Ethnophonica

topic posted Wed, June 7, 2006 - 10:30 PM by  Amulya
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so what would you call this style? It''s so no not my taste I must say...
posted by:
Amulya
Australia
  • Re: Ethnophonica

    Thu, June 8, 2006 - 11:48 AM
    Their website describes it as "Afro-Tribal". I enjoyed it, but then I like both African dance and Tribal bellydance, so that's not surprising. :-) The main thing I noticed about it was that it was very "clean"--a well-rehearsed routine with clear movements--but they still projected energy...and frankly I can enjoy almost any style of dance if it's clear the dancers like doing it.
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      Re: Ethnophonica

      Thu, June 8, 2006 - 5:51 PM
      Interesting choreography. Nice and simple. The dancers appear to be enjoying themselves and the audience likes it.
      • Re: Ethnophonica

        Fri, June 9, 2006 - 10:19 AM
        I might be unpopular with this.. while I REALLY liked some of the movements... over all, I thought the group dynamics were limited and far between especially with so many dancers and such great music. Everyone was really on target, which is so impressive (well done ladies)... I think they could have easily handled spicing it up from time to time by introducing some variations rather than everyone doing the same thing throughout the entire piece.

        To quote Judith it was "nice and simple". The dancers did seem to enjoy themselves... I think it would have been conciderably more fun doing the dance, than watching it.

        I would like to add that I am incrediably picky about group dances. I find it unfulfilling to see a stage full of dancers, moving to a song with 30 levels, and everyone is dancing to the same beat... the whole time... (with the exception of Hula. They look like waves in large groups... and I think the whole idea of their dynamic is to create that giant wave). It doesn't matter to me how in sync everyone is. It feels dry, and I end up watching one dancer the whole time because when you watch one, you are watching them all.

        peace and love
        • Re: Ethnophonica

          Fri, June 9, 2006 - 10:35 AM
          I can totally understand your point. I think there's as much diversity among us as audience members as there is among us as dancers--we all watch for different reasons, with different likes and dislikes, all that stuff. At this point in my dance....oh, lord, the only word that comes to mind is the oh so cheesy "journey"; forgive me. ;-) At this point in my dance journey, not even two years in, I'm still fresh enough not to get too bored by simplicity, and I value the opportunity to watch a dance where I can see each move on its own.
          That being said, I too *far* prefer a more dynamic dance, more interaction between dancers, more interesting usage of the stage space. However, being in a small town and not getting to see much in the way of live dancing often, I'm delighted with all sorts of performances. The only ones I really don't enjoy are ones where the troupe obviously didn't rehearse and is tense about it, or soloists who project arrogance, but don't have the mad dance skillz to back it up. (I don't much enjoy the arrogant posturing in any case, but I'll overlook it for a truly excellent dancer.)
          My two cents. :-) But I don't see any reason for you to be unpopular for having an opinion, and I think you expressed it very very well. :-)
          • Re: Ethnophonica

            Fri, June 9, 2006 - 1:52 PM
            Thanks for saying so. I just feel uneasy about saying anything other than "that was perfect". I'm very afraid of seeming arrogant, ya'mean?

            ... those ladies did some things I've not seen before, and I really enjoyed that.

            HA! It's almost impossible for one not say cheesy things like "dance journey". You should hear some of the fruity things I say for visuals to help my students learn new moves. Ouch!! tee hee... Hey, we are expected to be silly and expressive as we unveil the mysteries of mid-east. (smiles)

            peace and lalove
            • Re: Ethnophonica

              Fri, June 9, 2006 - 2:35 PM
              Oh, I hear ya.....it can be awfully tricky, writing a critique that doesn't read like criticism.

              You did just fine.
              :-)
              As for the cheesy....yes, I find myself getting more comfortable with it all the time. In self-defense.
              ;-)
            • Re: Ethnophonica

              Wed, June 21, 2006 - 2:53 PM
              "... those ladies did some things I've not seen before, and I really enjoyed that. "

              That's exactly why I love it. It's like nothing I've ever scene before, even though it's familiar enough that I can identify where most of the moves came from. Alos, it was really specific, in particular in the very begining, when ever move was a single little pulse that matched the drumbeat. Very cool.

              And I adore the music. Who was that?

              The only real complaint I can make is the cosutuming, which is such an issue of personal opinion that it doesnt even matter much. But, yeah, I'm not entirly sure how I feel about the head dresses...
              • Re: Ethnophonica

                Sat, July 1, 2006 - 1:01 AM
                The opening song is called "Umbulu Song" by The Beating Heart of Africa. Their album can be found on iTunes. The drum section is a song from a video game called "Civilization: Call to Power." The song itself is called "Tribal Drums." The composer is Michael Harriton and the drums are played by Walter Rodriguez. The last song is Maghalena by Sergio Mendez, from his Afro-Brazilian-inspired album Brasilero. It is also featured on the soundtrack to the movie, Dance With Me. :-)
  • Re: Ethnophonica

    Sat, June 17, 2006 - 1:09 PM
    Hi Everyone,

    This is Naimah, artistic director of Ethnophonica. It's been interesting reading everyone's thoughts. When you choreograph a dance and work for weeks with dancers to teach them the moves, the dance does become "your baby." It can be difficult to see where changes can be made ... it's similar to a new mothers being protective of her baby! So it's good for me to read others impressions & opinions of the dance. It really helps give me some perspective. It's nice to hear what works and what could be adapted, and you have allgiven me some great ideas for future choreography. :-)

    Naimah

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