stagefright

[bastet]

I just made a comment in Ampster's thread about the super cute little girl growing up dancing. She'll probably never get stage fright (at least for dancing).

How do mere mortals, who haven't been dancing since before they could ride a bike, feel about getting in front of people?

My partner and I have been asked by 3 different people who have connections to a yearly invitational here in our area and they all want us to perform.

Stagefright was something I barely managed to overcome when I competed in ballroom dancing, and mainly because there were so many other couples on the floor (at least til you got to the finals).

My knees go to jelly just thinking about getting up in front of tons of people and dancing.

If you have stage fright, how do you deal with it?

[Peaches]

Heh...heh...

Well, my mother's response, as well as DH's, would be repitition. Both were music majors in college, both suffered from degrees of stage fright, both had to deal with repeated performance, both impromptu and not. Both swear that having to do it that much takes the edge off of it.

I can tell you that I've never gotten past the stage fright thing with ballroom. I've worked on two different BR showcases, and performed neither. The idea of getting up in front of people and performing would literally leave me sick to my stomach. I shied out of both of them.

I sort of got the urge to do a showcase or spotlight with AT. I told my teacher and put several conditions on it which helped a lot.

1. I didn't want to know about it before hand. It was over and done before I got nervous. (And then I got really nervous, sorta sick, and went outside and chain smoked a couple of cigarettes before heading home...but still.)

2. Improvisation. No routine to remember, just trusting and following, which I can do. I didn't even know the music we were dancing to, so I had to pay that much more attention to it. The more attention I had to pay to my teacher and the music, the less I could focus on the fact that people were watching.

3. Eye contact (obviously while in open). I don't think I've ever maintained eye contact like that before in my life, but it was very good to focus on.

4. I told my teacher that I wanted it to be all close embrace. In close embrace I can turn my head a bit so that I can't see the room at all, and/or I can close my eyes. That worked for starting it out...and then he opened it up. I don't know if he was waiting to feel something change in my dancing, where he'd know I was relaxed enough, or he just picked a time. I've never asked. But by the time he opened the embrace I was fine.

I totally understand what you're feeling. All I can tell you is that I'm so glad I did the spotlight. I really want to do another one. I've got my music picked out, and I want to begin working on it (aka dancing to it so he can get familiar with the music--I still refuse to do anything theatrical or any routine). I never thought I'd feel this way about performing.

[Ampster]

Being the really shy person that I am :rolleyes: ... (*cough*)

When asked to perform for people, I concentrate on my partner and what were doing. I go into a state of "Nothing else matters, Its just us, It will happen." I don't hear the crowd, I don't see the crowd. Only after we're done, does the crowd re-matrialize.

Also, getting in front of people is an acquired skill. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and the better you get.

[bastet]

Heh...heh...

Well, my mother's response, as well as DH's, would be repitition. Both were music majors in college, both suffered from degrees of stage fright, both had to deal with repeated performance, both impromptu and not. Both swear that having to do it that much takes the edge off of it.

I can tell you that I've never gotten past the stage fright thing with ballroom. I've worked on two different BR showcases, and performed neither. The idea of getting up in front of people and performing would literally leave me sick to my stomach. I shied out of both of them.

I sort of got the urge to do a showcase or spotlight with AT. I told my teacher and put several conditions on it which helped a lot.

1. I didn't want to know about it before hand. It was over and done before I got nervous. (And then I got really nervous, sorta sick, and went outside and chain smoked a couple of cigarettes before heading home...but still.)

2. Improvisation. No routine to remember, just trusting and following, which I can do. I didn't even know the music we were dancing to, so I had to pay that much more attention to it. The more attention I had to pay to my teacher and the music, the less I could focus on the fact that people were watching.

3. Eye contact (obviously while in open). I don't think I've ever maintained eye contact like that before in my life, but it was very good to focus on.

4. I told my teacher that I wanted it to be all close embrace. In close embrace I can turn my head a bit so that I can't see the room at all, and/or I can close my eyes. That worked for starting it out...and then he opened it up. I don't know if he was waiting to feel something change in my dancing, where he'd know I was relaxed enough, or he just picked a time. I've never asked. But by the time he opened the embrace I was fine.

I totally understand what you're feeling. All I can tell you is that I'm so glad I did the spotlight. I really want to do another one. I've got my music picked out, and I want to begin working on it (aka dancing to it so he can get familiar with the music--I still refuse to do anything theatrical or any routine). I never thought I'd feel this way about performing.

Mercy! that's be even worse...stage fright with music! Talk about everyone knowing if you mess up.

I'm mostly afraid I'd be so nervous I wouldn't even be able to follow anymore....and trip over myself...and trip my partner....etc....eek!

Funny thing is, I've also been made aware they are interested in us teaching a class at the invitational...which I have no issue at all with...go figure....

[Peaches]

I did trip over myself, actually. I caught the heel of my left shoe in the bow of my right. Thank god it didn't come untied (because it wasn't double knotted). After that, it was like the worst had happened, and I was REALLY able to get down to the business of following.

For me it came down to trust. I trusted my teacher to be able to cover for me, and to lead things I was comfortable with, and to compensate for things like balance problems. And he did. In an odd way (not to be taken the wrong way--we're friendly and flirty, but that's all), I felt much closer to him after that. In a sense, I trusted him to take care of me, and he did. He knew how I felt about things, and how nervous it made me...and he took care of me. It helped a me a lot in the long run.

Another helpful thing was breathing. I had time for a couple of deep, slow breaths in the embrace, with my eyes closed, before he started moving. It was a good way to calm myself, to tune into him, and to still my body.

I think it's funny that you have no problem with teaching--I couldn't do that.

[bastet]

I did trip over myself, actually. I caught the heel of my left shoe in the bow of my right. Thank god it didn't come untied (because it wasn't double knotted). After that, it was like the worst had happened, and I was REALLY able to get down to the business of following.

For me it came down to trust. I trusted my teacher to be able to cover for me, and to lead things I was comfortable with, and to compensate for things like balance problems. And he did. In an odd way (not to be taken the wrong way--we're friendly and flirty, but that's all), I felt much closer to him after that. In a sense, I trusted him to take care of me, and he did. He knew how I felt about things, and how nervous it made me...and he took care of me. It helped a me a lot in the long run.

Another helpful thing was breathing. I had time for a couple of deep, slow breaths in the embrace, with my eyes closed, before he started moving. It was a good way to calm myself, to tune into him, and to still my body.

I think it's funny that you have no problem with teaching--I couldn't do that.

I can understand that...the once or twice I have gotten up in front of people to dance (small crowd, less than 50 people)...it was with someone who was VERY calm and confidante and so I had no doubt he could take any mistake I knew I would make and still be ok with it and not make me feel bad about it...

My performance experienced is limited to 2...Once was a routine, and I practiced it for 2 months, and I knew I wouldn't didn't hear the music once we were performing, but muscle memory took over and I got through it...and once was a Jack and Jill competition and we (same person) made plenty of mistakes but just goofed off so much and entertained the audience that we won anyway...

[kieronneedscake]

Regardless of your experience with an audience of any kind, or your personality, you just need to turn into something that isn't so scary. Maybe turn it into a game with your partner (dares if you will), maybe turn it into an exchange with the audience (as a whole, probably best not to connect with individuals). A perfomance makes you nervous, but the idea of teaching is fine. Why is that? The key is that you're interacting with people, rather than attempting to perform to perfection and being judged by it.

It's all tricks of the mind, just as your mind tricks you into immobility by getting nervous. You just need to find the right ways to steer your mind away from self-reinforcing nervous behaviour. Some people do this by meditative or routine activities (eg. tennis players playing about with their rackets. It fills the time with something familiar, and isn't detrimental to winning the next point.)

I think the best advice I can give, having played a few classical concerts, is that you want to spend as little time inactive beforehand. The longer I am at the mercy of my own mind, the more disfunctional I become, and the more shot full of adrenalin I am by the time I get to do my bit.

The pros still get thrills from performing, that's why they do it. However, their nerves are mitigated by a lot of belief in their ability to do what they are expected to do. One can be quietly confident of putting on a good show without becoming arrogant.

[Steve Pastor]

If you have stage fright, how do you deal with it?

You aren't nervous, you're excited. Mind game #???
Really. You've got all that energy going, and you want to channel it into what you are doing. The judges on SYTYCD pull this advice out fairly consistently.

You will never get better at it unless you force yourself to deal with it.
I used to be terrified of doing anything in front of other people. When my ex did her masters piano recital I refused to go on stage and give her flowers when she finished. And I no longer a young guy even then As part of personal/professional growth, I just made myself get up in front of people. Over and over again. Each time a bit less terrified than the last.

Learn "your part", and learn it very well.
The more confident you are in what you know how to do, the more you will be able to tell yourself, "I KNOW this", and have that much less to worry about.
If you go the memorised routine route, and you "get lost", just keep going until you pick up something where you know you should be. I used get totally flummoxed when I would mess something up. When I finally accepted that I would never be perfect, I was able to deal with it so much easier. "OK, there was my first mistake." Smile knowingly.
Also, people will see/feel your confidence, and, at least as importantly, the fact that you are enjoying what you are doing. This is something else that is thrown around at lot on SYTYCD.

There are things that I have done where I wish I had put more effort into it to get a better result. IE knowing it so well that I could make it look effortless.

Decision there on what aspect you want to share. Is it the tension/cooperation man/woman thing, stare intently at your partner; or is it the gee isn't this cool look at me enjoying this thing? Since AT is danced in a closed position, I'd think you won't be doing the "smile at the audience" thing. But, who knows?

Remind yourself that you are SHARING, or communicating, your love of tango with people. In all likelihood people in the audience will be on your side. They WANT you to do well.

I always like to be familiar with the "stage" ahead of time, including going "up there" and looking out at the audience if I can. It diffuses the "Oh my goodness, look at all of those people looking at me!" shock. One less thing...

Remember that you won't be competing. And any "judging" that goes on will be pretty informal. Come on, the SYTYCD, who are all highly experienced, educated dance professionals don't know crud about AT. "Woooo! That was HOT!"
See, just make it HOT. (kidding)

Keep us informed about music, venue, "moves", etc so we can root for you, and live vicariously.

[newbie]

My partner and I have been asked by 3 different people who have connections to a yearly invitational here in our area and they all want us to perform.

If you have stage fright, how do you deal with it?

Decline.
Except if your say-no fright is bigger than your stage fright.

[bastet]

I did trip over myself, actually. I caught the heel of my left shoe in the bow of my right. Thank god it didn't come untied (because it wasn't double knotted). After that, it was like the worst had happened, and I was REALLY able to get down to the business of following.

For me it came down to trust. I trusted my teacher to be able to cover for me, and to lead things I was comfortable with, and to compensate for things like balance problems. And he did. In an odd way (not to be taken the wrong way--we're friendly and flirty, but that's all), I felt much closer to him after that. In a sense, I trusted him to take care of me, and he did. He knew how I felt about things, and how nervous it made me...and he took care of me. It helped a me a lot in the long run.

Another helpful thing was breathing. I had time for a couple of deep, slow breaths in the embrace, with my eyes closed, before he started moving. It was a good way to calm myself, to tune into him, and to still my body.

I think it's funny that you have no problem with teaching--I couldn't do that.

I think it's kind of like Kieronneedscake said- in teaching, the main thing is the interaction with people, not performance...I think I'd be less problemactic about it except that my other half has never preformed before, and I'm also afraid our nerves would play off each other in a bad way...

Thanks for all the advice. Part of me wants to do it and part of me doesn't. Eventuallly I'll have to tell myself to be a big girl and get over it!

[Heather2007]

My partner and I have been asked by 3 different people who have connections to a yearly invitational here in our area and they all want us to perform.?

Yah-yahhh. Goodo

f you have stage fright, how do you deal with it?

The good thing? Even the best of the best (professional dancers, actors, musicians) suffer from stage fright. So you're not alone. Me (and 6 other finalists) standing on stage at the GB Bodybuilding Championships. All fighting for the judges' attention as they performed a back-double bicep, front ab-quadricep etc etc. Me standing way back a complete bag of jelly and tried to hide the fact that I was standing in a skimpy bright pink bikini in front of hundreds of peopel. I was a wreck and almost dashed off stage. Then individually we had to get back on and perform a 3 min routine to our chosen song. My brother gave me a hug and sent me out. The first few bars of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing and I lit up. I was confident as a peacock and at the end I received a huge applause and then took the opportunity to square up to the judges and POSE. I came home with the winner's trophy. So this is what I am saying: when you pose or dance first and foremost you are doing it for you. In your case you AND your partner. Totally block out the audience. Focus inwards. Focus on the music. Focus on the stops, the starts, the pauses, the highs, the lows. Reach out, hold it and draw it in towards both of you. Here's a neat little trick that helps: when you are dancing with your partner - whisper a few words to her. Anything. And have her whisper something back. It could be a pre-planned sentenced. When you are conversing with your lips as well as your bodies - the audience? Well, what audience.

Huge luck - and let me know how it goes. ;)

[Heather2007]

Funny thing is, I've also been made aware they are interested in us teaching a class at the invitational...which I have no issue at all with...go figure....

That's because you're in control of your audience's reaction.

[Peaches]

That's because you're in control of your audience's reaction.Oooh, good point.

I think I'd be less problemactic about it except that my other half has never preformed before, and I'm also afraid our nerves would play off each other in a bad way...Kind of thinking along the lines of both of these ideas, you know how if you dance in front of non-dancers it's so incredibly easy to impress them? What about getting your feet wet in a totall non-threatening, non-judgemental, non-dancing environment, where the people are absolutely guaranteed to be impressed and be supportive of the two of you? Kind of try it out and work up to it? Off the top of my head (pre-caffeine, so you've been warned) I'm just thinking of retirement communities. I know they often bring in people for concerts or shows or something like that. Perhaps you could get together with other people in the community and do a short performance. Judging by my grandmother's reaction to anything like that, they'd be sure to love it...even if you completely and totally screw up. :D

*shrug* Just thinking out loud of a way for you and your partner to learn what each other are like when it comes to performing.

Focus inwards. Focus on the music. Focus on the stops, the starts, the pauses, the highs, the lows. Reach out, hold it and draw it in towards both of you. Very very nice.

[bordertangoman]

I just made a comment in Ampster's thread about the super cute little girl growing up dancing. She'll probably never get stage fright (at least for dancing).

How do mere mortals, who haven't been dancing since before they could ride a bike, feel about getting in front of people?

My partner and I have been asked by 3 different people who have connections to a yearly invitational here in our area and they all want us to perform.

Stagefright was something I barely managed to overcome when I competed in ballroom dancing, and mainly because there were so many other couples on the floor (at least til you got to the finals).

My knees go to jelly just thinking about getting up in front of tons of people and dancing.

If you have stage fright, how do you deal with it?


of course the Not so obvious answer is Don't do it?

My own experiences are:

I won a poetry compettion when I was at school and got a prize given by Adrian Mitchell and there was a prize giving in the local public library. My parents wanted to go and I said no but my mother pulled rank on me - she was an English teacher, and I had to read my poem out to everyone there. I stopped writing poetry after that. It wasn't worth the book token prize that I got.

Then I was assistant stage manager in an amatuer theatre company; I wound the curtains shifted props etc. I got cajoled into a non-speaking part in a Greek tragedy. I was duped. I wasn't urn carrier number five I was the hero's best friend, not only on stage whenever he was but the first on stage in the first scene. (at least a minor romance started as a consequence. Ironically I killed my girlfriend , Clytemnestra, quite a few times before we started going out together!) but just didn't want the limelight.

So my advice is. Don't do it. I do demos to my class only and then pretend they're not there while I'm dancing. They have been known to give a small round of applause when I'm just dancing quite happily with whoever, the sly b******s, me unaware of having an audience.

Quite honestly its my view having seen, last weekend in Tewkesbury, David & Kim do a demo dance so clinically perfect, well it left me cold, I'd rather be dancing than watching someone else do it. (except Korey & Mila who I do enjoy watching)

[Peaches]

of course the Not so obvious answer is Don't do it?

My own experiences are:

I won a poetry compettion when I was at school and got a prize given by Adrian Mitchell and there was a prize giving in the local public library. My parents wanted to go and I said no but my mother pulled rank on me - she was an English teacher, and I had to read my poem out to everyone there. I stopped writing poetry after that. It wasn't worth the book token prize that I got.

Then I was assistant stage manager in an amatuer theatre company; I wound the curtains shifted props etc. I got cajoled into a non-speaking part in a Greek tragedy. I was duped. I wasn't urn carrier number five I was the hero's best friend, not only on stage whenever he was but the first on stage in the first scene. (at least a minor romance started as a consequence. Ironically I killed my girlfriend , Clytemnestra, quite a few times before we started going out together!) but just didn't want the limelight.

So my advice is. Don't do it. I do demos to my class only and then pretend they're not there while I'm dancing. They have been known to give a small round of applause when I'm just dancing quite happily with whoever, the sly b******s, me unaware of having an audience.

Quite honestly its my view having seen, last weekend in Tewkesbury, David & Kim do a demo dance so clinically perfect, well it left me cold, I'd rather be dancing than watching someone else do it. (except Korey & Mila who I do enjoy watching)I can completely sympathize, because I've had similar things happen, and my reaction has been almost exactly the same as yours.

But my feeling is that Bastet's situation is a bit different. You ended up doing both things against your will--your opinion vetoed once, and tricked another time. If she were to perform in any of these, it would be her choice, which I think can make all the difference in the world.

...or maybe not... There's nothing that says you ever have to conquer the stage fright enough to perform. If it's not you, it's not you.

[bordertangoman]

I can completely sympathize, because I've had similar things happen, and my reaction has been almost exactly the same as yours.

But my feeling is that Bastet's situation is a bit different. You ended up doing both things against your will--your opinion vetoed once, and tricked another time. If she were to perform in any of these, it would be her choice, which I think can make all the difference in the world.

...or maybe not... There's nothing that says you ever have to conquer the stage fright enough to perform. If it's not you, it's not you.

I agree with you Peaches. In part I was playing devil's avocado, though my experiences are true.

Having seen some horrendous programmes about people who want to be on stage I suspect there is some societal psychopathology going on and its probably all too easy to get
sucke(er)d into it without really assessing as to why or whether its for you.

After all fear serves a useful purpose in stopping us doing stupid or dangerous things.
there is a funny management book that said that everyone gets promoted to a level at which they become incompetent unless they resist. The skilled artisan becomes a manager etc etc.

I agree that if you are doing the dance primarily for yourself then its less important what you think the audience might be thinking.

As a strategy for getting used to an audience how about dancing as buskers in public places?

[Peaches]

Mmm...devil's avocado... I can respect what you were doing, I just didn't realize it. ;)

The buskers in public places idea is a good one, I think. (Had to look that word up.) I've danced in non-AT venues (restaurant w/ a small floor for dancing, outdoor square) with non-dancers walking by, and stopping to watch. At first it bothered me, but after a while I kind of got to like it, and then I forgot about them. Who's got energy to worry about people watching when there's tango to be danced?!?! :D

[bordertangoman]

Mmm...devil's avocado... I can respect what you were doing, I just didn't realize it. ;)

:D


most of what I say is guacamole! ;)

[jwlinson]

I used to always be super shy, as in "please don't ever call on me in class to say or do anything, since I hate speaking in public," but that's lessened a great deal since I started dancing. Now when we dance I know there's an audience out there, but I'm not focusing on them. I'm too busy paying attention to my dancing, my partner, the other couples (if there are any), the music, etc. The people watching don't matter.

We've done several performances now, both at our studio and several other venues. At first they were totally nerve-racking as in "omgtheendoftheworld!" but now I have confidence in my own abilities and my partner's abilities, and each one gets easier and easier to do. The last one I was actually able to play around a bit with our choreography and actually have fun with the performance. That felt great.

For a little over a year we've taught the beginning group class at the studio, and that has helped my public speaking ability, which I didn't have before.

I'd recommend doing it, if you want.

[Heather2007]

of course the Not so obvious answer is Don't do it?

My own experiences are:

I won a poetry compettion when I was at school and got a prize given by Adrian Mitchell and there was a prize giving in the local public library. My parents wanted to go and I said no but my mother pulled rank on me - she was an English teacher, and I had to read my poem out to everyone there. I stopped writing poetry after that. It wasn't worth the book token prize that I got.

Then I was assistant stage manager in an amatuer theatre company; I wound the curtains shifted props etc. I got cajoled into a non-speaking part in a Greek tragedy. I was duped. I wasn't urn carrier number five I was the hero's best friend, not only on stage whenever he was but the first on stage in the first scene. (at least a minor romance started as a consequence. Ironically I killed my girlfriend , Clytemnestra, quite a few times before we started going out together!) but just didn't want the limelight.

So my advice is. Don't do it. I do demos to my class only and then pretend they're not there while I'm dancing. They have been known to give a small round of applause when I'm just dancing quite happily with whoever, the sly b******s, me unaware of having an audience.

Quite honestly its my view having seen, last weekend in Tewkesbury, David & Kim do a demo dance so clinically perfect, well it left me cold, I'd rather be dancing than watching someone else do it. (except Korey & Mila who I do enjoy watching)

Here's my story: 2 months ago I was in Africa. Standing at the base of what is the second highest waterfall in Africa after Victoria Falls. I'm a free rock-climber (that is no straps, just hands, feet and a head full confidence). Only, I'd never climbed a waterfall before. One slip and rock and water being the only things to greet me and later. What do I do? I turn and see some guys strapping themselves up ready for that climb. But I don't do straps. Just a small back pack, bared feet and hands. What do I do? I'm reminded of my past injuries: broken leg, ankle, (still) damaged shoulder, broken back, bruises, cuts. And then of course there's the grief of mother, father, sister and brother if I break my neck. What do I do? I watch the other climbs begin. I sit on a piece of rock and look up. No cloud in the beautiful blue sky and the water gushing down is a sight to behold. What do I do? F.E.A.R. somebody once told me, is nothing but a False Emotion Appearing Real. I bend and slowly lift up my little pack pack. I put my foot on the rock and curl my toes around it. I loko up again. Then the other foot. I bend over monkey-style and clasp another rock. And then another and then another. Remembering my own mantra: Let Your Breath Guide Your Journey. And so this continued all the way to the top.

Yes, although would agree with what you say - especially re. David & Kim we should never allow our own fear (or even that of others) to pause us in our journey. In much the same way a motorcyclist will later get right back on that motorbike after a bad crash, or a racing car driver, or horse rider etc. Safety is good but the challenge is better.

My partner and I have been asked by 3 different people who have connections to a yearly invitational here in our area and they all want us to perform.

DO IT It may not be the second most highest falls in Africa but you will get the same buzz as I did climbing it. :wink:

[Light Sleeper]

Here's my story: 2 months ago I was in Africa. Standing at the base of what is the second highest waterfall in Africa after Victoria Falls. I'm a free rock-climber (that is no straps, just hands, feet and a head full confidence). Only, I'd never climbed a waterfall before. One slip and rock and water being the only things to greet me and later. What do I do? I turn and see some guys strapping themselves up ready for that climb. But I don't do straps. Just a small back pack, bared feet and hands. What do I do? I'm reminded of my past injuries: broken leg, ankle, (still) damaged shoulder, broken back, bruises, cuts. And then of course there's the grief of mother, father, sister and brother if I break my neck. What do I do? I watch the other climbs begin. I sit on a piece of rock and look up. No cloud in the beautiful blue sky and the water gushing down is a sight to behold. What do I do? F.E.A.R. somebody once told me, is nothing but a False Emotion Appearing Real. I bend and slowly lift up my little pack pack. I put my foot on the rock and curl my toes around it. I loko up again. Then the other foot. I bend over monkey-style and clasp another rock. And then another and then another. Remembering my own mantra: Let Your Breath Guide Your Journey. And so this continued all the way to the top.

Yes, although would agree with what you say - especially re. David & Kim we should never allow our own fear (or even that of others) to pause us in our journey. In much the same way a motorcyclist will later get right back on that motorbike after a bad crash, or a racing car driver, or horse rider etc. Safety is good but the challenge is better.



DO IT It may not be the second most highest falls in Africa but you will get the same buzz as I did climbing it. :wink:

Oh my word - you're a free climber!!!! :shock: How many of you guys are there in the world? That scores several notches above F1 driving (in the old days that is) for bravery (or some would say lunacy ;)) Yowser!!

[Heather2007]

Oh my word - you're a free climber!!!! :shock: How many of you guys are there in the world? That scores several notches above F1 driving (in the old days that is) for bravery (or some would say lunacy ;)) Yowser!!

Ha, ha, ha. Nah. My definition of lunacy? Free Jumping. Somebody I know is currently in training. It's like, "whoah, there's John Lewis' rooftop over there, think I'll go jump over to it" Takeoff point: roof of Debenhams. And where/how does one start for godsake? Okay, I'll get on my sofa and see if I can jump down onto the carpet. Tomorrow: the double-bunk bed to the carpet. Wednesday: the bookshelf to the carpet. Next year: the roof of Houses of Parliament to Buck House. :wink: Yikes!

[bastet]

Ok- reality check...I'm checking in after the past couple of days of... broken fuel line in car...nearly broken air conditioner in home (not a good thing in 100 degree weather) and broken faucet in kitchen sink....*sigh*

thanks for all the replies... this may become a moot point as I think this thing is in just a couple of weeks. I'll need to check in to it a little more and find out exactly what they might want. I'm going to consider doing it, if it seems like the right thing to do. I'd never remember choreography anyway and I now have the shortest, most fun song ever that I would want to dance to...my new song obsession...Hugo Diaz (the harmonica player)- El Lloron. :) My other choice would have been Kevin Johansen "La Tanogmana"

[Heather2007]

Ok- reality check...I'm checking in after the past couple of days of... broken fuel line in car...nearly broken air conditioner in home (not a good thing in 100 degree weather) and broken faucet in kitchen sink....*sigh*

thanks for all the replies... this may become a moot point as I think this thing is in just a couple of weeks. I'll need to check in to it a little more and find out exactly what they might want. I'm going to consider doing it, if it seems like the right thing to do. I'd never remember choreography anyway and I now have the shortest, most fun song ever that I would want to dance to...my new song obsession...Hugo Diaz (the harmonica player)- El Lloron. :) My other choice would have been Kevin Johansen "La Tanogmana"

Think of remembering choreography as remembering the patterns learned in a class, only more of it. BUT - if it just you and your partner dancing I would advise no choreography and purely relying on inspiration and instinct to wherever the music takes you. Pre-dance studio work could be centred around perfecting certain moves i.e. volcadoes and back sacadas etc. And yes, Hugo Diaz' El Lloron is fabulous isn't it? So do loads of drag steps. And because it is a milonga and not a slow tango you can really play with it and get some cheeky-rude attitude behind it. Oooh - wish I was there to see you. Get someone to film it and plug here on DF.

Another wonderful (non-tango) song I recently purchased after hearing it at a milonga is by a band called Lhasa - the song: De Cara A La Pared (from the album La Llorona) - moody, haunting and s*xy. If you get to listen to it, let me know what you think.

[opendoor]

.. De Cara A La Pared ..

oh, you put a very catchy song in my ear, now !!

Found Lhasa life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOLg_XY2cWA) on youtube and the clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCg_yoUXMbE).

Thanks

[Heather2007]

oh, you put a very catchy song in my ear, now !!

Found Lhasa life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOLg_XY2cWA) on youtube and the clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCg_yoUXMbE).

Thanks

Wonderful isn't it?

[jennyisdancing]

Bastet - Steve Pastor had excellent advice and I would add a couple things. My career involves being in the public eye (tv/radio appearances, interviews, speeches etc.) so I have learned how to deal with performance situations.
I don't think you can eliminate stage fright - if affects even experienced professional performers - rather, the point is to learn how to minimize and manage it.

-first, to repeat Steve Pastor: Be as prepared as possible. Spend as much time planning and rehearsing as you can. Part of stage fright concerns being worried that you won't remember what to do, so the more repetition the better, until it's in your muscle memory. And do a dress rehearsal - in the performance space and wearing your planned costume and shoes. Then when you perform, the setting will feel familiar.

-stage fright is also a physiological response (tense muscles, faster heart rate, shallow breathing), so there are simple ways to deal with this. Stretch as much as you can before a performance. Do some deep breathing and/or meditation - even just a few deep breaths can do wonders to calm you. Take a yoga or meditation class to learn how to use relaxation techniques.

-there are different strategies to deal with the fear of having a crowd look at you. We fear people laughing at, or rejecting us, so there are a few ways to handle this one. if you can have friend or family in the audience that will give you familiar faces to focus on, plus you're guaranteed their applause. Also remember that the audience is starting out on your side. They expect and assume to like you and enjoy your performance. Finally there's always the old standby which is to picture the audience in their underwear. :p

Good luck!

[bastet]

Think of remembering choreography as remembering the patterns learned in a class, only more of it. BUT - if it just you and your partner dancing I would advise no choreography and purely relying on inspiration and instinct to wherever the music takes you. Pre-dance studio work could be centred around perfecting certain moves i.e. volcadoes and back sacadas etc. And yes, Hugo Diaz' El Lloron is fabulous isn't it? So do loads of drag steps. And because it is a milonga and not a slow tango you can really play with it and get some cheeky-rude attitude behind it. Oooh - wish I was there to see you. Get someone to film it and plug here on DF.

Another wonderful (non-tango) song I recently purchased after hearing it at a milonga is by a band called Lhasa - the song: De Cara A La Pared (from the album La Llorona) - moody, haunting and s*xy. If you get to listen to it, let me know what you think.


Yep- that's a great song! I like Lhasa de Sela. I'm thinking if we do decide to do it, it will need to be very short and sweet- hence the short Hugo Diaz track or maybe the short Kevin Johansen "La Tangomana". My wobbly knees may not be able to stand up much longer than that! And my preference is for milonga because I can be less serious about it.

[bordertangoman]

oh, you put a very catchy song in my ear, now !!

Found Lhasa life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOLg_XY2cWA) on youtube and the clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCg_yoUXMbE).

Thanks

CON TODA PALABRA by Lhasa

is another favourite non-tango tango song

[Heather2007]

Yep- that's a great song! I like Lhasa de Sela. I'm thinking if we do decide to do it, it will need to be very short and sweet- hence the short Hugo Diaz track or maybe the short Kevin Johansen "La Tangomana". My wobbly knees may not be able to stand up much longer than that! And my preference is for milonga because I can be less serious about it.

Or rather than short and sweet you make it short and dramatic. You don't necessarily need to get into the dance at the start of the music. Tell a wee story before the actual dance at the commencement of the music. A piece I choreographed some years back with the contemporary jazz I believe could quite easily be adapted to tango. Thus: at the start of the song, the woman runs onto the stage (in tango case, the floor). She is blindfolded with her hands tied behind her back. Her mood anxious and frightened. She falls to the floor. A man appears strolls over to her, crouches down beside her Immediately she pulls back when she feels his touch .He reaches out and assures her by untying her hands. He helps her up to her feet. Here in the jazz version it is difficult as the woman at the time dances a lot in solo and still blindfolded. However where it is easier in tango, as a follower she has nowhere to go but to stay in his arms and "follow" him in the dance. Towards the end, he lets her go and walks slowly off stage. Blindfolded she holds out her hands to find him, when she realises that he is no longer there, she returns to the floor. Music ends, lights go down. The entire routine took around 5 mins but powerful enough leaving the audience wanting more but short enough to have told a very good story. Tell a story in your dance rather than just dance it. The pre- and post- dance bit will need to be choreographed if only to have your follower feel comfortable dancing in blindfold (note: many women dance with their eyes closed anyway) but as soon as the dance starts it is all up to you. Feel free to steal the idea and adapt it to the way you feel. Good luck in whatever routine/song you choose (but one you could use for any future invitation you may get).

(Interestingly, the entire production was based in a South American prison and the main woman was a political prisoner, the man was dressed in general's uniform).

[bordertangoman]

i'd prefer to climb a waterfall than go on stage anyday

'specially in this hawt weather.

[chrissymonte]

During our second term here at IAFT we did a play,it was mostly dancing "the tango".I am good in acting but dancing is different,so when we did our first practice i got scared.What if i trip & what if i will froze?Then my teacher told me to do it slowly w/the music & presto!i am dancing it.During the first night i got stage fright but when i hear the music i can't help dancing to it.I did a blog (http://www.filmschool.ph) bout it in our school hope you can read it.:p

[opendoor]

Wonderful isn't it?

Bought the CD, send a PM if you want an AIFF or MP3 Copy of the song.

Greetings

[Heather2007]

Bought the CD, send a PM if you want an AIFF or MP3 Copy of the song.

Greetings

I already have it, but thanks for the offer:kissme: