Fun Friday Corner

Fun Friday Corner

Fouettés and à la seconde turns are fun and challenging. The most important thing is to maintain a constant position when in second, and use the plié. No surprise here.

But something that may surprise you is that the plié (and in fouettés the plié with the extension from attitude to devant) happens as the dancer faces the corner. That’s right and you can see it in today’s video below – if you aren’t distracted by watching her pirouettes!

Anyway, in à la seconde turns and fouettés, the plié happens as the dancer faces the corner, not directly front.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #14uu:

“In à la seconde turns or fouettés, plié facing the corner, not directly front.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.facebook.com/1873512836244328/videos/2167702386816602/?hc_ref=ARRRPkEtA5jXGEUF5ms6F38KXUhapSl1yleXZzPELM-zHHOEBKxgomZPnnkLTKbvzJY

Quote of the Day:

“Every corner and room of a house will carry memories, make these the most pleasurable times you shared with your family.”
― Anthony Liccione

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Throwback Thursday Eccentric

Throwback Thursday Eccentric

Eccentric dance is any dance that is unconventional or unique. It developed in the U.S. during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and included African, clogging and tap among other genres.

The team of Wilson, Keppel and Betty were said to be the “greatest eccentric dance act”. They were a popular attraction in the British music halls and vaudeville venues during the mid-20^th century. The three performers were: Jack Wilson (January 30, 1894-August 29, 1970), Joe Keppel (May 5, 1894-June 14, 1977) and Betty Knox (Alice Elizabeth Peden, May 10, 1906-January 25, 1963). Over the decades there were actually several “Bettys” since the original Betty Knox left the act in 1941 to become a journalist. She worked as a war correspondent during WW II.

Wilson, Keppel and Betty’s act capitalized on the new Egyptian craze (following the opening of King Tutankhamen’s tomb) and they became famous for their “sand dance” that involved a soft-shoe number performed on layers of sand (see the Link of the Day below).

A biography about them called Wilson, Keppel and Betty: Too Naked for the Nazis by Alan Stafford, was published by Fantom Publishing in 2015. The book won the Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year in 2016.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #203:

“Wilson, Keppel and Betty are known for their greatest eccentric dance act.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2fqjsijaMM

Quote of the Day:

“Weirdism is definitely the cornerstone of many an artist's career.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri

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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/

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Wild Wednesday Five

Wild Wednesday Five

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #21oo:

“Remember the five things to tell yourself before class.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qrI5qLcdm0

Quote of the Day:

“Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself…”

― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

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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/

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Terminology Tuesday Cabriole en Tournant

Terminology Tuesday Cabriole en Tournant

As the term suggests, a cabriole en tournant [ka bree AWL ahn tour NAHN] is a cabriole that turns. It can be a cabriole dessous en tournant (turning under), or a cabriole dessus en tournant (turning over).

In the book Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet the cabriole dessus en tournant is described as follows: “This is a grand fouetté en tournant done with the beat of a cabriole devant executed before the fouetté”. In the dessous version the cabriole is performed derrière and is executed after the fouetté.

Today’s short video shows the step being demonstrated.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #30b:

“Cabriole en tournant is a cabriole that turns.”

Link of the Day:

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

Quote of the Day:

“Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as hard duty.”

-Albert Einstein

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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/

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Mad Monday Penchée Lead

Mad Monday Penchée Lead

The temptation in penchée is to drop the torso and follow the hand in front as it goes down. This leaves the working leg dangling in the back and relegated to the role of follower. Scary.

In reality, the penchée (working) leg is actually the leader, not the follower. It is the penchée leg that controls the whole operation and the torso and arm in front only follow its lead. And this is important for a successful and/or a six-o’clock penchée.

For every inch the penchée leg goes up, the torso goes down an inch – not more. Always lead with the penchée leg.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #11n:

“Lead with the working leg in penchée.”

Link of the Day:

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

Quote of the Day:

“Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
― Roy T. Bennett

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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:

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Sunday Holiday Reflection

Sunday Holiday Reflection

 Enough said.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Motivational Secret #137:

“Reflect on your blessings and give something back to others.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CanU2-iP88

Quote of the Day:

“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
― Mandy Hale

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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Saturday and Triskaidekaphobia

Saturday and Triskaidekaphobia

A superstition common to many – not just theater people – is a fear of the number thirteen. There’s even a name for this: Triskaidekaphobia  [trih-ska-de-kah-fo-bi-yah].

Especially if it involves a Friday (and every year has at least one), the number thirteen is heavy with superstition. It isn’t difficult to find people who swear that bad things always happen to them on Friday the 13th and there are words for this fear: paraskevidekatriaphobia  and friggatriskaidekaphobia. As a side note, many high-rise buildings do not have a named 13^th floor, and many elevators don’t go to a 13^th floor.

President Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would not have 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic.

The word’s origins are Greek, from tris, “three”, kai, “and”, deka, “ten” (so making thirteen), plus phobia, “fear, flight”. That being said, the word first appeared relatively recently, historically speaking, in 1911 (in Coriat’s Abnormal Psychology).

Now you know another fun word! 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Secret #:127

“Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga994lIm96A

Quote of the Day:

“I'm not nearly as afraid of Friday the 13th as I am of the people who are afraid of Friday the 13th.”

- Unknown

                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:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/