Music On The Go - A Review of Google Play

I had originally created this post as a little more personal post, less concerned with dance class/performance but still somewhat related. But in the time between drafting it and posting it, a very Real-Life-Dance example occurred, which I will share below!

In recent weeks I have been reworking my Winter playlist since a friend asked me if I had one to share. It is basically my pre-Thanksgiving/early December playlist, with unconventional holiday tunes, and songs focused on snow, winter, etc. as well as some obscure Christmas tunes. So no Silver Bells on this list, but Joni Mitchell's "River" is perfect, as is Elvis Costello's "I Felt The Chill Before the Winter Came".

Years ago, I used to do music swaps throughout the year with friends, and there was always a winter or holiday-themed swap where we would share our favorites to find new music to enjoy. But now CD's are so 2010, and instead I like to use streaming services to discover new music and share playlists. It's been fun revisiting my list and adding some new gems to love. (and if you're interested, here is my always-a-work-in-progress Winter playlist this year)

The point of this post is to share with you Google Play Music - All Access (a mouthful!). I have been on it since pretty much when All Access was launched, and it has been phenomenal. The service is well worth the cost monthly for what it affords me. It is primarily used through your browser, though there are apps (more on that later). I can add albums to my "collection" without owning them--they just go to my library and are listed among my preferred albums. I can listen to most new music/albums the day they come out, in their entirety, without having to decide to buy it. I can make playlists just like iTunes (though I hope they implement folders soon, because I have a LOT of playlists so it's a little unwieldy), and I can share those lists socially with friends.

Flock of Birds Explained!

In American Tribal Style Bellydance, we use the term "flock of birds" to describe the phenomenon that we follow one another without a set plan or timing. That we are closely cued in to one another's movements such that whoever the group can see best can lead the group, changing movement, speed, direction, etc on a moment's notice.

Well, this article discusses the phenomenon after which this technique is named, and if one replaced "bird" with 'dancer", then darned if it doesn't sound like they are talking about dance!

"There is no leader, no overall control; instead the flock's movements are determined by the moment-by-moment decisions of individual birds, following simple rules in response to interactions with their neighbors in the flock. "

 AND

"In the special case of formation flying by large birds such as geese and pelicans, there is an energetic benefit, since following birds can take advantage of vortexes in the air produced by the ones ahead of them. (Although such formations clearly have leaders, these are temporary ones. Because a lead bird does not gain any energetic advantage from its position, it will drop back after a time while another takes the lead. Flock members probably do not do this on any regular rotation, although it's possible that larger and stronger birds are in the lead a greater percentage of the time.)"

AND

"Observation shows that there are no leaders (at least not for more than a few seconds at a time), since different birds will be at the front of the flock every time it changes direction. Research by Wayne Potts, published in the journal Nature in 1984, helped explain how flock movements are initiated and coordinated. Potts, through a frame-by-frame analysis of high-speed film of sandpiper flocks, found that any individual can initiate a flock movement, which then propagates through the flock in a wave radiating out from the initiation site. These "maneuver waves" could move in any direction through the flock... "

And don't miss the bit about the "chorus line hypothesis"! A short, fun read to learn something new today!


Read the full article HERE.

Creating Your Own Style

by Deep Roots Dance Instructor, Carmen Bellotti

As you spend time along your path you begin to acquire treasures. Part of the fun of being a tribal belly dancer is all of the costuming options you have. There are full skirts of different patterns, different textured tops, and so many colors to choose from. And don't forget all the sparkly decorations for our hips and hair! Each dancer's style and wardrobe speak a bit to their spirit, helping to create a unique look for stage. I want show you the various types of the treasures and help you feel confident in picking those bold pieces. I hope this inspires you to be free to create your style.

Mm Mm Monday - Colleena Shakti

To help you through your Monday is the beautiful Colleena Shakti. Here she performs an Odissi Dance, one of the eight classical Indian dances. This dance is unique for its specific way to strike the feet and elegant hand movements. Colleena's strength and grace make this powerful dance extra scrumptious. Enjoy!

Mm Mm Monday - Nomaditude, Students of Deep Roots Dance

Every teacher is allowed to indulge her sense of pride and slot her dancers into their list of "Mm Mm!!" My students performed at a Halloween Hafla a week ago, and so I offer them up, with joy and admiration, for this week's installment.