{"id":951,"date":"2020-01-27T17:41:22","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T17:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dancedispatches.com\/blog\/dance-dispatches-first-birthday\/"},"modified":"2023-12-26T17:44:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-26T17:44:52","slug":"dance-dispatches-first-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dancedispatches.com\/blog\/dance-dispatches-first-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Dance Dispatches’ First Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The idea of creating a new digital dance publication started bouncing around in my head during the summer. I planned out our main features and the adjacent lifestyle categories for dancers\u2019 interests outside of the studio. I built the web pages, claimed our social media handles and stocked content to fill the site. It wasn’t until the end of January that I published our first post: an interview with world Argentine tango champion Germ\u00e1n Cornejo<\/a>, prior to viewing his Buenos Aires-meets-Broadway Tango Fire<\/em> show<\/a>. And in the past year, our dance website \/ dance blog has published more than 70 features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our first birthday, I\u2019ll admit that the creating Dance Dispatches<\/em> was, in part, a selfish venture. Yes, I absolutely want to share unique dance traditions and exciting industry news with you! But in order to that, I had to personally push myself to re-integrate into the giant global dance community \u2013 to see more dance shows<\/a> and participate in more dance classes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, it worked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Birthday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dance Dispatches<\/em>: Year 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During Dance Dispatches\u2019<\/em> first year, I reviewed nearly 30 dance performances (and compiled a list of 2019\u2019s top 19 dance shows<\/a>). I got up early to attend Pineapple Dance Studios\u2019 40th<\/sup> anniversary<\/a> open house with wee dancers and adult novices, alike. I tried my first K-pop class with Love K-Pop Dance London<\/a>, learned a little dancehall with Natty JCDT<\/a> and took a killer heels class with Tarek Khwiss, teaching as Bella Shaheed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I caught The Fountain of Tears<\/em><\/a> ballet in Budapest, a classic that is \u201crarely performed in the West,\u201d according to my Russian colleague, and I took my mom to see folkloric dance in Dubrovnik<\/a> performed by the Lindo ensemble (as well as Sergei Polunin’s Mixed Bill<\/em> at the London Palladium<\/a>). One of my favorite experiences was donning a kimono to try nihon buyo in Tokyo<\/a>; and I had an equally invigorating and exhausting week running around NYC before Christmas, checking out George Balanchine\u2019s The Nutcracker\u00ae<\/em> by New York City Ballet<\/a> and the Radio City Rockettes\u2019 glitzy Christmas Spectacular<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Learning traditional Japanese dance in Tokyo<\/a> with local classmates and a Chinese traveler<\/em> was a definite holiday highlight.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our Year 2 Plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But this year, we\u2019re bringing the focus back to the winder dance community, aka: you. So, what\u2019s next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. DIY Dance Holiday Guides<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We want to help you experience the best dance around the world, whether you want to spend evenings social dancing with locals or watching a premiere ballet company in an opulent opera house. Our destination guides will help you to plan your own dance vacations, so you can visit all of the region\u2019s best dance attractions \u2013 or at least squeeze in a few dance-related activities during your trip. Trust us, it\u2019s a great way to travel.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find more comprehensive dance guides for major dance meccas, in addition to an abbreviated list of the area\u2019s ultimate dance experiences. Some articles will be even more specific, like Dance Arcade Games in Japan<\/em><\/a>, Argentine Tango Venues in Buenos Aires<\/a><\/em>, Flamenco Experiences in Seville<\/em> and Adult Ballet Classes in London<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lookout for spa, food and fitness guides, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
You can see Argentine tango in Buenos Aires<\/a> at street fairs, milongas or tango spectacular shows.<\/em>
Photo credit: @travelbuenosaires<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Your Diverse Voices on Dance Dispatches<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We already feature dance interviews<\/a> on Dance Dispatches<\/em>, which generally delve into the perspective of a single artist or educator. But we want to cast a larger net to share more of your unique insight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Mother\u2019s Day and Father\u2019s Day , we want to help you publicly recognize your biggest dance supporters. We want to share your <\/em>best tips for turning and stretching \u2013 and, we\u2019re curious, how does dancing make you feel? We\u2019ll seek out answers from dancers with backgrounds in different dance styles<\/a> and publish the results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something sourced from our growing group of dance enthusiasts is sure to resonate with you. And you can inspire others, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
If we asked Tarek Khewiss’ heels class students how they feel when dancing, they might say ’empowered’ and ‘sexy.’<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Guest Posts on Dance Dispatches<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But if you have more to say, Dance Dispatches<\/em> could still be your platform. If you\u2019re keen to write an article, contact us<\/a> to arrange a guest post. You can write about a specific experience, like Kathryn Boland\u2019s take on Fortitude Dance Project\u2019s summer intensive<\/a>, or you can tell us about your journey as a beginning adult dancer in a personal essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if your story is heavily focused on your business \u2013 please check out our Work with Us<\/a> page for partnership opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dance
We’re based in London, but we look forward to hearing your global perspectives.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Your Dance Pics and Input on DD Socials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On Facebook<\/strong><\/a>, we\u2019ll give you the opportunity to feature as our cover photo for one month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can share your photos on our Facebook page for consideration. In the future, we\u2019ll also hold photo competitions to let you choose our Facebook photo of the month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

On Instagram<\/strong><\/a>, we post lots of production photos from our favorite dance performances. They\u2019re gorgeous photos of world-renowned dancers; but this is just a small population of the larger dance community \u2013 so we will share more pictures of recreational dancers and aspiring dance professionals (with all of the same credits and tags). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can tag us at @dancedispatches and\/or use our hashtag #dancedispatches for consideration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a>

A post shared by Dance Dispatches (@dancedispatches)<\/a> on