How to deal with an injury

First you should seek medical attention immediately.  No matter what you think you might have done to yourself, you should always get an expert opinion.  You don’t want to think you just simply bruised yourself and then continue to dance with a broken bone.

I know it is difficult to deal with an injury as a dancer.  Our body is our lifeline and sole instrument to our craft.  So that is why we must treat it with respect.

After throwing ourselves around the floor like we do, we are bound to twist, sprain and even break some parts from time to time.

An injury can and will hurt physically, mentally and emotionally.  Yet, without medical attention you could be risking ruining and possibly ending your dance career.

I’ve been dealing with an injury currently and I am not one to seek medical attention unless I believe it is absolutely neccesary to in order to keep myself healthy.

So here is my advice.

After the injury you should:

1. Go to the doctor.  You will recover best once you know exactly what is wrong so you can be treated correctly.

2. Do what the doctor orders.  This one is tough. I’ve always had trouble actually resting and taking the time off of dance to get better but it’s the only way to heal faster without causing more pain.

3. Not only rest, but also ice any swelling and elevate when possible or relevant.

4. Stay positive.  I know it’s  frustrating on your mind and emotions but if you follow the previous steps you’ll be out on the floor in no time.

Top 10 reasons to marry a male dancer

And by that I did NOT mean an escort, stripper or Chippendale.  I’m talking about a real dancer with technique, passion and drive.  Despite stereotypes, straight male dancers do exist.  I’ve just yet to find mine yet.

#1. People will think you are the cutest couple ever.

#2. Choreography.  Two brains are better than one right?

#3.  Real passion in dances.  There’s no need to act like you’re in love with your partner if you really are.

#4. Avaliabilty for practice.  If he’s your husband you know his schedule and probably even make it for him.  Practicing is simple especially if you can do it in your own home.

#5.  He will understand why you feel the need to be at the studio every night.  A shared passion will create a deeper connection.

#6. Your son can dance!  Men who don’t dance, just don’t get it and refuse to let their son step into ballet class.

#7.  Both of you will stay in great shape.  If you’re always dancing whether together or apart, you won’t have to worry about getting fat and lazy along with already growing old.

#8.  You will push each other to become better dancers and feed off one another.

#9.  He will understand your goofy attire full of crazy colored tights, leotards and socks.  He will also understand your vocabulary of fouetté, plié and relevé.

#10.  You will be the cutest couple ever.

Want to become a better dancer?

Train better. Vary your training.  Drop your ego. Push yourself.

Today I had a conversation with a fellow dancer that struck up some good points in my head that I don’t think are really talked about enough.

“People get accustomed to the way their instructors teach I think,” Melissa Hom, a new addition to Baltimore Dance Center said.

Scarily, I do believe that some instructors may overlook the stronger dancers to aide the weak because they need more help.

But the truth is every dancer needs the attention.

It’s all about the ego a dancer can develop (and usually does somewhat) after being somewhere for a good amount of time and getting a lot of praise.

Before I switched over to my studio now I felt myself falling into that comfortable stage and I must say once you train with someone new it is a whole new ballgame…or should I say whole new set of stress , pain and fear.

“I’m uncomfortable because I still can’t do most of the stuff,” Hom said.  “[But you're] never going to learn unless you try.”

Personally, I’ve been very satisfied with the results of switching over to a new studio.  I’ve taken classes from other instructors here and there over the years but primarily took from one person a majority of my career.

And you know what?  She stopped pushing me.  That is where the ego drops and the dancer has to further their training elsewhere in my opinion.

Sure it can be scary at first but you won’t become a better dancer unless you try out different styles.  Just look at dancers on television.  I’m sure they are principal dancers in the spotlight of their studio yet get cut once they take from someone new.

It’s not just about training hard.  It’s about keeping the fire to grow as well and training with different people in different styles.  You can NEVER stop learning.  It’s important to remember even the best have room to grow.

And if you’ve mastered your instructors steps already and feel that you have been at the same level for the past few years then maybe it’s time to move on.

Project Bandaloop: a sight you can’t see

Project Bandaloop is a dance company breaking boundaries with their extreme dancing that relies on aerial, vertical and horizontal movement. 

This group is an example of site specific dancing.  They use their surroundings in nature and architecture to build on their movement. 

 Unfortunately, we can’t just buy a ticket to sit in a theatre to watch these types of performances-but I must say it’s definitely intriguing! 

 

Project Bandaloop also tours doing theater work and as of yesterday they were off to India. 

“We will try to upload from the foothills of the Himalaya after our performance at Woodstock School and then again after our film project in the mountains,” according to the website.

What do you think of this type of dancing?

Thrill the World this Halloween

So you think you can dance?  Well, you don’t really need to be able to!

Dance Baltimore is reaching out to gain the most amount of people for their tribute to Michael Jackson in “Thrill the World” on October 24, 8:30 p.m. at Harborplace.

I can’t think of a better dance out there to join in on the fun and get freaky with in October other than Thriller.

“Dance Baltimore is joining with organizations across the globe to break into the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest performance of one dance by the most people at the same time,” according to the website.

Dance Baltimore will teach the famous dance from the video in two more classes at  Eubie Blake Cultural Center  on 847 North Howard Street.  Don’t miss out on these chances to learn the moves of good ol’ MJ. 

One is today, Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00-7:30 p.m and is free for new students.  The next class is next Tuesday, October 20th, and is only five dollars.

If you can’t make these two days, you are able to make a seperate and private lesson for $75.  You will need to give a two day advance notice.

Reserve a spot today to be festive and dress up like a zombie.  It’s also a great chance to help break a record in the dance world.

Side note: Baltimore’s Got Talent requested that my dance company perform to Thriller when we open for them in November.  MJ you really have inspired dancers everywhere.

Baltimore’s Got Talent extends audition and category

Missed the audition for Baltimore’s Got Talent?  Don’t worry you still have a shot!

Since it seems like everyone is coming down with the flu, there will be another day added to the list.   It’s this Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m at the Senator.

Not 18 yet?

There was a large response of parents who wanted their children to have a chance- so now, with parental consent, the kids have their time to shine.

“We are also going to extend it to another category for kids under 18 years of age with a $500 cash prize.   Their category will be a talent category – they can do whatever their talent is – sing, dance, magician, poetry etc…” said Amy Ramlogan.

So whether you were sick, are under 18, or just missed the audition, take your medicine and clear your schedules for this Saturday.  Come out and show just how talented you really are.

Update: Pre-register to get a time slot and audition number.   Send an e-mail to bmoresgottalent@gmail.com or contact Brown Entertainment at 443-220-5174.  You will need an audition number to get seen and spots are filling up quick!

Q&A with Atomic Goofball

Danny Nguyen, (aka Atomic Goofball) is a breaker in Maryland trying to make it as a dancer (while having as much fun as possible).  I had the chance to talk with him after being amazed by him dance.  I’ve learned that life wasn’t always fun for this goofball.

Well now that I know your actual name is Danny Nguyen,  how did you come up with the name Atomic Goofball ?

Well, growing up in school I was always the goofy kid. I was always like a BIG KID, I didn’t have very many friends, in fact while in high school my best friends were in middle school. So always hanging out with a younger crowd fed my goofiness, calling me a goofball. I added the “Atomic” because I thought it sounded cool!

Why did you start dancing and when?

I didn’t purposely try to start dancing, I sort of fell into it. I was on a journey to break out of my shell and seek acceptance from the kids at school (get into some cool activities and groups so that way I had some friends and some things to talk about).  I tried to learn aggressive skating because at the time, that was a really “COOL” thing to do. With many failed attempts I gave up and sitting there I heard music and found a group of breakdancers dancing and having fun! They accepted me for who I was and I felt it in my heart that “this is for me”.  I started between 98-99 technically. I had to take a lot of time off (almost quit) because of my chest surgery.

Tell me about the exciting dance gigs you’ve done in the past and/or present.

WOW! So many gigs! One of my favorite had to have been So You Think You Can Dance.   I’m definitely gonna try out again sometime.  I’ve danced for the Washington Wizards, the Nationals, and the Capitals, was flown out to California to battle Rockadile of ABDC’s Supercrew, and participated in a huge battle called “Who can roast the most” where I was pitted in a 10 round battle with no judges against another bboy (danger dat) from California.  And the biggest gig yet, landing a role on the upcoming Step up 3:D dance movie!

What is your biggest strength?

I would have to say my character and personality.   I don’t know what it is, or how I do it, but when I’m dancing or not I can put on my goofball face and bring everyone else into my world. I don’t have the best moves out there, but I know that I can show the world I am having fun and to let the world in on this fun!

What had been your biggest obstacle?

My biggest obstacle had to be my chest surgery. I grew up with a chest deformity that kids in my school made fun of me for. They called me bird chest, and picked on me. During gym class, I waited for everyone to leave the locker room, or hide in the corner to change out of my gym clothes. Once I was old enough my parents had me undergo the surgery to correct my chest. It was a very very painful recovery and I had some complications where I was in and out of the hospital for weeks. I had to have a drainer plugged into my chest to drain the over flowing blood etc. While recovering, I lost all strength and in crucial pain. My parents and Doctor told me that I could not breakdance anymore. My friends/crew continued to train and the breakdance scene around me improved greatly while I was stuck in a hole. The idea of never being able to dance again hurt me alot let alone knowing that everyone was getting good without me. Breakin is super competitive so if you take a break, your opponents get better. I became depressed and suicidal. I lost motivation and hated everything. I sat in my room, closed my eyes, and promised myself, “Goofball, you will dance again, you will be the best, and people will remember you”.

What are your goals for your future dance career?

I would love to keep dancing forever! I hope to land more gigs on commercials, tv, and of course movies! I plan on moving out to California to hopefully pursue more gigs. I want to teach more!

Do you have any advice for fellow dancers who are trying to make it in the industry?

YES!! It is very important to be YOU! If you are a dancer and you want to shine, you gotta be unique! What other way to be unique than to be yourself! There is only one YOU, show the world why that is! Keep positive and stay strong! Opportunities are everywhere! If you want something bad enough you can get it!!! The only person that can stop you from achieving your dreams is yourself.

Anything else you’d like to say..?

Shouts to my crew Lionz of Zion and Battle snakes! Respect and love!

Check him out at :Twitter, YouTube, Facebook.

Don’t forget to look for his crazy moves in Step Up 3:D next August.

Breakin’ it down at BDC

Just a few talented breakers in Baltimore…

David Flynn,  “Atomic Goofball”, and Justin Chen breaking it down at Baltimore Dance Center on a typical Tuesday night. 

Flynn and Chen are part of the crew Incredible Sushi Kings (what an interesting name, eh?) and ”Atomic Goofball” is part of the future Step Up 3 movie.

Remember the goofball breaker in the yellow suit on So You Think You Can Dance?

Yep, that would be THE Atomic Goofball.

Baltimore’s Got Talent event details

I spoke with Baltimore’s Got Talent representative today, Amy Ramlogan, for the scoop on this event.

Wondering what it’s for? Well, the goal of Baltimore’s Got Talent is to raise $30,000 for the non-profit organization, epiCenter.

Basic Information:

Senator Theatre Oct. 10, 11. 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

The age range for the auditions is anyone who is 18 years of age and older.

They have been advertising for dancers and singers specifically.  However, Ramlogan said that if there is a huge response of other types of talent they will open up other categories.

So what are they looking for? TALENT!

“In dancers and singers we are looking for artists who have a talent to showcase during the finale that represents the amazing talent that Baltimore has to offer the industries,” said Ramlogan.

 

After the October auditions the top 10 finalists from each category will then move on to the finale on November 21st.

 

From there, they will decide on two winners in total.  One singer and one dancer.

 

“The showcase will be giving $1000 to each winner along with prize packages that include a demo package at The Deep End Recording Studio and a dance package at Baltimore Dance Center,” said Ramlogan. 

 

You can contact Ramlogan or myself for further details.

 

Think you have what it takes?  Come out and join in on the fun the second week of October.

 

Update: The audition is free. What do you have to lose?

Dance registration goes on..and on?

Since when does registration for ANYTHING not have an ending date?  I saw this sign while I was on my way home today and couldn’t help but think that dance is on the decline.

“Dance is the most under-supported of the arts,” said Jayne Bernasconi, artistic director of Air Dance Bernasconi.

However, I still thought it could just be the center.  I personally have danced at this recreation and have never known for it to not cut off registration.  Just like colleges and universities have to turn people away, so do dance institutions.

However, Amy Lindemore, the sole instructor at another recreation dance center in Baltimore renewed my faith in dance.  Their center has a cut-off date.  They also have to turn children away once their classes get full.  After Oct. 1 don’t plan on being able to dance at Colgate.

I wasn’t and still am not completely sure if dance is not on the decline.  It can be expensive to take dance classes, but recreational centers are typically the cheapest places where students can explore the art.  So I was a bit confused when I spotted these three few words in capital letters.

I’m keeping the faith.  However, I hope this sign disappears very soon.  I don’t need to drive by this large billboard reminding me everyday that what I live for could be on the decline.

You already took newspapers away from me America.  At least leave me the chance to dance.