Dancer Badge

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Subject: Dancer Badge Sun Mar 30 2008, 08:43

Dancer Badge

To compete this badge you must do the following;

Create a small project (however you want) covering a dance style of your choice. Include things like history, pictures, style, dance example, famous dancers, costumes etc.

It must be at least 500 words long with images etc

Subject: Re: Dancer Badge Sun Jan 18 2009, 11:21

Israeli folk dancing has been a part of my life, along with the lives of the entire Jewish people, for many years. I have been participating in Israeli dance since I was in fourth grade, but its history goes way back before then. We have been dancing since we have been a people, and over time it has spread all across the world. It can be found in any large city today, and even in some smaller ones. This type of dancing has one or two choreographies per dance created by professional choreographers or even professional troupes. Choreographers, many from Israel herself, fly in wherever workshops are held and teach dances, new and old, to the community. In my time dancing, I have had the pleasure to meet three Israeli dance choreographers: Shmulik Gov Ari (I couldn't find the dance to this music, but it's one of my favorites!), Silvio Berlfein and Sandra Berlfein. They fly in to Wisconsin (my mom and I picked Silvio and Sandra up from the airport!) to come to a camp my dance troupe hosts, and choreograph a special introduction and finale just for us. It has been a joy working with them. Some famous dance groups are the Bat Sheva Dance Company and the Sheketak Dance Company. Sheketak shows that all Israeli dancing isn’t traditional – check them out! Click here.

There are two styles of Israeli dancing that are very easily recognizable: the circle dance, horah, and the traditional Yemenite. For those of you who have ever been to a Bat or Bar Mitzvah or a Jewish wedding, you have probably danced the horah to Havah Nigila. (Click here) It’s a simple dance in which all participants join hands and travel around in a circle either walking or doing the grapevine. It is chosen for parties and things because it’s easy to follow. The Yemenite is a very traditional dance in which the body is covered except for the face and feet. Movements are especially deliberate when dancing Yemenite, as can be seen in the following video: Example Yemenite Dance

Costumes vary from plain and simple to elaborate and beautiful. The costumes chosen greatly depend on the music and style of the dance, the age of the dancers and the budget of the troupe. For example, mine is a youth dance troupe and we don’t pay that awfully much to participate. Therefore, our costumes are pretty kid-friendly and on the cheaper side, but they still look good!

Now that we know a bit about Israeli folk dancing, how about seeing one of my favorites?

This dance is called Zuz Mitzad Letzad, and is super fun to do. It illustrates a few key dance steps, including the triple step/cha cha step (three quick, small steps), the debka (quickly touching your heel to the floor), the Yemenite (sway, sway, cross), Yema-turn (Yemenite while doing a half turn), and the naley (in a few steps, out a few steps). It is also similar to other Israeli dances because of the repeating chorography. After the music goes through the dance once, the dance goes on!

Here are the lyrics of Zuz Mitzad Letzad translated from Hebrew to English in case you're interested:

MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE

Malibu in the bar, another sip,
beat machine on the Baglama
and if you want me, mama
come'n sit with me, maybe we'll get a few
in the VIP over good wine
we'll sit together, and stop thinking,
and when they'll say "the morning comes"
(we'll set up for another party, another party)
it's time to get up, time to get up.

Chorus:
Get on your feet, no reasons needed,
clap your hands, why wait
and if you don't know how then it's time to learn
move from side to side, whoa, whoa
whoever is sitting, c'mon, stand
whoever is dancing, will get respect
and if you don't know how then it's time to learn
move from side to side, whoa, whoa.

Not Turkish or Greek, just Hebrew over the beat,
it's how Shalosh Larosh 'n Momi cook up another hit
take the boom boom,
basses 'boom' in the face.

and the DJ, put on the old records
scratch, with me it isn't easy for the jealous ones
'cuz the whole crowd is with me, flows with me
over the beat of the darbukah, a whole obsession
so listen up, girls, move the hip,

I 'm giving beats with a guitar,
bass in the background
that doesn't stop for a moment.
so c'mon, come, come, come, come
I tricked my way in,
they told me "ohmigod, yo, c'mon"
Just because he is somebody of importance
(on a scale)
he has many connections at the top hooked up
(what?)
when I get up on the dancefloor
I'm there for the whole night
wai, all the girls desire me
'cuz i got da style.

I said: no rest, even at sunup
I stay after my "After" has lapsed*
I don't go to sleep
I'm the reason girls come to party
so who will bring a number,
maybe i'll bring a number
I'm loose in the bar
'cuz I feel like it.

chorus

Like bouzouki on the beat, you know how to move
mama, you're alone there, there,
what a waste
Yo, when the target is spotted,
I spread a Tasmanian devilish smile
no need no need to show off
bling bling or money money
everyone in the club, say: "hey ey ho"
all the people know, the party is here.

Hey yo,
the bass is reaping (loud) Bouzouki*
cracks in the ceiling but we won't leave
we'll roll the car inside we won't plough
Shalosh Larosh stays awake
lift another cup, lift another cup, lift!

Chorus

Subject: Re: Dancer Badge Fri Feb 20 2009, 04:54

You receive 100 points and your badge.

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