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The Most Famous Classic American Plays
America has given us some exceptional plays for theatre that have become classics of their age. Each of the plays that we have considered has a history of its own that befits or works seamlessly the spectre of the time when it is being staged. Quite interesting is the naming of one of the world’s first slot machines: the automatic salesman title seems to have been inspired by the salesman profession which is found in many classic American plays.
Fiddler on the Roof
This is one of the most popular plays ever to be staged on Broadway in New York City. The play was a musical based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem about Tevye the Milkman, but the play received its title from Marc Chagall’s painting The Fiddler. The musical-play is about a Jewish family living in a small town in Russia. The patriarch is bewildered by the encroaching cultural difference of the Russian society and at the same time is wary about anti-jewish sentiments in a turmoiled country.
The plot revolves around Tevye deploring his material conditions, a matchmaker suggests a widowed rich man for one of the daughters, and there is a looming pogrom that has the community on the edge. The play has memorable songs, dancing and a lively display of the Yiddish spirit that struggled to stay alive and well at the time of Aleichem’s stories.
The play had more than 3000 runs on Broadway and became one of the most viewed in the history of the art institution.
Death of a Salesman
One of the most popular modern plays is Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller, a recipient of a Pulitzer and Tony award for drama and best play respectively. Death of a Salesman is about Willy Loman, the salesman, who deplores his own existence due to his self-perceived underachieving and insecurity, but imposes higher expectations on others, specifically, on his older son Biff. The only time that Willy is able to reach closure is when he hears a commitment from either of his sons to turn their lives around and do well. However, both Biff and Willy have an unsuccessful encounter with their current and former bosses, which results in despair, which leads to a falling out between the both.
The play’s ingenuity is in the use of self-delusion and depression to set the stage for fierce dialogues that reflect the intricate social conditions in early 1940’s, mere years following the Great Depression.
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Eugene O’Neill wrote an autobiographical play that depicts the ravaging effects of family discord. The characters in the play use a littany of individual disaffections to inflict honest retorts with the goal of coming out right and better off from the other. Long Day’s Journey into Night throws light on the societal ills of a well-to-do middle-class American family that is struggling to keep things together and secure the much-needed buttress to each of the individual’s ill-fated tendencies that arise from their outspoken introspection.
O’Neill did not want his play to be published until 25 years from his death, but his widow insisted that Random House, to which the author deliver a sealed copy of it, complied with the fact that there are no legal reasons for them not to publish it. The rest is history, as Long Day’s Journey into Night has been recognized with multiple awards, including a Pulitzer for drama to Eugene O’Neill.
Popular Theatre Genres
We have written quite a few pieces on different theatrical genres, this time we decided to give you a more general, a broader perspective. In this text we are going to review some of the top theatrical genres of all times. We won’t get into too much detail though, just the basics. You’d be surprised to see how many things are related and to theatre and drama. Even areas you never would’ve guessed have anything to do with drama. For instance, online slots and online casinos in general include a lot of dramatic elements.
Some Popular Genres
If we are to make a list of all genres, we would be able to name over 100 different genres, but we’ll only go with the major few here.
Modernist Drama
It would make sense for the term modern drama to include only contemporary plays and theatre styles, but that isn’t the case, the phrase modernist drama describes several different styles that were developed from the half of the 19th century onwards.
It usually considered that modernism began with the works of Emile Zola. Strindberg, Hauptmann and Ibsen are also considered to be among the pioneers of the genre. The first modernist style plays were acted in France, but they soon spread throughout Europe and North America.
There was a lot of variety when it came to different plays and different play styles, with one underlying principle – all modernist plays challenged the rules of old classic theatre.
Modernist theatre was often referred to by the name independent theatre movement and since the WWI it has been an integral part of the overall theatre scene in the Western world. Some claim that anti-realism is the first and most important feature of modernist theatre.
Historical Drama
Historical drama is perhaps the first genre of theatre, or it is at least as old as theatre itself. Aeschylus describe the events of the first Greco Persian War in his drama The Persians from year 472 BC.
The main point in every history play is that it describes historical events that happened a while before the play was written or set. There are no guidelines in terms of time distance regarding the period described in the play and the actual events, but at least several years need to pass for the event to be historic and not contemporary.
The term history play to describe this genre has been used for quite a while, in fact, the editors of the folio containing Shakespeare’s dramas divided them into comedies, tragedies and histories. The word chronicle was used to describe a play where the events take place in a temporal order.
There have been a wide range of history plays, in fact, all important and popular British monarchs have been immortalised in a play.
Other Genres
The above two might be the most popular and most renowned genres, but they definitely aren’t the only two genres, parody, political theatre, postmodern theatre, revenge tragedy, kitchen sink drama, musical theatre and a lot more.
Japanese Theater Styles
Even though Japan is fully a western country according to their democratic system of government, as well as their economy, the country’s is still a mystery to most people who haven’t stayed there long enough to experience what makes it so unique. Integral part of Japanese culture is their theater. They have more than one style of plays and each one is engaging and full of history and deep tradition that spans centuries. The four theatrical traditions of Japan are Noh, Kyogen, Bunraku and Kabuki.
Kyogen
This theatrical style comes from the origins of Japanese comedy performance and dates from about the 14 century. The origins of this style are actually from China from a form of entertainment that emerged in that country around the 8th century. The meaning of Kyogen in English is “mad words” or “wild speech” which grasps the comic essence of the arguments brought forth during the plays. The plays were usually about 10 minutes long and served as intermission between the acts of the Noh theater. The usual cast of characters that were portrayed by actors in Kyogen plays were servants and their master. Kyogen plays also parodied Buddhist and Shinto rituals in spin-off stories from traditional Japanese folktales, most often with a moral argument at the end. Worth noting is that the Kyogen style of theater was and still is accompanied by a musical performance in the background. In modern times Kyogen plays are also performed independent of Noh plays, and usually in sequence of three to five plays.
Noh
The theatrical style which gave the purpose to Kyogen stems from traditional Japanese stories that become rendered into highly-skilled dance performances. This setting is additionally supplemented with stage props, masks, costumes and background sounds. Usually, the characters that are portrayed by the trained actors are supernatural beings that have turned into humans. This theatrical tradition is taken very seriously and is codified, so that the new theater doesn’t depart from the prescribed norms of acting and staging of Noh plays. The origins of Noh are from medieval China, precisely from the 8th century, when the famous sangaku style crossed the East China Sea and reached Japan. Through the years and centuries, Noh became a major form of entertainment and during the Edo period it was an art form supported by the shogun, that is, the feudal lords as well as wealthier common people.
Kabuki
The term Kabuki translates to “The Art of Singing and Dancing” and is the most elaborate theatric style of the several varieties of Japanese theater. This is considered an avant-garde theater because the actors were dressed and painted bizarrely. The UNESCO protected intangible cultural heritage of the world began in the early 17th century began performing slow dances on dry riverbeds. At that time female actors portrayed both men and women in theater plays and in that regard, the early form of Kabuki was very different from the forms that emerged at later times. The amazing thing about Kabuki theater is that many of the traditional plays lasted a full day of performance and people dressed and prepared well for the occasion. Those plays that were shorter were still combined to deliver a full day of performances.
Avoid Mobile Adds
Sometimes, we can ignore them, yet other times they get on our nerves when we are trying to watch some video, play a game or surf the internet. Yea, we are talking about the adds that appear almost everywhere and won’t let us enjoy the simple things that the mobile industry offers.
Ads are inevitable. They can’t be neglected and there is a perfect reason for that. Most of the sites we are all visiting are free; they offer free service, free membership and lots of valuable things along with that. Someone needs to pay for these treats, and Ads are perfect for this. They are a paid advertisement from companies that want to reach your interests, and it may seem strange, but usually, the adds that are coming to your screen are something that you like. So, something handy and catchy might catch your attention.
But the adds can be really annoying. The add placement is sometimes in the worst possible spot, it comes out without you knowing it, it is positioned for you not to be able to click on it, it covers most of your screen and dozens of similar annoying reasons why every one of us would like to be adds free. One thing is for sure – playing games is one of the best ways to experience add-less site where the games can bring you lucrative prizes. Check it out!
Adblock Plus (ABP)
Thanks to the Android developers, we can no enjoy apps that actually block adds. There are many out there on the market, but our favourite is Adblock Plus (ABP) which does the trick even with apps inside games. This app is perfect, as it has several options available whether you want to filter non-intrusive ads to enter your system or block them all.
What is worth mentioning is that you go with this application, make sure you download it and install it from APK file, not from Google Play Store.
There are several methods and steps you need to follow once you got it on your phone in order for the application to work properly on your games as well as on your browser, so the steps can be found everywhere, just make sure you look for your device.
Adaway
Ever since 2014 Adaway has been keeping the ads away from your phone, games and videos. It works in a simple, yet flattering way of redirecting the adds to 127.0.0.1, which practically is nothing, and allows you to fully enjoy the things you are doing without being interrupted.
Adaway and everything that is related to blocking ads can’t be found on the play store, therefore you’d have to search it in the APK to get it, and what is great about this application is that it is free to download.
Get this application to stop all the annoying, and sometimes malicious advertisements from reaching your phone while you are enjoying a fantastic time playing Angry Birds.
What is contemporary ballet?
If you are a true lover of the performing art of dance, there is no chance that you have not heard, of contemporary ballet. What is contemporary ballet? A general definition would be that contemporary ballet is a genre of dance that incorporates elements of both classical ballet and modern dance. What is unique about this genre is that it employs classical ballet techniques, but it allows for greater range of movement of the upper body. Simply put, it is not constrained to the rigorously defined body lines and forms found in traditional ballet.
Contemporary Ballet Technique
For its training methods and technique, contemporary ballet draws, as expected, from both classical ballet and modern dance. In addition to the classical ballet techniques, dancers of contemporary ballet study modern dance techniques as well. Also, they tend to do various forms of cross training to get physically prepared for the physical requirements of the movements. Some dancers practice yoga or train pilates as a way to loosen muscles and align the body. In order to be more versatile, dancers are required to first obtain classical ballet training and then to build on it with more modern techniques.
Costumes in Contemporary Ballet
The costumes and footwear in contemporary ballet differ from any other style of dance. Contemporary ballet dancers can be asked to wear anything from pointe shoes, through regular ballet shoes or even no shoes at all. When it comes to the costumes, there are no certain standards as well. Classical ballet dancers can use different types of costumes ranging from traditional to more modern costumes. You could even see dancers wearing costumes typical for the traditional Lion Dance which has great representations in the Lion Dance game.
Present Day Contemporary Ballet
There are many contemporary ballet companies found all over the world. Also, there are contemporary ballet choreographers, some of which have come to be quite reputable names in the world of contemporary ballet. Some of the notable contemporary ballet companies include Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. However, there are also many traditional ballet companies that regularly perform contemporary works.
In fact, most classically trained dancers who want to make their name known as professional ballet dancers are required to be very versatile. This versatility means being able to perform such works as classical, neoclassical and contemporary ballet to modern dance. They are often required to have an impeccable ballet technique, but, at the same time, to be able to perform works of modern choreographers either in ballet slippers or barefoot. In addition, many ballet companies have an official choreographer to create contemporary works for the company.
It is more than obvious that it is hard to find new language within the classical ballet. However, this can be overcome by the openness of contemporary ballet which tries to bring in a new vocabulary and smash it together with the old and thus create something fresh and beautiful.
Hollywood Actors who Love Theater
Hollywood is not just holly-weird, full of actors who make millions (those that actually do) and many many actors who have no real acting skills but still make it on the screen because they have been typecast by a casting genius at some point in their life. Besides this glam category there are many actors who take on theatre lead roles and put up stunning performances. We will mention some names and share the insight about people who you will see both on the silver screen as well as on the stage. The actors who are able to deliver stellar performances in front of a live audience can always do much better in front of cameras, and this is why we want to throw some names who count for great actors.
Nicole Kidman
She was one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood and appeared in movies such as Batman Forever, The Peacemaker, Eyes Wide Shut, Cold Mountain, The Interpreter, Fur, Queen of the Desert, Lion and many other titles. She also appeared in the Broadway theatre play The Blue Room in 1998 as the Actress, the Au Pair, the Girl, the Married Woman and the Model.
Kidman appeared in the West End theatre in the Photograph 51 play in the role of Rosalind Franklin.
Al Pacino
This is one of the best actors ever, always delivering amazing and memorable performances in Hollywood movies. But are most people aware that Al Pacino has a long list of theatre performances in his career? He has been in the role of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Herod Antipas in Salome: The Reading; Harry Levine in Chinese Coffee; Mickey Ross in China Doll and a number of other Broadway plays.
Emma Stone
She is one of the dearest faces in Hollywood, and also one of the most talented actresses. Stone is a down to earth girl who is always striving for improvement. She avoids to become typecast so she diversifies her acting skills by immersing herself in theatre and literature among other things. Before winning the oscar in La La Land, she starred in the Broadway production of Cabaret. This is where she got her dancing moves so confident and elegant. Stone has this play to thank for for being able to deliver a stunning performance for her Oscar role.
Benedict Cumberbatch
This British actor has made his name famous in Hollywood filmsh such as Thor: Ragnarok where he played Doctor Strange and again, Doctor Strange in the Doctor Strange movie. Of course, there is also the Sherlock series in which he gave life to the world’s favorite detective. Besides these roles, he had one taste of a theater cum movie role as the Prince of Denmark in the 2015 rendition of Hamlet. Cumberbatch hit the stage in the Barbican in 2015 where he played Hamlet in one of Shakespeare most famous plays.
The World of Burlesque Comedy
Burlesque Beginnings
Burlesque comedy is a famous genre of theater plays that is intentded to lampoon serious topics and/or already established literary works. The origins of burlesque are in Italy where in the 16th century Francesco Berni wrote the Opera Burlesche, but the style became popular and widespread in the next century in his own country but also in France and England. Shakespeare introduced burlesque comedy in his plays Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Knight of the Burning Pestle. Other playwrights and poets such as Miguel de Cervantes decided to make fun of the sloppy romanticism in the way love was expressed in classical Spanish works of literature at that time.
In the United States of America burlesque comedy was widespread in Vaudeville shows and in acts like the Marx Brothers during the roaring 20s. The Marx Brothers were very famous in that age and they produced lots of movies and live shows that involved many people on stage. Their leader Groucho Marx lead the band with innovative jokes that were underpinned by ridiculing and parodying people and ideas through rhymes and dancing.
Carmen up to Data
Another famous American burlesque comedy was Carmen up to Data written by Meyer Lutz which was a parody of the famous Carmen opera. The burlesque had a full blown musical score composed by famous composers at the time. In 1980 the play premiered in London. The name Carmen up to Data is obviously a play of the phrase “up to date” and it is funny that data today is a world of widespread use in the world of business and on the internet. This particular play resulted in many other burlesque comedies that played on the popularity of literary works and plays. The result was a long list of titles such as Miss Esmeralda, Faust up to Date, Cinder Ellen up too Late, Don Juan, Pygmalion Reversed and so on.
Burlesque lingered throughout the centuries and experienced a full blown renaissance at the turn of the 20th century and onwards. Inspired by too many topics that deserve to be parodied, theater crews and playwrights were tempted to comedy by world events and the state of humanity.
Neo Burlesque
In the latter decades burlesque has had a revival and it is called neo-burlesque. It still plays on American classic burlesque acts which involves striptease to contemporary dances involving juggling with objects on fire and similar requisites. The contemporary burlesque theater has assumed new forms that incorporate aspects of cabaret, circus skills, aerial spots and so on. New burlesque acts feature drag queens and performances that have raised questions where does the performance cross the line between art and nudity. Drag queens naturally fit well into this genre of comedic performance because of the outrageous outfit and the need of self-expression in front of an audience. The fetish and glamour performances have attracted their own target audiences which secured the survival of the genre and have brought it the opportunity to hold its ground in the form of travel shows.
Burlesque Today
Amazingly, burlesque or elements of it have found their way into popular culture even today. Some Hollywood movies have a burlesque scene now and then and theater plays include the dancing lady with large feathers.
The Secrets of Improv Comedy
It could be said that improv comedy is a genre of its own and if it isn’t a genre then it is a thing of its very own. This thing has been popular since time immemorial, when wandering hunter-gatherers banded around the fireplace and entertained themselves with pantomime and funny utterances, imitating animals or their fellow tribe members. This is easy to imagine, but pantomime and gesticulations have their limits when it comes to interpreting modern and contemporary events that itch to be rendered into a farcical context.
History of Improv
The oldest recorded improv theatre dates from 391 BC in ancient Rome, called the Atellan Farce. This play featured masked actors who performed through pantomime and improvised their way out of getting pelted with rotten tomatoes. Jesting aside, this historic record attests to the fact that every period in history needs to be processed through improv play, especially if its heavy events that need a comic spin.
That is why today we have improv hours at bars and coffee shops and under the open sky. People who are not professional actors but feel good about performing in front of a crowd can assemble an audience and give their best with improv tactics. One of the world’s most famous improv comedy shows is Whose Line Is it Anyway, which has had different editions both in the US and the UK. This is where we can see how nicely this thing can work out and this is where we can see that success is not only owed to talent, but also to speed of thinking, to “stage-survival” tactics, to general knowledge about the world, to being obnoxious in a way that is either charming or funny, and so on.
The Craft
Improv comedy depends on the ability of the participants to create a synergy among themselves which they will vibe through the audience. The beauty of improv is that the show can start in one place and end in another. The topics can be many and they can crisscross and interject as if to bring back the crowd to a previous point, which they may or may not find funny, but that always depends on the ability of the improv actors. Then there are common day jokes and popular events that the actors can use to their advantage. But it seems that whatever the event is, one thing that must never happen is a stop in the flow of action. The actors must keep on talking but it must be dedicated and determined if it is to please the crowd.
References
Whoever wants to get into improv comedy should take a class at a community college or at least read a book about the topic. The best way to go is to learn from the best. Some references are The Compass Players in Chicago, The Second City, David Shepherd, Theatresports, The Committee theatre in San Francisco and so on. Last but not least, there are some theatrical online games that can be played, which is one way to get into something and become part of another world.
Silent Storytelling: The Art of Mime
Mime is a form of silent storytelling art that involves communicating or acting using only body movements, facial expressions and gestures, without the use of speech. A person who uses mime as a performance art or as a theatrical medium is called a mime. The art of miming can be found in the theatre traditions of many countries around the globe, but it is mostly linked to the Western theatre genres and performances.
Mime in Ancient Greece and Rome
When it comes to its origins, the performance of mime originates at its earliest in Ancient Greece. It takes its name from a single masked dancer called Pantomimus, although their performances were not necessarily silent. Later on, in Medieval Europe, there were early forms of mime such as mummer plays and later the so-called dumbshows evolved.
Mime in Non-Western Theatre Traditions
While most of the instances of mime are related and historically linked to Western theatre genres and performances, similar performances can be found in the theatrical traditions of other civilisations as well.
One of these instances can be found in classical Indian musical theatre, which is often erroneously labelled as a “dance”. In this theatrical form, the performers present a narrative using stylized gesture, various hand positions, and mime illusions to act different characters, actions and even landscapes.
The Japanese Noh musical drama tradition has greatly influenced numerous contemporary mime and theatre practitioners. These include the likes of Jacques Copeau and Jacques Lecoq, to name a few, because of its use of highly physical performance style and use of masks.
Butoh Japanese dance theatre, often referred to as a dance form, has also been adopted by numerous theatre practitioners as well.
Mime in France
Although mime originates from Ancient Greece and Rome, it was in France where the art of mime flourished. It became so popular that many mime schools were established throughout France. This led to a great tradition of excellent French mimes.
One of the most famous French mimes was Marcel Marceau with his character Bip. Bip was clad in a short coat and a top hat adorned with a flower and was mostly down on his luck. Marceau’s work was mostly influenced by various early silent film stars, including Charlie Chaplin.
Types of Mime
Modern mime can be divided into two types: abstract and literal. The former usually doesn’t feature a main character and has no plot. Instead, its goal is to provoke thought about a particular subject by expressing certain emotions or feelings.
Literal mime tells a story with a plot and characters. Often times, these stories are funny situations intended to elicit laughter from the audience. Some modern instances of mime tend to combine the two types of mime into a single interesting performance.
The Life and Death of Moliere
Moliere is one of the most famous playwrights in the world and his plays have been played more than any other at the Comedie-Francaise. Molier was born in a prosperous family as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. He assumed his moniker later on in life when he began appearing in his own plays. Both owing to his craft as a playwright and because of his connections to important people, Moliere was able to stage his performances in some of the most prestigious halls at the time, like the Palais-Royal theatre, the salle du Petit-Bourbon and so on. He awed audiences with every performance and went on to become the person who was most sought after for the entertainment of the royalty and their friends. Moliere was not only a master playwright, but he was also an avid performer in his own plays and he is most famous for going to the end in one of his plays (The Imaginary Invalid) despite suffering onstage of a coughing outburst, which proved fatal just couple of hours after the play was over.
But, before he even commenced his career as a playwright and actor, Moliere had to make significant changes in his life. Being born in a well-to-do family to parents who were both well-connected, he was destined for a life in public office and he was capable of doing that. Having received a good Parisian education in the Jesuit College de Clermont, he was well-versed in the topics and conversations that were made by members of the bourgeois. Miliere decided to forgo the beaten path and go in a direction away from the niceties of the Parisian life by joining a theater troupe. The troupe went bankrupt and was soon after revamped under the lead of Moliere. Even though his father may have not approved of his son’s departure from the familiar social circles, he paid the money owed by the troupe, which helped Moliere get out of jail only after one day inside.
Moliere is an example of how any person can dedicate his or her life to the passion that feeds it. Before becoming the playwright that we all know of, Moliere spet twelve years touring the provinces of France with the troupe. It was precisely during this time when he honed his skill for writing by gathering a wide knowledge about the various types of people who would later become the parody of his plays. When he set his sails for Paris he first built up a network of acquaintances that carried his reputation in the social circles that were most likely going to attend his plays. This clever marketing paid off and Moliere became France’s quintessential playwright. That didn’t go without attracting the ire of the Catholic church, which pressured relevant officials to ban some of his plays, like Don Juan.
Before his death, Moliere wrote 19 plays, however, there is a number of plays from his days with the troupe that have been forever lost. Moliere lived the high life of a playwright and actor in a thriving Paris and went on with it until the theatrical ending of his life. They say, life is a gamble. Moliere left the comfort of his father’s social circle but made incredible gains to become one of the most famed playwrights in history. Life asks us to sometimes take a chance, or a leap of faith.
The First Science Fiction Theater Plays
Unknown Genre
People who love theater may not be aware that there is a genre of theater plays that encompasses the literary science fiction genre. I know that if I start recounting all of the theater plays that I am aware of (those that I have seen and those that I haven’t) I am not going to come across a single science fiction play. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any. On the contrary, there are about twenty well-known plays from that genre and it is a little known fact that the word robot was introduced to popular culture through a science fiction theater play Rossum’s Universal Robots by Czech writer Karel Capek.
The First Plays
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
One of the most famous works of literature that has permeated the general awareness of mainstream culture is The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The novella, written in 1886, was adapted into a four-act theater play by Thomas Russell Sullivan in the following year.
It is this play that portrays perhaps the first uncanny transformation of a human into a murderous, top-hat wearing hominid who represents the degeneration of Dr. Jekyll into a lesser being. Shocked theater-goers were taken aback by the idea. Coincidentally, the play opened in London in 1888, just before the occurrence of the first murders of Jack the Ripper.
Frankenstein
The first science fiction play, however, predates Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by many years. It was Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein adapted from the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley This is the first adaptation for theater of this novel which lasted from 1823 until the 1850’s. The innovative approach taken by the play’s producer came as byproduct of the strict rules and expectations about what a play constitutes, as set by Charles II.
The Fate of Frankenstein included pantomime, music and spectacle that wooed theatre-goers and appeased the authorities. Frankenstein was so successful that it had its production in Paris, New York City and subsequently, other places around the world.
Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti
Rossum’s Universal Robots by Karel Capek was written in 1920 and first performed in 2021. The play features the production of artificial people which are made of synthetic and organic parts and components. Thusly, these people aren’t robots in the contemporary understanding of the term for robot. Capen developed these humanoids to be able to think for themselves which leads them to rise up in a rebellion, after having realized that they have been working for humans. Humankind has been wiped by a robot rebellion. Both for R.U.R. and for War with the Newts, Capek was inspired by the political changes which occurred in his time, mainly the rise of Nazism and Communism, both of which he despised and wrote against.
Universal Robot Slots Machines
As it can be seen, science fiction theatre has very early beginnings, but also not too before the appearance of what may be considered the first sci-fi film – Le Voyage dans la Lune by Georges Méliès in 1902. Today there are too many sci-fi movies to count, both short and feature, but there aren’t too many sci-fi plays.
VR Gaming
Take a step back to remember your very first gaming experience.
You probably remember the console that you were playing and the game you were playing as well.
As a passionate gamer, I most definitely remember mine back in elementary school when my father bought me the very first Sony PlayStation One with one game already in it – Hercules. This was few hours before the New Year’s Eve (don’t remember exactly which year it was) but I know I was supposed to go and celebrate it with my friends, watch something, eat some chips and hang out.
I remember not wanting to leave the controller of the PlayStation, and after my mom made me go, I barely stayed there half an hour and immediately returned home to continue playing.
Now, fast forward with the steps, and we have reached the VR Age in the gaming technology.
The VR Is a powerful, head-mounted tool that brings five senses and the sensation that you are at the place at the time of the happening. VR is the future of gaming, and VR gives us unlimited possibilities, and now that we’ve found the way to go, our job is only to dig deeper and discover more.
Five Senses of VR
So far, we have managed to reach five senses in the VR Technology, with certainly more to come.
· Visual
With a working power of 7 or 8 times more than the standard computer screens, the VR visuals are far more complex to develop and maintain but will most definitely enhance your experience and break to pieces every console that you’ve played in the past. The visual segment of the VR is relatively clear to all users.
· Sound
Humans are able to determine the direction from where the sound comes, even if it is out of their sight. Because of this, the 3D Picture has to be synchronised with the 3D sound that the VR devices give.
· Smell
The Smell in VR devices is a subtle and hard thing to achieve simply because the perception of taste is not the same among the people.
· Tactile Feedback
So far, before the VR, we were able to game with only two senses. Now, we are able to give tactile feedback thanks to the haptic feedback that the VR’s have. This is the sector with the biggest potential, and we are able to achieve something that we thought it’s not possible few years ago.
· Taste
In theory, the virtual food can be tasted due to the sensors that can give you the feeling of the structure of the food. The taste is currently being worked in National University in Singapore where the students are imitating the taste of food in someone’s mount without the food actually being there. They can also put chewing sounds according to the food and the person eating it.
Casino Theatre
You might have never found a connection between the casino and the theatre. However, this article is dedicated to the Casino Theatre, which is located in New York City. And if you are not into theatres or land-based casino.
Casino Theatre Overview
Casino Theatre, which was later renamed in Earl Carroll Theatre, was built in New York City on Broadway. So, it is safe to say that this is a Broadway theatre. It was built back in 1882 and most of the operettas and musicals were performed here in the Casino Theatre. However, this came to an end in 1930, when the theatre closed its doors for the audience.
The Casino Theatre was popular and a leading force in the cultural world in New York City. It was the first theatre that included white audience to watch a play, which was played by African-American actors. Also, the Casino Theatre was the first to be popularized the chorus line and was lit by electricity. At first, the theatre could seat around 900 people. However, after a fire in 1905, this theatre was rebuilt, and they made it bigger and wider. This time the theatre seated around 1,300 people. Some of the most popular operas that were performed in this theatre were The Desert Song, The Wizard of the Nile, Erminie, The Vagabond King and Florida.
History Of Casino Theatre
This theatre that has nothing to with casino was designed by two architects Thomas Wisedell and Francis Hatch Kimball. They decided to design it in a Moorish Revival style. The cool thing about the design of this theatre is that it had an inside roof garden. Pretty modern for the late 1880’s, right? Over the first few years, the Casino Theatre was managed by the composer and producer Aronson Rudolph. From 1984 and up to 1903, the theatre was managed by Lederer and Canary. After this, it was under the management of the Shuberts. And as we mentioned earlier, this theatre was closed and demolished in 1930 together with the Knickerbocker Theatre. Both of them were close by and on the grounds of these theatres they build the Garment District. The last plays that were performed in this theatre are Faust and the American Opera Company’s Madama Butterfly. Here are some of the other plays that are worth the mention: The New Moon (1929), My Maryland (1928), I’ll Say She Is – Marx Brothers (1924), Oh, Lady! Lady!! (1918), Clorindy, or The Origin of the Cake Walk (1989), The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief (1882) and many many more.
We hope that you enjoyed reading this article on the Casino Theater. And as we already mentioned, the funny thing about this theatre is that it has absolutely nothing to do with an actual casino.
Commonly Confused Dance Terms
Learning to dance doesn’t only teach your body a new language, you’ll also learn the terms of the dance as well. To help you learn the terms of dancing, we have compiled a list of Commonly Confused Dance Terms.
- Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom dancing doesn’t just mean dancing at a ball or dancing competition, it is a general term that means partner dancing, in general. When ballroom dancing, you don’t need to be dressed in a ballgown or tuxedo every time you decide to dance. Give ballroom dancing a try. - Dance Evaluation
Dance evaluation doesn’t mean that you’ll be tested for your dance skills. It simply means that you’ll have a meeting with a certified teacher who will discuss with you your dance goals and try some dance moves with you. This is done to determine how you learn best and which program would be most suitable for you. - Traveling Dance, Spot Dance, Slot Dance
Travelling dance is a dance that takes place all across the dance floor. Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Waltz, Paso Doble, Tango, and Country dances are all examples of travelling (or progressive) dances.
A spot dance, on the other hand, is a dance in which the couple selects a spot on the dance floor and stays in that area throughout their dance routine. Some of the most common spot dance include East Coast Swing, Bolero, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Latin Club dances such as Bachata and Merengue. - Frame
When dancing, most people are focused on their feet. But, in reality, you need to hold your upper body in a string frame so that you can feel a connection, and your feet can move where you desire. - Line of Dance
Have you noticed how ballroom dancers never seem to bump into each other during the progressive dances? This is because they follow an invisible track around the outside of the dance floor. If you decide to learn some of the progressive dances, you’ll also be instructed how to follow this invisible line of dance. - Connection
By connection, we mean the way partners communicate with each other when dancing. Good connection is what leaders and followers in dancing are searching for in every dance because it makes the dancing a pleasure. When you have a combination of a good connection with good frame and tone, it is very easy for the follower to know what the leader wants. - Styling
Styling is what really makes you “you” on the dance floor. Styling should reflect the character of the dance and lets the dancers put their own personality onto the dance floor. Just as the style of the Tango is different to one of the Swing, your own style is unique and different from every other dancer on the dance floor.
Prize Winning Plays and What Makes Them Great
Some theater plays leave such a deep mark on the spectators that the effect is echoed the world over. The profound effect of a good theater play can change a person’s life and most of these plays receive awards that seals them into theatre history. We have here three prize-winning plays and what makes them great. Read on and enjoy.
The Flick
by Annie Baker is the receiver of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2014 and the Obie Award for Playwriting in 2013. The play debuted in the Playwrights Horizons off-Broadway and continued to be staged in few other theaters in the subsequent years, including at the National Theatre in London. The Flick has been greeted with standing ovations on numerous occasions. Why? Because the play manages to make significant the insignificant conversation of three employees of a decrepit movie-theater who talk about the banality of their work. One of the characters may enjoy car racing or fight clubs. One of the point of the play is that most people can relate to the questions that are arisen. The praise for the play goes for the fact that it succeeds in holding the audience’s attention for three hours. Some viewers have complained that that is too much, but this did not result in the play being shortened so the author Annie Baker is justly upkept the integrity of her play which is a testament to her literary genius.
Cost of Living
The 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama was given to the Off-Broadway play Cost of Living, authored by Martyna Majok. The play is about the challenges of two completely atypical relationships and the elements that bind them together. To make it clearer, these relationships are between people with physical disabilities and people without, and to make things even more interesting, the original staging of the play featured actors who have the same disabilities which are portrayed in the play – one of the roles is for a double amputee and the other for a quadriplegic who has sustained a tragic accident. Besides winning the Pulitzer, Cost of Living has earned other awards and accolades, including three Lucille Lortel Award nominations.
The Scarlet Letter
is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s most praised novel that takes place in Puritan Massachusetts. In a close-knit religious community a woman has born a child out of wedlock. The woman is put to public shame and is forced to reveal the name of the father. The premise of the story finds contemporary proximity and has been adapted to film and theater. The Scarlet Letter play staged by Carol Gilligan and produced at Prime Stage Theatre has received praise for grasping the dramatic innuendos as well as the tension that is inflicted upon the hapless woman by a relentless societal and religious dogma. As staged by a feminist, ethicist and psychologist, Carol Gilligan, the Scarlet Letter receives a breath of contemporary air in portraying the problems that are extrapolated over the modern landscape. Although the play has not won any awards, mostly because it is an adaptation, it has received much praise for the ingenuity of the adaptation.
The Importance of Music in Theatrical Plays
Last week we discussed classic theatrical plays in a contemporary context, and we’ve briefly touched the topic of online slots and how they are connected to the theatre. Even though it may seem that the two topics have nothing, or very little in common, we feel that there is a stronger connection here. Now, we wanted to discuss how music is related to online slots, and you might be surprised just how much that is the case.
Sound Effects and Music in Online Slots
Most, well, almost all online slots come with music and sound effects and the audio can be just as important as the video. Compare that with the theatre where the costumes and all other visual elements are equally important as the music, especially if the play is a musical, or at least if it includes some musical elements.
Incidental music is very important, even for plays where music isn’t a central element of the action. This type of music just serves as a companion to the action, and we have something similar in modern slot games where the sound effects accompany the gameplay, the action, and in most cases, these sounds match the theme, they are in accordance with the theme.
So, if the slot game in question is a sports-themed game, the sound effect that are added usually include ball clapping, audience applauding and other sounds that you may here at a sports stadium or an arena.
Music as a Central Theme
Music has played a role ever since the birth of theatre. Even if you go back to fifth century before Christ, you will find that Ancient composers created odes that were sung in between two spoken sections of a play. In fact, actors even played to those odes. So, in short, it has never been possible to imagine theatre and plays without music. And same goes for slots. It is not possible to create a playable slot game without adding proper sound effects, and even better if there is actual music.
Just like some of the most successful plays have been musical, there have also been quite a few successful slot games where music was a central theme. There have been at least several slot games based on music acts, singers and guitarists and these games always include the actual music created by the protagonist. So, if you play one of these games, you will also be able to listen to the actual music tracks which makes the whole gaming experience a lot more unique and authentic.
Music Makes You Happy
On the other hand, if you feel like going to the theatre, check which plays are at your local theatre. Perhaps you will be able to find spare tickets for a good musical.
Classic Plays in a Modern Context
Many people, especially those who are not fans of the theatre and don’t watch plays too often (or ever), say that the theatre is an outdated form of art and that it doesn’t relate to the modern world and modern way of life. Nothing could be further from the truth, most plays are timeless and regardless of the specific conditions of the time when they were written, could be understood by anyone, regardless of their nationality, religion, origin, social class or age.
Just how influential theatre is and the effect it has had on our lives, see how many theatrical references have made their way into our common everyday parlance. For example, ‘take a bow’ is a theatre phrase but is nowadays commonly used, then ‘brought down the house’ meaning had a great effect on the audience is another phrase that is commonly used in theatre. There are plenty of other phrases that you might not even be aware of.
Furthermore, there are plenty of sentences and sayings that were part of a particular play which are in common use and again, you might even not be aware of some of them. After all, how many times you’ve heard somebody say, “this is to be or not be for me”, and even those who have never seen Hamlet know that this is a reference from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
Modern Films and Series Based on Classic Plays
There is a number of films, series and other modern pieces of art that are based on classic plays, and too often modern directors and screenwriters recreate and adapt classic plays, giving them a more modern style and form. That is possible because quality plays tell stories which everybody can relate to and even though the actual context is always tied to a particular era and geographical location, the problems that are described are perennial. Human, all to human as Nietzsche put it.
House of Cards is one of the most popular modern drama series, but you may not know that the story is based on the epic Shakespearean drama Richard III. Lion King is one of the most popular Disney cartoons, and many claim that it is not just for kids. Again, the authors took Shakespeare’s plays for inspiration. The moment where Scar decides to murder his brother to become king is a reference to Hamlet where Claudius killed his brother, Hamlet’s father to become the king of Denmark.
The Theatre and Modern Online Slots
One area where you may be surprised to see theatre influence, are slot games, but nevertheless, there are quite a few slot games that whose creators were inspired by plays and the theatre. In fact, it’s not just plays, basically any topic, every work of art can serve as a basis for a slot game.
Dostoyevski’s The Gambler for Theater
Looking back at “The Gambler” by Dostoyevski, as adapted for the stage by Glyn Maxwell, one can’t help but relish in the amount of humor one finds in this rendition that is taking place at an aptly named town Roulettenburg. The production company are none other than New York’s own Phoenix Theater Ensemble and directed by Karen Lordi-Kirkham.
At the play’s onset, the Alexei Ivanovich and Polina Alexandrovna kick off with their antics and exploit the relationship where the former is the latter’s subservient lapdog, while he fails to give adequate tutelage to the indebted General’s daughters. But Paulina, his eldest, uses Alexei’s presence in the estate for her own entertainment, which is played well across a backdrop of tension and family intrigue.
While everyone is waiting for old grandma to leave this world, the General and his beloved are caught in a loveless frolicking which is solely based on interest – that recounted in the old woman’s will.
But then – behold – none other but Granma comes down in Roulettenburg, like a thunder from a clear sky, with no other intention but gambling away her possessions. While there are laughs and giggles here and there the stage seems to be less alight then when the play takes a turn for the more troublesome crevices of the psyche.
Dostoyevski’s The Gambler bears the endless potential to be adapted for the stage and few production companies can do it right. The problem with staging is that The Gambler has dark and bright elements which are utterly visible and invisible at the same time. The mastery of both the writer and director is proven when they manage to juggle the subtleties in ways that are communicable to the audience. If these do not come across the play will not be a success.
Let’s not forget that Dostoyevsky himself was inspired to write The Gambler precisely because of this roulette addiction. He is one of the most complex minds the literary world has ever know, yet he manages to communicate himself succinctly and masterfully in a manner that has deemed him a literary classic since his books were made known beyond Russia.
It is for this reason only that staging The Gambler must be either done in an immaculate way or it shouldn’t be done at all. Why you might ask? Because there are many plays that can produce an exciting theater-going experience to the audiences that are not as complex to stage. But the challenge is out there and many playwrights want to go head on against the wall.
But talking about Dostoyevski’s character, he is no less or no more addicted to gambling as any person today, save for those who are in a condition to sell everything to consummate their habit once and for all, if that were possible. Thankfully, illegal gambling is out of reach for so many people who can pursue this form of entertainment in a healthy and sustainable way. There are many digital slots sites that can be accessed from home or from mobile just for entertainment purposes.
The Best Operas for Beginners
If you want to dip your toes into the opera world, then here are the best operas for beginners. Enjoy!
La Bohème
If you want to see the best death in the history of opera, you must see La Bohème by Puccini. Puccini, which is an Italian composer, created this opera in 1896. This opera provides an excellent representation of the historical period of the city of lights, Paris. In a way, Paris represents the background on of the most heart whelming operas that have ever been created. Puccini’s music brings the entire opera to a completely new level. We suggest that you see and hear the amazing v on that includes Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti and Nicolai Ghiaurov.
La Traviata
If you are a fan of Verdi, you are certainly going to enjoy this opera. La Traviata is one of his most popular cratons and it would be a shame not to experience it. The theme for this opera was inspired by La Dame aux Camelias and at first many people believed that La Traviata is nothing but an outright provocation. La Dame aux Camelias was written by the son of Alexander Dumas. Whatever the case, you will definitely not going to stay indifferent to this opera. We suggest that you experience the version with Renée Fleming.
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
The premiere for this opera by Mozart was in 1791. According to Operabase, The Magic Flute was one of the most performed operas in the world. This opera is a mixture of spoken dialogue and singing, which is known as Singspiel. This opera is really attractive for the younger audience, because it resembles a fairytale. The Magic Flute contains Die Hölle Rache, which is one of the best-known arias in the world of opera. We suggest that you experience the version that was directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Carmen
George Gizet is the mastermind in creating the opera Carmen. This opera is set in Spain and is filled with drama and emotions. We suggest that you see the version that was interpreted by one of the most popular tenors in the opera world, Jonas Kaufmann.
Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
The last masterpiece on our list was created by Rossini, which he produced when he was only 24. This opera is themed around Beaumarchais trilogy, the second part to be more precise. And even though many great artists tried to do the same, including Mozart, none of them managed to gain the same success as Rossini. We suggest that you see the version that was interpreted by the amazing tenor Juan Diego Flórez.
Best Theatres to Visit in 2019
Enjoying a wonderful night at the theatre is always a good idea. No matter if it is an exciting play, an amazing opera, a wonderful musical or a beautifully choreographed ballet, these theatres provide it all. Read this page all the way through and discover the best theatres to visit in 2019 in London.
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is one of the best theatre places in Covent Garden and is a historic London theatre. This arts venue has all details that make it something that you have to experience. So, if you are in London make sure to pay a visit to the Royal Opera House, which is a home to the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.
Shakespeare’s Globe
Watching a theatre show at the Shakespeare’s Globe will take you back to the Elizabethan playhouse. This theatre has plays from May to October. During the summertime, you can buy really cheap tickets, which can be as low as £5. The Shakespeare’s Globe also has an indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which is created to resemble the playhouses of the Jacobean period.
Young Vic
If you want to see something that is more modern and innovative, then you should certainly pay a visit to the Young Vic theatre. Over the years, this theatre has become one of the most influential theatres in London. That is why Young Vic made it to our list of best theatres to visit in 2019.
Sadler’s Wells
The next theatre on our list is one of the biggest leading dance venues. If you decide to pay a visit at this theatre you can watch one of the following forms of dance: ballet dance, Bollywood danced, tango, family shows, flamenco, contemporary dance and a lot more.
National Theatre
The National Theatre is a home to three different auditoriums: the Lyttleton Theatre, the Olivier Theatre and the Dorfman Theatre. So, if you want to enrichen your London experience, make sure to pay a visit to the National Theatre. This theatre has some of the richest programs, which include everything from the newest contemporary plays to some that date back from the Elizabethan period.
Barbican
The Barbican Centre dates back to the 1980’s and is a home to two theatres, three cinemas, one concert hall, a library, two art galleries, a conservatory, restaurants and shops. The London Symphony Orchestra is based in this theatre.
London Coliseum
This amazing theatre is the home of the English National Opera. The London Coliseum is one of the biggest theatres in London. So, it would be a shame not to visit it.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
This open-air theatre actually has a really intimate and tranquil atmosphere. The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is known for hosting some of the best musicals in London.
The Old Vic
This historic theatre is located in Waterloo. Since its opening, the Old Vic has had many famous performers, including Peter O’Toole, Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Peggy Ashcroft, Judi Dench, John Gielgud and many more.
Click here to read about the best London musicals.
Dancing in Video Games
Video games play on the senses of players. Wherever you look, video games and music go hand in hand. Whether it’s the soundtrack to the game or indeed the whole theme of certain titles, the audio that accompanies the game play is often as important as the game itself. Are you up for a little dancing, but you want to do it from a video game? You are in the right place, as these are the best dancing games available on those little tiny things you carry in your pocket – phones. We will focus on the Android system, so let’s take a look at some of the best dancing games for Android!
BeatX – Definitely one of the best dancing games that are available on the Play Store market. It has a Dance Dance Revolution style of play where you need to go up down left or right according to the rhythm and the arrows pointing and falling from above. It has several interesting options: you can play it alone, play a doubles mode or play head to head on a shared screen option multiplier. The game has a deep pool of content and it allows you to upload your own files and play on them. A highly competitive and addictive game that you should definitely try.
Cytus – Rayark International already developed several rhythm games and Cytus is one of them. With 200 free tracks and more than 450 total variants that can be played on nine difficulties, you need to tap on the screen to advance forward, and it is one of the first games that break from the DDR style of play.
You can also play the game as your own campaign, which is not something that will make you fall on your behind, but it’s a little extra from the producers.
Deemo – Another addition by Rayark in the mobile rhythm games. Very similar to Cytus where you need to tap to advance through the lines and there is also a story mode available. The game has an anime theme and 40 tracks available for free beside the ones that you can purchase. IT is not as huge as Cytus but there are several unique features that you need to try in the game and see before you make a decision.
DynamiX – with 20 songs available it may seem few, but there are more difficulties than any other popular rhythm game on the market. DynamiX will test your rhythm abilities and make the competitive side of you trigger and shake.
O2Jam U – It’s a game pretty similar to Guitar Hero for the PC version. It just took the things in its hand and brought something new to the mobile industry and rhythm games on Android. Notes fall down from the reels and you need to tap the screen when the note is about to hit the bottom.
TunesHolic – TunesHolic is a really traditional rhythm game that has also taken the Guitar Hero style of playing. With adjustable speed, difficulty and many different games to play on, this game brings you fantastic times on your phone. The gameplay might be a little bit slippery, but it’s nothing to focus on as it is still one of the best rhythm games for Android.
Best London Musicals
If you want to spend a wonderful night at the theatre, we are here to help you out. Here are the best London musicals that will guarantee your fun night out.
The Lion King
This musical takes place at the Lyceum Theatre and is an adaption of the Lion King by Disney. As you know Lion King is filled with music by Elton John, so this musical isn’t any different. On stage, you will be mesmerized by the amazing special effects and the remarkable costumes. This musical is suitable for people of all ages. So, get your tickets and see this musical as soon as possible!
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon musical takes place at the Prince of Wales Theatre. So, if you like a good comedy, make sure to get your tickets on time. This musical is about two teenage Mormon missionaries, who are on their quest to convert an entire village located in Uganda. This musical was developed by two creators from South Park Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Since its first debuted, the Book of Mormon won nine Tony Awards.
Aladdin
Another musical that is based on a story from Disney, which takes place at Prince Edward Theatre. This musical will take you to a magical world, where you will be serenaded by a wonderful music. So, get your tickets and discover a whole new world, a dazzling place you never knew!
Les Misérables
As you know this musical is based on the historical novel by Victor Hugo. Right now, Les Misérables takes place at the Queen’s Theatre. This musical is a must see and the fact for this is that more than 70 million people have seen it. This musical has been shown in more than 44 countries and it has been sung in 22 languages from across the world.
Mamma Mia!
Who doesn’t know the story about the mom and her daughter who is determined to find out who her real dad is. So, take a trip down memory lane with all of the ABBA songs. It’s no wonder if you get carried away with all of the good songs and choreographies. Mamma Mia musical takes place at the Novello Theatre.
Thriller – Live
It’s thriller, thriller night! This musical is a tribute to the king of pop Michael Jackson and his beginnings in the music industry with Jackson 5. This musical has had three tours around the UK and currently, you can see it at the Lyric Theatre.
Wicked
This musical is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, which tells the story of the Witches of Oz. As you know, one of the witches is the good one and the other one is the wicked. You can see this musical at the Apollo Victoria theatre.
Basic Dancing Tips
Without a doubt, at some point, you have wanted to let go to the rhythm and dance. However, sometimes you feel a bit self-conscious about your moves. That is why, we have gathered a few dancing tips that will help you step up your moves on the dance floor.
Relax Your Mind and Muscles
Before we start with all other dancing tips, it is important that you relax your mind and body. Dancing is supposed to be fun and a way to let go of your worries. Also, dancing is a great way to lower your blood pressure. So, if you are too hard on your moves, you will end up stressing out even more.
Listen to the Music and Surrender to the Rhythm
Let the music itself inspire your dance moves and surrender to the rhythm. Each time you hear a music that you really like, you can feel your body starting to react to the rhythm. It might be just a foot tap, but you can feel that you want to surrender to the rhythm and start dancing. So, don’t hold back!
Find an Instructor
If you still feel like you need some improvements, then it is best to get some dance classes with an experienced instructor. He/she will teach you all about the dance moves and might even let you in on the dancing techniques and steps. After a while, if you feel like you can’t make any progress with a certain instructor, perhaps it is time to find someone new. Look for someone with experience and one that has good reviews.
Learn Different Types of Dance
There are many different dance types, so maybe the problem is that you haven’t found the right style for you to express your dance moves. So, if you think that a different dance style will be right for you, you might find yourself in one of these types: Latin, swing dance, hip-hop, traditional Jazz, ballroom dance, freestyle, street dance, disco dance and others. See how your body reacts to each type and you might find a winner.
Watch Other Dancers
We all know that you can’t learn how to dance by watching other people do it, but you might learn a new move, step or technique.
Don’t Stare at Your Own Feet
While you dance, don’t look down at your feet. This will make you look and feel stiff, uncomfortable and uncertain in your moves. So, look up! Either in your partner or your reflection in the mirror (if there is one).
Other Dancing Tips
- Eat right.
- Train any chance you get.
- Record yourself while you dance and then review it.
- Practice muscle memory
- Stretch out every morning
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Improve your posture.
- Dance with different partners.
- Dance in front of a mirrors.
Best Apps for Learning Music
Learning music can be quite a challenge to some of the people that are interested in it. The music itself is a vast theory and a person can never learn it all the way. With millions of scales, variations, instruments and what else not, the field is so vast that people quit even before they get started.
With today’s technology, things are much easier and simplified, and learning music has never been easier. There are mobile apps for learning music that has chopped the process of teaching music theory, teaching you how to read notes and teaching you how to play an instrument. With a lot of interactions, multiple music areas to learn from and games that will help you learn in a different and interesting, yet educative way, you can learn music in no time. I personally know the struggle of doing it when I was younger, therefore I decided to present you with this list of best apps for learning music and the theory behind it. Take a look.
Sight Reading Mastery – an Android app that helps you learn how to read music through different interesting ways. There is a big online database where you can read other’s work, record your own and upload it, and together with the achievement mode, you can track your learning progress.
Chords! Guitar Chord Finder – an application that focuses on finding chords on guitar and keyboard, teach you the scales of the chords and show you visually how the position your fingers on the instruments while catching the chords. There is even an option for the left-handed people.
My Piano Assistant – If you wish to focus on learning the piano as an instrument together with the music theory narrowed down to it, this is the perfect app on the market. There is a piano on the screen that allows you to play it. Se the different tone sounds, record what you play and share it on the social media. You can easily learn the scales through this app.
Mobile Metronome – Something that is a must for every beginner! The metronome will help you stable your rhythm and make you feel more comfortable with yourself while playing your music. Always tend to have it on while you practise and follow it – eventually, it will get running inside your brain and in few years, you will be the rhythm machine of your band.
Ear Trainer – A fantastic app that trains your ear, which is a primal sense in the music world. Through different interactions and games, with over 160 exercises, it will help you manage the notes in your ear and learn chords, intervals, relative pitch and scales.
ImproVox – For the ones that are in love with singing this app creates a replica of your voice. It can make a full orchestra from what you are currently singing and will definitely make your skin crawl. It always sounds in the right tone, and you can add effects like echo, vibrato, reverb and what else not. Check them out!
Types of Dance – What Shall We Dance?
Dance has been a part of human civilization since time immemorial. It’s true to state that guy has danced, or moved into the rhythms of nature, prior to proper language existed. It boosts social media and arouses our senses. It may be magical and changing, breathing new life into a tired spirit or unleashing hidden imagination.
On a more physical level, dance provides a wonderful mind-body workout. It improves circulation and prevents oxygen into the brain, thereby helping to slow mental decline when enhancing brain power. As you learn how to glide elegantly through the dance floor, you’re enhancing your poise and elegance while enhancing flexibility, balancing, coordination and muscle strength.
Standard dance can lessen the chance of cardiovascular diseases, higher blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. And it certainly will help to keep us slim. Any sort of activity can help to burn off calories. It’s projected that a 150-pound grownup can burn off about 265 calories performing 30 minutes of moderate social dance. Obviously, this changes; a sprightly Latino-style dance session will burn off more calories than the usual beginner’s stomach dance session.
Whatever forms you fancy – out of Bollywood routines to hip-hop goes into graceful ballet – dance is a simple and enjoyable way for people of all ages or using physical abilities to get and stay in shape. If you’re afraid of getting two left feet, then simply dance around the home. Otherwise, enroll at a dance class or join a dance club which meets regularly at different areas. In the end, it’s a fantastic social activity for strangers and friends alike.
Ballroom Dance
Ballroom dance was listed at the fifteenth century in which there had been a couple dances and professional dances at the Royal Courts and aristocratic homes. It’s since moved from the palaces and courts in favor of almost any ballroom.
Ballroom dance brings a feeling of elegance and sophistication to your life in addition to a heart-pumping workout. Posture is improved in addition to balance and flexibility. Without doubt, this can be a strenuous work out but in its most graceful and fluid.
This dance is deemed low impact but it certainly has the ability to get your heart rate up. Forget the old country and western picture; line dance has since expanded its horizons and have been awarded a funkier makeover.
The swing, west coast swing, jive or boogie are discovered at a line dance in addition to their traditional partnered type. The fox-trot or waltz could be completed in a line with no partner. Just remember that you’re dancing to improve overall health, locate flexibility that you never thought achievable, tone muscles and also have the time of your life.
Belly Dance
Belly dance is very good for balance and posture.
It’s an excellent spot to start for beginners because of their comparatively slow movements. But, dance moves may be quicker as well as aerobic as you progress along the class, providing you a complete body workout.
Many are already familiar with the salsa. What about cardio salsa to get a more exciting exercise? This Latin street dance is like the mambo, but quicker, kind of a mambo-hustle mix. Wildly popular in clubs in addition to health clubs, this particular kind of dance fitness builds stamina, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, releases toxins through sweating and assists with weigh reduction.
Gone are the times once the mention of pole dance could bring a smirk in the guys and cause women to blush. Pole dance has moved from this strip clubs and on the regional dance college. And this brand new fitness trend isn’t for the unfit. Great upper body and core strength is the secret to success on the pole. Imagine: you’re supporting nearly all of your weight on just 1 arm as you attempt to propel yourself into a movement or two.
The poorer ones, however, may want to elect for lap dance that is every bit as great for toning the lower body. While there’s 1 dance class that your partner would eagerly register for, he could certainly sit out with this one, pun intended. Ladies practice on vacant chairs.
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