Dec 14

Alicia Alonso – Prima Ballerina Assoluta

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Alicia Alonso, Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martínez Hoya born 21 of December,1920

 

A year later she performed publicly for the first time in Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty. Alonso danced in Cuba under the name of Alicia Martínez.–The dancer’s rapid progress in her lessons came to an abrupt halt in 1937, when the 15-year-old fell in love with a fellow ballet student, Fernando Alonso whom she married. After her marriage she changed her last name to Alonso. The new couple moved to New York City, hoping to begin their professional careers. There they found a home with relatives in the Spanish Harlem section of the city. Alonso soon gave birth to a daughter, Laura, but managed to continue her training at the School of American Ballet and took private classes with Leon Fokine, Alexandra Fedorova, Enrico Zanfretta and Anatole Vilzak.- -She then arranged a travel to London to study with the renowned Vera Volkova.– Meanwhile, her husband had joined the new Mordkin Ballet Company in New York.  She had surgery to correct the problem and was ordered to lie in bed motionless for three months to allow her eyes to heal.  in 1943 to begin rebuilding her skills. However, before she had barely settled, out of the blue she was asked to dance ”Giselle” to replace the ballet Theater’s injured prima ballerina. Alonso accepted and gave such a performance that the critics immediately declared her a star. She was promoted to principal dancer of the company in 1946 and danced the role of Giselle until 1948, also performing in Swan Lake, Anthony Tudor’s Undertow (1943), Balanchine’s Theme and Variations (1947), and in such world premieres as deMille’s dramatic ballet Fall  River Legend.-  (1948), in which she starred as the Accused. By this time in her career, she had developed a reputation as an intensely dramatic dancer, as well as an ultra-pure technician and a supremely skilled interpreter of classical and romantic repertories. Alonson’s long time partnership with, Youskevitch, have many times been compared to to that of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Alicia was afflicted with an eye defect and was partially blind after she turned 19. Soon she had her partners be in the spot she expected them to be. She also used lights in different parts of the stage to guide her too.

After seeing the doctor for worsening vision problems, Alonso was diagnosed in 1941 with a detached retina.-

Unable to comply completely, Alonso practiced with her feet alone, pointing and stretching to, as she put it, “keep my feet alive.” When the bandages came off, Alonso was dismayed to find that the operation had not been completely successful. The doctors performed a second surgery, but its failure caused them to conclude that the dancer would never have peripheral vision.

Finally, Alonso consented to a third procedure in Havana, but this time was ordered to lay completely motionless in bed for an entire year. She was not permitted to play with Laura, chew food too hard, laugh or cry, or move her head. Her husband sat with her every day, using their fingers to teach her the great dancing roles of classical ballet. From Women in World History, Alonso later recalled of that period, “I danced in my mind. Blinded, motionless, flat on my back, I taught myself to dance Giselle.”

Finally, she was allowed to leave her bed, although dancing was still out of the question. Instead, she walked with her dogs and, against doctor’s orders, went to the ballet studio down the street every day to begin practicing again. Then, just as her hope was returning, Alonso was injured when a hurricane shattered a door in her home, spraying glass splinters onto her head and face. Amazingly, her eyes were not injured. When her doctor saw this, he cleared Alonso to begin dancing, figuring that if she could survive an explosion of glass, dancing would do no harm.

Nearly mad with impatience and still partially blind, Alonso traveled back to New York

to found her own company, the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company, which she maintained with little financial support, this company eventually became The Ballet National of Cuba.-

Youskevitch and her other partners quickly became expert at helping Alonso conceal her handicap. To compensate for only partial sight in one eye and no peripheral vision, the ballerina trained her partners to be exactly where she needed them without exception. She also had the set designers install strong spotlights in different colors to serve as guides for her movements.–Alonso knew, for instance, that if she stepped into the glow of the spotlights near the front of the stage, she was getting too close to the orchestra pit. There was also a thin wire stretched across the edge of the stage at waist height as another marker for her, but in general she danced within the encircling arms of her partners and was led by them from point to point. Audiences were reportedly never the wiser as they watched the prima ballerina.

Alonso’s desire to develop ballet in Cuba led her to return to Havana in 1948

Fernando was general director of the company, which was at that time composed mainly of Ballet Theater dancers temporarily out of work due to a reorganization in the New York company. Fernando’s brother Alberto, a choreographer, served as artistic director for the company.-The company debuted briefly in the capital and then departed for a tour of South America.-. The performances were a hit with audiences everywhere, but Alonso found herself funding the company with her savings to keep it going despite donations from wealthy families and a modest subsidy from the Cuban Ministry of Education. in 1952 and then producing and starring in Giselle for the Paris Opera in 1953.-

Meanwhile, she commuted between Havana and New York to recruit the world’s best teachers to train her new students. She remained a sought-after prima ballerina during this hectic time, dancing twice in Rusia

Between 1955 and 1959, Alicia danced every year with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as guest star. She was the first dancer of the Western Hemisphere to perform in the Soviet Union, and the first American representative to dance with the Bolshoi and Kirov Theaters of Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg) respectively in 1957 and 1958. , North and South America, and she danced as guest star with the Opera de Paris, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Bolshoi and with other companies. She has staged her versions of Giselle, Pas de Quatre, and Sleepng Beauty for the Pars Opera.- She also staged Giselle at the Vienna State Opera and the San Carlo Theater of Naples, Italy; La Fille Mal Gardee at the Prague State Opera, and Sleeping Beauty at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.-

During the decades to follow Alicia Alonso had cross-world tours through West and East European countries, Asia

By the mid-1950s, the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company was in dire straits financially and politically. A dictator,Fulgencio Batista

Forced to work in nightclubs to earn a living, the dancers often had no energy to perform for Alonso. As the dancer became increasingly vocal in her disdain for Batista, the regime offered her five hundred dollars a month in perpetuity to stop her criticism. Disgusted, she folded her school in 1956

Alonso worked with the Ballet Rousse until 1959, during which time she performed in a 10-week tour of the Soviet Union

When Fidel Castro

Alonso felt strongly that she and her ballet school were “very much part of the Cuban revolution.” She wanted her dancers to bring the beauty and excitement of ballet to the island nation’s workers and farmers who had virtually no experience with artistic expression.

 

 

When the Vietnam War

Alonso danced solos in Europe

Alonso continued to serve as the director of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in the early twenty-first century. Numerous books have been written on the ballerina, including Alicia Alonso: At Home and Abroad (1970), Alicia Alonso: The Story of a Ballerina (1979), Alicia Alonso: A Passionate Life of Dance (1984), and Alicia Alonso: First Lady of the Ballet (1993). During a November 2003 on-stage interview prior to a Cuban National Ballet performance in San Diego, California, she exclaimed, “I’m so happy to be here. And I’m happy whenever I’m on the stage. The stage is where a dancer should be, even if it’s only to walk or sit. I am at home on the stage.”

As director and leading dancer of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Alicia Alonso has been an inspiration and guide to the new generations of Cuban dancers. With her own consummate style, she has left her mark on the international world of dance. Some of her former and more famous students are now dancing at the

(1977). She has served on juries at international dance competitions in Bulgaria, Rusia, Japan,Brazil, and the United States.

She has created her own works including La Tinaja, Ensayos Sinfonicos, and Lidia. She appeared in a feature-length documentary made in Cuba about her and her work Alicia

.In June 2002 she was designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her outstanding contribution to the development, preservation and popularisation of classical dance and for her devotion to the art-form, through which she has promoted the ideals of UNESCO and the fellowship of the world’s peoples and cultures. -She continues to direct her Ballet Nacional de Cuba, even though she is in her eighties and almost blind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWARDS:

AWARDS:

the Dance Magazine Annual Award, 1934

the Dance Magazine Annual Award, 1958

the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris, 1966

Anna Pavlova Award of the University of Dance, Paris, 1966

the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris together with her company, 1970

Order of Work of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, 1974

Gold Medal of the Gran Teatro by Premio Gran Teatro de La Habana in 1985

National Prize for Dance from the Ministry of Culture of Cuba, 1998

Gold medal from the Circulo de Bellas Artes of Madrid, 1998

UNESCO Pablo Picasso Medal for her extraordinary contribution to dance, 1999

Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris, 1999

Premio Benois de la Danza, 2000

 

To see Alicia Alonso dance, was a sight to behold.- Her unique style represented trueGenius, unable to be imitated by any other dancer in the world.-

When she danced “The Swan Lake”, it was as she floated in the air, and her movements made her look as a real swan , delicate and beautiful, -almost unreal.

GISELLE,- her favorite ballet, has never been performed the way only she was able to do. –No other ballerina has ever, and willl never be able to perform as she did.-Her political preferences CAN NOT obscure her manificent ART.

“ART” is art, and can not,– and should not iterfere with a person’s ability to perform, depite race, political preferences, or sexual inclinations.-

SHE WAS A TRUE “PRIMA BALLERINA ASSOLUTA” in all the sense of the word.

Eva de la Torriente Diaz

July 23, 2009

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Dec 13

Goodbye Carte Blanche

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Dame Margot Fonteyn and her ballet buddy Rudolph Nureyev danced
beyond the twilight of their careers. She finally created
dreadful embarrassment on stage at Covent Garden by managing
only three beats of what was meant to be a four-beat entrechat.
The once-loyal audience booed them off stage and into
retirement. The same should happen to South African media
network M-Net’s Carte Blanche TV program.

Everything and every one of us reach a sell-by date. Prescient
retailer Woolworths got the plot a long time ahead of their
competitors. I believe M-Net’s Carte Blanche TV program now
needs to do some serious belly-button contemplation on the same
score. It’s out of date, has become unashamedly biased and is
hosted by fading fogies. Reinvent it or euthanase it.

Market forces are a-movin’ and new subscription-TV airwaves in
South Africa are scheduled to break the M-Net Multichoice
stranglehold – and not before time. This will remove the unfair
competitive advantage enjoyed by the monopoly. It will also
hopefully give executive producer George Mazarakis and his team
the required kick in the backside to revisit their rationale for
and the positioning of their ailing progeny.

If you want to pitch a program as journalism, then do so. SABC’s
Special Assignment is a superb example of genuine investigative
TV journalism. But Carte Blanche has degenerated, unsubtly, into
electronic tabloid. It sets out sometimes with a misinformed
objective in mind and sure as hell doesn’t let the facts get in
the way of the subsequently biased program.

Two examples among many, spring to mind. Every now and again,
when they’re clearly scraping the bottom of the barrel for a
story, they dredge up the tired forty year old Ritalin debate.
Quoting self-serving, self-promotional ‘experts’ like Patrick
Holford. Or a wannabe-famous, jaded American psychiatrist who
takes on his peer group in a desperate quest for his Andy Warhol
fifteen minutes of fame. Carte Blanche ‘researchers’, producers,
directors and in my opinion pseudo-journalist anchors need to
remember the adage that one swallow doth not a Summer make. Just
because some over-the-hill shrink takes a contrapuntal stance,
doesn’t mean it’s fact. Hell, imagine if President Mbeki and his
loyal sidekick, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and their
vitamin-punting buddy Mathias Raath got this sort of billing.
We’d all become brain-washed AIDS denialists.

The founding tenet in journalism is that you present the facts
and leave the audience to draw its own conclusions. If it’s an
opinion piece – like this article – then don’t pretend it’s
objective journalism. Carte Blanche crossed the Rubicon of
credibility years ago. Their present programming is a pastiche
of current affairs and fluffy investigation, coupled with
headline-grabbing codswallop that’s clearly designed only to
boost ratings.

A very recent example is their pathetic foray into consumer
journalism with the program on mobile phone charges in South
Africa. Over the years, with a number of their ‘investigative’
programs I’ve had an inside track on what’s happened back-stage.
In this case, mobile phone per-minute call costs are in fact
lower than when the service was introduced in 1994. Pre-paid,
introduced in 1996, ditto. SMS rates, ditto. When compared with
similar markets (being realistic on economies, demographics,
population density and the like) South African mobile phone
charges fall into the ‘average’ category. Even when
inappropriately compared with developed economy markets, the
rates fall into the average zone. ICASA’s report on SA mobile
rates was flawed and presented erroneous data. But Carte Blanche
used it as ‘fact’. Pre-paid mobile phone users don’t subsidise
contract users. It’s in fact the exact opposite. Contract users,
whether they make calls or not, are committed to pay a fixed
amount per month for twenty four months. Pre-paid users have
access to a free telephone service following a tiny initial
investment. They don’t have to make a single call. They receive
calls free. They have no legal, financial or other obligation to
the network provider.

Why did this all not get discussed in the Carte Blanche program?
The answer? It did – but it got edited out. Because it would
have thrown the flawed ingoing Carte Blanche premise out with
the proverbial bathwater.

Perhaps Carte Blanche’s perception genuinely was that the South
African mobile phone user was being ripped off. But the
interview evidence demonstrated the contrary. So how much better
if Carte Blanche management had the balls to report so! It’s a
travesty when you masquerade under the guise of journalism only
to punt a pre-determined viewpoint and manipulate editing to
support your erroneous premise.

May upcoming competitive forces light a fire of integrity and
commitment to genuine journalism under the backside of Carte
Blanche – or for heaven’s sake, get it off stage!

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Dec 13

The Heart of Santo Domingo

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The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. It was the first Spanish settlement in the Americas. Christopher Columbus initiated the first European New World settlement here in 1496. His legacy is preserved in the bricks and mortar of the historic old section of Santo Domingo, which has been turned into an entertaining and interesting Colonial theme.
The South Coast contains some of the countries bigger cities and national parks.
If any city in the world could be declared the perfect holiday destination, then Santo Domingo would probably be a prime candidate, with its modern sophistication, old world charm and Latin charisma, not to mention its position on the tropical southern Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic.
The only blight on the landscape is the crime rate robbery, muggings and petty theft are common so guard your belongings with care.
It boasts the western hemispheres first cathedral, first monastery, first hospital, first university and first law court. This rich colonial heritage, sparked off in the 15th century by legendary Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, has been turned into a World Heritage Site in the heart of the city, known as the Colonial City.
The superb shopping, delicious dining, dazzling casinos, seductive parks and vibrant nightlife all beckon enticingly, from the monumental Columbus Lighthouse right down to the depths of nightclubs with multi level dance floors inside a real cave.
The most modern memento to Santo Domingos status as the oldest European city in the Americas is a mammoth structure built on the eastern shore of the Ozama River in the early 1990s to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the New World. The building is 693ft long and built in the shape of a cross at a 45degree angle. It houses what the Dominican Republic claims are the remains of Columbus himself and is fitted with intense lights which project the image of the cross into the sky at night. The monument was designed by English architect J L Gleave, who won an international competition for the design after 455 plans were submitted by architects from 48 different countries. The building is also the repository for numerous documents and artefacts associated with the early Spanish colonial times.
The vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo serves as the cities cultural and artistic showcase, being fronted by a cluster of four museums, as well as the National Theatre. The museums are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Dominican Man. The National Theatre runs a full programme of opera, ballet, music and drama productions.

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Dec 11

Benefits of Buying Dancewear Online

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Dancing, like many creative gifts, is an inborn talent. Usually, you will see this ability very early on in a person’s life. I know of a young woman whose daughter showed a proclivity towards dance at the tender young age of three. Whenever a song played or music was turned on, the child would get up and move with amazing skill. Not batting an eye, my friend rushed out to purchase dance wear for her daughter, encouraging the talent. The young lady eventually enrolled in a prestigious performing art school, where she aspired to become a choreographer.
This all happened before the prevalence of Internet boutiques and e-commerce however and it was a struggle for my friend to locate shops in her area that had the latest dancewear available. When she did manage to find them, she would have to drive well out of her way to fetch the items in question. Thankfully, with the advent of the Internet, things have become a bit easier in that realm, as one can find several dance related stores online that boast a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise. There are numerous benefits to buying dancewear online, top among them being the fact that you can find a store that is a one-stop shop. Such a store may carry children’s and adult dance attire as well as ballet shoes, tutus and even hip hop style digs and accessories for live shows and video performances.
Another benefit is that Internet companies have to be especially savvy and customer friendly, so you will find the best steals and deals when shopping for dance wear. Smart companies will want your repeat business, so they often make sure that they give you top notch merchandise and quality customer service. This makes the online shopping experience relatively pain free, especially since websites are becoming more user friendly and easier to navigate. Shopping online is also extremely convenient. Any time of the day or night, dance enthusiasts can find what they need and order it, opting for second day delivery if they have to have the item in a hurry.
Also, you won’t have to waste fuel as you run around town attempting to find a particular product. When shopping online, everything is right there, literally at your fingertips. The only caveat to online shopping for dance wear is to be mindful of the existence of encrypted security certificates. Known as a SSL certificate, all reputable Internet businesses should have them on their site, as they are used to protect sensitive credit card information. By clicking on the SSL icon at the bottom of the webpage, you can see if the shop SSL certificate is up to date. If it isn’t, proceed with caution, or better yet, find a different store. Better safe than sorry.
Far from being the bane of man’s existence, technological advances like the Internet and online shopping are helpful to those of us with hectic lifestyles. For individuals who dance to the beat of a different drummer, this blessing allows them to give more time to their creative pursuits, which in turn, benefits us all.

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Dec 10

Shows in London

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The confluence of thoughts and ideas from across the world found a culmination in the city of London. In an empire where the sun never set, London not only gained a gradual strategic importance, but also found art and culture thriving and reigning in glory. The opening by Queen Elizabeth I of the Royal Exchange in 1566 marked the growth of the city in world importance, economically and culturally and placed the city in the limelight of cultural importance. It was the time when William Shakespeare wove magic with his wonderful plays. London shows became famous by the word of the mouth. People from all over the world traveled to see the display of genius minds. It was much later that London became the capital of the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria and emerged as one of the world’s foremost political, intellectual, and cultural centers.

Cut to the present world, times have changed. A technologically advanced society has given space to the evolution of art. One thing that has not changed is the magnanimous attitude of London to welcome the creation and the creator alike, not to forget about the admirer of course. When a paean to the hallowed Syd Barrett is sung in the form of Shine On You Crazy Diamond in the Earl’s Court, Wembley plays the notes of the mellifluous guitar. Co-existence, yes! That is how London has placed itself in the zenith of places where live shows are held. By shows, we not only mean gigs by famous bands or the rendition of famous plays. Some of the finest performances, be it in Ballet or Opera or Musical, have captured the imagination of thousands in London. Piccadilly and Leicester Square are household names when it comes to London shows .

 

Attending London shows for some may be a way of socializing. For others, it may be titillating the senses.Some people even find a panacea to all problems by simply attending a show and living in the moments. Hurt Until It Laughs or In the Mood for Dancing is just the piquant that one needs to have a memorable evening. The National Theatres around London provide some of the majestic moments in watching a play. La Dolce Vita with Viva Italia or The Asian Wedding Exhibition 2008 provides an insight into the cultural depths of Asia and Italy. Finding new friends and dating significantly ranks as one of the most popular events in London. Find your match in Speed Dating, London in the Red Hedgehog or the Clockwork Bar in London.

If you are in the mood for a sumptuous dinner, you are most welcome to visit 20s – 30s Sugar Hut Dinner Party for sexy cocktails and mingling at the low lit bar followed by a delicious Thai feast or Dinner Dana: Game of Love for a night of food, wine and love. Choose between Fashion Films or the Country Living Fair for a meet out. Catch a performance of Don Giovanni or La bohème at the Royal Opera House or The Coliseum if Opera is what your soul is looking for.

We could go on rambling about the events in London , as if we are on a tour of the galaxy. London caters to the palates of the artist to the architect, the serious traveler to the fun filled adventurer. Reading about the events of London and not seeing them for real is missing a lot. Let us help you guide through the by lanes, the labyrinths, the enigma called London .

 

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Dec 09

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Style in the City

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Sarah Jessica Parker, the star of HBO’s hit show “Sex in the City”, was spotted in New York City with her son James Wilkie Broderick in tow. Sarah Jessica Parker, whose character ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ was always seen as a trendsetter who loved wearing expensive shoes like Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos, is actually quite thrifty. Sarah Jessica Parker mentioned that she actually has a fondness for labels like Top Shop which give shoppers value for their money. “I just can’t believe what they do for, like, $70. I love that they make fashion available for all women. That’s why everything in my own fashion range Bitten is under $20,” Sarah Jessica Parker said.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s style in real life can be called sensible chic, as shown by what she wears around Manhattan. Just a few days ago, she was seen wearing a grey ribbed puffy jacket while waiting for her husband Matthew Broderick. On other news, Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Sex in the City” co-star, Kim Cattrall, let it slip that there could be a sequel to the hit movie version of “Sex in the City” in the works. However, when Sarah Jessica Parker was asked for confirmation, she said, “I’m thrilled to know Kim is excited, but all the deals are not yet done. With ‘the wind on our heels,’ we hope to make it a reality.” She added, “I think shooting next summer is a realistic timetable. That’s when we’d start shooting to be out in 2010. But that means we need to figure this out in the next couple of months… We’ve had very general conversations about the idea. That’s the big hurdle: the idea. The studio is very enthusiastic, which is lovely and seductive.”

Sarah Jessica Parker is also known to be a great supporter of the arts, which was in proud display during the 2008-2009 Season Opening Night Celebration for the New York City Ballet held a few nights ago in the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Sarah Jessica Parker was wearing a black mini dress with silver accents and trimmed with lace, which she accessorized with black stockings and black and silver heels.

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Dec 08

We are Plastics: The Designer “Jelly” Explosion

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Since I was a little child, I have known that plastic shoes are always related with soft and light. What’s more, they are cheap. Plastic goods run through the long history of Chinese fashion industry, while been ignored or eliminated for a time. Till now, plastics begin to appear in several marketplaces or luxury brands’ exclusive stores at times. Different from the former times, they are not only considered as “jelly”, but also named the brands of Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Burberry or others. Now Jerry Fashion is in vogue and naturally released as designer luxury items.

How about using plastic to create the classic Chanel camellia flower? Since Chanel released its “jerry flp-flop” last year, they are widely popular all over the fashion industry. This season, it maintains the playful adventure again. A chic pair of camellia shoes are only sold at $350. Compared with other luxurious Chanel collection, they are really stylish economic items. No wonder that they are perfectly fit most of people’s favors.

Not come singly, but in pairs, Gucci also took advantage of its classic GG pattern into plastic shoes. These flat heel shoes are sold about $400, and come with red, yellow and black colors.

As far as I concerned, the reversion of plastic shoes should own to the success of Marc Jacobs who released cute mouse ballet flat shoes in 2007. They are so ridiculously cute, but subtle.

Besides, other luxury designer brands also took special favor toward plastic goods. From the left to the right: Givenchy Tying Sandal $170?Burberry Flip-flop $125?See by Chloe Sandal $125.

Do you think that wearing the cute plastic shoes is enough? In fact, you are obviously wrong. It would be perfect if you can add a color accessory to fit. The fun-loving watch company Toywatch just welcomed a new member to its hot-to-trot family: the Jelly. This customizable watch comes in rather handy, and for those of us with a rainbow-like wardrobe, it allows us to match with any outfit. Several bright colors are available, now you can mix-and-match as desired.

Are you ready for this Jelly trend?

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Dec 06

Charleston: Home of Rebels, Princesses and Ghosts

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First time visitors or returning guests will find new and exciting activities in Charleston. Considered the number one vacation location on the southeast shore, Charleston offers something for everyone. There are many types of tours available in Charleston. Self-guided walking tours, bus ride tours, horse-drawn carriage and boat tours allow you to discover the rich history and the modern evolution of this bustling city.Drayton Hall is nestled inside the city limits of Charleston. Considered one of the finest surviving colonialist houses in America it has stood through Revolutionary War, the Civil War and more recently Hurricane Hugo. Renovation and preservation activities continue to the main house, barns and grounds. Guided tours are designed to provide you with a view into the past while protecting this special plantation from wear and tear. Tour guides lead visitors up one side of the staircase and down the other and alternate monthly to maintain even wear on the stone and wooden stairs. Archeological excavations continue as caretakers and groundskeepers locate artifacts during regular maintenance and ongoing restoration projects. Early occupation by Native Americans, flints from British muskets prevalent during the early 16th and 17th century provide scholars with an ever expanding glimpse into the past. Modern night life in Charleston features music concerts at the Music Farm, summer wine tasting stroll, and fine dining. The Charleston Museum founded in 1773, and lays claim to the title of America’s First Museum, offers natural history exhibits, cultural and historical artifacts and a planetarium. The Charleston Ballet Theatre provides families with special programming. The Princess Ball, to be held in October allows Princesses and Princes along with their families to partake in a day-long festival. From royal crafts to food fit for kings and queens the CBT enjoys bringing the arts to life!The abundant churches inside the city limits have earned Charleston the nickname “the Holy City.” Steeples of all shapes and sizes dot the skyline and various bells can be heard on the soft ocean breezes.As a sea coast town Charleston has been witness to many battles since it was first founded in 1670. Protesting British rule Charleston was an active participant in the Revolutionary War. South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the Union at the start of the American Civil War. Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie located on Sullivan Island and Porter Military Academy are just a few of the many historic locations to attract visitors.No vacation would be complete without a day on the beach. Cool ocean breezes, salt water kayaking and sport fishing are among the many activities you will find on the beach front in Charleston. Street vendors and live performers provide you with food, entertainment and a fun filled day at the beach.The daily Ghost Walk Tour through the city with a special visit to the un-kept Unitarian Graveyard is not faint of heart. As you walk through the city hear the spooky tales of famous hauntings including the ghost in City Hall, Sue Howard’s ghost and the Gullah Boo Hag. This special tour is sure to be a “hair raising” experience.

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Dec 06

What You Need To Know About the Female Athlete Triad

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At one time, not too long in the past, it was considered social unacceptable for women to participate in sports. Society use to view women as weak and fragile beings that were discourage from participation in sports because the female athlete simply did not fit their view of a typical women. Although in some areas of the world women’s participation in sports is still frowned upon, most modern countries now encourage and celebrate women in sports.

The problem with women in sports today is that, although it is now acceptable for women to participate in sports, there are also expectations as to what a female athlete should look like. For example, gymnastics, ballet, cross country, track and field, volleyball and swimming are popular sports for women to compete in but the attire for these events can be very unforgiving to a female’s naturally curvier figure. The pressure that many female athletes feel to fit the expected image of an athlete in these sports is one of the reasons there has been a trend of women in sports to be prone to developing an eating disorder or something called the Female Athlete Triad.

The Female Athlete Triad is a medical condition is which a female athlete develops an eating disorder leading to amenorrhea, loss of the female menstrual cycle, and eventually osteoporosis, loss of bone density at an early age. This condition is becoming increasing recognized in the medical profession as a serious problem that can have dire consequences if not recognized and treated properly. The Female Athlete Triad is tricky to diagnose because many athletes will naturally lose weight and be thin do to their training. The thing to realize is that if a female athlete is not getting the proper nutrients they can severely harm their bodies. Athletes put more stress on their bones while they are training and competing. If athletes are not getting the correct amount of calories and nutrients then they can cause permanent damage to their skeletal system that can never be repaired. One of the most common side effects of the female athlete triad is the development of stress fractures, a small crack in a bone usually of the lower extremity.

The Female Athlete Triad is a serious problem in today’s society. It is important that athletes, parents, coaches and health care professionals all work together to recognize this problem and get women the help they need before they do permanent damage to their bodies.

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Dec 03

Dance Clothes – You Are What You Wear

Ballet No Comments »
Ballet

When you hear people talk about dance clothes, ballet dancers usually come to mind. The variety of outfits designed for professional dancers is much more extensive than that, however. If we dig a little deeper into the subject, you’ll find that there are clothes made for many different types of dance, and each have their special place in a performer’s wardrobe.

If you try, you can probably think of many different items of clothing that could be categorized by the general term “dancewear.” Leotards, unitards, comfortwear, tights, tutus, dresses, cheerwear – these are all examples of clothes designed for specific types of performance.

There are also many styles of shoes to consider as well, since dance clothes and outfits would not be complete without a matching, comfortable pair of shoes. From line dancing to tap, ballet to aerobics, and flamenco to jazz, anyone who dances as a performer needs the right shoe to move safely and comfortably through their routines.

So, what do these performers wear, and what are some of the differences between the various styles of dance clothes? Well, that depends. Sometimes a stage performance dictates that certain characters or chorus members will wear costumes that match the theme of the show. There are standards though that we can use to give a general picture of a few outfits.

Male ballet dancers typically wear a white shirt with black tights and ballet shoes in the studio. If you’re doing the tango, you will see more slacks, long-sleeve shirts, and leather shoes with a slightly higher heel than jazz shoes. In fact, black is a popular color for men, no matter what the style. A male performer’s clothing is much more basic overall than dance clothes for women.

Ladies have infinite choices, depending on the style of dance. For ballet, its leotards, tutus, tights, and ballet slippers or pointe shoes. For a more casual style, they can also wear spandex dresses, Capri or gaucho pants, shorts, and an infinite variety of heeled and flat shoes or sneakers.

An increasing number of online and brick-and-mortar vendors are offering liturgical robes and long dresses or leotards, sometimes called praisewear, designed with religious themes in mind.

Danskin and Capezio are two of the more well-known brand names that provide clothing for all of these different types of performers. Their reputations as long-time vendors in the modern dance industry make them reliable sources for finding the right items required for specific performances.

Another style of dance that has a distinct wardrobe is ballroom dancing. Modern attire might feature a halter dress or pullover matched with a long, flowing drapery skirt that adds flair to a female dancer’s routine. For something more bold, women might wear gauntlet gloves and sexy strapless dresses that show off a woman’s tender shoulders. They might have a beautiful necklace to wear that makes the outfit complete.

Its sometimes fun to look back at the styles worn in the roaring Twenties, when modern girls stepped out of their corsets and into as Charleston or a Shimmy in flapper skirts styled after fashion maven Coco Chanel. By today’s standards, these outfits are tame, but the same spirit of freedom burns inside many of those who wear the dance clothes of today.

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Dance Clothes – You Are What You Wear

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