International Dance Day

April 26, 2018
dance

Pixabay Stock Image by Sasin Tipchai

Dance, a form of body language through movement and expression that transcends language barriers and is universally understood.  So much can be communicated through facial expressions and movement.  Stories can be told, and emotions can be expressed and shared.  There’s no need for words or language translations – dance is a universal language of its own.

On 29 April each year, International Dance Day is celebrated!  It is all about bringing people around the world together with a common language – dance, as well as to promote and raise awareness of dance in all its forms across the world.  It was the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) that created the day in 1982, and since its first day it has always got eminent dancers and choreographers to write a message.  You can find this year’s messages here.  I’m particularly taken with two separate quotes from one of the message author’s, Marianela Boán of Cuba (Choreographer, dancer and teacher):

Dancing is the great antidote to the madness of mankind.

and …

In your body you carry the dances that will save you.

dance, ballet, international dance day, black and white

Unsplash Stock Image by David Hoffman

Dance

Photo by Hugh Luo-Tatebe/ World Vision

Dance

Photo by Jon Warren/World Vision

Dance

Photo by Silindile Ngwenya/World Vision

Dance

Photo by John Mwangemi/World Vision

Has dance featured in my life?  Yes, of course!  I did ballet as a very young child, but it was not a passion at the time, and life for my parents became a lot busier as four more siblings followed me, so ballet lessons were not continued.  However, I did love going to dances as a teen and young adult.  How I’d love to feel as free and uninhibited as I did then, now!  Perhaps that will be my way to celebrate International Dance day this year, by putting aside a little time on Sunday 29 April to pop on some music and ‘dance like nobody’s watching’.  What a lovely way to reacquaint myself, on a personal level, with the universal joy of dance by attempting to relax and feel free enough to express myself unselfconsciously and without restraint through movement to music, as I used to.  During my younger years, the dance floor was my happy place.  I’d move freely to the beat of the music, often jumping around on the dance floor and singing along to the music, totally uninhibited, releasing all stress accumulated through the week and feeling such joy and happiness. It was a great form of expression, an excellent form of stress relief, and of course a source of so much fun with my friends!  It’s kind of sad that we stop doing these things during our adult years, as responsibilities take over.

dance, nightclub, dancing, joy, free

Dance became a different but bigger part of my life when I became a mother.  My daughter was involved with dance from a young age but most of all when she was in high school.  During high school, she was very much involved in the performing arts (drama and dance) and she also did rhythmic gymnastics which is pretty much dance in my books!  She loved to dance and was very good at it.  She did dance as a school subject.  How lucky are kids these days with the awesome subject choices they have?  She was a member of the school’s junior and later senior dance troupes.  She acted (and often danced too) in her school musicals and physical theatre productions, and she also did co-curricular dance.  For several years, I was Secretary of the Performing Arts Support Group at her school and was quite involved in all the performances and behind the scenes preparations and rehearsals.

Little dancer, girl,

My daughter (aged 4) – about to leave for a dance performance – ‘Under the Sea’ from Ariel.

My favourite annual school event was the Dance Showcase held towards the end of the school year.  I soon learnt to ensure I had a good stash of tissues or a handkerchief in my handbag.  There would be a fabulous assortment of performances – solo’s, pairs, class, dance troupes, & more!  There was jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, cultural – many diverse genres of dance.  The girls loved what they were doing and that was very evident by the joy in their faces.  You could see how months of rehearsing together had bonded them in ways that would be remembered for a lifetime.  When I watched them perform, I would be taken through the full gamut of emotions.  I would be told stories of misfortune, experience different cultures, heartbreak and love and poverty and wealth and humour, and more!   The most emotion I felt though was when watching my own daughter dance, particularly when she performed a solo self-choreographed contemporary piece.  I would be moved to tears every time.  Watching the passion in her every movement, the emotion in her every expression, and to see how much she loved what she was doing, coupled with the pure talent and grace of her dancing, it was just so beautiful.  Most of all though, was the joy I felt knowing she loved what she was doing.  After all, isn’t that what we all want … for our children to be safe and happy?!

The sound of music, dancing, school musical,

My daughter, dancing as Louisa von Trapp in her school’s production of The Sound of Music.

Not all children are as fortunate as my daughter has been though, to have lived in a safe country and gone to a school that offers a diverse and rewarding education.  The wonderful thing about ‘dance’ is that it is a form of joy, escapism, and education for all, as well as protection for those children that live in places affected by conflict or disaster.  World Vision Australia’s Child Friendly Spaces provides a safe place for some of the world’s most vulnerable children.  These spaces are commonly used in emergencies as a quick response to identify gaps in children’s rights for protection, mental well-being, and informal education. Children spend several hours a day there (based on needs), where they not only can dance but play games and develop other skills including drawing, handcrafts, and acting.   It’s been said that children express emotions through their bodies more freely than adults, so dance as therapy can help them to regain some of the freedom and spontaneity of expression that is lost through inhibitions created by their emotional and physical experiences.  That would be a very good thing because after all, isn’t that what we all want … for ALL our world’s children to be safe and happy?!

Photo by Barun Bajracharya/World Vision

Dance

Photo by Claudia Martinez/World Vision

Dance

Photo by Marcellin Danhoundo/World Vision

Dance

Photo by Jon Warren/World Vision

Do you enjoy dancing?  Do much of it these days?  Will you join with me on Sunday 29 April by popping on some music and spending a little time ‘Dancing Like Nobody’s Watching’ in honour of International Dance Day? 

Ciao for now

 

Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit Lyndall of Seize the Day Project  Kathy of 50 Shades of Age  |
Deborah of Debbish  |  Jo of The Hungry Writer – Joanne Tracey.
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.


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24 Comments

  • Reply Chris April 26, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Noted in diary. Some bad dancing approaching!

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:32 am

      LOL – mine will be bad too. It’s been a while! 🙂

  • Reply Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond April 26, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Hi Min, I did ballet, tap, jazz and highland dancing growing up and then I had my own dance studio of about 200 pupils from age 15 until I moved to Queensland in 1988 at 33. I love dancing and it does help you throw off your inhibitions and it just makes you feel alive and happy. I used to love teaching the children and watching them progress not just in learning the choreography but also their self-confidence soared. I also loved our annual recitals. It was a wonderful time in my life. Your photos are gorgeous and dance transcends race, culture and class. It really is universal and brings joy to all. Thanks for the reminder that it is International Dance Day, I might have a dance myself!

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:34 am

      Wow Sue – I didn’t know all that about you! How exciting to have had your own dance studio!! I miss the whole performing arts environment that I spent five years totally absorbed in while my daughter was at school. I loved it! Do have a dance on Sunday. I’m sure you’re a fabulous dancer! 🙂

  • Reply Sydney Shop Girl April 26, 2018 at 8:43 am

    What a beautiful tribute to dance and its power, grace and ability to engage people in all ages and stages of life.

    SSG xxx

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:35 am

      Thanks SSG! 🙂 xo

  • Reply Natalie April 26, 2018 at 9:46 am

    Great post and photos, Min. Yes, will do a dance on Sunday. Thanks for the reminder of International Dance Day.

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:35 am

      Thanks Natalie! Enjoy your little Sunday jig! 🙂

  • Reply Natalie @ Be Kind 2 You April 26, 2018 at 10:49 am

    How beautiful!! I have not heard of this day but I am happy to celebrate it as dancing is so good for the soul. Whether you are good or bad shouldn’t matter – just let your spirit inside run wild…

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 4:02 pm

      Ahhh yes – let your spirit inside run wild! Sounds fabulous! I hope to experience some of that on Sunday. 🙂

  • Reply Jo April 26, 2018 at 11:08 am

    What a wonderful uplifting post Min! Dance does free the mind and lets the spirit soar too – even if it’s just dancing around the kitchen to your favourite band! (I do this lots!) Your daughter looked so professional and accomplished – isn’t it wonderful for young girls to learn to dance. My daughter also went on from ballet as a five year old to dancing at events and competitions with her dance school. I wish she’d kept it up – such an antidote to the pressure young people face today I think.

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks Jo! Writing this post has been good for me. It’s made me realise I need to dance more! It IS wonderful for our girls to learn dance. My daughter was involved in dance from the age of 3 and always loved it. She did ballet too. I remember the excitement of when we bought pointe shoes! She’ll be 23 soon and no longer dances (apart from at clubs and parties etc). She really should get it back in her life because she was good at it and it brought her such joy, so I agree with what you say! xo

  • Reply Jodie April 26, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    We should all be dancing every day!! What a wonderful post, and full of smiles, I must say!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks Jodie, and I agree, we should dance every day, or at least more often than most of us probably do! 🙂 xo

  • Reply Kathy Marrris April 26, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    Yes I will most certainly join you for a dance on International Dance Day! I love to dance – just ask my kids. I’m always an embarrassment at family events when there’s music playing. Thanks for this great post Min.

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:02 pm

      Thanks Kathy! Glad you’ll be joining me for a dance on Sunday. We can be embarrassing together! lol

  • Reply Leanne April 26, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    I have the co-ordination of a drunk giraffe I’m afraid Min. It didn’t stop me from doing my thing on the dance floor when I was younger, but now I tend to save it for home. I tried Zumba a few years ago and I was AWFUL at it – so definitely not my thing. I love seeing children dance – no inhibitions and so much joy.

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:05 pm

      LOL – I’m trying to picture a drunk giraffe! Doesn’t matter Leanne – as long as you’re enjoying yourself. I love watching children and adults – all people dance really. There’s such joy in dance. 🙂

  • Reply Janet Camilleri aka Middle Aged Mama April 26, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Dance therapy – I like it! Love this quote: Dancing is the great antidote to the madness of mankind. I have two left feet but enjoy a bit of a boogie when nobody is watching!

    • Reply Min April 26, 2018 at 10:03 pm

      I love that quote too. Hope you’ll have a bit of a boogie on Sunday. No-one will be watching! 😉

  • Reply Jan Wild April 27, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    “In your body you carry the dances that will save you.” What a quote, wonderful! I had no idea that there was an international dance day. We are heading out to listen to some music on Sunday so hopefully there will be some dancing opportunities there.

    • Reply Min April 28, 2018 at 10:02 pm

      I loved that quote too!! I’ll be putting on music tomorrow and closing my eyes and letting go and having a dance. I’m looking forward to it! You’ve got a perfect opportunity if you’re heading out to listen to music. Have fun! 🙂

  • Reply Deborah April 29, 2018 at 8:05 am

    I was really surprised when I arrived to live in Mozambique in Africa, how much dance was a part of their culture. Every time we visited women’s groups (for the work I was doing the 18mths I was there) there was a lot of singing and dancing. Indeed, some of the education sessions my organisation ran were done through song and dance. Such an important part of so many cultures! x

    • Reply Min April 30, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      I love the African people, they are always smiling and happy and joyous, despite poverty and/or adversity! Yes music, dance & singing does seem to be a big part of their culture. It must have been wonderful to have lived there for a time and experience that culture first hand! 🙂 xo

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