Ballet Webb

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Terminology Tuesday Porteur

The word porteur [pawr-TUHR] means carrier. It was most commonly used in ballet prior to the changes that evolved during the Romantic Period.

Porteur refers to a male dancer who does no actual performing himself, but instead simply supports the female dancer in various poses or jumps. At the time it was considered a noble calling – being skilled enough to present the female dancer in the most flattering way.

According to http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/March-2017/Of-Tutus-and-Pointe-Shoes/ :

“In the original Swan Lake, Siegfried’s was a minor character, in part because its originator, Pavel Gerd, was 50, and that’s all he could do.”

How times have changed - thankfully!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Terminology Secret #87:

“Porteur means carrier.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGDsch81S5c

Quote of the Day:

“The glory of the protagonist is always paid for
by a lot of secondary characters”
― Tony Hoagland

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my 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/

Monday, April 6, 2020

Mad Monday Vacuum Back

Here is a fun way to start the week: a new image for keeping the abdominal muscles under control and the spine correctly aligned.

Imagine a vacuum hose attached to the center of your back. This vacuum is turned on and is sucking your belly button area backwards toward your spine.

Voilà! A perfectly engaged set of abdominal muscles and no arched back.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #1iii:

“Imagine a vacuum hose on the center of your back.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wibr3vMnYA

Quote of the Day:

“Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner.” - Sophia Loren

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my 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/

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Sunday Pass

Link of the Day:

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

Quote of the Day:

“Nothing lasts forever - not even your troubles.”
― Arnold H. Glasow

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my 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/

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Superstitious Saturday Candles

The tradition of extinquishing candles on a birthday cake by blowing on them is believed to come from the ancient Greeks. Thy baked round cakes and would add candles to them when they sought to ask Artemis (the moon goddess) for favors. The round shape of the cake represented the moon. In addition, the rising smoke from the candles was said to carry wishes upward to the gods.

Then there is the idea that this tradition started instead with the Germans in 1746 when Count Ludwig Von Zinzindorf celebrated his birthday with a great festival that included a cake adorned with candles. According to https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/54069/why-do-we-blow-out-candles-birthday-cakes:

“The Germans also celebrated with birthday candles during Kinderfest, a birthday celebration for children in the 1700s. A single birthday candle was lit and placed on the cake to symbolize the “light of life.”

Today’s superstition of blowing out candles also includes the idea that if you tell anyone what you wished for it will instead bring bad luck. Scary.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Superstitious Secret #201:

“Blowing out birthday candles is believed to come from the Greeks.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFbN15VyPqw

Quote of the Day:

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”
― 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!

Check out my 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, April 3, 2020

Fun Friday Folded Fondu

Here is a fun way to think about fondues. In a fondu, both legs bend, then both legs straighten; therefore think of folding and unfolding.

On the bend, the legs fold gently, and on the straightening portion the legs unfold (or unfurl) in a lovely sustained manner.

This unfurling allows for a beautiful presentation of the foot and leg. Ahhhh…

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #17e:

“Imagine folding and unfolding a fondu.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toX6pjZF4fU

Quote of the Day:

“Imagination makes the world
and all the wonders in it.
The seed of every dream unfurls
as you with love begin it!”
― Eric Micha'el Leventhal

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my 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, April 2, 2020

Throwback Thursday and Alexander Placide

Born in France in 1750, Alexander Bussart Placide was a dancer, mime, acrobat and impresario. He studied dance in Paris and performed as a tightrope walker in the court of Louis XVI.

In 1792 he performed in a ballet called The Bird Catcher in New York. He went on to create a dance and pantomime company in Charleston, South Carolina. Here he produced ballets like Jean-Georges Noverre’s Caprices de Galathée and Maximilien Gardel’s Chercheuse d’esprit (Searchers for Spirit).

In 1796 he wed actress and dancer Charlotte Sophia Wrighten. Their son Henry, born in 1799, grew up to become one of the most popular actors of his generation in the United States.

Also in 1796, he became the manager of the Charleston Theater and led the Charleston Company that toured Georgia and Virginia. This company is considered to be the beginning of permanent theater in the United States. He also led companies in Savannah, Augusta, Richmond, Norfolk, Newport, RI, and New York.

He died on July 26, 1812 in New York City and is buried in St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral Churchyard in Manhattan.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #319:

“Alexander Placide was one of the first ballet dancers in America.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYkBN0Hz9jM

Quote of the Day:

“Create. Not for the money. Not for the fame. Not for the recognition. But for the pure joy of creating something and sharing it.”
― Ernest Barbaric

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my 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, April 1, 2020

Wacky Wednesday Waist

A waist elastic was once a common part of a dance school’s uniform. There are some academies that still require this, along with pink tights and a leotard, but I seldom see it today.

The waist elastic serves an important role. The contrast of white elastic against a black leotard (or any contrasting colors) makes it easy to see whether the hips are level. In fact, it is so striking that it reveals even minor deviations from horizontal. It’s a simple device that serves a great purpose. (See the Link of the Day below)

Try wearing one and see for yourself.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #20hh:

“Wear a waist elastic to reveal horizontal alignment.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-4pji3USGA

Quote of the Day:

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
― Rumi

Help expand the knowledge base!

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

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

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