October 15, 2013                                                                                                                                  Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Pinterest

Enter the Harlequin Floors
Win $1,000 Scholarship 

    

Submit your video today to be one of four $250 winners in October!  In January 2014, all 48 winning videos from the 2013 Harlequin Floors Scholarship Monthly Video Contests will be eligible for the 2013 Harlequin Floors Video of the Year Scholarship contest. Four videos will be chosen - 2 Viewers' Choice winners and 2 Judges' Choice winners - for $1,000 cash scholarships. Enter the October Harlequin Floors Scholarship today! Win $250 now and qualify to win $1000 to start off your new year!  

 

 

 

Career Transitions For Dancers Annual Gala 
 

Harlequin Floors was presented with the 2013 Award for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance at the wonderful Career Transition For Dancers 28th Anniversary Jubilee last week at New York City Center. Ballet legend Cynthia Gregory presented the award pointing out Harlequin Floors' collaboration with dancers, doctors, and scientists in the design of their floors and Harlequin's dedication to the health and performance needs of dancers.

 

Ann Van Ness, Ann-Margret and Pat Basileo

"As a long-time supporter of CTFD, it was a much-appreciated honor for Harlequin Floors to be recognized," says Patricia Basileo, Harlequin Floors Executive VP.  "Harlequin Floors is dedicated to providing quality floors to keep dancers safe and extend their dancing careers for as long as possible.  From the most prestigious dance venues, to schools and universities, to studios, to dancers' homes, to major dance companies throughout the world -- dancers' safety, comfort and peak performance are Harlequin Floors' priorities."

 

Also honored at the Jubilee were philanthropist Ann Van Ness for her invaluable support of the dance community and entertainer extraordinaire Ann-Margret for her stellar career. Liza Minnelli presented the award to Ann-Margret, and the two performers' speeches were both gracious and hilarious.  Dressed to the nines and joking like sisters  -- "Can you believe we're both still alive?!" -- the two were sparkling, irreverent, and utterly fabulous.

 

Other highlights of the evening, themed "Broadway and Beyond," included performances of Great White Way classics like the subway ride and Coney Island sections of On the Town; a fantastic tribute to tapper Danny Daniels by contemporary tap stars Jason Samuels Smith, Dul� Hill, and Jimmy Tate; and a performance of the song "Tomorrow" from Annie -- by the original Annie herself, Andrea McArdle! I don't think it's exaggerating to say that goose bumps were had by all.

 

In her acceptance speech, Ann-Margret expressed her joy and gratitude for the "special bond among dancers everywhere." So true, Ann-Margret.  What a wonderful evening celebrating dancers and the world of dance.  Thank you Career Transition For Dancers.

 

by Tamara Johnson   

 

Coveting Better Feet? 

 

 

Joanne Whitehill, Artistic Director of Burklyn Ballet Theatre, shares some excellent advice for dancers to improve their feet.

 

All dancers want great looking feet.  While bone structure partially dictates the shape of your feet, there are things you can do to maximize the feet you have.  There is no need for expensive foot stretchers, but you will need determination to improve your feet.    

  • Wear full-sole leather shoes for class.  Then when you perform wear canvas or split sole.  Your feet will look amazing from having worked them in the full-soled shoes.
  • Think of stretching your ankle where you ribbons cross.  Visualize your ribbons popping every time you point.  Train your brain to think of it like you do with your turn out and placement.
  • Take the shank out of an old pair of pointe shoes and wear them at the barre.  You can wear them in the center but they may throw off your balance and make it difficult to pirouette. Put them back on for petite and grande allegro.
  • While you are sitting at your desk in school or watching TV roll through your feet like you would when doing relev -- extend the ankle joint, then the metatarsal, then the toes and reverse. Pretend you are using a theraband.
  • Place one foot in the highest demi point you can, plie on that leg, forcing the arch.  Place the other leg behind (on demi pointe) lining the heel of the first foot with the side of the other ankle.  Straighten the front leg while holding with the back leg so the first heel can't drop.  You should feel a stretch in the top of the ankle joint.
  • Do relevs and press your arch over while you brush your teeth.
  • Work on your demi pointe in pointe shoes.  The added resistance of the shank builds strength in the feet.
  • Wear good shoes outside of the studio.  Heels are a necessity sometimes but limit the amount of time you wear heels, flip-flops and shoes without any arch support (like Uggs and Toms.)

by Joanne Whitehill,  
Artistic Director of Burklyn Ballet Theatre

 

 

Dance Inspiration   

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Featured Video

The Joffrey Ballet's La Bayadere
The Joffrey Ballet's La Bayadere
Joffrey's 'La Bayadere' premieres October 16-27 
at the Auditorium Theatre
CTFD Photo Gallery
Rosie O'Donnell and Rosie's Theater Kids
Jason Samuels Smith, Jimmy Tate, Dul� Hill
Andrea McArdle
On the Town Dream Coney Island











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