Workshops, workshops, workshops + New Year's Resolution

With some time to spare I can finally update my blog!! I went to three workshops towards the end of last year, Blueprint workshop 2014, one with Kento Mori & Marc Marvelous who are both Usher's backup dancers and one with Spicey.

Blueprint workshop was something I always wanted to try to do and I finally had enough savings to go to it in November! It was an exhausting day... A total of  5 dance classes on one day with an hour break in between.  I definitely learnt from it, learned how to pick up choreography quick (real quick!) without a mirror with over 100 other people in the same room. For me, it was more like a dance convention than a workshop as it felt like choreography from each teacher was thrown at us and that was it. Personally, I feel like workshops should have more of an interaction aspect to it because I find learning and hearing these famous choreographers and dancers stories are more inspiring than just learning their choreography. Don't get me wrong though, you can still learn how they move through their choreography and I definitely learnt a lot that day. It just may not be my cup of tea.

I took another one later on that month with Kento Mori. Unfortunately, financially I couldn't afford to go to both Kento and Marc Marvelous' workshops so I had to choose one. It was a hard choice, but I ended up going with Kento's. I was able to catch the last bit of Marc's class and when I saw it I quickly regretted not splurging to take his class as well. Before the class started, we made a cypher and I saw Kento and Marc dance (freestyle not choreographed). I was so mind blown! Their vibe was absolutely crazy!! And for once I didn't feel like they were competing or judging anyone in the cypher, a cypher at a studio that usually does choreography. Seeing them dance, I was like, "Now THAT'S how you dance." That's also when I realized I haven't been dancing fully...yet...ever. Till this day I am still amazed at their energy level. After both workshops ended they stayed behind to talk about their stories which was so inspiring for me. To know that one of them just wanted to dance and the other just wanted to meet Michael Jackson and have come this far so absolutely inspiring. Knowing this proved to me that with perseverance, passion and determination you can do what you want.

This would be one workshop I would never forget.

At the end of November, I took my last workshop of the year with Spicey. It was one that was organized by MSSD and worked more on hip hop foundations and grooves which was very helpful for me as I'm trying to become more comfortable in freestyling in hip hop and it never hurts to go back to foundations! She also told everyone at the end of the class to chase our dreams and dare to dream further inspiring me to continue mine! Though mine has changed a little since the beginning, when I started this blog. I will probably update that soon in another post.

Now to New Year's Resolutions. I definitely have a few goals I want to achieve this year. (which has started out pretty well since I was asked to choreograph a flashmob to help raise awareness for youth cancer patients/survivors. So look out for that post with the video in the near future!)
My 2015 New Year's Resolutions:
1) Improve my waacking
2) Get better at hustle as a follower and learn how to lead
3) When I have time, learn some house, locking and popping
4) Graduate and finish my degree without compromising too much time from dance
5) Learn to speak basic French so I can find a job after I graduate
6)  Make time for friends and family whenever possible

P.S. Happy New Year!! :)

Dance Over Distance

Finally, after two months of filming. It's out!!  Super excited to share with you all a dance short featuring my boyfriend and I :D This guy is just amazing. Credits goes to him for doing all the editing. We worked hard on this! Enjoy!!

Share it if you like it!

Note: This video does not have extras. For some reason I can't upload the version with extras.

Watch the full version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg2tXADnXds
Or go to my wall on my Facebook page :)

Vancouver and Hong Kong (Part 1)

Travelling back to Hong Kong, I stopped off at Vancouver for a few days to visit my Grandma and while I was there I had a chance to take a class at Harbour Dance with Natasha Gorrie. I remember meeting her once at one of the MSSD sessions and watching her at Bust A Move at the hip hop finals, I said to myself, "I need to take a class with her." And finally I did and she was awesome! After the class, I got to talk to her as well and she gave me some insight on the choices I have on where I want to go towards in dance and how I can achieve it. She was super nice! Thanks to my friend Debbie, I went to Robson square and got to see where some of Vancouver's dancers practice/session. It was pretty dope, kinda like a dancer's playground!

Bboys' corner

Poppers' corner

Hip Hop dancers' area

I only found the waackers a couple minutes before they left so couldn't take a picture, but was able to get down with them for a bit. :) Can't wait till I'm back again in August!  

Now, coming back to HK I somehow stumbled across a waacking battle + workshop that was being held the weekend I got back. I didn't battle because I haven't really practiced but I took two of their workshops, one with Akuma Diva and another with Waackeisha!

Me with Akuma Diva <3

I really enjoyed the workshops and I think I got a lot out of it!! Can't wait to train this summer and see if I can use what I learnt and make it my own vocabulary. Also hopefully, there'll be more battles and workshops I can join and do in HK while I'm here.

Below is the video of Akuma Diva's workshop that I took, check it out! His choreo and musicality was crazy dope!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202064306481436

Bust A Move 2014 - Day 2

Day 2, the finals!! I went to a panel discussion that was held before the battling started where the judges discussed some issues or questions people have about dance. They talked about traditions in dance, commercial vs underground dancers, the business side of dance, etc. Their views were interesting to hear and I loved how Storm (bboy judge) said it is a matter of how we use our words because the opposite of commercial is non-commercial and the opposite of underground is upper-ground/above ground, yet people see commercial dancers and underground dancers as opposites. To what I understood from the discussion, we shouldn't see the two like that because a dancer is a dancer, underground dancers may not be able to do what commercial dancers do and vice versa, so instead of putting them into categories, we should all respect each other. At the end of the day, it ALWAYS comes down to respect.

After the panel discussion it was time for some battles and showcases. I'd have to say that the highlights of the night were definitely the hip hop final battle and Foret Noire's waacking showcase.

Just look at them! So gorgeous, all white and glowing, like angels <3 I teared up after their performance, it was absolutely beautiful.

Next up, the final battle for hip hop. It was SO HYPE!! The music was good and the dancing was crazy!! The video does not do it justice at all since you can't feel the energy through the monitor. So I'll say it again IT WAS CRAZY!!! It was like watching the final battle in the Step Up movies but live.

I ended up staying for the after party because everybody was vibing, cyphering and dancing, and I mean actually dancing. This was so much better than going to a club/party at a club where people just jump up and down. (I personally find that extremely boring, just saying.) Next year, I will for sure be staying until the break of dawn so that I can dance my heart out for the whole night.

The whole of day 2 was absolutely amazing, watching the different styles of dancing and so many good dancers dance was inspiring. Also, seeing the judges dance, some who are in their 40s, doing some crazy moves, emphasizes the fact that age does not limit you in your dancing. After going through Bust A Move 2014, I now not only want to improve my waacking but I also want to try out different styles as well. Next year, if I get my training and practice hours in, hopefully I can also try doing either house or locking battles. I seriously can't wait.

Here's a little recap of the night for all  you readers out there. :)

P.S. I did not film the hip hop finals and the recap videos.