Dance to Exercise. Exercise to Dance.

This is a pretty post for the girly moves this class is all about. We've learned dances to a variety of tracks... Here's some of them!

Nicole Scherzinger ft 50 Cent - Right There

Also for Intermediate -

Chris Brown - Look At Me Now < I think we all know this one!

We also just finished learning verse and chorus to...

Jennifer Lopez - Papi

By the way, you'll notice at the end of the video when JLo is doing the routine... she changes her heels! A quick switch from frame to frame she has on like five inch heels then walks backwards in a 2 inch one hahaha.

Alright, so HOLIDAYS has started but I have yet to actually experience it. I have been working my bottom off since the start of exactly a month ago when I last posted - sorry! It's just that time of year, my annual WTV Pageant 2011 Opening Dance Choreography averaging NINE hours of rehearsal time a week for a month! On top of which I had my other jobs, projects, uni, private lessons and misc choreography. Hahaha.

Excitingly enough - my girls classes have become the biggest party sessions ever! lol Loads and loads of just pure energy and fun! Here's the music we've used so far...

Chris Brown - Have It.

CURRENT song for Girls Hip Hop - this Friday will be the last session for this song! We'll be going back to using chairs for the beginning and end of the dance! It's super sexy and a good pace to dance to.

Too Short ft E40 - Money On The Floor.

Here is a list of songs we'll be using in the future but since we've only got four more weeks (not including this week) til CityDance shuts for Christmas, we'll be learning one of these dances and continue when we start up next year's Girls Club/Hip Hop classes around mid Feb? If there's any hot track you wanna use in our classes email or facebook the song names and artists to me so I can plan out the programme!

Girls Hip Hop Future Mix List Includes:

• Big Sean - Dance A$$ Remix ft Nicki Minaj
• Nicki Minaj - Superbass
• Jason Derulo - Don't Wanna Go Home
• ...and more.

Oh and for the few that would like to perform at this years dance recital... Please begin to refresh the Chris Brown - Yeah 3x choreography. I'm thinking of using that for the GHH performance! Also watch this space because I need to start booking rehearsal times for performers.

The recital date is 4 December 2011.

For all my new dancers - keep coming to class, practice and when you feel confident let me know and we will have our own, other performances! ;)

University can be a fun and interesting experience, oh hell we know all about it! =P Nawh, but seriously, this is perhaps the first year I can count myself in and say, university doesn't just have to be about studying to get good grades. Learning can be a lot of fun too. Depends on how you see it, no? =) Some inspirational words as we zone in on the last couple of weeks of semester with exams and all!!!    ----to be continued----

Anyway, just dropping in a message to say Girls Hip Hop last Friday (30 Sept) was THE BOMB. Had so much fun, and it was hyped and PUMPING. Man, where do I find that energy from. Anyways, we finished, actually completed our first every dancehall dance!!! That was so exciting! Not only that, we also STARTED a brand new girls hip hop piece to YEAH 3X by Chris Brown. I was feelin' for some Chris Brown.

Interestingly enough, was really good to see all my girls switching styles, music and dance when we started doing "YEAH 3X". Some of them got a lost - this is normal, you gotta get your brain to switch and change up too! Hahaha Anyway, we got there eventually and learned the 1x8. Here's the track, and funky kung-fu flying video by Chris! Yeah we on first names now. Playin.

Watch that until they block it lol.

That's a pretty awesome performance by the way!

My intermediate girls club are doin awesome as well - they've got a really sexy, fun challenging piece to another Chris's track which only gets faster tonight!!! Can't wait. XD I'm so excited about it!

Along with added side dance updates, it also made perfect sense for me to start blogging about the little random extras that I love, like, dislike, despise... (no not quite despise, I despise the negative) - so Imma share more of me and what I'm passionate and interested about!

Firstly, I'm sure most of you can identify with me when I mention food. Lemme rephrase that. More like, who does not tingle with ethereal delights over delicious, beautiful-oh-god-dannngmmnnnn-fulfilling FOOD.

From time to time, I have impulses to google up (oh the joys of knowledge at our fingertips) certain, specific FOODS and food types in detail. Just for fun. Really. So far, I've ventured into the history and background of the fruiting Olive, gotten specific with Saffron, engaged in my addiction with the Tomato (I fancy them so) and even the famous Aubergine.

Recently, last week I decided to learn about ICE CREAM.

Simple you might think? Such a basic NECESSITY and we know so little about it!

 TOP SEVEN FUN FACTS I liked and summarized below.

SEVEN:
The concept of ice cream is not new. Icy delights started with flavourful variety of toppings upon ice from Persians.  

SIX:
Arabs not only conceived Algebra, modern day numbers 1, 2, 3… and Al-kalines,..  (can’t really remember but scientific hoorahs beginning with “Al” are likely to originate from something Arab).  

Feel free to add to the list but today, the focus is on ice cream so anyway,
      moving on… 

They were the first to add the MILK component into ice cream.
What geniuses.
What would we do without Arabs. =P
I’d have no ice cream, and that would be a tragedy. 

FIVE:
We’ve all eaten RAW EGGS at least once in our lives so far. They are used to stabilize that ice cream you bugged your mum to get you as a spoilt kid, with a sweet tooth, hunting for a brain freeze.

FOUR:
Premium ice cream manufacturers include Haagen-Dazs and my personal favourite – Baskin Robbins. I have yet to try Ben & Jerry’s. I will not discount them until I try them.
In 1953, Baskin Robbins was the first to introduce 31 flavours of ice cream, one for every day of the month.

One reason I don’t like NZ is the lack of delicious and fashionable franchises (shopaholics know what I’m talking about cos – we don’t have em! Baskin Robbins stated they’ve expanded here, but only through its subsidiary company… Dunkin’ Donuts. T_T

THREE:
Dippin’ Dots is a brand I’m interested to try! They use liquid nitrogen to freeze and make those teenie colourful balls of ice cream. Cryogenic ice cream. XD

Dance Update:
Latest track used by Girls Club Beg for the following dates - 26 Sept, 3 Oct.

Beyonce - Run The World

Make sure you go and check out the official version, the guys in the front are amazing, more natural than Beyonce! This one here is the girls version I put up so that YouTube doesn't block it (hopefully).

Also if you get a chance, check out the effects done up for the bilboard awards version with Beyonce. I started liking the song after this version! Expensive programming. o.O

 Whats up girls!!! So a bit of dance apparel homework to consider for class this Friday 16 Sept 2011. It's not compulsory but for fun, I thought since we're trying something new and gonna get down and jiggy with dancehall - why not dress the part?! *wink*

Only this time in our very own Auckland, NZ, it'll be in an ALL exclusive GIRLS ONLY environment, you get to dress it up (or down). Girl POWER XD hahaha love it.

Although my dance fitness classes are always ONLY for girls...

For added security there will also be a FEMALE BOUNCER at the door to ensure no guy accidentally (or deliberately) tries to enter the class studio. =P wakakaka!

As we all know, the Rugby World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony was last Friday. It turned out to be an insane event with what seemed like the entire Auckland population squished in the Viaduct. In mentioning the ceremony – there was also no Girls Hip Hop class because City Dance was closed on Friday to leave open an evening for  partying, rugby and any celebration you might like to party for. XD

This means that the song we will be learning this Friday is a NEW one! Recently, I’ve been feeling a rhythm for Dancehall in our GHH class. Think Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Shaggy… it’s a different feel, feel the beat – shake some MEAT! Hahahahaha!

To begin our sexy dancehall/girls hip hop piece I’m doing it to We Be Burnin’ – Sean Paul.

Watch this space for another update on what to wear class theme for Friday!

If you’re new and would like to try a class – it’s always helpful to start from the start of a new song. As we revisit and practice each week, you’ll start noticing that you pick up fluency with the moves. Try not to miss any sessions. For one song I usually teach 1. Intro, 2. verse, and 3. chorus. This takes about three weeks because piecing together three different parts over each class and sometimes this could get a little trickier (and WAY more fun) if there’s related group work! More info on this dancey stuff later!

Since my last post, the girls from my GC-Beg and GC-Int have also started new song tracks for new dances. In the case of my GC-Beg we have completed a three week supeRR cUUte number (haven’t done that in a while) to KISS - 2NE1. It’s by a Korean all girls group and I have grown to like it a lot after listening to it several times! In fact, I can almost lip sync the song (in Korean XD). One of the best ways to pick up a language is through music. So, for you girls who would like a link to the track – here it is below.

I'm pasting this second one cos if you click into it and then click "show more" under the video there is an English translation which is what I choreographed it to - so it should help you 'understand' the moves and remember it easier too.

GC-Int, we have learnt (and hopefully remembered) at least six different dances this year and we have started another one! WAkakakA. Weellll, there’s been multiple renditions of Chris Brown – Look At Me Now. So I decided to make one with a sexy feminine twist. The trick now is to make it work. This piece will be a real test of group work and avoidance of stomping on other dancers’ feet… while wearing heels. Ouch! WHEN successful (I am an optimist and I believe we can do anything) it will be such a fantastic piece! OMG I’m so excited picturing it perfectly in my head lol.

Keep dancin’ Keep livin’ the life! Xoxo.

Hey All!

After the fact my last post didn't update properly on FB, I lost some encouragement for another song info entry cos no one knew I drew one up!  T_T   Guess that's expected after several months gap!

Anyway, the awesome thing is that all my classes are doing really well and working on several new bits and pieces - so while we're still using these songs, I'll quickly put them up so you can practice before next week!

Girls Club Beg

From "Bottoms Up" to "Boomerang" - I'm now calling HEY DADDY - USHER.

Great RnB rhythm. Has a bit of everything. I'm not posting the direct video links because paranoid Sony, Vevo whatever over the top corporate that wants a say with its music will most likely block it. Therefore, here's some 'music' versions for your own reference to the song title, artist and familiarizing with the music.

We've had a massively cool play around concept with this by incorporating circular shape - but no one's really confident enough to try my idea yet... Monday 22 Aug will be the FINAL section to USHER - HEY DADDY. Practice the past two weeks so we can finally experiment and put it into action!

Girls Club Int

Has finally finished learning KELLY ROWLAND - I'M DAT CHICK. Super awesome, ALL-female empowering lyrics (when you actually listen to them properly!). Is our (and still is) biggest single song dance challenge to date! My intermediate girls just keep getting better - and I keep giving them more new challenges! Oh evillly awesome Xin.

As a reward and something slightly different, I started teaching a brand new dance Mon 15 Aug this week. To a FUN FUN FUN song (I used the decent "lemme see you get low - you scared" clean part of course!). The infamous and very famous Need For Speed track I heard when I was a 14 year old teenie-boppin wannabe gangsta hahaha. Gangsta part hasn't changed too much. =P

Here's some trivia - the song, according to Wikipedia was... #1 in Germany, WHOA. Germans getting dooownn.

Oh, by the way - in heels.

Girls Hip Hop

Firstly, I've heard the song, I've seen the video, but I couldn't rememeber where its from or what it was called... finally got it now thanks to one of my girls... Here's the track I described we worked on in my last post.

Xzibit Ft Young De - What It Is

Believe it or not, we've learned only two-thirds of it. The last third is not very easy so, a very lucky class they were, I had a small break for the song's final third of choreography by teaching a more beginner piece last week instead. So What - FAR EAST MOVEMENT.

This was a requested song by one of my girls and I custom made a dance for it keeping in mind my regular student's strength moves. I.E. each student has different dance aspects they are better at doing therefore that specific dance or several steps were created with her in mind. That's not to say experienced dancers can't also make it into their own unique individual flavour!

As you can see, it's got a great, catchy beat but, a crap rap. Nothing racist, but hahaha a comment I heard that described the 'phenomena' was "Whaaat do you expect? Asians rapping". Haha point.

Quite a lengthy piece, very natural, very awesome. Come learn something you'll love!! Oh and as for the final part of the Xzibit piece? - The end gets better and better - I'll be saving that for a later stage, when you girls get more confident, and utterly - Fabulous.

Until then, PEACE OUT/SEE YO FRIDAY. Enjoy the song selection.

XIN citydance.co.nz @ MONDAYGirlsClubBeg7:30pm//Int8:30pm. FRIDAYGirlsHip Hop7pm

It's been several months since my last update. I hope ya'll have been busy, kickin' and livin'. Anyway I've been missing all the artistic expression I used to update on here... so here it is, nice and simple to get this going...

Past couple of weeks for the Girls Beg we have finished

Bottoms Up - Trey Songz ft Nicki Minaj

Now this week we've started on the following...

Boomerang - Akon, Pitbull, Jermaine Dupri  

I just noticed... these last two songs have started with "B" haven't they? Haha unintentional i promise. I'm sure you'll have fun practising now that I've started putting the songs up again. =D

As for my Intermediates... they're currently challenged quite nicely by the new song and choreography. I wasn't expecting it to be this challenging but it's definitely a good thing because a combination of the beats, lyrics and counts have been mixed into the steps. There is a lot of polishing to go before all this timing is sorted. Until then however - there is stunning, STUNNINGLY HOT potential. Very excited to record its progress... ;)

I'm Dat Chick - Kelly Rowland 

I'm not sticking a link. Seems like every link they had on YouTube... sounds funny, either a version I didn't use, a version which was sped up or sounded not as good live. o.O

Therefore, just go download (il/legally) a nice quality and practice there. XD

Girls Hip Hop - We have recently completed (successfully although we need ot remark the last part) On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull. Song is not too heavy, started off fun, pop/party sounding and a light change to a heavier hip hop beat. 

As for our latest project... a hot, hOt, HOT beat... hmm, can't find it... 

Tried searching for it. Looks like its a different song name to what's playing on my IPod. Hahaha! I will solve the mystery, find out and post it up tomorrow!!! 

See you soon! Xx

Hey Girls!

You know those boys, who dance and groove in such a laid back way it still looks super good??

...and they have that attitude of 'can't get enough of me'...

I say, revolution! If you ever wanted to 'give' a reply. Here's your chance...

The dance you'll be learning this Fri 18 March, we'll be moving to a heavier beat than our previous weeks to 'Whip My Hair'. Instead we'll be checking out Feelin' Myself - Dolla, from the first Step Up soundtrack.

I thought I'd show you a short, very short, short trailer of some steps from the dance.

Just a draft for the rest is a secret and will be put up once the class learns the whole routine!

Oh, and don't worry! I'm teaching it at beginner pace, so it's okay if your newwwww. I'll show you the ropes of the sexy. Ahahahaha. Seriously though it's all in good fun, see you there! =D

I'm reposting so it's more obvious that I've finally put up the video for the Annual show from Nov 2010. =P Turns out a lot of people, especially the ones that took part in this (and danced in it) missed the blog entry!

So, here it is, the CityDance Annual Show in Nov of 2010. Long due, and since I just got my new broadband connection – have uploaded with ease! You can watch it at any quality incuding HD, thanks to Hazwani Hussain @ hmshots.posterous.com < check out her work here.

Dance 1. Girls Club Beginner – Pretty Girl Rock/Keri Hilson, 2. Girls Hip Hop – My Chick Bad/Trina ft… 3. Girls Club Intermediate – Loca/Shakira.

One of our first full videos (cos the UMSA ball performance was recorded incompletely - technical difficulties have now been corrected... lol).

A mix of levels…
…encourage, enjoy, e-nspire. We hope you like it, it's one of our first. ;) Xoxo.