Dress Up with Beads

Androgynous

That's the word for Billy, a style that does not resonate with viewers, so we were not surprised he and Jose, the dancer with the least training, left SYTYCD. I loved Billy's solo, and feel that was another example of judges not using solos to decide.
My feeling is that the judges knew who they were going to boot and they just put Lauren in the bottom three to add drama. (Oh, No! No girls at all???)

The competition show was fun, what I saw of it, with little skinny Billy playing a homeless person meeting husky Ade with a briefcase, the black man getting to be the successful corporate type. I forgot to record, but lately, watching the recording feels like work, so I was happy with the second hour.

Kati's Marinete Footwork

Kati's Matinete

The matinete is a Flamenco rhythm based on the hammer and anvil of a blacksmith.

34 years ago

Dance drought

On Upper Cape Cod this July, I have not seen dance opportunities. I have had a lot of company, but I still look for reasons to leave them on their own for an evening.
This weekend, it doesn't rain, it pours.
Flamenco Friday and Saturday
Flipside Blues at the Woods Hole Community Hall Saturday
Ron Gursky at Cape Cod Dance Center Sunday
CCBD dance at Betsy's - the community of Cape dancers gets together, even if it is in Yarmouth.

easy company

The beautiful 2-year-old has favorite songs and dance moves. Now that she can talk, she keeps asking for things, like that same song AGAIN!
They left, replaced by Dave and Marie-eve who live in Montreal. Wow, is that ever less work!

Company

Sometimes you want to be there, but often it's nice to be able to say, "Gotta go! Have fun on your own!"
Of course, you have to love your job.
Last night, brook trout arrived from Vermont, and I had a taste before I left.
I'd already made Bavarian Cream for dessert.
My mother-in-law had company to listen to her stories.
All my life I have watched myself so as not to repeat.
When I'm 93, I won't care any more.

July 3

I wonder about a holiday weekend like this, but with this many people in town, it seemed like a good bet some would show up. Weekenders and visiting family were stars of the show, joining into the family waltz seamlessly.

Baking

Making goodies for my dance can be a joy if I have time.
I just read "Confections of a Closet Master Baker" by Gesine Bullock-Prado, mostly about her family, the German opera singer mother and baker grandmother, and her movie star sister and having to leave LA for being too phony.
I didn't get the joke until she detailed possible names for her pastry shop in Montpelier, Vermont - "Master Baker! Beat it and Eat it" I tend to ignore book titles.
I made her extremely buttery fruit tart for the oldest boy (Sloane doesn't get sweets yet)
Now it's tiny almond chocolate macaroons rolled in sugar and frozen before baking?!
Nice cool weather for baking today.

Performance Art

An excellent show last night.
The clear loser, even to me and probably to the viewing audience was that boring tap dancer unable to pull off a Salsa routine even though her family is Colombian.
The young Asian guy, revealed to be a member of the Miami ballet already, pulled out all the stops to be a Hip Hop dancer. His solo also rocked with a clear progression and satisfying ending. Often these young dancers seem to just be pulling out their tricks to their favorite music even though they know they have 30 seconds.
Kent also timed his choreography, showing himself to be a serious competitor even though his persona is a boy from the sticks having a good time. In the performance, I felt like the weird crossed suspenders were a good metaphor of how he could have connected more with the partner even though he has that persona to keep up. Her outfit was classy sexy, and with a more serious look, he would have matched instead of looking distracted.
Robert picked a favorite piece of music, the Ray LaMontagne "Hold On Forever", and seemed to ignore the building tension in the song, not up to the performance standard.
Another visit from Sloane meant I was too exhausted to vote.