Gathering in large crowds is just not the thing these days. Can't imagine why.
Unfortunately, though it's killing the arts industry in many countries, including my own. Let's not get started on dance studios and the like that are suddenly having to push out 'how to dance/get fit' videos on YouTube just to keep their clients interested and engaged while often receiving little to no monetary gain. And most don't want money anyway, at least in my country, because of government benefits that might be available. But only if you're nearly bankrupt, and even then...
I will cease my rant there, as I have little to no experience in these matters, and researching them sounds a lot like a living hell.
I am going to talk about solo dance competitions though.
These have been going around for a while, at least with the young kids in the Juvenile to Junior categories. It's a good chance, in my opinion, for them to be seen if they don't have a partner. It's also incredibly good practice for better learning the ins and outs of technique without relying on a partner to drag you through the bits you forget.
Unfortunately, though it's killing the arts industry in many countries, including my own. Let's not get started on dance studios and the like that are suddenly having to push out 'how to dance/get fit' videos on YouTube just to keep their clients interested and engaged while often receiving little to no monetary gain. And most don't want money anyway, at least in my country, because of government benefits that might be available. But only if you're nearly bankrupt, and even then...
I will cease my rant there, as I have little to no experience in these matters, and researching them sounds a lot like a living hell.
I am going to talk about solo dance competitions though.
These have been going around for a while, at least with the young kids in the Juvenile to Junior categories. It's a good chance, in my opinion, for them to be seen if they don't have a partner. It's also incredibly good practice for better learning the ins and outs of technique without relying on a partner to drag you through the bits you forget.
Dancing solo, without a partner to cover your mistakes.
A daunting prospect for most of us, if we're honest with ourselves. But at least in 'normal' competition, there are others on the floor and maybe the judges didn't see that ball-of-foot lead in the quickstep, right?
But in this latest, online version of a dance competition, you don't even have that luxury. The judges will see everything you do in your video submission. At least you can re-record if you're not happy upon viewing the playback before sending it off. But still.
There have been two competitions so far here in Australia: one by the Australian Dancing Board (entries closed 31st May), and one by Matt Rooke and Karla Gerbes.
I am a far better in the standard style than the Latin, and so I feel I need to give these competitions a miss, as I don't care what the pros think, there is no room in my lounge room for a decent performance from someone not trained to a solo level!
However, there may yet be a newer style of competition that blends in nicely with the current climate of 'stay away from me'.
There is talk of a competition between local studios where we will all host our own 'showcase dance' nights. People pay to enter and enjoy the night, watch the dancers who wish to compete and take part in social dancing. Those that enter the actual competition will be videoed and then these will be submitted along with all the other studio's videos for judging. Results, and the videos, will then be released online and studios can then choose to run their own presentation ceremony session/night.
I like this idea - small crowds, but with the same, if not better, attendance and entries. We are fortunate here in Western Australia. Not so much elsewhere in our country, and the world. Therefore we need to take every moment we have and treasure it. Corny, but true.
So if you can't get out there and dance 'normal' yet, hang in there. We will get through this, and where we are at now is okay.
Thinking of you all, and may your dancing be joyful.
See you on the dancefloor!
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