This past weekend was spent in Seattle,Washington at the Movement Lifestyle Tour. Now for those of you who don't know about this event, it's a 10 hour intense training workshop split over the course of 2 days with amazing choreographers who push and inspire dancers around the world to be better. Now with that said, on to the core of this blog :)
The first day we arrived at 7:30am for registration and class began at 9am. Vinh Nguyen was first to teach. I was super excited as I've had the pleasure of taking Vinh's class before back in 2007/2008 or so. He begins teaching and it's right down my alley. He taught to a song that I myself would choreograph to. Up next to teach is Mr. Lyle Beniga himself. Lyle is known for his raw and aggressive type choreography. He taught a routine based more on the foundation of house than a normal hip-hop routine. This class challenged me in so many ways. BUT I LOVED EVERY SWEATING MOMENT OF IT!!!! Yes, it was very challenging and yes I did get my butt kicked in that class. The feeling of accomplishment came towards the end of class. It's not about "KILLING" a routine but more towards expanding your knowledge and leaving with more than what you came in knowing.
Here's the link to the dance that we learned from Lyle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00V2woS-Oc
Now, the dance scene in the NW is really just Seattle. When you think of Portland, Oregon your first thought is not hip-hop dancing. When you think of Vancouver, you think Canada and rightfully so. The Portland Metro area is not known for it's dance community. Why?!?!? This is my opinion and my opinion only. If you have another opinion I can respect that. But don't read this and take it as I hate my dance community. I love dancing and I love sharing pieces. After taking this workshop and seeing so many people wanting to train and be there for a common purpose was amazing to see. You don't see that in this dance community. People only go certain places when it fits they're schedule or if friends go to the same place. Not even just the same place but if their friend is teaching, thats the only one they support. Its hard to get a community together when there is no community to start with. It all starts with you! I paid $200 to get training from these instructors and if they want to teach a lyrical piece then I'M DOING A LYRICAL PIECE FULL OUT BY THE END OF CLASS!!! Training is training and no matter who the instructor is, you can learn a lil something. BUT if you don't train then how will you ever GROW?. Same as in school. You can't graduate to the next level if you dont attend class. You get the picture. The point is, we train in dance because it betters us as dancers. If you don't train, how will you ever get better? Why place a title on yourself when the only time you exercise that ability is when it's convenient to you? See a title has a lot of weight behind it. In life, we use it to measure one's importance in a company or rank in military. To have the title of a dancer comes with a lot of weight. And if that seems like it's a lot of weight then the visual representation of lack of knowledge becomes apparent. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying if you don't train you can't call yourself a dancer. I'm simply saying that you CANNOT advance in a field where training is necessary to continue to call yourself that title. Call a spade a spade but don't sugar coat it and say that you do it once in a while when people around you are eating and breathing it. Training is super important and to give up or not take serious the most essential part of dance is a felony!
If you missed the ML Tour in Seattle... i'm really sorry. It was the best dance experience thus far for training, inspiration, and just plain enjoyment! For 2 days a dance community united for the purpose to better themselves. You can't get better if you don't receive training. SAVE UP your money to go to things like this. If you are hungry for it, it shows. Don't pass something up that involves you being a better person/dancer after it. You have to stay hungry and you have to be committed. Anything else is unacceptable. After training with people who have danced less than 2 years to people who have been dancing for 20+ years, there is no excuse for not being able to train. Training is super important. In the words of Kyle Hanagami, be a smart dancer! There are a lot of less educated dancers out there who don't get to where they dream. For me, its to the moon and further if I ever reach the moon. Until then, aim high :)
