Professional Dancer &  Coach,  Kelly-Anne

ADAGIO DANCE

Aerials, Lifts, Dips, Show Dance....

My favorite category of Ballroom Professional Competitions

for a World Title is Theatre Arts Show Dance.

It involves Theatrical Stunts such as Lifts, Aerial choreography & Dips.

here are some of my favorite pictures with my pro partners...

From aerials in the sky, to sweeping gravity manipulating drops...

The precision, courage, graceful execution, and sheer artistry are alluring, spectacular, and the ultimate feat for expressing trust, synergy, commitment, human potential and bravery.

Theatrical Stunts, such as partner assisted hip flairs,

athletic overhead positions,

Shoulder sits, & pas de dues (step for two),  require specific training.

 Teams can practice: in a pool or water (as seen in Dirty dancing the movie), on gymnastic mats, in an open carpeted gym, wood floor,

 with videos, manual guides, and usually with a coach.

For gentlemen, it requires well rounded strength training, coordination, repetition 50x, precision of muscle memory, line, and patience. Most male dancers train with weights, such as bench presses, squats, and full body reps, in addition to floor craft. For Ladies, Ballet and gymnastics are excellent primers, as is strict healthy nutrition to maintain a lean and energized figure. She must display flattering fashionable costuming, and stage makeup.

Most men in the cabaret division are 160-180lbs, and ladies 110-120, though I've seen petite couples and larger framed succeed.

Some men are strong but less rhythmic or stylized, while some are polished, yet less acrobatic. The right shoes, like dance sneakers, help a lot. Avoid rehearsing with jewelry, scratchy fabrics, or fatigue. Focus: Preparations should never be lackadaisical, though being lighthearted makes for a world of improvements.

Adagios acts can be Tangos, Boleros, Ballets, Modern, Latin, Jazz, Medleys, Show tunes , etc.

The freedom, range of motion and creativity in choreographic variations is liberating. Points of contact range greatly, from under the arms, ribs, waist, inner thigh, ankles, wrists, shoulders and backs.

The openness, feeling of flight, ethereal expansion, airy, support, can be addictive for the woman. For a man the adrenaline rush of tuning into his partner, synchronizing timing, and initiating a chain reaction of possibilities for delight in the audience...awesome.

Even juniors from age 8 to teens can participate in this area of dancesport, with an experienced trainer to oversee.

Partners must feel comfortable with one another to take each others body weight.

 There are progressive exercises for contact improvisation.

Some male dancers choose to opt out of lifting any lady,

even professional ballet dancers,

 they prefer to lessen their workload and risks of injury.

Even some women choose not to be dipped, or "dropped"

or to do any floor work, like floor slides, or rolls.

Even lunging onto one knee on the ground can feel uncomfortable at first.

Every dancer's limitations whether physical, emotional or philosophical,

 are always respected.

My personal esthetic is to not look like a contortionist.

 In a decade of the late 90's "extreme" was a trend in pop culture.

Every producer was pushing performers to the limits...

with speed, extraordinary flexibility...shock value or pushing the envelope.

This isn't Guinness book of world records; circus, its fine art!!!

Although I'm nearly hyper extended and can execute splits in any direction

 in yoga class, I save that for private warm-up, not public showcase.

 I won't look too "excited" on a dance floor and make funny strained faces.

Having a mid-space range feels right.

Kinda like cool flowing jazz,

without heart-tugging mellow-drama in loud over-singing ballads.

 Dancers go through experimental phases,

we like to keep a challenge, to grow.

If you are a professional Dancer or Couple

looking to add more flair to your student showcases:

there are several top coaches in the area for you.

I have several routines I've performed,

with skills, and with one of my associates,

 I can help you, or refer you to them.

My rate is $56/session for a couple.

 I have a few favorite Adagio act performers...

one is Chris my (friends): www.myspace.com/56dancecom

katie and billy

tom del flor

www.usdsc.com Ballroom Dance competition

September 6-10th 2006, 2007 in Orlando

Also www.pbs.org ABC