Making a musical 11: The show!

Yes, it finally happened... the show at the Hackney Empire, where we performed our Saturday Night Fever routine in front of 1,500 people. Did it go well?
You know what? I think it did.
I mean, I screwed up a couple of times. My timing was off - but I managed to catch up. I'm sure other people messed up too... and I'm totally fine with that -because it was an interesting experience.

I didn't feel nervous or anything before going stage, mainly because I've been on stage a few times now (although not for dance), and so I was used to the feeling - but also because I didn't have anything riding on the performance, if you know what I mean. It was all quite quickly put together, but it wasn't for anything that I had a stake in - so in that sense I had nothing to worry about - and it still turned out pretty good - or so I've been told.

The build up to the show was probably the best part if I'm honest. We had a dressing room between 15 of us, and our own make up artists. I went crazy with the make up - eyeliner, eye shadow; I got my hair done too -the works! Really awesome.
And then, while we were waiting, I kept practising salsa and merengue for about 3 hours straight... needless to say I now need a hip replacement :P lol.
I think the pre-show fun is what I'll miss most. The whole group was just there together, talking crap, trying to calm each others' nerves, singing, dancing, generally just having a laugh.

So now Monday evenings will be reserved for 24 and Heroes :D
But I will be really sad to not be preparing for the show anymore.

There are only 4 Tuesdays left of dance class now :(
It's rather upsetting really.
But on the plus side, I'm thinking of doing another class - perhaps to concentrate on street - It's with a professional dancer dude, and it's not too expensive. But I think I'll take a break for a few months and start it in the term following the next one... we'll see.

I'm not looking forward to this dance class ending. Sad times on the horizon :(

Making a musical 10: Lemon Merengue pie anyone?

I have been getting so used to going dancing on Monday and Tuesday nights, that I'm really sad now because Monday night classes finished this week.
The final show is this Sunday, after which we will of course require no more rehearsals :(
We do get an extra rehearsal day on Saturday, but it's going to be very strange having Monday nights free again.

I don't even want to think about performing at the show, because it will just make me really nervous... oh wait... too late!
Dancing in front of 1,500 people, when you can't dance is not exactly something I want to be remembered for doing.
But then again - this is exactly why I wanted to do dance isn't it? To practise, to learn, to perform - all in preparation for the musical. I just think it's all a little too soon. I've been dancing a total of 7 weeks so far, and I'm going to be performing in a show. I thought I'd have at least six months of lessons before being ready to do anything like this.

Anyway, enough of that. So, Monday was the performance rehearsal, but Tuesday was another class of Latin dance magic!
Last week we did salsa, which was awesome. And we did some more advanced salsa last night (yes, I can spin and I'm learning to lead); but we also did another dance called Merengue (not the dessert! It's pronounced "Meranga").
It's a dance from Puerto Rico, and it's actually very simple, but also quite fast - yet surprisingly relaxing compared to Monday's rehearsal.

I'm getting ready now for some proper Latin dancing. I think it's time to go out and hit the dance floor with some crazy Latin moves (he says as trips over his own two left feet) haha!

It never ceases to amaze me, how much love I have developed for dance in such a short time. I just want to know more.
Oh yeah, and guess what next week is?...
TAP!
Public transport beware.

Making a musical 9: This salsa is so hoTT - can someone pass the chips please...

So, things are underway for the show, which is next Sunday at the Hackney Empire. With only 3 weeks of practise, it's starting to look really good. We have only next Monday left, and then the show... I think we're trying to get another slot booked for next Saturday; but other than that, it's just one more practise.

The dance is about 5 minutes, which may not seem like much; but when you're doing a routine for 5 minutes straight, and you've only had 4 days of lessons, spread over 4 weeks, it's pretty difficult, not to mention tiring. But, it's sooooooo much FUN! hehe.

Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to write about was our Tuesday (yesterday) class. If you remember, the beginners dance class I'm taking involves a mixture of different dance techniques. So far we have done basic street, musical theatre, and choreography... and last night, we started... yes, that's right: ¡SALSA!

I think the word "fun" doesn't even begin to cover it. I mean... AWESOME would be closer to the mark. I most defo want to do more salsa in the future. We only did a few basics, but already I could feel myself picking it up, and I just don't want to stop.

Yet another set of moves for me to showcase on public transport :D

Making a musical 8: Choreographing dance

Amazing! That is the word of the day, week, month and year!
It is also the only word I can use to describe last nights' dance class.
After 5 weeks of classes, we were set an assessment - work in small groups, and create your own 8-bar dance; and then teach it to the rest of the group.

As you can already tell, I was LOVIN' it! The rest of the group were so scared about thinking up a routine, but it's what I've been working toward the moment I started this class. Suddenly, all my street dancing, bus dancing, tube dancing, and dancing in my head; was put to use!

My routine was pretty simple looking, but I think it was a bit too ambitious. In the end, I even messed it up in the final performance (lol), but I learned one thing - I'm actually not a bad choreographer. I mean, I got the group doing it in the end, so that's an achievement. And it was a first try. So, nothing will dampen my spirits of what I managed to accomplish.

Imagine... 6 weeks ago I could barely put one foot in front of the other... now I'm choreographing?? I LOVE DANCE!

Making a musical 7: Dance class... week 5

Apologies for there not being an update sooner. Things have been hectic.
Since my last post, things have been going swimmingly. We did more street dancing, and then started on musical theatre - and one of the greatest routines... "You can't stop the beat" from Hairspray. Such joy :)

So, here's the exciting news. A few weeks ago, our instructor tells us that City Academy (where we go) are putting on a show at the Hackney Empire in March; and they want some of the beginners to do a routine.
As there are no guys getting involved, the teacher tells Marc and myself to go for it.
'Going for it' means extra dance classes on a Monday night, and a crazy medley routine to Saturday Night Fever!

Needless to say, Marc was up for it. I took some convincing - because, despite everything; I still have no rhythm, and it takes me AGES to learn any routine, be it even 3 steps.

On Monday, we attended the first extra class... and it was AMAZING! In fact, it overshadowed all the other classes. It was 2 hours of straight dance. By the next day, I was aching. But I can happily say that Marc and I were MUCH better than all the girls in the class... and that takes some doing.
I am now just going to model my life on dance and John Travolta. haha.
I've already started dancing on the street, and the bus. What's next I wonder?

Making a musical 6: Dance class 2

Second week of dance class, and all is going well.
We did street dancing again. It appears that we will be doing a different dance style every two weeks... so I'm very excited to see what next week will be.

But, part of me doesn't want to stop street dance. I really really like it. It's just so cool. We've learnt two different, slightly complicated routines, but just pulling them off feels so good, and I've already started adding my own moves. But I want to know MORE. I may just watch YouTube videos and try to imitate! lol.

This week went a lot better for me than last week. I was getting the moves down a lot quicker, and I wasn't the worst in the class :)
I was determined to prove myself after last weeks' terrible performance, and I think I did a good job. It definitely boosted my confidence for future lessons, and I've been practising every free moment I have - down the street, in my room, on the bus... at work! lol.
Seriously, I'm like a walking dance machine right now - but uncoordinated as hell. hahaha.

I don't care though, I absolutely love it. I've already started choreographing my own routines for the musical - after only 2 lessons. I can't wait to mix up the styles and do some proper fusion dance routines :)

I will indeed keep you all updated on the progress of the dancing.
As for the writing, I'm having a little writers block at the moment. I've completed about 70 minutes of the movie, but there's still much to do, and I don't want to rush it. If it's too long, I can always cut things down later, but the main aim is to just write it first.
I need more free time at work... darn it!

Making a musical 5: Dance class 1

This week, Marc and I had our first dance class... yes, I was dancing! Well, more like "dancing".
Okay, seriously - try to picture this: a class full of girls; there's Marc and I - and from all them, I'm the only one who can't dance.
The instructor is a hero, in fact, he's just like Marc - but older and fatter. Funnily enough, his name is also Mark!
Anyway, he was going through what I felt were extremely complicated dance steps, really quickly, and I just couldn't pick them up. It was all so fast. I needed like 3 times as long as everyone else to attempt to memorise the moves. And the rest of the class were dancing like pro's, in like 3 minutes :S
Give me a musical instrument, or some abstract philosophical concept - I'll pick it up really quickly - but motor movements... I'm afraid not.
I officially have no co-ordination. I mean, I knew that from before, but I know it more now, lol.

But still, it's all good. It was an awesome class, and a lot of fun. Perfect preparation for making the musical - I know a dance routine now! Wooooo! Won't be long before I'm making my own steps! hehe. (obviously they will be so much easier to do).
It's a great experience - and the warm up we did before the class was insanely extreme. I've NEVER done such a hard work out in my life. I was dead before I even started dancing!
But, I so can't wait for next week.
There'll be updates on here for sure... maybe pictures?? hehe.
We'll see.

Until then... step, clap, jump, spin!