Monday, July 13, 2009
Politics and its' Influence on Popular Dance in Africa
I thought that this article might be of interest to those of you who are interested in how politics can be represented through dance.
The Standard on Line Nairobi, Kenya
Dance groups with crime-oriented names
Published on 27/03/2009
Related Stories
Musical chairs in production houses
By Matilda Nzioki
Most of the dance groups have names ranging from FBI to Al-Kaeda. Others are called CIA and many other names of agencies. Almost every other youngster dance group that is formed gives the impression that the names are borrowed from criminals and crime busters. Nearly all the groups are formed in the club, where the youngsters get together for the Sunday afternoon Jam Session. This has somehow brewed beef, with every group calling on the other to be original when picking a stage name. Some of the groups include:
Al-Kaeda
Its translation is ‘The Base’, and it is an International Sunni Islamist extremist movement whose characteristic techniques include suicide attacks and simultaneous bombings of different targets. Activities ascribed to it may involve members of the movement, who have taken a pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden. It has been labelled as a terrorist organisation by the UN Security Council among other organisations.
Al-Kaeda
Number of members: Five boys, all campus students. Currently Redsan’s dancers, and have danced for musicians Collo, Risasi, DNG and Megatone in the past.
Genre: Can dance to all types of music.
Formed in: 2005
Pulse: Why that name?
A: It was given to us back in high school, after an electrifying performance and the MC said that we had brought terror in the house, then our mates started calling us Al-Kaeda. At the time, we were known as ‘Pioneer’.
P: Do you think that stage name can affect your business?
A: It actually has, in a lot of instances. Although our name has a ‘K’ instead of a ‘Q’ we decided to keep the name Pioneer that we use for corporate shows and Al-Kaeda for young people and high school students as it appeals more to them.
P: What’s with every group coming up calling themselves such kind of names?
A: We were the first dance group out of high school to make it in the industry and actually we won a CHAT Award. We are also the only ones who are on the "wrong side of the law", so they must have figured by being "law enforcers" they will get inspiration to conquer us, just like all the US intelligence groups are targeting Al-Qaeda. But they can’t find us; the same way Osama hasn’t been caught!
Secret Service
Other groups whose majority of members are in boarding high schools include GSU, CIA, SWAT, CSI and CID. The latter is made up of three girls, and the three letters apparently stand for the initials of their names.
Definitions from Wikipedia
Secret Service: In reality it is called the United States Secret Service and it is a United States federal government law enforcement agency responsible for investigation of major fraud and ensuring the safety of national VIPs such as the president.
Locally: Number of members: Six. Four boys and two girls, all of them students at the university and aged between 20-22
Genre: Ragga and Hip-hop.
Formed in: 2008
Pulse: Why that name?
FBI
SS: All the dance groups in secondary schools seemed to be coming up with these sorts of names, so we called ourselves that to mock them, and the name stuck.
P: Are your moves related to crime and law enforcement?
SS: Yes, mostly. We have some dance moves that seem like one is shooting, or even cocking a gun.
P: How come all these names are from the west, especially the US?
SS: Probably because there are no such intelligence agencies locally. The only local one must be Kwekwe, which we had actually considered, but thought it might bring trouble with the government and also leave us stigmatised. These agencies attract people because they appear deadly on TV programmes.
LAPD
In reality it stands for Los Angeles Police Department.
Number of Members: Five college boys aged between 20-23
Genre: All, hata Bhangra.
Formed in: 2008
Pulse: Why the name LAPD?
LAPD: Our name stands for Legal Army of Prime Dancers. We are soldiers who battle on the dance floor. LAPD is a known initial, but we have modified ours to mean a different thing, because we know we can get sued.
P: Do you think the choice of your name can affect your business seeing that these names are somehow associated with immaturity?
LAPD
LAPD: We believe that many people have learnt not to judge a performer by the name.
P: FBI is claiming that everyone with such kind of names has followed in their footsteps. What’s your take on that?
LAPD: They may have started before us as a group, but we were dancing solo, way before they cleared high school. We later formed a group to harness our talent. They had a larger fan base too because when people are in high school, there’s some sort of solidarity.
FBI
In reality it is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which is the primary unit in the United States Department of Justice, serving as both a federal criminal investigative body and a domestic intelligence agency.
Number of members: Ten, all college boys aged between 17-21.
Genre: They dance to any and every genre of music.
Formed in: 2006
Pulse: Why the name FBI.
FBI: Our name simply stands for Fans Based Insiders, and we do not compare ourselves to the one in the US, as we have nothing to do with each other.
P: Why do you think there are all these dance groups with these names?
FBI: It was Al-Kaeda group and us who pioneered these kind of names, as we were formed in 2006. We believe the rest come up with these kinds of names thinking they will make it like we did.
DANCE TO HEALTH
http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com
African Dance DVD Dance in Our Footsteps http://www.lulu.com/content/5418026
CD CALLING ALL DRUMMERS AND FLUTE PLAYERS http://www.lulu.com/content/5631546
AN APPROACH TO AFRICAN RHYTHM BY SETH CUDJOE http://www.lulu.com/content/5427533
http://www.squidoo.com/DonnetteDavisSMMarketing
Saturday, July 11, 2009
CONTACT IMPROVISATION: A DANCE OF EQUALITY
Bruce of Berkeley California writes:-
"At the age of 17, I broke my neck while diving, which resulted in paralysis affecting my body from my chest down. While on a March for Peace in Central America, I learned about contact improvisation and discovered through it that people with and without disabilities could dance together equally. Contact improvisation allows someone disabled to become so engaged in the contact and balance with another dancer, that the sensation supersedes the superficial image. Even though I have limited voluntary movement throughout my body, I can create coordinated movement, using the sensation in my body and skeleton.
The focus of the dance is on the conversation of body movement between two people. Each person listens through that person's own body to the other dancer's movement. As well, each person is responsible for his or her own safety in the dance and trusts that the other will always be in the present moment, listening.
For me, it's important to create motion and dance that naturally emerges from a disabled person's body. I encourage people with disabilities to find their own personal expressions of movement from their own bodies rather than imitating dance styles like ballet or ballroom dancing and movements that come from non-disabled bodies. When persons with disabilities try to perform in contemporary dance styles typically performed by the non-disabled, audiences judge them as making a nice effort. However, when persons with disabilities create dances which present the authentic movement of their own bodies they will find that the audience will appreciate them as true artists."
http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com
http://www.squidoo.com/St-Aidens-Homeschool
http://www.squidoo.com/DonnetteDavisSMMarketing
"At the age of 17, I broke my neck while diving, which resulted in paralysis affecting my body from my chest down. While on a March for Peace in Central America, I learned about contact improvisation and discovered through it that people with and without disabilities could dance together equally. Contact improvisation allows someone disabled to become so engaged in the contact and balance with another dancer, that the sensation supersedes the superficial image. Even though I have limited voluntary movement throughout my body, I can create coordinated movement, using the sensation in my body and skeleton.
The focus of the dance is on the conversation of body movement between two people. Each person listens through that person's own body to the other dancer's movement. As well, each person is responsible for his or her own safety in the dance and trusts that the other will always be in the present moment, listening.
For me, it's important to create motion and dance that naturally emerges from a disabled person's body. I encourage people with disabilities to find their own personal expressions of movement from their own bodies rather than imitating dance styles like ballet or ballroom dancing and movements that come from non-disabled bodies. When persons with disabilities try to perform in contemporary dance styles typically performed by the non-disabled, audiences judge them as making a nice effort. However, when persons with disabilities create dances which present the authentic movement of their own bodies they will find that the audience will appreciate them as true artists."
http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com
http://www.squidoo.com/St-Aidens-Homeschool
http://www.squidoo.com/DonnetteDavisSMMarketing
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Can dance help in the reduction of Childhood Obesity?
Childhood obesity is already a very serious and disturbing problem in the United States of America and many parts of Europe where obesity in general is increasing.The problem looks set to spread to other parts of the world as their standard of living improves.A diet with a high fat, sugar and salt intake and a sedentary lifestyle have all been major contributing factors in childhood obesity. As a result children are getting Type 2 diabetes and other illnesses usually associated with middle age. We have a generation of children who may well die before their parents.
It seems that the present generation is no longer keen on traditional competitive team games. Modern technology has led to children wanting to entertain themselves and to be personally in charge of the activity. Television and computer games loom large in their lives.
Overweight and obese children need to follow a strict weight loss regime and take increased exercise to help burn up the calories. The difficulty is that children who have a problem with their weight don't enjoy the changes in their eating habits and are unenthusiastic about exercise. Cajoling, bribery, and threats do not work. The trick is to find an activity which burns calories but is not necessarily immediately seen as exercise. It also needs to be interesting and fun. This is where dance comes into its' own as a calorie burning aerobic form of exercise.
Dance, partially due to television shows, is now the "in" way to exercise. Increasing numbers of people are using dance workouts as a way of exercising. You don't need to be a great dancer to enjoy the health benefits of dancing. The main purpose is to enjoy moving to music and music plays a large role in young peoples lives these days
Dancing can be a really good Mind-Body-Spirit workout. Physical activity in general keeps body and brain healthy by increasing the amounts of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow. Dance helps people of all ages and physical limitations to get and stay in shape. There is chair and wheelchair dancing for people (including children) who have mobility difficulties.
The benefits of dancing are the same as other low-impact weight bearing activities such as walking fast, cycling or aerobics. This form of exercise also strengthens bones and muscles without stressing the joints. It tones the whole body and improves posture and balance. There is an increase in stamina and flexibility and a reduction in stress and tension which are often a problem for overweight children.
There are numerous forms of dance which may appeal to children and which could help in the battle against childhood obesity
Hip Hop and Capoeira are two dance forms which children may find appealing. Capoeira is a Brazilian hybrid dance and martial art. Cardio Capoeira is very challenging indeed. An exercise session involves heavy sparring (i.e dancing ) that can be done either solo or with a partner. It involves a lot of kicking, spinning and cartwheels. In this workout the buttocks, quadriceps and hamstrings are really exercised due to the multiple repetitions of a deep side-to-side lunge which links one capoeira movement to the next.
Cardio Salsa is a low-impact but high intensity workout combining precise, fast-paced Latin choreography - merengue, mambo, cha-cha, samba - with traditional aerobic dance steps (such as the grapevine), repeated lunges, and arm raises. The great advantage of this exercise programme is that what is learned can be practised on the dance floor. Knowing the steps and being able to move to complex rhythms is likely to increase self-confidence and poise.
Masala Bhangra , is a challenging workout, based on the traditional folk dance of India. It involves a choreographed series of hops, foot stomping and hip gyrations accompanied by hip-hop influenced bhangra music and live drumming. Most moves are performed while vigorously shaking the arms at 45 degree angles to the side of the body and doing multiple, rapid-fire shoulder raises. This form of dance workout results in firm arms and sculpted shoulders. The same sort of classes are also known as Bhangra Aerobics.
There is now a dance form which is proving highly popular with people in general and is proving to be a great hit with children. The video game Dance Dance Revolution (D.D.R) is made by Konami of Japan where it was located in arcades in that country.It is now more usually played on Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsoft's box game consoles.
There are a number of other games such as Red Octanes's In the Groove, Pump It Up, Exceed, Dance Along and Para Para Paradise.
The video game Dance Dance Revolution and other such games may be a means of helping children loose weight. As a song plays (and all sorts of music is suitable) arrows pointing forward, back, left and right, appear on the screen in various sequences and combinations. The players must step on the matching arrows on a mat on the floor. Players can dance by themselves, with a partner or in competition
Some states in the U.S are already using it as a regular part of their physical education curriculum. Dance Dance Revolution offers excercise without children having to possess the skills demanded by sport and games. As a result it appeals to children across the board.
A study was carried out last year in Rochester, Minn. an area which has a particularly severe problem with childhood obesity. The research team from the Mayo Clinic found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution used significantly more energy than children watching television and playing traditional video games. D.D.R does meet standards for aerobic fitness by raising the heart rate sufficiently for the required period of time.
In Redmond, Oregon In the Groove was installed in third and fourth grade classrooms for a five-month study. The most "at risk" students were chosen to become "Groove Masters", mentors to other children. Some of the results from the study included:-
1. Absenteeism dropped by more than 50%
2. 85% of the mentors grew in social skills
3. 94% of the students who took part showed increases in leadership skills and confidence, which increased self-esteem and improved academic performance.
4. 4th grade students who took part in the study improved their mile run by 13.8%
5.Students became more enthusiastic about sports, fitness and dance,
The games were shown to give a good aerobic workout and to assist in weight loss, a very important factor in the battle against childhood obesity.
Dr Debra Liebermann of the Dept. of Communications, at UC Santa Barbara calls this video activity "exergaming". She described Dance Dance Revolution as a game, a social activity, a dance and performance platform, a workout and weight loss tool, and a classroom and workplace activity. She lists a number of reasons for its appeal:- the games challenges, the music, the joy of movement, the work out, and social interactions.
There are versions that allow aerobic instructors to work with a group.
Dr Liebermann's conclusions regarding these games was that they "make a very positive contribution to player's stress management, weight management, fitness and health".
This is perhaps a form of dance which will be acceptable to overweight children in that it is a fun happening which they will be happy to take part in.
Parents do take medical advice before putting your overweight child on a diet and exercise programme.
If children are not immediately attracted to a specific kind of dance - experiment. There's a dance out there for everyone. Have fun finding it!
"Dance to Health" http://www.lulu.com/content/5417355
"Dance in Our Footsteps" is a down loadable DVD Dance Video It offers a demonstration of the featured dances. It is not intended as a conventional instructional product. Enjoy yourself while experiencing the de-stressing and exhilarating effects of African dance. Try and copy the dancers if you wish or just use their movements and the music to inspire you to create your own authentic, original dance. But most importantly have fun and if possible have a party at the same time.http://www.lulu.com/content/5418026
Calling All Musicians is a CD which features the musical accompaniment to the DVD "Dance in Our Footsteps." It is to enable Drummers and Flautists to practice without playing the DVD. . Musicians in general will also find it helpful in learning the dance rhythms. Dancers can create their own choreography to the music.
http://www.lulu.com/content/5631546
An Approach to African Rhythm by Seth Cudjoe http://www.lulu.com/content/5427533
It seems that the present generation is no longer keen on traditional competitive team games. Modern technology has led to children wanting to entertain themselves and to be personally in charge of the activity. Television and computer games loom large in their lives.
Overweight and obese children need to follow a strict weight loss regime and take increased exercise to help burn up the calories. The difficulty is that children who have a problem with their weight don't enjoy the changes in their eating habits and are unenthusiastic about exercise. Cajoling, bribery, and threats do not work. The trick is to find an activity which burns calories but is not necessarily immediately seen as exercise. It also needs to be interesting and fun. This is where dance comes into its' own as a calorie burning aerobic form of exercise.
Dance, partially due to television shows, is now the "in" way to exercise. Increasing numbers of people are using dance workouts as a way of exercising. You don't need to be a great dancer to enjoy the health benefits of dancing. The main purpose is to enjoy moving to music and music plays a large role in young peoples lives these days
Dancing can be a really good Mind-Body-Spirit workout. Physical activity in general keeps body and brain healthy by increasing the amounts of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow. Dance helps people of all ages and physical limitations to get and stay in shape. There is chair and wheelchair dancing for people (including children) who have mobility difficulties.
The benefits of dancing are the same as other low-impact weight bearing activities such as walking fast, cycling or aerobics. This form of exercise also strengthens bones and muscles without stressing the joints. It tones the whole body and improves posture and balance. There is an increase in stamina and flexibility and a reduction in stress and tension which are often a problem for overweight children.
There are numerous forms of dance which may appeal to children and which could help in the battle against childhood obesity
Hip Hop and Capoeira are two dance forms which children may find appealing. Capoeira is a Brazilian hybrid dance and martial art. Cardio Capoeira is very challenging indeed. An exercise session involves heavy sparring (i.e dancing ) that can be done either solo or with a partner. It involves a lot of kicking, spinning and cartwheels. In this workout the buttocks, quadriceps and hamstrings are really exercised due to the multiple repetitions of a deep side-to-side lunge which links one capoeira movement to the next.
Cardio Salsa is a low-impact but high intensity workout combining precise, fast-paced Latin choreography - merengue, mambo, cha-cha, samba - with traditional aerobic dance steps (such as the grapevine), repeated lunges, and arm raises. The great advantage of this exercise programme is that what is learned can be practised on the dance floor. Knowing the steps and being able to move to complex rhythms is likely to increase self-confidence and poise.
Masala Bhangra , is a challenging workout, based on the traditional folk dance of India. It involves a choreographed series of hops, foot stomping and hip gyrations accompanied by hip-hop influenced bhangra music and live drumming. Most moves are performed while vigorously shaking the arms at 45 degree angles to the side of the body and doing multiple, rapid-fire shoulder raises. This form of dance workout results in firm arms and sculpted shoulders. The same sort of classes are also known as Bhangra Aerobics.
There is now a dance form which is proving highly popular with people in general and is proving to be a great hit with children. The video game Dance Dance Revolution (D.D.R) is made by Konami of Japan where it was located in arcades in that country.It is now more usually played on Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsoft's box game consoles.
There are a number of other games such as Red Octanes's In the Groove, Pump It Up, Exceed, Dance Along and Para Para Paradise.
The video game Dance Dance Revolution and other such games may be a means of helping children loose weight. As a song plays (and all sorts of music is suitable) arrows pointing forward, back, left and right, appear on the screen in various sequences and combinations. The players must step on the matching arrows on a mat on the floor. Players can dance by themselves, with a partner or in competition
Some states in the U.S are already using it as a regular part of their physical education curriculum. Dance Dance Revolution offers excercise without children having to possess the skills demanded by sport and games. As a result it appeals to children across the board.
A study was carried out last year in Rochester, Minn. an area which has a particularly severe problem with childhood obesity. The research team from the Mayo Clinic found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution used significantly more energy than children watching television and playing traditional video games. D.D.R does meet standards for aerobic fitness by raising the heart rate sufficiently for the required period of time.
In Redmond, Oregon In the Groove was installed in third and fourth grade classrooms for a five-month study. The most "at risk" students were chosen to become "Groove Masters", mentors to other children. Some of the results from the study included:-
1. Absenteeism dropped by more than 50%
2. 85% of the mentors grew in social skills
3. 94% of the students who took part showed increases in leadership skills and confidence, which increased self-esteem and improved academic performance.
4. 4th grade students who took part in the study improved their mile run by 13.8%
5.Students became more enthusiastic about sports, fitness and dance,
The games were shown to give a good aerobic workout and to assist in weight loss, a very important factor in the battle against childhood obesity.
Dr Debra Liebermann of the Dept. of Communications, at UC Santa Barbara calls this video activity "exergaming". She described Dance Dance Revolution as a game, a social activity, a dance and performance platform, a workout and weight loss tool, and a classroom and workplace activity. She lists a number of reasons for its appeal:- the games challenges, the music, the joy of movement, the work out, and social interactions.
There are versions that allow aerobic instructors to work with a group.
Dr Liebermann's conclusions regarding these games was that they "make a very positive contribution to player's stress management, weight management, fitness and health".
This is perhaps a form of dance which will be acceptable to overweight children in that it is a fun happening which they will be happy to take part in.
Parents do take medical advice before putting your overweight child on a diet and exercise programme.
If children are not immediately attracted to a specific kind of dance - experiment. There's a dance out there for everyone. Have fun finding it!
"Dance to Health" http://www.lulu.com/content/5417355
"Dance in Our Footsteps" is a down loadable DVD Dance Video It offers a demonstration of the featured dances. It is not intended as a conventional instructional product. Enjoy yourself while experiencing the de-stressing and exhilarating effects of African dance. Try and copy the dancers if you wish or just use their movements and the music to inspire you to create your own authentic, original dance. But most importantly have fun and if possible have a party at the same time.http://www.lulu.com/content/5418026
Calling All Musicians is a CD which features the musical accompaniment to the DVD "Dance in Our Footsteps." It is to enable Drummers and Flautists to practice without playing the DVD. . Musicians in general will also find it helpful in learning the dance rhythms. Dancers can create their own choreography to the music.
http://www.lulu.com/content/5631546
An Approach to African Rhythm by Seth Cudjoe http://www.lulu.com/content/5427533
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