Monday, May 7, 2012

Good morning everyone!

Quite a bit of business to take care of here today and so, I hope you will read with patience and focus.

First - let me send a Shout Out to the CYT Dance Ministry for their participation in the Sacred Dance Concert on Saturday, May 5th at Detroit School of Arts! Despite the low attendance and ups and downs of getting there, you did what you were destined to do - Show and share the love you have for God through the dance! Thank you for a job well done! And a special THANK YOU to dance mom, Melissa "Missy" Ross for helping backstage!

Second - on that note, the Children, Youth and Teen Dance Ministry (CYT) is officially on break until July 2, 2012. For the four weeks of July, I will be working with the Teen Dance Ministry members only. They will present on the fifth Sunday in July. There will be a reminder sent out via blog (hopefully email, don't count on text ^_^) at the end of June.

Third - Welcome to our newest Dance Ministry members - Brittany Major, Deja Graham, and Kyndle Saffold!! We look forward to sharing and growing with you. Again, welcome to the family!

Fourth - Adult Dance Ministry is meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012 to discuss our summer sessions and Pastor's Anniversary Presentation. Hope to see you all there ^_^

Fifth - There is a new uniform for the CYT Ministry members. Most of the children have outgrown their old dresses and we have new members. Check the "Movement of Praise Handbook" page for the information regarding these uniforms. Adult Members - your new uniforms will be ready for September's Women's Day Celebration. I will be contacting you individually to confirm sizes and pieces needed. Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding our uniforms.

In order to facilitate payments for uniforms, during the summer break, there will be a PayPal account set up for parents to make payments towards the new uniforms. Please email me at lifewaterdance@gmail.com in order to receive your individual access information. I will not be accepting cash or check payments over the summer break.

Sixth - I want to take this moment to thank each and every member of the dance ministry for this wonderful season. There have been many changes, we've experienced some trying times and plenty of happy times. We've shared tears of joy and sorrow, pain and exuberance, and above it all, we've shared a love for God, Jesus and each other. I am so glad that you have been in my life as I walk this portion of my path. You have accepted me, flaws and all ^_^.  If you don't see me or hear from me frequently, know that you are always in my heart and prayers. Thank you!

Women's Day 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 7:30am and 11:00am services, the Adult Dance Ministry will present. Please arrive at the church at 6:30am or contact me, if you will not be attending either service. Attire is the white dresses. Please wear the appropriate under-layers (white leotard and tights/white unitard/black leotard and tights/or something close to this configuration).

Liturgical Dance and the Uniform

There are always questions about liturgical dance wear. Because my dance history covers both the commercial and non-commercial realms of dance, I have alot  of rules about how to wear dance uniforms/costumes. There are basic things like:

1. No underwear under leotards and tights.  Always a problem with this one, but really, do you want to see Dora the Explorer sticking out. You don't wear undies under your swimsuit, do you? Right, it's the nature of the sport.

2. No jewelry in performance/presentation/demonstrations. Sure you're sparkly and all, but that ring can cut someone really badly, or a finger finds it's way into someone else's hoop earring and now we have a torn ear lobe. Plus, you don't want to compete with the lighting and blind some innocent spectator because you just had to wear those diamond dangles today.

3. No nail polish in crazy colors. Pinks and peaches and french tips are okay. Hot Pink, Electric Purple, Neon Yellow with Tony the Tiger orange stripes is not. This goes for fingers and toes.

4. Hair off your face. Most dance studios require the well known "ballet bun". That's always the best choice. But unless the choreographer says otherwise, your hair should always be pulled back from your face (use a secure headband or other secure hair blending accessories. Your hair should not be distracting to either you, another dancer or the audience. No excessive hair kadiddles or up-do's (unless directed by the choreographer).

Now specifically for liturgical dance - 

5. All dancers should have a white and a black leotard, a pair of white footless tights and a pair of black footless tights. These items go under your dance dresses, dance tops and pants or skirts. If you are wearing a white uniform, please wear white underneath. Dark color uniforms will generally use the the black, again unless directed by the choreographer to do something different, this is a safe bet for what to put underneath.

6. Boys in dance should have black sweatpants, black short sleeved tee shirt, black long sleeved tee shirt, white short sleeved tee shirt and black underwear (tank and shorts). It is also helpful for boys in any dance program to have a dance belt (it's like a protective cup without the hard plastic insert).

As questions come up, I will post the answer here.