 |
| Tommy and Joannie dancing a very lovely foxtrot |
Its been a while since I last wrote about any showcase. To be sure, not much has happened over the last few years that distinguishes this year's Al Franz Showcase from any other year, other than getting sick. Indeed, I woke up today after suffering an episode of severe intestinal discomfort necessitating my quick and early departure from the showcase last night - with a few mostly positive reflections that I decided to share - not to include any more details about my unexpected illness.
The format was pretty much the same. Al Franz was totally in control, forever hovering around the microphone announcing dances, directing traffic and managing every aspect of the evening.
The lights were a little too intense. Not good if you wanted folks not to see your sloppy social dancing. Difficult for oldies like me who have a bit of geriatric photophobia. Not good for trying to avoid the glare of the bright lights or to avoid showing off your wrinkles and body imperfections to your dance partner.
The music was outstanding. A number of us have felt over the years that Al's Showcase includes an assortment of wonderful dance music. Only if I could break into his studio and copy his music, I would be a happy man!
Al announced several songs played by the BLACKPOOL ORCHESTRA, which were lovely, and reminiscent of times past.
Al surprised us all when he came over to thank the guests at every table.
Basically, the cast of characters did the performances as in previous years: some amateur couples, some ProAm. The quality continued to improve overall, although some dancers were noticeably off music. Some students danced once, others twice and one student 3 times. While I didn't feel that the evening was stuffed by too many performances, the recycling of dancers left me wishing Al would have tapped into more of his students, or recruited others outside the studio to perform. Still I enjoyed Theresa Yi's three dances as the most polished....nice dresses Theresa!
It was hard to concentrate on the students when Al was dancing ProAm. Al is forever shifting and posing his head in tune with the music, looking to the stars while savoring the melody, mouthing the lyrics of the songs, and magically changing his facial expressions like a chameleon . You can't help but sit there mesmerized by Al to the exclusion of everything else.
I have one pet peeve that is a general comment, not only to this showcase; the choreography is often too advanced for the level of student. In my opinion, simple routines done beautifully are much more attractive than pretending to navigate steps that are beyond your boundaries. So many routines are cluttered with impossible steps that look awkward at best and amateurish at worst. When a step looks difficult to do, its already too late. Worst, it neutralizes the decently executed component of the dance performance, leaving a negative composite impression as the telltale memory that may not be deserved.
Professional dancers make difficult steps look simple. Anyone can make any step look difficult. But every observer at every level appreciates the execution of the most basic bronze steps when done elegantly.
A little about Al. At one point in time, the announcer wanted to give Al a short break after dancing two consecutive pro-Am dances. Al turned to the announcer and proclaimed that he was OK and proceeded to the next dance without delay.
We are all getting old, Al Franz is no exception. Still in his persistence to continue to perform, I see someone much younger than his age, in great shape, who dances with his heart. He remember all of the routines, and is a consummate performer.
This is the way to die, rather than to stick entirely to teaching, or judging, allowing your body to expand at the waistline, attend too many receptions, eat too many desserts, and use as your profile photo, a picture from two decades earlier when you were fit and active.
Basically, the cast of characters did the performances as in previous years: some amateur couples, some ProAm. The quality continued to improve overall, although some dancers were noticeably off music. Some students danced once, others twice and one student 3 times. While I didn't feel that the evening was stuffed by too many performances, the recycling of dancers left me wishing Al would have tapped into more of his students, or recruited others outside the studio to perform. Still I enjoyed Theresa Yi's three dances as the most polished....nice dresses Theresa!
It was hard to concentrate on the students when Al was dancing ProAm. Al is forever shifting and posing his head in tune with the music, looking to the stars while savoring the melody, mouthing the lyrics of the songs, and magically changing his facial expressions like a chameleon . You can't help but sit there mesmerized by Al to the exclusion of everything else.
I have one pet peeve that is a general comment, not only to this showcase; the choreography is often too advanced for the level of student. In my opinion, simple routines done beautifully are much more attractive than pretending to navigate steps that are beyond your boundaries. So many routines are cluttered with impossible steps that look awkward at best and amateurish at worst. When a step looks difficult to do, its already too late. Worst, it neutralizes the decently executed component of the dance performance, leaving a negative composite impression as the telltale memory that may not be deserved.
Professional dancers make difficult steps look simple. Anyone can make any step look difficult. But every observer at every level appreciates the execution of the most basic bronze steps when done elegantly.
A little about Al. At one point in time, the announcer wanted to give Al a short break after dancing two consecutive pro-Am dances. Al turned to the announcer and proclaimed that he was OK and proceeded to the next dance without delay.
We are all getting old, Al Franz is no exception. Still in his persistence to continue to perform, I see someone much younger than his age, in great shape, who dances with his heart. He remember all of the routines, and is a consummate performer.
This is the way to die, rather than to stick entirely to teaching, or judging, allowing your body to expand at the waistline, attend too many receptions, eat too many desserts, and use as your profile photo, a picture from two decades earlier when you were fit and active.
No comments:
Post a Comment