Category: Rockin’ the Casbah

 Amber was in position number three in the line up. First the Big Band did a feature piece: “Land of Make Believe”, followed by Andrameda’s metal fusion with sword, and then a Sharqi number by Amber.  What a perfect and perfectly eclectic trio to open the show with! Amber came to us about 3 years ago… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Soloists/Amber

I think I’ve covered all of the troupe pieces. Now to the soloists! Last fall I sent notices out to the troupe dancers to let them know that there would be room in the show lineup for soloists. Four dancers indicated that they would like to perform a solo – wonderful! I did not give… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Soloists/Andrameda

Beni wa Benak started life as a “tool kit” choreography for my advanced class. First, I had a handful of combos rumbling around in my head that I wanted to work into 3 or 4 consecutive lesson plans. Next step was a music hunt for something bright and fast-paced that would suit what I had… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Beni wa Benak

 Originally I wanted to do a solo piece accompanied by Fawn on vocals – a vocal/dance duet. One day when we were knocking the idea around, Fawn suggested the song “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” I listened to the Mama Cass version and right away knew that this was going to be a troupe,… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Dream a Little Dream

Workshops are great places to get new music. I always like to buy the CD of music used by the visiting instructor. I’ve never bought one that didn’t make me want to jump up and dance.  A couple of years ago I attended a workshop with Tito of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. He taught a… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Dust & Feathers

I went through a lot of Big Band music before settling on Orange Coloured Sky, including a Count Basie piece called “Hayburner“. I actually spent a fair number of hours working with Hayburner before abandoning it.  I kept a piece of paper in my music folder, and at Monday night band rehearsals I would scribble quick notes… Continue reading Rockin’ the Casbah Notes: Orange Coloured Sky