Welcome to the 65th annual International Dance with Pets (IDP) competition. I’m your host, Fido Schnauzer, and we’re coming to you live from our beautiful new sports arena in the remote Arctic. We’re so excited to have you join us for this spectacular extravaganza!

Thanks to this year’s sponsor, Classy Collars, because every pet deserves to look sharp.

This year, the competition is steeper than ever. These elite pet dance-thletes train all year in studios around the world to prepare for this moment. Here’s a peek at this year’s most heated events.

The Bulgarians are favored to win this year’s team competition with their ever-popular Snatched Wildebeests routine, but the Swiss are a strong contender with their Turkeys Gonna Back It Up mashup.

The “underdogs” are not to be counted out of this competition! Kuwait’s team has put together a striking number, Tenterfield Terrier Tango Tryst, while the Canadians are looking better than ever with their Tik Tok phenomenon Chihuahua Bolero.

Don’t forget to watch the couple’s competition, where New Zealand’s own Cheryl Cheree and her cat, Spice, will attempt to perform a perfect polka. Also look for Uruguay’s Florencia Rodriguez with her goat, Rodrigo, and their undulating rumba (if you’ve never seen a goat undulate, don’t miss this!)

No IDP is complete without the popular but unpredictable interpretive category. Will the up-and-coming crowd favorite Clifford the Koala win the Contact Improv with Hedgehogs category? Will Partita the Pig finally be able to convincingly emote while improvising to Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 2?

Of course, the reason most of you are tuning in is just to watch the opening number featuring the all-cat ballet troupe, Purrfect Pointe. Will Doozle and Sigyn actually stay en pointe and complete their daring pas de deux, or wander off in search of cat nip?

Stay tuned! We will be there first to interview this year’s pet champions and will even provide commentary and in-depth analysis.

The post The International Dance with Pets Competition appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Do you remember reading Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in high school and, like most kids, being gripped by the epic tale of corruption and betrayal? Now you can re-live your favorite drama in ballet form with Invincible Ballet Theatre’s upcoming production of The Ides of March.

Choreographed by Sterling Rejectori to an original score by Flora Mod, this tale of the ages brings to life all the splendor and tumult of Rome in a three-act ballet that will make you want to find and dust off your high school Shakespeare anthology!

The heartthrob virtuoso Ivan LaPool dances the part of Caesar, while the broody and nimble Jacque DeShoo dances Brutus, who must choose between his handsome and power-hungry best friend or the fate of the Roman Republic. Look for breakout star Sara Bluhart’s solo, who deftly dances the part of Brutus’ wife Portia with empathy. And don’t forget the brilliant costuming by Breeze Ronbo, who makes those togas and tunics look both dignified and graceful.

Rejectori’s choreography incorporates whole scenes where the dancers en masse face away from the audience and look over their shoulders in attempts to “watch their backs” in the most ingenious ways. And at the fateful moment when Brutus murders Caesar, the choreography and score climax in such a way that when Caesar mouths, “Et tu, Brutè? Then fall Caesar!”, the audience shrinks in their seats at the sheer magnitude of the moment.

Other brilliant performances include Shoreen Shashini’s portrayal of the soothsayer – who is both spooky and entertaining, kind of like a Roman Drosselmeyer – and Flippo Gorgon’s Ghost of Caesar. The Ghost’s haunting costume, while only appearing for a few minutes in the third act, incorporates more than 50 yards of chiffon. It’s telling of the monumental cost Invincible Ballet Theatre has put into bringing this extravaganza to life.

The Ides of March is playing for one night only – March 15th – so get your tickets now! Price of entry also buys you a Caesar salad at intermission!

The post The Ides of March: Now A Ballet! appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Wake up later than planned.

Stretch in the living room, maneuvering around your coffee table and dog.

Eat breakfast while you try to figure out what day of the week it is.

Change from your pajamas into your dance clothes, which are indistinguishable.

Try to decide what virtual dance class you want to take today.

Decide you are over virtual classes and you’ll just improvise in the kitchen.

Give up after 20 minutes and go see what virtual classes are starting soon.

Sign on to Zoom, leave your lighting dark so you are a bit difficult to see.

Stretch a little after class, either feeling like you’ve still got it, or you should give up dance forever.

Brush your teeth, because you forgot to earlier.

Get inspired to either sew, knit, scrapbook, or paint.

Spend time doing said activity and wonder why you didn’t do more of it before the pandemic.

Remember how busy you were before the pandemic.

Eat a light lunch.

Prepare to teach a Zoom dance class. This involves combing your hair and tidying up the part of the room you’re teaching in.

Teach Zoom class, adjusting the screen constantly to stay in your square and squinting at the other tiny squares of students.

Decide you need to update your glasses prescription after this pandemic.

Check social media, find it a bit anxiety-producing. “Like” or “heart” a bunch of stuff anyway.

Walk dog. Hope your cool mask will catch the eye of that cutie you keep seeing. (At least you think they’re cute… it’s hard to tell with the mask and all.)

Get inspired to make an elaborate dinner.

Eat dinner. Pour a glass of wine even though it’s a weeknight; you’ve gotten into the habit.

Get ready for Zoom rehearsal.

Realize Zoom rehearsal is more like Zoom happy hour. Pour a dash more wine.

Surreptitiously check your social media when things get a little boring.

Finish Zoom rehearsal. Wonder if/when theaters will open.

Check the coronavirus case numbers for the day, then wish you hadn’t.

Pet dog and binge on Hulu.

Go to bed later than planned.

The post The Bunion: A Day in the Life of a Socially Distanced Dancer appeared first on Stance on Dance.

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Aries (March 21 to April 19)

Bad news Aries. 2020 is the year of the blister. Maybe even the decade of the blister. No matter what footwear you buy, no matter how many times you tape your feet, no matter what the floor surface, you are doomed to puss and gloom.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)

Oh Taurus, you bull, you’re looking bullish in 2020. Do a few leg lifts, squats, pushups, and abs, and wait for the compliments to roll in. Smile coyly and mention you barely did anything. 2020 is your year to look toned!

Gemini (May 21 to June 20)

Feeling like you’re not getting where you want in the real world, Gemini? Have you considered the virtual landscape? 2020 is your big chance to pioneer VR choreography! Boo on all those IRL venues. If you’re not dancing in The Cloud, are you even dancing?

Cancer (June 21 to July 22)

Cancer, I suggest you sift through the lost and found of every studio you enter in 2020, because treasures beyond your wildest dreams await. Chic athleisure wear you’ve only dreamed of donning is sitting at the bottom of the basket in just your size.

Leo (July 23 to August 22)

Leo, 2020 is the year you were fated to pioneer the latest and greatest in dancewear: the dance cap! Like a swim cap, but somehow more stylish… it’s up to you; you’re the inventor! No more hair flapping and falling out, thanks to you one day soon!

Virgo (August 23 to September 22)

Virgo, you too are a pioneer in 2020. It is written in the stars that you will choreograph the first piece based entirely on smell. It will be subtle, daring and bold. Just make sure you don’t premier during cold or allergy season.

Libra (September 23rd to October 22nd)

Libra, start saving money now, because you’re going to need it. You are fated to rip holes in every dance outfit you wear. There will inexplicably be perforations in your arm pits, punctures in your knees, and slits along every hem.

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Feeling a little old, Scorpio? 2020 has a futuristic ring to it and, unfortunately for you, all your dance students will start conversing in a lingo you just don’t get. Start investing in dentures and bifocals now, because the blurn is wolla shmau!

Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)

Oh Sagittarius. Sometimes you just get bad ideas, and there’s no stopping you. In February, you’re going to get the “brilliant” idea to choreograph on animals. But by October, you’ll have to justify to your board why you have a surly platypus on your payroll.

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)

Do not produce that big show you envision where the set drops glitter for an hour and a half nonstop, Capricorn. If you do, you will find glitter everywhere, and I mean everywhere, for the next decade.

Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)

You, Aquarius, are old school. While all the other choreographers out there are working in VR, smell, animals and glitter, you stick to the old dance-across-the-stage-routine. In 2020, retro returns, and you will be hip again.

Pisces (February 19 to March 20)

It’s always a sob story with you, Pisces, about how you couldn’t remember the combination because your dog ate your B vitamins. Well buck up, because it’s 2020 and B Vitamins aren’t trendy anymore! It’s all about probioluminescence now! Anyway, it’s up to you to decide your fate!

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Happy dancing in 2020 and beyond!

The post 2020 Dance Horoscopes appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Our guide to help dancers everywhere get in the holiday spirit!

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Do artfully place mistletoe around the studio to snatch a smooch from your crush between combinations.

Don’t think that getting rid of your foot fungus counts as an actual gift.

Do jingle up your dance belt with some fun sleigh bells. Think Blitzen!

Don’t stow a flask in your faux fur dance belt. You might miss the combination while you’re discreetly sipping.

Do light up your tights with LED lights!

Don’t leave your dance belt outside to dry on a cold winter’s night.

Do have a Happy Holidays from Stance on Dance! See you in 2020!

Don’t forget to buy new tights to ring in the new decade!

The post Do’s and Don’ts This Holiday Season appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Calling all ballet students! Tired of the usual ballet training at the barre, stuck in a studio all day with only mirrors to look at? Now trending: Ballet Dressage! Combine your barre and center work with “the art of riding and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility, and balance.” In other words, train with the horses with the wind at your back!

Ballet’s great and all, but if you’re looking for something even more reminiscent of European elitism, combining ballet and dressage is your answer. Tired of paying for expensive lessons? Now you can pay for expensive lessons with the added expense of stable fees! You and the horses can share the joy of grueling hours and the undying thirst for perfection all in an outdoor setting!

Never done dressage before? Don’t worry about it! As long as you know a thing or two about ballet, you can practice your pirouettes and various steps involving leg lifts with horses as your classmates. The capriole – a very difficult dressage step – is kind of like a gargouillade, so you’ll be fine! Just think – you and the horses might share some tricks of the trade; soon you’ll be doing an adept leg-yield on your hands and knees as your horse friends master tombe pas de bourree!

Don’t spend any more time in the studio with stuffy bunheads; let your mane free! Be the first to join Ballet Dressage now!

The post Tired of Your Ballet Routine? Spice It Up with Dressage! appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to wriggle your toes for the first time or a seasoned dancer hoping to get in a good sweat and boogey, finding the right dance school can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together this checklist to help you find the school for you!

1. Is it ADA compliant?
2. Do the classes offered match your interests and schedule?
3. Do the teachers have extensive experience? Are any of them famous?
4. Is their Instagram feed inviting and dynamic?
5. Speaking of which, what’s their phone policy? Are they blue-tooth and speaker-phone friendly?
6. Are the mirrors forgiving?
7. Can you bring your service lizard to class with you?
8. Is there a coffee shop or deli nearby for after-class gossip or for when you get hangry?
9. Is the lost and found always full of fashionable forgotten items you want in your wardrobe?
10. Does the student body dress in fashionable dance attire coordinating head pieces with their leggings?
11. Does it have a monthly cash give-away you can enter?

If you answered yes to all the above questions, it looks like you’ve found the perfect dance studio!

The post How To Choose The Right Dance School For You appeared first on Stance on Dance.

Be sure to wear sunblock and sunglasses for this year’s Fourth of July outdoor-site-specific-performance!

The bright summer sunlight will leave you in a squinting haze, causing you to bang your head and see 50 stars. And your arms and legs – once adorned by your artfully bold costume – will be reminiscent of the 13 stripes of the American flag.

Move over Stars and Stripes; there’s a new most patriotic dancer!

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Image descriptions: In the first illustration, a dancer lunges on a lawn wearing star-shaped glasses, red and blue stripes and star covered shorts, and waving an American flag. In the second illustration, the same dancer is illustrated from the chest up, sunburnt in the shape of stars around the eyes and stripes around the arms.

The post The Most Patriotic of Dancers! appeared first on Stance on Dance.

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Aries (March 21 to April 19)

Oh Aries, if only you could turn. 2019 will be a bad year for you if you don’t figure out how to spin three times consecutively without feeling dizzy. Our advice? Centrifugal therapy.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)

Are you a competitive dancer, Taurus? If not, you should be! 2019 is the year of crushing your competition. Apply for grants randomly, show up unprepared at conventions, enter “So You Think You Can Dance.” Fate is on your side!

Gemini (May 21 to June 20)

2019 is looking bleak for you, Gemini. It might be a good time to hide out in one of those rural nature-filled dance residencies and pretend you’re getting inspired by watching grass grow.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22)

You have a propensity for weird injuries, Cancer, and it’s only going to get worse in 2019. Falling off the couch, tripping on rugs; you just aren’t coordinated. We suggest 2019 be the year you get into butoh!

Leo (July 23 to August 22)

2019 is looking good for you on the grant front, Leo! You’ll move from getting $2-3K grants to receiving $9-10K grants, still putting you solidly below the poverty line, but at least you’ll have bragging rights!

Virgo (August 23 to September 22)

Don’t rent that 700-seat theater and book the symphony in 2019, Virgo. Go for the 75-seat black box and edit your sound on GarageBand. It’s written in the stars you’ll have low audience turnout.

Libra (September 23rd to October 22nd)

This coming year, the perfect dance partner will come into your life, Libra. Your movements and energies will feel so in sync, you’ll want to date this person. Every sign in the universe points to this being a bad idea.

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Poor Scorpio. Your ruling planet, Pluto, has fated 2019 be the year your social media gets hacked by a Russian with bad choreographic taste and you lose all your followers. Better luck next year!

Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)

2019 is a good year to go on tour, Sagittarius. You’ll get good reviews and full houses wherever you go. However, the planets strongly advise against going anywhere that starts with the letter “S.”

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)

Whatever you do, don’t start a new diet in 2019, Capricorn. At some point, unbeknownst to you, the stars will send a big-time presenter your way who will judge your artistic merit solely on your appetite.

Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)

Tired of being passed up for opportunities, Aquarius? This year, your luck will change. However, since your element is air, you’ll probably decide you need to “find yourself first” and turn down everything offered.

Pisces (February 19 to March 20)

Always last, eh Pisces? In 2019, you’ll be first to get offered an exciting new performance opportunity. Make it count; don’t show that boring or depressing stuff like you usually do.

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Happy New Year! No matter what 2019 brings, remember to keep moving and grooving!

The post 2019 Dance Horoscopes appeared first on Stance on Dance.

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Flockin’ around the tutu tree

See the costumes piled high

Tulle as fluffy as bunny fur

And it’s stacked up to the sky!

Flockin’ around the tutu tree

View the sequins sparkling

Silver and gold and ruby red

It’s amazing how much bling!

You will feel so dazzled and inspired till you sniff

Elastic rotting, sweat stains spotting

Reeks so bad you might run hollering!

Flockin’ around the tutu tree

Though the stench is rather fraught

That’s because the dancers’ waists

Got really stinkin’ hot!

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Happy Holidays from Stance on Dance!

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