Dancing With The Cherry Hill Stars, May 5, 2019
A DWTS Type Fundraiser, May 5
Two dancers were recruited for a local fundraiser. So now what?
Consider the details of the event to choose music and costumes.
it will be on stage, so now we have the procenium, the wings, stage left and right, down stage and up stage.
it will be an event for children's benefit so we know the music and dancing and costuming has to be appropriate for children
it has a theme-World-OK, so now how can we depict something different and special?
An American theme would be different; could be cowboys, could be NY and a retro disco scene; could be old Havana with a Cuban music theme...lots of possibilties.
A European theme gives opportunity to choose some elaborate folk outfits, but most of the music would be kind of tame or would require learning something completely out of our comfort zone
Spain, and the bullfight would be a good choice. Add the props, embrace some of the Spanish dancers' cliches for costuming and props.
Once we have chosen pasodoble and the obligatory music, Espani Cani, think about the amount of time to put it together, how much time is allowed, can we get in a couple of dramatic highlights, how can we make a grand entrance?
We are now on the home stretch for the big event. Kaelan and Valerie got through the whole dance about 2 weeks prior to the performance. They have since gradually make small improvements to their presentation. Their first public performance was at Dance Haddonfield, April 28, where they received some nice contributions for the fundraiser and got a standing ovation from the dancers in the audience.
The costumes are shaping up. First consideration is that a costume must support the charcter of the dance. It should fit while not restricting the dancers' movements. The colors should be coordinated in some way. We do not want to spend money, since the financial benefit will go somewhere else--I think it is to football, not sure. There needs to be some glitter. Actually, there should be LOTS of glitter. The costume should include some of the 'cliches:' a cape or two, flower in the hair, elaborate trim on man's jacket, tight toreodor pants with embellishments on the side, pink socks, ruffles, polka dots, shawl with fringe, a fan.....all fun stuff but not necessary or practical to use them all.
Now there is dealing with the requirements. Requirement to do the music in a way that I am not used to, requirement to devote ten hours of a day to be in one building in preparation for the event, requirement to do things NOT at the last minute, requirement to do things at the last minute without a warning (sometimes one must opt out), requirement to find out things from secondary sources. Requirement to give up quite a few hours of regular work in order to remain involved and to fulfill obligations.
It's interesting to deal with things without being in charge. It's probably a good lesson.
Phil e DanZnewZ, May 6, Kaelan & Valerie
Family and friends of these two exceptional youngsters filled 5 rows of the auditorium at Cherry Hill West on May 5 for the Education Foundation's annual fundraiser, Dancing With The Cherry Hill Stars.
Program started with a choral rendition of This Is Me, followed by a group dance with dancers representing all 12 Cherry Hill elementary schools. We had a favorite dancer in that group, Ava Bella. She always manages to stand out and she was featured doing a tumble sequence.
The competition was intended to raise money for things the schools no longer afford. I hear the teachers have to write grants to receive access to the funds. The participants were thanked repeatedly over the two days of the rehearsals and the show for 1-fundraising, 2-selling tickets and bringing in an audience, 3-spending their time and efforts to create their dances and provide the show.
Our dancers were 2nd in the program. They were first in terms of quality, classiness. Kaelan and Valerie were absolutely the most poised contestants, with polished and professional presentation of their choreography, entrance and exits, costuming. They certainly earned and deserved their trophies for Best Technique.
Valerie got the 'full treatment' from the hair and make-up volunteers. WOW! is the best description of her final look.
Everyone kept mentioning "Most important thing is to have fun." It's fun to just be silly and enjoy moving, but it is fun and also very satisfying to enjoy the results of a serious approach to an important event. Kaelan and Valerie were very committed to doing a good job. It's very impressive to see them be mature about the importance of the entire event, the mission of the organizers, the hopes and expectations of their supporters and their own role in the whole process and experience.
We have a page with photos--click here to take a look
I want to thank the parents of Kaelan and Valerie for allowing me to be involved. I loved to see all the support you gave and I appreciate the trust you placed in our school and my teaching. Thank you!
Two dancers were recruited for a local fundraiser. So now what?
Consider the details of the event to choose music and costumes.
it will be on stage, so now we have the procenium, the wings, stage left and right, down stage and up stage.
it will be an event for children's benefit so we know the music and dancing and costuming has to be appropriate for children
it has a theme-World-OK, so now how can we depict something different and special?
An American theme would be different; could be cowboys, could be NY and a retro disco scene; could be old Havana with a Cuban music theme...lots of possibilties.
A European theme gives opportunity to choose some elaborate folk outfits, but most of the music would be kind of tame or would require learning something completely out of our comfort zone
Spain, and the bullfight would be a good choice. Add the props, embrace some of the Spanish dancers' cliches for costuming and props.
Once we have chosen pasodoble and the obligatory music, Espani Cani, think about the amount of time to put it together, how much time is allowed, can we get in a couple of dramatic highlights, how can we make a grand entrance?
We are now on the home stretch for the big event. Kaelan and Valerie got through the whole dance about 2 weeks prior to the performance. They have since gradually make small improvements to their presentation. Their first public performance was at Dance Haddonfield, April 28, where they received some nice contributions for the fundraiser and got a standing ovation from the dancers in the audience.
The costumes are shaping up. First consideration is that a costume must support the charcter of the dance. It should fit while not restricting the dancers' movements. The colors should be coordinated in some way. We do not want to spend money, since the financial benefit will go somewhere else--I think it is to football, not sure. There needs to be some glitter. Actually, there should be LOTS of glitter. The costume should include some of the 'cliches:' a cape or two, flower in the hair, elaborate trim on man's jacket, tight toreodor pants with embellishments on the side, pink socks, ruffles, polka dots, shawl with fringe, a fan.....all fun stuff but not necessary or practical to use them all.
Now there is dealing with the requirements. Requirement to do the music in a way that I am not used to, requirement to devote ten hours of a day to be in one building in preparation for the event, requirement to do things NOT at the last minute, requirement to do things at the last minute without a warning (sometimes one must opt out), requirement to find out things from secondary sources. Requirement to give up quite a few hours of regular work in order to remain involved and to fulfill obligations.
It's interesting to deal with things without being in charge. It's probably a good lesson.
Phil e DanZnewZ, May 6, Kaelan & Valerie
Family and friends of these two exceptional youngsters filled 5 rows of the auditorium at Cherry Hill West on May 5 for the Education Foundation's annual fundraiser, Dancing With The Cherry Hill Stars.
Program started with a choral rendition of This Is Me, followed by a group dance with dancers representing all 12 Cherry Hill elementary schools. We had a favorite dancer in that group, Ava Bella. She always manages to stand out and she was featured doing a tumble sequence.
The competition was intended to raise money for things the schools no longer afford. I hear the teachers have to write grants to receive access to the funds. The participants were thanked repeatedly over the two days of the rehearsals and the show for 1-fundraising, 2-selling tickets and bringing in an audience, 3-spending their time and efforts to create their dances and provide the show.
Our dancers were 2nd in the program. They were first in terms of quality, classiness. Kaelan and Valerie were absolutely the most poised contestants, with polished and professional presentation of their choreography, entrance and exits, costuming. They certainly earned and deserved their trophies for Best Technique.
Valerie got the 'full treatment' from the hair and make-up volunteers. WOW! is the best description of her final look.
Everyone kept mentioning "Most important thing is to have fun." It's fun to just be silly and enjoy moving, but it is fun and also very satisfying to enjoy the results of a serious approach to an important event. Kaelan and Valerie were very committed to doing a good job. It's very impressive to see them be mature about the importance of the entire event, the mission of the organizers, the hopes and expectations of their supporters and their own role in the whole process and experience.
We have a page with photos--click here to take a look
I want to thank the parents of Kaelan and Valerie for allowing me to be involved. I loved to see all the support you gave and I appreciate the trust you placed in our school and my teaching. Thank you!