Flamenco

Flamenco originated in the southern part of Spain, especially around the Andalucia area. This is a typical dance to this part of Spain and it is very popular. It can be danced as a solo or with a partner. Watching this dance can be very entertaining and it is definitely an art to dominate this dance. The steps are very sharp and every move the woman does with her body counts.

TALENT SHOW!!!!!!

As many of you might already know, Talent Show was on Thursday, November 18, 2010. My group and I were anxious to go onstage, becuase we had waited for this moment long enough, and we knew that we were ready for it. I have to be honest the competition was tough, becuase there were many great acts and performances. There were dance groups, singers, and bands. Each and every one of them was amazing. Unfortunately, we did not win, and I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. I soon got over this feeling though, and I realized that it wasn't about wining or losing, it was about having fun and doing what we love to do. This was my first time on stage and I was extremely nervous, but once I got on that stage, all my fears went away and I know I did great. I definitely liked the feeling and the experience, and I hope to do it again next year.

I want to congratulate every single one of those people who got onstage, because even though they didn't win, they were already winners for getting this far. 

Here are some picssss!!! 

  CHECK OUT NEILY!!!!!!!!

Rancheras

The "Rancheras" is traditional music from mexico. This genre of music is very well known throughout the whole world, because "Mariachis" evolved from this kind of music. Rancheras were super popular around the revolutionary years in Mexico, because throught them, the lower class people made fun or even insulted  the government and the aristocrats. Today this type of music is still used to insult political figures, and many of the rancheras singers have had legal problems. There are many great ranchera singers, but I think that the best is Vicente Fernandez. Although, he is very old, he still has a great voice and not even his son, Alejandro Fernandez can meet up to his standards.

International Fest

Today was a crazy day, it was International Fest. This was the day that I had been waiting for like a month. For those of you who don't know what International Fest, Ima tell you. This is a day where each class gets a chance to choose any country around the world, and they can represent that country during all lunches. You can make posters, foods, games or anything that you want, that will help the other people learn a little about the country you're representing. This is a great day, becuase not only do you get to stay out of your third hour, but if you are performing, you also get a chance to do that during all four lunches. Luckily, I got the opportunity to dance during all lunches, and that was really cool. I'm guessing most of you saw the performance but if you didn't, here are some pictures you can look at.

 (SORRY, I COULDN'T UPLOAD A VIDEO, MAYBE LATER ON).

Bachata

Bachata is a very popular dance around around Latin countries and Mediterranean Europe. This genre of music originated in the Dominican Republic, around the early 1920's. This music is danced in couples and it may be danced very slow or fast, depending on the song. Personally, I don't like it that much becuase it's a little too slow for my taste and to be honest I don't dance it that well. Although, I am not in love with it, I do respect it and it is great to watch couplesb dance, if they really know how.  Like most dances it has a basic step, three steps to the right and the fourth should be a "half step" where you simply touch the ground with your foot  (but you don't heavily step on it) and you pull it back to do the other three steps going on the opposite direction. Also, some people on the fourth step sort of lift their foot off the floor and pop their hip. You must keep this stepping pattern throughout the whole dance, but you can add turns and whatnot to it. I know a few people who are dominican and they love this dance, and they cannot stand when people say, "I hate bachata," they will go crazy on you ( believe me, I went through it), so now you know don't say those three words when you're around Dominicans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cehkSxOLNA

Mapale

The Mapale is a Colombian dance that originated from the Afro-Colombian culture. The most important instrument used in this dance is the African drum. This dance started out as a ritual, and it evolutioned throughout time. There are many theories that explain what the Mapale is. Some believe that this dance is actually a dance performed to curse someone. Also, people believe that with each stroke of the drum, the dancers become hypnotized by this music, and they can't stop dancing.
This dance is performed in couples, but the unique thing about this is that they never hold each other. This dance consists of exotic and erotic moves. The whole body is used, from head to toe. This may sound like a weird dance, but it is actually very interesting and exciting. If you have ever seen indians or Africans perform a ritual, then you can get an idea of what the Mapale is.

Tango

Tango originated in Argentina. It began around the time of the late nineteenth century, but didn't gain its popularity around the world, until the 20th century. This kind of dancing came to North America, during the "Jazz Age." It was very popular among flappers, because of its sensuality in the dancing, and that dramatic flair in the song.
As some might say, Tango is easy to learn, but it is very hard to master. The reason for this is that the steps are simple, but is is such a coordinated and syncronized dance, that it takes time and effort to learn this. The couples look like their dramatizing a story, rather than dancing, because they do it with such drama and passion, tha it looks beautiful. The man and the woman must hold each other very tight, and the couple must become one. They have to face the same way, keep upper body contact at all times and have their arms extended at all time. A signature move that is very common in this dance, is the "hooking" of the woman's leg around her partner's. If you can picture or have seen it, you know that it is very sensual. In my opinion Tango is a beautiful dance, and if you can master it, then you should be proud of yourself.

WATCH THIS !!