfortable with and that matches your skill level.
  2. Poor Technique: There is a reason your ballet teacher keeps harping you about your technique. Not only does poor technique look bad, it can quickly lead to injuries. The techniques designed are made to look lovely and keep the dancer safe. Practice yours today.
  3. Over-Training: We understand that competitive dance takes practice, practice and more practice. But, over-training strains your muscles and leaves them susceptible to injury. Make sure you work at least one day of rest into your schedule!

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Dance Your Way Into Labor

Posted by elizabethr in NY Dancewear | Tights | Tips - (0 Comments)

pregnant dancingAsk any woman who has been pregnant for even a week longer than expected and they will all tell you the same thing:

“I would have done anything to get that baby out of me!”

The list of homemade labor inducers that women have tried run the gamut, from walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to ingesting Ipecac, with every idea you can think of falling somewhere in between those two extremes. Pregnancy is a natural, beautiful and life giving process. It is also incredibly long, physically and emotionally draining and downright tiresome. By month nine, most expectant parents are literally itching to get their little bundle of joy out of them. And, while slipping on a pair of Bloch dance shoes when you feel like the size of a house is probably the last thing you want to do, it might be the very thing that will take you from pregnant to Mommy.

In fact, while they might not be wearing Capezio tights, YouTube is full of videos about the “labor dance.” We have included one hilariously inspiring example below. Strangely, there is actually some real science behind the practice. It has been shown that dancing is a great way to get your baby moving. It also raises your heart rate, which has been shown to induce labor.

If you are past your due date and just want your baby out, it might be time to hit the dance floor!

Check out our inspiration: Dancing Mama-To-Be

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Put Some Sass In Your Class

Posted by elizabethr in Leotards | NY Dancewear | Shoes | Tips - (0 Comments)

Is the gym getting a little old? Tired of logging mile after mile on the treadmill without actually ever getting anywhere? Aren’t we all!

The benefits of exercise have been proven time and time again. More and more people are getting on board with the reality that in order to have the body they crave, they are going to have to expend a little energy. Many of these same people are looking for new and exciting routes to physical fitness. Whether that means slipping into Capezio dance shoes and signing up for salsa lessons or joining a hiking group, folks want more than most gyms have to offer.

Thankfully, the world of workouts just got significantly more exciting for you. Since not all of us are cut out for Bloch shoes and ballet barres, check out the following workouts for an experience that is beneficial to your mental and physical health.

Two Sassy Workouts For Classy Ladies:

  1. S Factor: Pole dancing for classy ladies? Yes! With the S Factor workouts, everyone can live out their pole dancing fantasies, burn hundreds of calories and give themselves some serious bragging rights. With studios all over, literally anyone can jump a pole as soon as they muster up the courage.
  2. Aerial Silks: Those who have tried this amazing workout rave about the total body workout it provides. Plus, who does not want to be able to say they can glide through the air on nothing more than a swath of silk?

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Marathons: Not Just for Runners

Posted by elizabethr in Events | NY Dancewear | Tights | Tips - (0 Comments)

dance marathonWhen you hear the word marathon, you likely do not immediately think of Bloch shoes and dancing. More likely your mind drifts to sweaty and limber bodies panting for 26.2 miles. But, Berkeley Dance Marathon is proving all of you wrong!

While Capezio tights are not required, a love of dance and an unwavering energy level are. On April 5th and 6th, Berkeley Dance Marathon will be holding its annual dance marathon to help raise money to stop pediatric AIDS. Dancing for a cause!

To join the community of dancing spirits looking to support the fight against HIV, all you have to do is form a team and dance for twelve hours. Your team will raise money, break a sweat, burn hundreds of calories and have a blast in the process. Whether you choose to spend your time doing the robot or showing everyone the mechanics of the sprinkler, everyone is promised a good time.

Don’t live near Berkeley? Start your own dance marathon here in New York City. All it takes is a little motivation and some follow through. Rally a group of friends. Have them rally their friends and form a committee to make and distribute flyers. Pick a date, tell everyone you know and get ready to dance your heart out.

Start practicing your moves today!

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Staying Limber In Your Old Age

Posted by elizabethr in Leotards | NY Dancewear | Shoes | Tips - (0 Comments)

senior citizen woman dancingAs the years start adding up, the thought of getting fitted for a pair of Capezio dance shoes seems almost out of the question. You are simply not as young and flexible as you once were. The time for dancing has passed. Right?

Wrong! Study after study has shown that dancing can have a host of benefits on the physical and mental health of seniors. First of all, any activity that gets us up and out of our chairs in our old age is a worthwhile endeavor. But, furthermore, dancing is the perfect combination of a physical workout and a social interaction.

We have compiled a short list of compelling reasons for you to brave the uncertainty and investigate the world of Capezio tights.

Benefits of Dancing in Old Age:

  1. Cardiovascular Benefits: Even light dancing will increase your heart rate and give you a good workout. This is key to preventing heart attacks.
  2. Muscle Building: Your body’s muscle mass deteriorates with age, this can lead to increased body fat. Dancing’s effects on the muscles can help reverse this.
  3. Social Outlook: Happy people live longer. The research says it in more complex turns, but the sentiment remains. Studies also show that dancing increases people’s social outlook and general satisfaction with life.
  4. Balance: Falls are one of the number one causes of injuries in the elderly. Improving your balance through dance is thus a worthwhile endeavor.

These are only a few benefits. There are so many more. Bottom line? Start dancing!

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Meet Sidiki Conde and Be Inspired

Posted by elizabethr in NY Dancewear | Shoes | Tights - (0 Comments)

sidiki condeThe reason dancing flourishes everywhere, from the jungles of Africa to New York City, is its ability to motivate, uplift and inspire. The forms the dancing takes change from region to region. Not everyone is slipping into Capezio tights and performing a ballet or gathering in a circle to let loose to the beats of snare drum. What does not change is the power of dance to inspire. Sidiki Conde is the epitome of this.

After losing his legs at 14 in a country where having a disability was seen as bringing shame to the family, Conde was sent away from his family to live deep in the forest with his grandfather. The time came for the traditional coming of age ceremony. During this ritual, young men dance “the traditional steps into manhood.” He knew he would forever remain separated from the rest of the community if he did not dance. But, he had no legs.

Ignoring the obstacle, he taught himself to take the traditional dance steps while standing on his hands! He sang and danced at the coming of age ceremony and was reconnected with his community. Since then, he has made it his life mission to spread the joy of singing and dancing all over this world.

His music brought him to America where he continues to reach people with his message of hope and inclusion. Here’s someone who has never worn a single pair of Bloch shoes, but is using his gifts for good. Inspirational!

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Krump What?

Posted by elizabethr in Events | Leotards | NY Dancewear | Tips - (0 Comments)

krump practiceThink you have seen the latest and greatest in the world of dance? Think again. Until you have watched someone krump with skill, you have not seen everything.

Never heard of krumping? You are certainly not alone. It is not taught at dance schools or introduced to little kids. It rarely involves Bloch dance shoes or Capezio tights. What it lacks in form, it more than makes up for in style.

Krumping is a street dance that has recently been popularized here in the U.S. It is billed as a free, expressive and highly energetic way to release anger in a positive and nonviolent way. In fact, it was originally seen as a way for youngsters to escape gang temptation. Anything that results in less violence gets our vote. It is characterized by energetic movement of the arms, head, legs, chest and feet. Its popularity skyrocketed quickly and YouTube videos popped up all over. We have included a few below. But, before you can krump, you have to know the vocab.

Krump Lingo:

  1. Battle: Competitors face off in a direct dance off. The use of arm swings and chest movements known as flares and bucks are common.
  2. Biter: Someone who attends battles in order to feed on others’ styles for their own use.
  3. Session: When a group of krumpers form a circle (or cipher) in a hip hop contest.
  4. Buck: Term for someone who excels at krumping
  5. Call-Out: When a krumper initiates a battle with another dancer by calling them out.

 

 

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Dancing To Raise Awareness

Posted by elizabethr in Events | Leotards | NY Dancewear | Shoes | Tights - (0 Comments)

one billion risingOne of the most beloved aspects of dance is its innate ability to tell a story or impart a message. Choreographers know that every time they send their troops out in Capezio tights and dance shoes, they are really sending them out to tell a story and share a sentiment with the audience.

The students and faculty at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines know this too. Taking advantage of the impact dance has on those who watch, they used Valentine’s Day to send a message about violence against women. One hundred dancers slipped into Bloch shoes and joined the One Billion Rising movement. Making use of the highly popular flash mob dance technique, these men and women aimed to draw attention to the startling fact that one out of every three women is the victim of physical or sexual violence.

Kristin McCarthy, organizer of the event and an associate professor in the Humanities and Philosophy Department said this, “We have a common template; we have the dance, we have the sort of poem that begins it, we have a common mission to say that one billion rising can feel like you’re connected.”

Judging by the attention the event received, this is a sentiment shared by many. Planning for next year’s event is already in the works. Together we can use our talents to raise awareness and stop injustice.

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