SnitchSeeker.com - 1: Dance Theory & Practice (@ The Gazebo)

SnitchSeeker.com (https://www.snitchseeker.com/forum.php)

- Term 29: Sept - Dec 2011 (https://www.snitchseeker.com/term-29-sept-dec-2011/)

- - 1: Dance Theory & Practice (@ The Gazebo) (https://www.snitchseeker.com/term-29-sept-dec-2011/1-dance-theory-and-practice-the-gazebo-85390/)

To all ze Professor's (Chad, too)

Isabelle had completely missed the first part of the lesson, but she guessed they hadn't got to the practical side yet as the beanbags and things were still in place. Spotting a group of older people, who could only have been professors - nice to see they had the same idea, even if she didn't know them - Issy slunk to the back of said group when Chad had his back turned.

Sitting down crossed legged on a free pillow, she leant forward and spoke in a hushed whisper. "Hello all. Have I missed much?" Because she really could do with learning everything. Dancing was not her forte. "And I realise we haven't met properly - I'm Isabelle, Transfiguration professor." She gave them all a warm smile, before diverting her eyes to Chad. What had he asked?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian (Post 10636462)

Surely, SURELY, Mr. Stryker couldn't take points off from Treyen for being sliiiightly late, could he? It was either being late or not attending at all, so...late he was.

Yet he wasn't late at all, because Chad was only asking for types of dancing or whatever, he wasn't fully listening, he was far more interested on the girl he'd taken a seat next to. Or rather...shared a pillow with...he wasn't too fond of Mr. Stryker's choice of seating arrangements, honestly. A couple benches would've been enough.

"Hi," he said, smiling at Ellie.

Ellie was staring blankly at Stryker. Watching him, but hardly listening. It was odd for him to teach a class anyway. Even if this couldn't be considered a real class. ...Unless it was. She was unsure. But the excitement she originally had when entering the gazebo was fading fast.

Why? Treyen wasn't here. Which meant she'd have to dance with someone else. Which wasn't a terrible thing. No. It just would have been exciting to have the boy she danced with in her first dance lesson at Hogwarts there to dance with again. Especially with the funny way things have changed between the two of them since.

A voice brought her back from the woe-is-me, dazed, empty staring thing. Normally, she'd recognize the voice, but since she hadn't been paying any attention to the sounds around her, she had no clue who this could be.

She turned her head and...BEAM.

"Hi." She'd thought too soon. Everything was right in the world now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeredithRodneyMckay (Post 10637913)

Oohh yay another lovely colleague! And one she hadn't met yet. Seren was simply over joyed.
"Not a great deal yet," she mused, things were only getting started after all. "Pleasure to meet you, Seren Bentley, Herbology."

August had joinmed the Dance lesson at the same time as everyone else but had just noticed how many people really were here. There were all sorts of students and alot of Professors in attendance too.

As he was doing some people watching, he heard the Groundskeeper/teacher ask a question about Waltzes. Well he actually had done it once at his cousin's wedding. They had made sure everyone in the wedding party knew how to do it so they were forced to take lessons. And somehow out of the embarrassment of having to dance with your cousin, Auggie picked up a bit of knowledge. "Sir, I know that there are a few different type of Waltz. There's the American Style, Cross step, Mexican, and a few other less known ones."

Yep he could dance the Cross step.

Ariella raised her hand high up in the air. She thought they were actually going to be dancing. Not just talking about the background of the waltz. Shrugging to herself, she decided to play along with the game and give an answer. After all, waltzing was a popular dance at several formal festivities. "The waltz, or otherwise known as the gliding dance, is a formal ballroom dance that includes a three-step timing. I'm pretty sure it originated in France." She paused for a moment to think out the rest of her answer. "Now, there are several different forms of waltzing all around the world."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzerr (Post 10636181)

Chad started to pace around the room a bit. "You all bring up some very good points. Dance is about expressing emotion, it is fun, a great way to meet people, especially girls or boys...good for dates, it is beneficial for your health and so on."

He paused in his walking to think again. "Quite a few people talked about ballroom dancing. Now, as I know, there are many types of dances within ballroom. Who can name one?"

OOC: Please only post ONE type of dancing in your post. I'm looking for around fifteen different types. If you list a bunch, I will only take the first one in the list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzerr (Post 10636617)

Chad started to wander about the room, nudging students (and the occasional prof) here and there to make sure that they were still paying attention and awake. He gave a harder nudge to Treyen Lockhart. Talking during class? Tsk tsk.

"The last remaining dances are the salsa and the sloooow foxtrot. Now, who can tell me about the waltz? A little background info, yeah?"

Ballroom dancing had always been her favorite; foxtrot, cha-cha, tango, salsa, mambo, quickstep, waltz. She kept quiet, smiling to herself, as students around her gave answers. Adelyn didn't want to sound like some sort of know-it-all, just because she had been dancing since age three.

Now he was asking for background information on the Waltz; she couldn't keep quiet for this one. The Waltz had always been her favorite.

"The Waltz is all about slow, flowing movements, continuous turns. Rising and falling. It's about gliding, and it appears effortless."

Stryker! 'Cos I'm too lazy to quote.

Grinning at the thumbs up Ellie had given him from the across the room, Theo turned to raise his hand in the air... before realizing that he had gone to raise the hand that held Alfie's in it. Oops.

Flushing pink, he released her dainty hand from his and stuck a hand in the air in a good imitation of Hermione Granger from the wizarding history books. "Mr. Stryker?" He called over the chatter that had erupted. "It's a ballroom and folk dance in triple time, usually performed in closed position. By that, I mean that the partners support and face each other as they dance." He totally didn't know this because his parents were fans of the dance and used to educate him on it when he lived in the states. It had been a cheap form of home entertainment.

Kimalia gave a stab in the dark with her answer, "The Waltz? That's one dance where both partners start spinning around the dance floor room in circles together." Right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzerr (Post 10636617)

"The last remaining dances are the salsa and the sloooow foxtrot. Now, who can tell me about the waltz? A little background info, yeah?"

Kennedy raised his hand, a bit nervous about his answer. "Well, the names waltz come from the german word waltzen which means to glide because when people dance it they...look like they are...gliding." Okay, the boy didn't know much, but at least he was trying. "The waltz is also commonly used in social events." Like fancy parties and stuff.

Amusingly enough, just as Theo raised their entwined hands to suggest he had something to say, the girl at his side was just about to raise her own hand to add to the discussion. Successfully distracted from her intention to speak, she turned her large blue eyes to Theo with a soft string of chiming chuckles, admiring him for a moment as he gently dropped her hand and spoke aloud to the group. She was just about to raise her own hand once more when she heard what he said, listening to his statements which were surprisingly informed and detailed on the art of the waltz. Eyes bigger than they normally were, Alfie turned to look at him with obvious surprise in her features, amusement shining behind her smile. Since when did Theodore Dumble know all about waltzing? "Yeah, I'm definitely gonna be the one embarrassing you if we have to stand up and dance," Alfie murmured to him quietly, letting out a soft chuckle as she turned her attention back to the class and raised her own hand delicately.

"I think the Waltz has been around for 300 years or so, hasn't it?" her soft voice chimed to the class, giving a bit of a shrug as she lowered her hand. "It's said to be the 'backbone' dance of ballroom dancing." But that was really all she knew about it, she wasn't as informed as the boy next to her apparently was.

Louisa didn't find it 'appropriate' to write notes in this oh-so-artistic class. Seriously she'd rather draw something as a note, only she sucked at arts. Enya could be of use here but the girl didn't care enough to show up. Aaaanyways, none of the talk was familiar, especially with all the History part. Why would anyone question a history of a dance? She just wanted to learn how to dance. ~~that 'she girl' was not going to be the only girly girl around. HMPH.~~

Louisa raised her hand at the waltzing question, "Isn't it the slow dancing at the formal parties and meetings? Women dressed in tents-like dressed and men stood so erect?" She might've formed it as a question but she was really answering his question. Kind of. "Peasants waltzed for the first time on earth." Did that sound so.. scientific? Uh oh.

SPOILER!!: Theo :)

Eyes catching sight of a wave out of the corner of her eye, Ivory turned away from Professor Bentley to smile at her fellow prefect. Giving him a happy wave back, she listened to what people were answering Mr.Stryker in reference to the waltz.

Which was when it hit her. A very important fact about the waltz. The waltz and many of these other dances.....They required a partner. Friendly smile sort of freezing on her face, the female prefect let her eyes wander around the gazebo. There were couples....everywhere! People already partnered up.

Now Ivy had never been a boy crazy girl, or anything of the sort. She hadn't even had her first crush much less a boyfriend. Unless you counted....which she didn't. Because she did so not have a crush on him. Really. Not at all. It was just that he...Nah, she didn't. Did she? Sneaking a look in that particular direction, she immediately averted her eyes at what she saw or rather whom she saw. Were they just friends? What if they weren't? Why did she care?!?!? Which she didn't of course, because she didn't have a crush on him. No. Not at all. No. Which brought her back to her first point, she'd never had a real ~~reciprocated~~ crush or a boyfriend. And that'd never bothered her. It was a fact she'd just never noticed but sitting in this class. A dancing class where well it was almost expected to be partnered up, Ivory felt the first sinking feeling of being different. Of suddenly feeling lonely.

Shaking her head, she straightened up in her beanbag chair tossing her hair out of her eyes and pushing it all to the back of her mind, where she stored all those feelings in a box-which she put in a chest. A chest she immediately locked and placed in a closet which she slammed the door on.

There. Smile free of tension once more, she tuned back into the conversation.

Yes. Waltz.

Although she didn't know much about the history of dance, she did know one fact she always found interesting. "Every generation always thinks that whatever new popular dance comes out for the youth is drastically inappropriate." she began nodding. " The waltz was no different. Although we now consider it a very proper dance compared to some of the more modern dance styles of our era," For Merlin's sake, some of the more modern dancing looked like individuals having seizures on the dance floor. "In the start of its day it was actually considered very taboo since it required individuals to be so much closer together than they were used to."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani (Post 10636628)

"Sorry..." History of the waltz? "It was a part of society back in the day? A social event." Ehhhhhhh could she hide under the bean bag now?

"A valid point, one point for you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazelStone101 (Post 10636630)

Jayden raised her hand. "The waltz is pretty much the "base" dance of the ballroom, it's pretty simple to understand because it is a three-step dance... with a really simple 1-2-3 rhythm and has been around forever... well, since the 1800’s anyway." Jayden said, blushing. She could be such a nerdy history buff sometimes.

"Very true, two points for you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoviegoerKinz (Post 10636631)

"Well, the Waltz really took off in England around 1812 during the Victorian era." Rafe raised his hand. "It's a slower dance and is in 3/4 time. And performed in a closed position, which means you're facing your partner." He had no idea where that information came from. Probably from one of his mum's class classes.

"Excellent answer, two points."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half_BloodPrincess (Post 10636632)

Well all I really know about the waltz is that there are about thirteen types of it and each is from a different country and that the fastest I believe is the Viennese Waltz? Lysandra said.

"Very good, two points."

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRSCIKA (Post 10636634)

History of the waltz.........how did she remember all of this? She would have to clean out her sponge of a memory later...... As she did the last few times , Eira raised her hand from her little patch of cement and spoke up politely."The waltz is classified as both a ballroom and a folk dance. The classic is performed in triple time , and most forms are primarily in the closed position. There are many variations to it and its origins have been around since the 16th century. The dance mainly originated in Germany , Austria, and France. It was one of the very first and most classic of ballroom dances, often performed in a group setting, Sir. "

"Excellent, two points."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbreeze (Post 10636663)

Eino had a sufficient amount knowledge on the waltz. His fencing instructor always compared fencing to dancing, and most specifically the waltz. Eino raised his hand. "The waltz actually began as a folk dance, from what I remember, in the 16th century." This he knew because he had a multitude of read books on Elizabethan England. Now he was glad he had, as other people put it, wasted his time on useless information. "It was often referred to as sliding or gliding, where a couple would hold each other very closely that their faces would touch. It used to be considered a wild and more upbeat dance for the people of the lower class, but the when it was introduced to the higher society it developed into a slower and more elegant dance." And this elegance was where his instructor always wanted him to use when he was fencing, but it was very difficult to remained poised while trying to avoid being poke. "It has continued to develop ever since finally into what we call the waltz today, which is a ballroom dance in triple meter, but has retained its element of closeness and intimacy."

"Very good answer. Three points, Monsieur."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granger1814 (Post 10636684)

So many answers....Kourt raised her hand to pipe in her own. "The waltz actually wasn't very popular at first...since it was one of the first dances that involved a closeness between partners; it was frowned upon to have the man's hand upon the waist of his female partner."

"An excellent point, Mademoiselle. One point."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Potter Weasley (Post 10636645)

"The Vienesse Waltz is the first modern ball room dance" William told the professor.

"True, one point."

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantomopera24 (Post 10636686)

Background info on the waltz, Faven could do that. She had spent many afternoons with her aunt, talking about her dancing days. "The walz is the oldest of the ballroom dances, dating back to around the 18th century. It was the first dance where the couple danced in a modified Closed position- with the man's hand around the waist of the lady. Two Austrian composers, Lanner and Strauss, set the standard for the Viennese Waltz, a fast tempo waltz. Around the later part of the 19th century, waltzes were being written to a slower tempo then the original Viennese, sir." Faven answered him. Oh please let me be right! I am almost positive that my aunt told me this....please oh please oh plleaaaase!

"Excellent point, a point for you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuibblerFan55 (Post 10636716)

"The Hesitation Waltz was introduced in 1910, by introduced by Vernon and Irene Castle." she spoke softly.

"A point for you, as well."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Marilyn (Post 10636721)

Marilyn tapped her chin. "It's a dance that was popular among Royals back in the day. Marie Antionette, a French Queen, was cited doing this particular dance many times."

Was it important? No...but it WAS interesting...

Chad tilted his head to the side, like a puppy when it heard a new sound. "Really? Huh. Interesting point...one point for you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by anolan807 (Post 10636739)

"Sir, the waltz has a few forms there is the Hesitation Waltz, the Country Western Waltz which in this waltz came the Spanish and pursuit waltz, there is the Viennese Waltz, plus there is also the international waltz, american style waltz, the mexican style, cajun style, and finally the venezuelen waltz. Waltz have been traced back to the 16th century. I have had many years experience with this dance back home. I was on a dance team since I was 3." Minerva hoped she didn't sound to dorky saying all of this, but for once she knew what she was talking about. She looked back over at Harvey and blushed from her little dance talk.

"Excellent, a point for you as well."

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjhm (Post 10636788)

He raised his hand "Waltz is a ballroom dance performed by partners. It is a very famous dance back then. I did read about them being first created by the rural lads and lasses--" well, he read it together with his uncle at the time. He was 7 so he barely understood much, so that's why his uncle explained most of it. "--But then the aristocrats couldn't quite bare that the lower classes have all the fun so in due time they adapted the waltz as well." he smiled. Amused about the thought of upper class men being jealous.

Jonathan looked at Mr. Stryker. Are they learning waltz today?

"Ah yes, a point to you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canoir Greengrass (Post 10637037)

Waltz? Freya remembered her mother told her about it when she was a little and she as lucky enough to learn it even though she's not very good at it like her perfect sister. Focus Freya!

She raised her hand "Is the oldest of the ballroom dances from the middle of the Eighteenth Century, sir. The name itself is taken from the Latin word Volvere which mean a rotating motion." she said.

"Good, a point to you as well."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ortalismusicoh (Post 10637207)

The walts...hmmm. The walts was one of Nessies least favourite dances. She didn't really like the slow stuff she was more into the fast and vibey dances. She raised her hand trying to remember what she knew about the walts "The waltz came from a German dance called the Lander. It became famous in Austria when it was first danced in the opera Una Cosa Rara." Nessie was just glad she had read alot about dancing because if she hadn't she wouldn't have been able to answer.

"And a point to you, as well."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devina Wellheart (Post 10637727)

Justin listened intently to everthing that was being said. Finally, he threw his hand up and said, " Mr. Styker, Isn't it the music that decides what the dance will be? My piano teacher told me that music Tells what the emotion of the artist or dancer feels. The emotion of the music is realized in the dance giving the emotion a visual interpretation. Each dance ; a mood depicted."

Eeeerrr. She wasn't really expecting him to answer that...was she? "Can anybody else in the class answer that?"

Yes, he was passing it off to the students. Problème?

Quote:

Originally Posted by potterfan180 (Post 10637841)

"Mr. Stryker?" Cove asked. "Does it count if you can play a waltz on like the violin?" She said shyly. Cove could play almost any piece of music on the violin. Hers was sitting right behind her. Somewhat hiding from everyone. She felt behind her to make sure it was still there. That wasn't what he was looking for, but she wanted to know.

And, this one, too? "For those of you who are experienced in waltz, what do you say? Can it be done on one instrument? A violin, in particular?"

What was this? The professors were getting all chatting? Tsk tsk. "Professors, please pay attention," he grinned, shaking his head at Isabelle and Seren. Such naughty teachers. Too bad he couldn't give them detention.

"I guess now would be as good a time as any to practice. Erm...get in pairs. Mademoiselle Bentley, would you care to join me up here, please?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzerr (Post 10638772)

"I guess now would be as good a time as any to practice. Erm...get in pairs. Mademoiselle Bentley, would you care to join me up here, please?"

Oh God. Here we go. Rose thought. 'Does anyone wanna be my partner?' Rose yelled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred is awesome (Post 10638777)

Oh God. Here we go. Rose thought. 'Does anyone wanna be my partner?' Rose yelled.

Faven paniced at the thought of partners...she hardly knew how to dance. She was super realived though, to hear her friend Rose ask for a partner. "Hey Rose!" Faven shouted over the chatter, "I'll be your partner, if that's alright!"

Oh, the Waltz! Dallin could do that! He kept quiet as Stryker asked the questions, though, because Dallin had no idea what the history behind the dance was. He listened to the answers, though. They were actually interesting... not that he'd remember most of it. It was still neat to hear, though.

Practice, though! That was what he'd been looking forward to. With a grin, he turned to Ellie. "Wanna be my partner?" He had to ask, right? To be polite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantomopera24 (Post 10638785)

Rose jumped when she heard Faven reply to her plea for a partner. 'Sure! This is going to be fun! Two girls doing the waltz!' Rose laughed, raising her eyebrows. 'I can do this, I might not be any good though...' Rose said, biting her bottom lip.

Need a partner, boy preferably XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzerr (Post 10638772)

Aurora raised her hand "A waltz is usually played in a small string group or band." she'd just said this... "But it is possible to be played on one instrument, a violin usually, though there are a lot of piano pieces in 3/4 that can be counted as Waltz's" Yep, she knew about music. She had almost brought her violin with her... she'd have demonstrated. "But it's always in 3/4 or a variation on that like Dum dum dumm dum dum dummm." she said, waving her hand in a conductorish fashion as she hummed.

Right, partnering up..? She looked around, "Anyone want to pair up? I can dance.." she added. Because that always helped.

She needed a partner? What. Okay. So Indiana had kind of figured that might happen, but she kinda didn't really know she should partner with. The only boys she really knew were Conan and her brother, and neither of them were here. Could she partner with a girl? Because that would look a little weird right? Hmm. She was in a bit of a pickle right now. She frowned, folding her eyes. Maybe she should just stand her ground, and let a partner come to here. She was sure that would work....or at least she hoped so. She didn't really want be without a partner. That would be no fun at all. Nope.

At the request for the class to partner up, Lauren made a beeline for Orchid. The thought of not getting chosen by someone else was totally mortifying, and whilst there was someone else, a boy, in this class that she wouldn't mind dancing with, she just didn't like her chances.

So her closest friend it was! Lauren practically shouted at the girl upon approaching her "I call dibs on being your partner!" and then much quieter, "If that's okay with you..."

Need a partner.... boy preferably.. :)

SPOILER!!: Mr. Stryker xD

"Oh. Merlin." Jayden thought to herself, she hadn't seen that coming..."Anyone need a partner?"She asked, blushing. Jayden didn't want to be without one, that would be just totally lamesauce.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred is awesome (Post 10638799)

"Oh goodness...I just thought of that...." Faven admitted embarassed. "Should we wait for boy partners.....???" She asked Rose.

PARTNERS?! Like a boy? Um...why? That had an obvious answer-because you could not do a ballroom dance with only one person. Well you could, but you would look pretty stupid. Where was Damien when she needed him? As a matter of fact, she had not seen him since the term had started. Humph. She knew he did not like going to classes, but this didn't technically apply as a class...did it?

Isobel stood and looked around awkwardly, wondering who the heck she was supposed to have as her partner.

Professor types! :D

Beth listened. She observed. She nodded in greeting when another professor came along. In all honesty, Beth was rather surprised that the students knew so much about the art of dance. They knew a LOT more than she did.

...

Pair up? As Chad asked Seren to partner up with him, the short healer raised an eyebrow and looked at the Transfiguration Professor. "Does he want us to partner up with someone, too?" If it was a yes, then she'd have the choice of awkwardly dancing with the Transfiguration professor, or awkwardly dancing with a student. EEP.

Maybe just observing would be better for now...

Any older guys????

Isabelle looked around for someone to be a partner with. She tried to see if Damon was here but didn't see him at the moment. "Anyone want to pair with me," she voiced loudly. Looking for someone around her age and hopefully taller than her.