week one-bhangra

This week was completely different, we are focussing on a new style dance, that was a shock to us all at first but is great fun now we are getting used to it! We started by watching two videos that use the dance style bhangra, and whilst watching these, I noticed it is fulll of energy and fun! The music also has a strong beat to it, and was repeated throughout. Both peices of music where both so different but yet so simular, and they where very catchy. The dances where different to eachother, but used a lot of repetition, and both performed in large groups in unison.

It was all a big shock to us, and before we started everyone was worried about it, and that we where going to look weird doing the style as noone was used to it. Bhangra dance style was very different to how I thought, and we where all so excited to try it and start the topic.

Our first practical lesson was a double, and we learnt basic movements associated with bhangra. We split into groups, and started to get a taste of the style, and created are own bhangra routines. At the start nobody had many ideas, well we did just were not confident enough to share them. But towards the end, everyone was shareing ideas, and it was great fun! some really good routines where made! The second lesson we strarted to add western style to our movements. The styles are very different, but mix well together. They both use dynamic sharp movements, with isolations so in this way they are simular. We where all in love with bhangra and couldnt wait for more lessons, and our dances turned out to be very good!

In the last practical lesson of the week we added in isolations to our dances as bhangra is big on this! We started with our hands, and then came up with a count of eight for this, aswell as our heads, ribs/chest. It was more complicated to pick up as it isnt something we are used to, but at the end the movements looked effective.
This week in costume construction we are again focussing on We Will Rock You, we have already done a lot of work on this, for example we researched it, including the history, cast and story behind it. This is so we are not behind when it comes to handing it in, and have longer to design our costumes. I am really enjoying all the work we are doing! In both practical and costume construction!