Ballet Webb: June 2019

In some countries, like Mexico, infinity mirrors (mirrors that face each other) are believed to be bad luck. This is because of the way the reflections in these mirrors go on and on and thus are said to provide a “gateway for the devil.”

Well, many dance studios have facing mirrors and I’ve never heard of this superstition, nor have I seen any bad luck that might have resulted.

Perhaps dance studios are immune?

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #:

“Mirrors that face each other (infinity mirrors) are said to be bad luck.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOiD--UWW-g

Quote of the Day:

“The mirror is the worst judge of true beauty”
― Sophia Nam

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Friday, June 28, 2019

Fun Friday Stirring

To prevent a rond de jambe en l’air from looking like little more than floppy kicking, it is important to have the necessary resistance. This is not easy to feel, especially since it is difficult enough to maintain the working leg turned out, at the correct height and moving in the proper pattern in the air. Whew!

It is helpful to imagine that the working leg is stirring batter – pancake batter, cake batter – whatever your preference might be. The image of mixing batter provides the resistance needed since most of us are familiar with the sensation of a spoon moving against the resistance of the batter in the bowl.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #11p:

“Imagine stirring batter during a rond de jambe en l’air.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdOoVUHabjY

Quote of the Day:

“Through enjoyment we endure.”
― Florence Ditlow

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Throwback Thursday and Dying Swan Film

Most dancers are familiar with Pavlova’s signature piece The Dying Swan. But there is also a 1917 film by the same name.

The plot of this drama goes as follows: “Gizella, who is a dancer and mute, falls in love with Victor, whom she met at the lake. She believes that love is mutual, but then sees Victor with another girl after he cancels a date with her. She becomes an object of sympathy for the artist Glinsky, who sees Gizella dancing The Dying Swan and uses her as a model for a picture on the theme of death.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dying_Swan_(film)

The movie starred Vera Karalli as Gizella. See my previous blog about her here: http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/search?q=Karalli

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #229:

“The Dying Swan was a 1917 film.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYWOT0Mu0Kc

Quote of the Day:

“All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.”
― Seán O'Casey

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Wacky Wednesday Sleeves

Droopy arms are a common problem in ballet. Here’s a prop that can help.

Put on a long-sleeved jacket or shirt and notice how the arms lengthen naturally as they slide into the sleeves. If the arms are limp or droopy, it is difficult to get the shirt on.

Now imagine that same long feeling as you shape the arms in second. The arms are curved slightly, but the energy is the same – it just follows the gentle curve.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #20bb:

“Use a shirt or jacket to illustrate lengthening the arms.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4hFXGiPjwI

Quote of the Day:

“Life always has some surprises up its sleeve!”
― Avijeet Das

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Terminology Tuesday Déboîté

The term déboîté [day-bwah-TAY] means disjointed. It is similar to an emboité, but it is on pointe and the dancer moves backwards (en arrière). It is similar to the term emboité en reculant of the French school which is a series of emboités moving upstage.

Confused yet? Presumably emboité en reculant is performed on or off pointe, whereas déboîté is always on pointe. At least that’s my opinion based on the two definitions. I never heard either term used during my dancing days.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #47:

“Déboîté means disjointed.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWdrOCQUiIQ

Quote of the Day:

“We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!”
― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Monday, June 24, 2019

Mad Monday Sitz Flashlights

The ischial tuberosity of your pelvis is usually referred to as your sitz bones, or sitting bones. Dancers need to become familiar with their bony anatomy since it can help with alignment among many other things.

If your sitz bones were small flashlights (or lasers) pointed downward, they would, when the dancer is correctly aligned, shine two pools of light on the floor. If the pelvis is tilted or tipped however, the pools of light would no longer be visible on the floor.

Therefore, imagine those sitz flashlights and send the light directly to the floor.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #1ccc:

“If your sitz bones were flashlights, they would shine two pools of light on the floor.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbQyh8ODWx0

Quote of the Day:

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Happy National Pink Day!

National Pink Day is a day to celebrate the color pink. The word “pink” is thought to go back at least to the 14th century. “Pinking” shears were scissors used to cut around the edges of fabric. During the 17th century in the Netherlands, a flower of this color was given the name “pinken.” Over time the color and the name “pink” began to come together.

Celebrate by wearing pink today. And since the color pink is also associated with kindness and care you could perform some random acts of kindness today.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #:

“June 23^rd is National Pink Day.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdqAnUpceZs

Quote of the Day:

“Pink is a beautiful color, because it is one of the colors that the sun makes at twilight and in the dawns.”
― C. JoyBell C.

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

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Or visit my Pinterest page:

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For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Saturday Sayings and Superstitions

The dance world is full of superstitions and sayings. I’ve talked about many of them before.

Here is a new superstition/saying. Wishing that at dancer trip on her dress is a superstition that began in old English theaters and is based on fairy folklore. Since dancers are supposed to be graceful and seldom stumble, fairies would have fun making them do so. But if a dancer kissed the hem of her skirt, thus acknowledging the fairies, presumably the fairies would be happy and the dancer would have a good performance.

Have a nice trip!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #158:

“The dance world is full of sayings and superstitions.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PMAc0MRto0

Quote of the Day:

My friend would spend all of his time practicing limbo. He got pretty good. He could go under a rug.”
- Stephen Wright

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Friday, June 21, 2019

Fun Friday Fabric

A common problem dancers have is holding too much tension in the shoulders. This causes the shoulders to lift toward the ears. In fact, this is a problem lots of people have – not just dancers!

To prevent this, imagine your favorite soft, loose fabric draped over your shoulders. Feel how all the folds in the material relax gently downward, flowing over your shoulders.

Now, doesn’t that feel better already?

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #22m:

“Imagine the feeling of soft fabric draped around your shoulders.

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nPEpPCNIFg

Quote of the Day:

“This winter, there will be no voices, no glimpses, no arms.
only the fabric of poetry, to keep me warm.”
― Sanober Khan, Turquoise Silence

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

My latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Throwback Thursday Laurel and Hardy Choreography

Former Jacksonville Florida resident Oliver “Babe” Hardy became famous after he left the Sunshine State and teamed up with Stan Laurel. Most people are familiar with their comedy, but few know that they also performed dance sequences in their films.

One that is listed as one of the 11 best silent movie dances is from That’s My Wife (1929) in which “Stan, looking lovely in an evening gown, dances the two-step with Ollie in an effort to shimmy a stolen necklace down through his undergarments!” https://silentlondon.co.uk/2014/01/21/11-best-silent-movie-dance-sequences/ See the Link of the Day below.

Another dance, from Way out West (1937) was featured in Stan & Ollie (2018) the recent movie about their life. Stan & Ollie is delightful and poignant – I recommend it. See the third and fourth Links of the Day below.

There are others dances in their movies: “The Dance” from Bonnie Scotland (1935) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OTVga0YOS4

The Dancing Masters (1943) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035777/videoplayer/vi1804271897?ref_=tt_ov_vi

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #228:

“Laurel and Hardy filmed dance sequences.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHXmW3IvPYE (dance starts at 14:44)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXCwlO2jnYU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHhVXMYmfw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upfEu4aHyWQ

Quotes of the Day:

“You know, there’s a right and wrong way to do everything.”