Festivals In India - Never Ending Culture Of India

India is a land of colourful festivals. Festivals in India are celebrated with zest, passion and devotions as it is a part of life. It is celebrated in commemoration to religious, historical and coming of fresh seasons. The colour, dance, food, gifts and sports reflect the various lifestyles of India.

Festivals are celebrated in every corner of India by diverse communities. One can find festivals in India through the year and season. The coming of Spring season or harvest season or changing season is a reason to cheer and make merriment and it is well expressed through festivals. In festive season, people send wishes to their loved one, cook delicious sweets and cookies, and also worship their Gods and Goddess to shower their blissful grace. Many festivals are celebrated in honour of their God and religious cult. The festival of Janmasthami is celebrated by Hindus because of Lord Vishnu's reincarnation on earth as Lord Krishna. Deepawali is celebrated when Lord Rama return home after being victorious upon Ravana. So, it is observed that festivals are closely related to myth and religion.

Sports and fairs are an indispensable sect of festivities. Boat racing, cock-fighting, camel racing, bull fighting and such sports spice up the festivals. Holi is a festival of colour and can be observed all over India.

Preparation of these festivals starts few days before with enthusiasm and fervour. People decorate their house with colours and Rangoli (a colourful design made at doorsteps to welcome guest). They dress in their robes and visit homes of friends. Music and dance is the soul of the festivals. People dance with the musical rhythms and ogle in search of soul mates.

The colourful festivals of India attract foreign tourist. They fly to India to watch and enjoy the festivals from every corner of the globe. Thus, festivals and fairs are indispensable part of Indians.

Sonal Arya is offering advice for quite some time. Having completed her Ph.d in Archaeology from The Jawaharlal Nehru University. She provide useful advice through her articles that have been found very useful. To find Festivals In India, cities in india, famous in india, temples in india, personalities in india visit http://www.famousinindia.com/

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First a Trickle then a Flood.The Birth of the Blues in Britain

Chris Barbers Jazz Band with the beautiful Otillie Patterson on vocals brought the sound of New Orleans to British traditional Jazz buffs in the late fifties and early sixties. This was just the beginning of a wave of new sounds that culminated in what came to be known as the British Blues Boom! On Banjo was the great Lonnie Donegan who became the Godfather of Skiffle a year or two later. All of the early musical melting pots were springboards for the next generation of musicians and within a couple of years the Music scene was to change forever.

My first exposure to the blues was on Barbers wonderful L.P. New Orleans Joys. I forget all the titles now but the haunting sounds stirred up strange sensations and led me a few years later to a life long passion for the Blues as I am sure it did with many young kids at the time.

The year 1962 saw the birth of several Blues gigs in London Clubs, notably the Famous Marquee which made its home in Wardour Street, Soho. The great Alexis Korner was to prove to be a nursery slope for what was to come. Cyril Davies on Harp, Dick Heckstall- Smith on the most wailing of saxophones, Mick Jagger (yes that one!) on vocals to name but a few. I guess that first Album recorded live at the MarqueeAlexis Korners Blues Incorporated, started the trickle which very rapidly gathered momentum and soon the Blues was the talking point of all young music heads.

Playing at the Marquee shortly after, in 1963 was the man destined to become the Godfather of British Blues John Mayall. Johns famous band, The BluesBreakers went onto fame and fortune as many musicians joined and left in quite a procession over the next couple of years. John celebrated his 70th Birthday a couple of years ago and is playing as well as ever. This gives lie to the notion that life is over at forty and its all downhill from there on. The list of Johns protges is a whos who of the music business; a good proportion of whom are still playing today. John McVie, co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce of Cream, Eric Slowhand Clapton, Peter Green, Aynsley Dunbar, Mick Taylor and many more.

The band that I believe was the turning point at this time was undoubtedly The Yardbirds, whose incredible energy and enthusiasm were absolutely unparalleled on stage. My first exposure to this Juggernaut was on a Monday morning at school one time when some friends told me about this amazing band that they had seen at the Marquee who had a Guitarist that was simply unbelievable. The Year was 1963, the man in question (well he was only 18 years old!) was Eric Clapton.

The Legend was already underway at this stage and I believe Eric was responsible for the huge interest brewing in the Blues in Britain as the Yardbirds became household names on the R n B circuit. Many Guitars were sold at this time as young bloods attempted to emulate Clapton, some with success and many without. Probably one reason for the upsurge in Guitar bands as opposed to wishy washy pop sounds of the time was the discovery of the almost forgotten Gibson Les Paul which produced the sound closest to the Chicago Blues of a decade earlier. Erics use of this instrument took the Blues to a new height and no-one could escape the flood that was on the way. With the Yardbirds there was a mix of Gibson and Fender guitars in use. Eric initially played a Fender Telecaster with Rhythm Guitarist Chris Dreja using the Gibson 335, but the favourite in years to come particularly in 65 and 66 was the Les Paul.

In 1963 one of the first Bluesmen to arrive on this side of the Atlantic for a Tour was the legendary Harp player Sonny Boy Williamson who recorded a wonderful live album with the Yardbirds that was not released for several years. The restrained backing that the band provided to Sonny Boy showed them to be tight and controlled but Keith Relf the Lead singer and Harpist was a little put out at having to take a back seat to the Master during the gig. Many more Blues legends toured Britain and Europe in the following years which not only revitalised their own flagging careers but gave the budding white Blues players a chance to learn from the Maestros. These include Howling Wolf and the legendary Son House who had been a contemporary of Robert Johnson in the nineteen thirties. The author was privileged to see Son House play in London in 1970 shortly before he died. He was very frail but he certainly could make that National Steel Guitar sing sweetly!

The Album that preceded the Flood was of course the 1966 rendition by John Mayall entitled simply John Mayalls Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton recorded on the Decca label .This album marked the first vocal airing by Slowhand and he chose Robert Johnsons Rambling on my Mind as his debut. The interrelating of Mayalls gutsy Barrelhouse Piano together with Erics Les Paul and his tentative vocals, wrote a piece of Blues History that day in the studio. That Album sums up for me not only the musicianship involved and the passion of the music but the very essence of the British interpretation of the Blues. I have listened to this song so many times now since the first momentous day that it came through the speakers and every time its hard to keep the emotions steady.

The Robert Johnson Legacy forms an integral and vital part of the Birth of the Blues in Britain and is responsible for the undoubted vitality of todays thriving Blues scene on both sides of the Atlantic. There are no Blues Bands past or present who do not owe a debt to Robert Leroy and his magic. His genius and virtuosity with the bottleneck will live forever!

Robin Piggott is a Professional Driving Instructor in Ireland, with a lifelong obsessional passion for the Blues. He treasures his Gibson as much as his Motor and just can't make up his mind which is number one! Please visit his web site and blogs for a mix of Motor and Musings designed to help Beginner Drivers and those visiting Ireland.

http://www.astralmotoring.ie

http://astraldrivingschool.blogs.ie

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Vocal Anorexia

We know what Anorexia looks like, right? A 5'4" woman, weighing 80 pounds
will stand in front of a mirror gazing at her image and will see FAT!

To her eyes, as she stands in front of the mirror, examining every inch
of her body, her body weighs 250 pounds.

Anyone else; ANYONE ELSE sees the reality of her weight which is 80 lbs. Her skeleton is clearly observed below the skin surface, which has such little mass, that to the objective observer, this woman appears malnourished and maybe even close to dying.

The only conclusion that can be drawn is that this woman is seeing a distorted image of her body that no one else, I mean NO ONE ELSE sees.

And that's her illness!

The cure, if there is ever is one, is several weeks in an institution where the "patient" is taught to rely on and perhaps even trust what OTHERS are seeing, and not his/her own reflection in a mirror.

Once the patient is helped to understand that his/her view of their body is not real, but a distorted mental image, (sort of what we look like when we see ourselves in one of those "Fun House" mirrors at the amusement park), then the patient starts to see him/herself through more objective eyes, and ultimately see the truth of the matter...the truth that he or she has not been able to see...
that she weighs 80 lbs., not 250.

Well, how does this relate to what I call "Vocal Anorexia"?

It's simply this:

"Vocal Anorexia" is a condition where a singer will hear the sounds that
emit when he/she sings a song that NO ONE ELSE hears.

Take the case of the people who audition for American Idol. They will sing...
badly...excruciatingly awful.

Simon will say, "Do you think that was good?", and they will reply, "Yes! I was great!" However, to
everyone else, judges and viewers alike, they were about as terrible as they could be.

What's going on? The person is hearing something that is not real; sounds that objective listeners hear as unpleasant and even painful to hear.

And I know this because I've had students like this in my studio, and believe me, they CANNOT hear how bad they sound. They remain under an illusion that they sound great...a false illusion!

The only person who does not hear how bad it is, is the person singing. And that's an illness. It takes hours, months, maybe even years of ear training for a person with this affliction to improve their singing. Some will discover that what they believed to be a passion was a temporary whim, much like passing a store window and seeing an outfit and thinking to oneself, 'Oh, I gotta have THAT!',only to have it replaced by another "want" a few days later.

The pitch-challenged singer with a real desire to sing will do the work no matter how long it takes, and perhaps end up in the chorus of a Broadway show, or get good enough to perform at the local Karaoke club for friends and family.

Tone Deafness, for the most part, is often "fixable" with commitment and hard work. Less than 1% of the planet's population is truly tone deaf. The others just have something called "lazy ear".

But that's another article altogether. Back to "Vocal Anorexia".

There's a rather curious aspect of vocal anorexia that, to me, is much more intriguing, to say the least.

I have encountered numerous singers who will sing a song, and sound exquisite, simply wonderful. The vocal tone, the expression of the lyric, the entire performance could make one melt,
but to the singer's ear, it sounds frightfully horrendous.

If this singer is told how wonderful he/she sounds, it translates in the singer's brain as, "They're just being nice", or "They didn't hear all the mistakes, so they don't know".

The same inability of the anorexic patient to SEE what is plain as day to an objective eye is apparent
here as the anorexic singer cannot HEAR what is clearly beautiful to the objective listener.

And the solution to this "affliction", is the same. Since it's not a HEARING issue, but a mental one, the anorexic singer needs to learn how to hear him/herself through others ears and not his/her own.

This takes discipline and a continuous inner conversation where the singer must repeat often, "What I am hearing is not real. I will not judge my singing or rely on my own listening for it is flawed by my condition."

This is what Martha Graham was saying to her student, Agnes DeMille in a letter she wrote as a response to Miss DeMille's self-criticism of her work.

Agnes DeMille, for those of you who do not know, was the choreographer for the first Broadway production of "Oklahoma".

She became so critical of her own work that she almost quit, but instead wrote to her mentor, Martha Graham, for some advice.

And this is an excerpt of the note she got back. I strongly recommend that you read it SLOWLY, making sure you understand every word, especially if you feel that you may be one of those who suffer from vocal anorexia.

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated
through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time.
This expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist
through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it
compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours
clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have only to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.
Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that
keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

Chrys Page is a singer, vocal coach, and eBook author of "The Art of Singing" Series, a set of "how-to's" for serious and committed singers.

Chrys provides singers worldwide with a variety of products and services geared to motivate, inspire, and help them on their vocal path wherever it may lead.

http://www.singyourlife.com has been serving singers for 8 years with online lessons, backing tracks, sheet music, and a monthly newsletter filled with timely tips and advice for singers.

We invite you to Join Our Mailing list! It's FREE!

Her latest website, http://www.Karaoke-And-Beyond.com is exclusively for singers who wish to take their singing to another level, which is singing to "live" music. At this site, the singer finds Keyboard and Guitar Lessons, and a variety of self-help music books designed to help singers learn how to accompany themselves when they sing. The "Art of Singing" series is also offered, along with great deals on musical instruments through an affiliate link.

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What is New Vogue Dance?

The "New Vogue" dance style is an Australian form of sequence dancing that originated in the 1930s. Many people enjoy dancing but they lack a partner. Dancing is the team work sports. Nowadays, Dancesport is very popular in Hong Kong. For the young ladies, they will choose Latin dance. Ballroom dance makes you feel very elegant. But both need dancing partners. "New Vogue" is the group dancesport. Since then it has become an important part in the Australian ballroom scene, holding as much importance in social and competition dancing as Latin or International Standard dances. No need to worry about dance partners now. We learn it individual but can dance it together.

How many styles in "New Vogue" dances?

There are 26 basic dances styles and 100 advance styles.

The summer is coming. It is really to spend time to learn "New Vogue" and have fun with your lovers, husband, children, wife or students etc. A summer "New Vogue" dances. Dance can make you feel good. It can keep you young and release the stress. There are many stages that you can choose. Not only "New Vogue" dances, you can learn basic Latin dance, develop more skills and have fun of it. You will be taught from the fundamentals from experience professionals. Many people learn "New Vogue" and use it as the MORNING EXERCISE. The dancing music makes you feel happy and relax. No need to worry about the difficult dancing steps. It's much better to learn 1 dance style of 1 lesson. Still worry about all dancing steps? Don't worry! We can use video for you that you can take it to home and practice every where without limitation. That why we need people can enjoy every moment of the "New Vogue" dance.

New Vogue dance is the good choice of Party dance. You can share it with your friends.New Vogue dances contains very fresh ideas of dance movement. You only know a little bit of "Latin dance or Ballroom dance .Then,you combined those together.I am sure that all dance lovers can get the satisfactory from "New Vogue" dance.

Pay attention to all dance lovers, if you don't know all the dances, we can share it there. We invite many dance experts suc as Ballet dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin dance, Ballroom Dance, Lion Dance, Line dance, Wheel Chair dance and horse dancing experters. All about dance articles will launch there. Dances are includes not Latin dance, ballroom dance, Jazz, ballet and etc. In China,we will use Dragon Dance to celebrate the New Year!! Many interesting articles will come soon.

About Mina Chan - Mina Chan is the founder of http://www.DanceInAsia.blogspot.com

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Hello from Montreal - Neighbourhood Connections in the Park on Lovely Square St. Louis

After an enjoyable late lunch at Maana and after learning about the interesting life story of its owner, Angel Broncales, I was ready for enjoying a little bit of afternoon relaxation and right across from Maana is a beautiful urban park called Square St. Louis. Its history goes back a long way, all the way to 1848 when the City of Montreal installed a water reservoir on top of a hill. 31 years later the reservoir was taken down and the entire site was converted into a public park.

The centre of the park, situated in Montreals popular Latin Quarter neighbourhood, features a classic Victorian fountain, surrounded by a large number of benches that attract local residents, university students, artists and tourists in search of a shady spot to relax. Someone had brought a guitar and was strumming folk songs, children were playing, and a dog was swimming in the water of the fountain. A peaceful atmosphere imbued this urban green space. Surrounding the park is a collection of eclectic Second Empire townhouses and some people say that this square might be the closest thing to a European neighbourhood square.

As I was sitting and just taking in this picturesque environment, a young man sat down next to me and we started chatting. He said that he is originally from Antigua and grew up in Oakville, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. He went to university in Virginia, did his graduate degree at McGill in Montreal and finally a PhD at Cornell University. He told me that today he runs a biotech company located in Boston and occasionally he has to travel up on business to Montreal.

Since he lived in Montreal while taking his graduate degree, he had a chance to get to know the city up-close and says he loves Montreal, especially because of its bohemian character and its European flair. He actually lived around the corner from Square St. Louis, and he is always drawn back to this neighbourhood whenever he comes back to Montreal.

Curious about his experiences studying in different parts in the United States, I asked him what his experience was like, particularly as a visible minority. He indicated that issues such as race, religion and sex are taken much more seriously in the US than they are in Canada. He added that Montreal is a very relaxed place and racial background is not much of an issue. In his opinion, language is a much more important topic in Montreal.

As we chatted, two young ladies, one from California and from Washington, D.C., came by and requested us to take a picture. We chatted for a while and they told us that they were visiting a friend who lives here in Montreal. The atmosphere in Square St. Louis was so open and relaxed, people just felt comfortable approaching complete strangers to sit down and chat. I was having a great time.

Shortly after, the young man said goodbye and I continued my exploration of the Latin Quarter on foot. Montreals stone townhouses represent a very unique and beautiful architectural style that you will not find in any other city. As I got ready for my next item on the itinerary, a visit to Montreals Islands and the Casino de Montreal, I relished this neighbourhood encounter between total strangers, inspired by the serene surroundings of Square St. Louis

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences & interesting life journeys, interviews with travellers and travel experts, cross-cultural issues, and many other features.

Susanne has recently published a series of FREE travel ebooks about destinations such as Spain, Cuba, Mexico, Sicily, New York City, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia and many more. Visit Travel and Transitions - FREE ebooks( http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html )"Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons".

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Wedding Music - Choosing the Right Music for your Wedding

Music can help to create the right atmosphere and set the mood during the wedding ceremony and during the wedding celebrations. Deciding which music should be played at you wedding is one of the most important decisions you need to make when planning your special day.

An important factor in choosing your music is the setting for your wedding ceremony. If your ceremony will be in a church or synagogue, you will probably be required to stay within the guidelines set by the Church or synagogue.

There are two aspects of wedding music that need to be addressed when planning your big day. First, you may wish to select certain music or arrange for professional soloists or musicians to play during the actual wedding ceremony. But at the wedding reception, it's pretty much anything goes when it comes to selecting wedding music, provided it's tasteful. Everyone's requirements are different so don't be afraid to discuss any special requirements with whoever you're hiring.

Start planning your wedding music early. Good talent gets booked fast and you don't want to end up having to select the brand new DJ with only a few weddings under his belt or something even worse. Booking your music a full year in advance is advisable but at a minimum, you should know who will be showing up and what he or she will be playing at least six months prior to the wedding date.

For most weddings, selecting the music for the wedding ceremony isn't that complicated because most often, it's controlled by the person in charge at the location where the ceremony will take place. When you're researching your wedding ceremony options, be sure to inquire about any guidelines with respect to wedding ceremony music as these could possibly impact your decision. If the ceremony is being held outdoors, check for electrical hook-ups or book live musicians.

Wedding music during the ceremony is basically secondary to the ceremony itself so the music is really meant to sort of 'fill in the gaps' during the non-speaking periods such as while guests are being seated, during the procession, and while lighting the unity candles. Of course, it's your wedding and it can be custom-designed.

The music that's played at the reception, however, is going to mean the difference between a successful reception and one that's ho-hum. And this is where things can start to get complicated. When you begin searching for wedding reception music, you'll realize rather quickly that you have a lot of options. You can book a live band, or a DJ that'll play pre-recorded music, or you can buy that CD full of top wedding songs and have someone act as the DJ.

It's important that you both agree on the type of wedding music you want played at your reception. There are 'traditional' songs that almost always are played at certain points during the reception such as the father/daughter dance, the cake cutting, the dollar dance and so on. And then there is all the music in between. Do you want jazz, country, R&B, new age, Italian, Latin, Jewish-inspired, or a little bit of everything? That's an important decision to make because the musicians you select have to be able to deliver what you want or you won't be happy.

Your specific choice of music should be discussed with the musicians well before the event and they should be able to provide you with some ideas. Try to book experienced professionals for your wedding music. Always ask for and check references. Even contact the Better Business Bureau. If booking live talent, arrange to hear a live performance before booking. Scrutinize the contract before signing to make sure all parties agree on the number of hours music will be provided and that everything that has been agreed to is in writing. Find out the cancellation and refund policy, too.

Your wedding day will be one of the most treasured memories of your life. Selecting the right wedding music can take a lot of time and effort, so start planning early.

Copyright 2005. Clive Chansa writes for the Music Shop athttp://www.music-shop-uk.org.uk/ and he also contributes articles and reviews at:

http://www.music-cds-online.org.uk/ regularly.

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Clog Dancing - Offering High-Levels of Attitude, Energy, Exercise, and Fun

Have you ever wanted to do something excitingly challenging to you, while knowing it's good for you and won't require lots of boring work from you. Then, that something is clog dancing, also called clogging. You can do it solo, with a partner, or within a group. All three ways are fun, fun, fun. Also, if you join an organized clogging group, you'll find yourself having a new set friends while becoming more acceptable to yourself and your peers. Since clogging groups are special in their own way, you will be, too.

What is clogging?

Several sources describe the American form of clogging as hillbilly-tapping or foot-stomping folk dancing, where the dancer makes musically synchronized sounds with his/her feet. In the past, it was done to mountain and bluegrass music with high-kicking leg movements combined with foot shuffling, stomping, and tapping. Nowadays, it's done to many kinds of music the same way. Kids and teenagers generally do it at high speed, faster and more precise than adults.

Where did clogging come from?

Clogging dates back to the 16th-Century-or-prior European folk dances and jigs. It's been traced to the dances done by the Scotch-Irish steppers, Dutch cloggers (done in wooden shoes or in soft shoes having wooden soles), Euro-Russian gypsies, and English-French-German folk-dancers. In this continent, it evolved into its own early style through the immigrants who settled in Canada, the Appalachian Mountains, and the hill regions of the South. Among all the early settlers who liked to stomp and dance were the Native Americans, frontiersmen, African Americans, cowboys, farmers, ranchers, and the backwoods, hill-abiding, and small-town folks. All of these regional sects have influenced the clogging styles in one way or another at one time or another. Today, it's being shaped further through contemporary clogging groups, and through the various kinds of modern music in addition to the traditional ones.

How is clogging taught or done?

Generally, clogging is learned in groups under an instructor who carefully teaches its terminology and step-routines, and who makes sure it's done to the time of the music. However, if no such group is nearby, instructional videos and DVD's can be found in a few dance shops and on the Internet.

Briefly, the basic clog step is a double-toe tap done with one of your feet, followed by stepping on the balls of each foot. First, starting with your left foot, brush your toe forward and then backward, tap-tap, and then step on the same foot (ball). Immediately following that left tap-tap-ball movement, step onto your right ball, and then step back onto your left one, once more. That's it, the basic step, left-toe-tap-forward, left-toe-tap-backward, left-step-ball, right-step-ball, left-step-ball.

Now, repeat this step movement starting with your right foot, and then again with your left one, alternately. Once you have learned to repeat this step continuously in a light-footed manner, you will be able to do the slight variations it easily. As your balance and knee-bending capabilities increase, you'll move into longer and slightly varied routines based on these steps. Additionally, you'll be able to do them solo, with a partner, or within a group as in line dancing or as a team. You can also develop your own solo freestyle routines.

Note: the initial double-toe tap of the basic step can also be done as a heel-toe tap as it's sometimes done in certain parts of the country. The basic movement is same as above, except the initial toe-tap is replaced with a heel-tap, as heel-tap-forward, toe-tap-backward, step-ball, step-ball, step-ball and so forth.

Where is it done?

Clogging can be learned or done anywhere, out in the country, or in the villages, towns, and cities, usually on a fairly hard surface. Today, organized clogging is done mostly within local clogging groups under the leaderships of certified instructors. These groups meet and practice in schools, gymnasiums, churches, civic centers, ballrooms, garages, or homes large enough to accommodate them. Membership includes all ages and types, both adults and youngsters. These groups often have members who compete regularly at regional clogging events in addition to their having leisurely in-group fun. Many of the competitive dancers are young people, who can learn it easily, and do it fast.

Because these groups are generally nonprofit and semi-private, only a few of them are listed in the yellow pages. Still, clogging groups exist everywhere in North America, similar to the way square-dance clubs do. If you have a square-dance club nearby, chances are they can point you toward a clogging group. Some clogging groups can also be found on the Internet.

Additionally, in the regions where clogging has been done routinely for decades, the local cloggers might get together spontaneously without much organization. These cloggers will show up at local parks, community events, or county fairs, where small portable wooden clogging floors and recorded music are available to them and anyone else who wants to try it. A fiddler, guitarist, or banjo player might show up there, too.

How is clogging organized?

Modern clogging groups are organized under nonprofit federations. That is, each group operates under its own bylaws and the general provisions of a state board or council. The state board or council might sponsor annual workshops for the local chartered groups to attend. Such workshops offer expert clogging instruction, demonstrations, competitions, and entertainment, like, performances, games, or parties of sorts. They'll also provide displays of recent music, cue sheets, equipment sources, and other clogging information.

What does it cost?

Generally, group members pay annual dues to keep the group solvent, about $20-50. The dues cover the cost of rental space, member insurance, and a newsletter. For guest beginners, the only cost is for the instruction, $10-50, for about 10 weeks of classes, one-to-two nights a week. If you decide to go further into clogging after graduating, you'll need leather clogging shoes with "jingle" (double-action) taps attached to them, $35-70. The dues and shoes are the main costs. Normally, the dress codes are casual, T-shirts and jeans or shorts, for weekly lessons or practice sessions. You won't need special clothing unless you decide to perform competitively with the group, or to perform with them entertainingly for local charities, senior centers, conventions, and festivals. Even so, the outfits often are homemade.

What else?

Clogging groups are family friendly and socially fun. Because children are included in them, these groups maintain high behavior standards for its membership. They hold many get-togethers, potlucks, holiday parties, and fun times for everyone. Yet, some groups are setup for the grownups or for youth only. This condition occurs for the older grownups whose kids have left home, or for the youth who travel frequently to many competitions. Still other groups might be subdivided into both grownups and youth for training purposes. This kind of organization means participation of some kind of is available to almost everyone there. So, if you are looking for a clean, fun way to burn off your energy, and to gain some of it back with other benefits at the same time, try clog dancing. Your fancy footwork will glide you gracefully over the floor, faster and more uniquely than most folks can.

References

1. The National Clogging Organization, Inc. (C.L.O.G.) Copyright 2003, http://www.clog.org

2. Clog Dancing. Where Cloggers Come Together. Copyright 2007, http://www.clogdancing.com

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Miami Florida - 7 Months of Cool Things to Do in a Hot Town

Miami, Florida has been a favorite tourist destination for many decades. Its pleasant weather through the year brings people down in droves to enjoy a kick back outdoor lifestyle and enough activities to keep them busy 24/7. When you go to Miami, if you want, you can mix a dose of culture with your fun on the beach and your partying in the clubs.

There are a number of annual events in South Beach and other parts of the city that provide entertainment for everyone.

February

When most of the rest of the United States is freezing in late February you might want to pack your bags and head down to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. It takes place at different locations in the South Beach area and raises money for the Florida International University hospitality program.

So, you'll be enjoying fantastic food prepared by celebrity chefs as well as local cooks doing cooking demonstrations. You'll also be tasting wine, and you'll be contributing to a good cause. Life doesn't get much better.

March

You'll want to hit the Irish pubs and enjoy Irish food, Irish music, and Irish libations in Miami when everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day.

If you're into electronic and dance music, hit South Beach for the Winter Music Conference, which attracts DJs as well as musicians. You can also get an education on the music business at seminars during the conference. Just into partying and dancing? They're all around you at Lummus Beach, local parks and local clubs.

Want a break from partying but don't want to necessarily get too heavy? The Miami International Film Festival spans ten days and showcases films from local filmmakers as well as filmmakers from around the world in a variety of different genres. It's held in various venues around the city.

July

The Fourth of July is another fantastic time to be in Miami. Each Independence Day celebration brings live music at Bayfront Park along with fireworks.

August and September The International Ballet Festival began in 1995 and it's been taking center stage at different venues, including the Jackie Gleason Theater, during August and September. A lot of extraordinary dancers are involved. It's presented by the Miami Hispanic Ballet Company and has received acclaim throughout the media and is appreciated by everyone.

October The International Caribbean Music Festival, held in Bicentennial Park, is an event that celebrates one of the many cultures that makes Miami what it is. You'll love the mood and the music that's performed by musicians from throughout the Caribbean.

December A rather unusual event, the King Mango Strut, takes place shortly after Christmas. It's a parade that's a parody of the Orange Bowl Parade and current events. It follows a route down Main Avenue and Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove. Catch it if you can.

Where do you really want to go on vacation? Take a look at at how to make your Wildest Dreams Come True for a bit of inspiration. And, to find out how to make your wildest dreams come true, check out http://TheGreatestDreamVacations.com now and learn how to make it happen.

(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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iPod Songs Downloads - How to Download Songs to Your iPod

There are several popular ways to download a song onto an iPod. The process of downloading songs to an iPod such as iPod Nano, Shuffle, etc is very easy and simple. All you need is some basic tools and some information on how to do it. This article shows you a simple way you can use to put songs on your iPod device in minutes.

What you need:

- You need the songs to download:

If you already have a CD collection you can just use free software to convert them to mp3 and save the files on your pc. If you already have a collection of music in mp3 format then you don't need to do this. Another way is to download the songs from an mp3 download site. There are hundreds that you can use.

- An iPod

Of course if you want to put music on an iPod, we're assuming that you already have one. If you don't have an iPod, you can buy one from websites like eBay or Amazon. Or you can just visit your local shopping center for shops that sell them.

- Your PC or laptop

Most people have at least a computer in their home so this won't be a problem. These days you can get a second hand personal computer for about $100. If you want more speed and a bigger hard disk, you should be prepared to spend more. Generally laptops tend to be more expensive that PC's.

- A Connector cable

You need a Connector cable to connect your iPod to your computer. You probably already have this cable since they usually come with your iPod when you purchase it.

Follow these easy steps:

1. If you don't already have it, download the iTunes software and install it on your pc. This software is available free from www.apple.com/itunes/download. You can also use the installation CD that came with your iPod.

2. Connect your iPod to your pc using the connector cable which came with your iPod. One end of the cable goes to the USB port on your computer and the other end to your iPod. If you've never connected your iPod to your PC before, follow the instructions for installing on your PC.

3. Download music and songs from your favorite download site and save the music on your pc.

4. Now, Use the drag-and-drop feature on your pc to move the songs to your iPod. To use drag-and-drop left-click on the song you want to move and hold the click while you move the song to the iPod. You can also just copy and paste.

After you're done moving the songs, disconnect the iPod properly by using the eject button. This will avoid problems and errors on your pc.

You can also use other types of software besides iTunes although its is one of the most popular. As you can see from this article, it's very simple and easy to download music onto your iPod.

Click here for a comprehensive list of websites where you can sign up for unlimited iPod Songs and Movie Downloads: http://www.good4movies.com/ipod/ online. Visit the Movies, Music and Games Guide website for more tips and advice on how to downloadable movies, tv shows, games and music online. Copyright Tina Richardson.

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Sony Ericsson W580i - Really Stunning

The Sony Ericsson W580i is a great phone which will simply enthrall you with its innovative and highly advanced music features. If you want great music all the time, then this phone is the perfect choice for you. This amazing phone opens with a stylish smooth slide action. The handset comes with great music features like TrackID which helps populate the play list and identify tracks and songs. Hence, now you can listen to all your favourite tracks and dance to your favourite tunes wherever you go. It will simply enthrall you with great sound quality and endless excitement.

This phone is a light-weighted masterpiece with its great features and weighs only about 94 grams. It comes in dimensions of 14 X 99 X 47 mm and thus slips easily into the pocket. The phone is well equipped with great features that offer amazing capabilities to the user. The user can shoot great videos and take astounding pictures with help of a highly advanced camera integrated in the phone. The Bluetooth feature in the phone gives freedom from the wires; as now one can easily connect with other Bluetooth compatible devices and share files wirelessly without any hassle. One can also use various accessories like a Bluetooth headset with great style. With the help of the USB and Bluetooth feature one can easily connect with personal computers, laptops and printers.

The GPRS and EDGE technology provide high speed reliable broadband internet connection to the users. So now you can access the web with great ease. Now you can send e-mails, share files like your favourite videos etc with your friends and peers. The highly efficient internet features promise fast paced data transfer with great comfort. The phone comes in attractive colors and great style. These phones combine advanced technology with style and sophistication to give you the most wonderful mobile experience all the time. This phone is simply a marvellous music phone that gives you loads of excitement and simply soothes your senses. You will simply love owning this piece of sheer brilliance.

Adam Caitlin is expert author of Telecommunication industry.Who writes on Mobile Phone Deals, sim free phonesand Sony Ericsson W580i

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Urban Latino Music - Machete Music Party
Celebrate Machete Music's One Year Anniversary. Feat. Wisin y Yandel, Don Omar, Hector el Father ... Sign Up or Login. Urban Latino Music - Machete Music Party ...
http://blip.tv/file/401932

Don Omar
Official site for reggaeton singer Don Omar, with news, photos, show ... Download Don Omar's "Reggaeton Latino " song on : I-Tunes. Napster. Real. Music Match ...
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Selena, Music , Free MP3 Music - Winamp Media Player
... you to manage and play audio and video files, rip and burn CDs, enjoy free music , access and share your music and videos ... singer in Latino communities across ...
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peermusic - The Independent Major
... Music Latino announces the formation of LADISCO Music & Entertainment ... "Universal Music Latino is happy to welcome the label LADISCO and the Valenzuela ...
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Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Offers music from contemporary grassroots cultures in the United States and abroad from a vast museum catalog. ... range of Latin American and Latino musics. ...
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Music Listings
... figures in Austin's Latino music scene, provide exposure and resources to local ... Billboard Chart of Tejano and Latino Music . San Antonio, Tejas ...
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Parties and Receptions - Sonido Latino - San Diego Latino Film Festival ...
... on current trends in Latino Cinema, interviews with award-winning Latino filmmakers, list of films/videos ... Concerts @ the Fest, Latino music showcase. ...
http://www.sdlatinofilm.com/parties.html

GCAC: Xicano Music
Each year, the Xicano Music Program sponsors the Tejano Conjunto Festival en San ... Xicano Music Program is devoted to increasing appreciation of Latino and Chicano ...
http://www.guadalupeculturalarts.org/xicanomusic.htm

The Austin Chronicle: Music : Off the Record
Tim O'Connor closes the Backyard, Grupo Fantasma spice things up for Latino Music Month, and Hacienda strikes a chord with the Black Keys
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid%3A618735

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Learn Chinese

When discussing about interesting languages we can always take into consideration Chinese. You may want to learn Chinese because you want to go on a trip there, and it is far more interesting to speak with the individuals in their own languages rather than using a universal language. Of course, you may also want to learn Chinese because it is one of those exotic languages that is, without a doubt, worth knowing. When discussing about learning Chinese you have to know that there are a great number of dialects spoken throughout China, however, mandarin Chinese is spoken by more than 50 percent of the population, and understood by about 75 percent of it. It is recommended, if you want to learn Chinese to consider Mandarin Chinese because you would not want to learn a dialect that just a few people understand, would you?

When it comes to how difficult is to learn Chinese then what you must know that in order to master it at a fundamental level it is fairly easy. Many students find it hard to familiarize themselves with the signs that come as a replacement to the Latin alphabet with which they have been used to. Yet, with enough practice, these signs can be assimilated in no time at all. What a student that wants to learn Chinese must know is that words have different meaning depending on the tone used, meaning that you always have to be aware of the way you are speaking, or else you would be ending up saying enemy instead of friend. The great thing about Chinese is that you will soon find that is a language that has a simple structure, unlike Latin or even Germanic languages.

As mentioned before, if you want to learn Mandarin Chinese, no matter if you are going on a trip and want to learn bits and pieces of that language, or simply because you want to enrich your cultural level with a new language you should always get the proper teacher for it.

There is a great packet that will offer you not only the chance of learning Chinese in a very easy and fun way, but it will also give you the possibility of doing this in the environment and intimacy of your own home. Moreover, aside from buying this package you will not have to pay anything else: a teacher or any other books. In a short while you will be able to speak mandarin Chinese, and enter their culture in a proper way, but you can find more about it right here: http://hello-chinese.info

dance music 2007

Enroll In A Dance Camp This Summer

During summer, people will have a lot of time in their hands. It will be really pity to spend time "vegetating" at home without doing anything. In order to maximize your time and energy, you can learn a new skill. Dancing is one of the skills that you can try; sign up in a summer dance camp. A summer dance camp is essentially a program in which its key aim is to teach the students various dance styles. There are different dance camps that offer programs focusing on detailed dance styles. Some even offer an entire bunch of dancing styles in single summer dance camp program.

There are many kinds of dance styles which dance camps offer which includes hip hop dance, ballroom dance, ballet dance, Irish dance, jazz dance, modern dance and other styles. You can choose to focus on any one style or enlarge your dance move repertoire by learning diverse styles.The summer dance program may also be classified by stage of the enrollee. If the individual is only starting to learn the dance style, there are many beginner summer dance camps. If he wishes to learn more challenging techniques and aims to develop their skill in a certain style they can enroll in an intermediate or an advanced summer dance program.

The main advantage of enrolling in a summer dance course is that it is very good for your health (exercise), it will serve as a strain reliever, you'll be learning fresh skills and techniques and it can expand your imaginative and artistic abilities. One more advantage of dance camps is the time factor. Some dance camps only last for a few days while other dance camp programs give you more time to practice, learn and cooperate with other people. Just make it sure to carry out your research well and collect the requirement before the start of summer. Try to make your summer have sunny memories, practice and progressive knowledge with summer dance camps.

One of the main entertaining forms of different expressions is seen in the synchronized movement of a person's body. One of the main dancing styles that have caught the numerous eyes of the youth is the hip hop dancing. It's a dance form that slowly developed as it gradually gained the attention and interest of many dance enthusiasts. This hip hop dancing has developed so big that there are even camps that put forward programs specializing in this style only.

First hip hop dance branches out into diverse dance styles which was originally seen on the street. Some of the hip hops dancing styles include break-dance, old school, popping and locking etc.These kinds of dancing styles grew more popularity when hip hop and the rap music videos began to showcase the various hip hop dance moves from various hip hop dance styles. If you wish for learning the moves seen on television and different dance competition, just try out for a hip hop dance camp. The main advantage of learning from a hip hop dance camp is that you will be taught from the fundamentals from experienced professionals.

Mari Milian is an Expert author for Children summer camps and boys summer camps. She has written many articles like Youth summer camps, Horseback riding camp, Music summer camps and Paintball camp.

For more information visit: paliadventures.com contact him at caterina.milian@gmail.com

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Short History of Jazz

Jazz is sometimes referred to as Americas classical music. It has become a diverse genre with its roots in native American and African music; in particular, the blues, spirituals and rag time. Jazz first became a defined music form in the early 1920 springing from the US cities of New Orleans and later Chicago. Early Jazz was characterized by traditional rhythms and melodies being taken and improvised upon, giving a combination of swing and syncopation. Early Jazz performers of note included Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, Bix Beiderbecke and Louis Armstrong. A good taste of this period can be gained by listening to recordings of Louis Armstrongs Hot Fives and Hot Seven ensembles.

By the 1930 Jazz had spread out of its local bases in South American and became more mainstream attracting white musicians as well. One development of Jazz was the big bands such as Ben Goodman and Glen Miller. Glen Millers big band became very successful and popular, but offering little scope for improvisation jazz aficionados saw it as more of swing rather than real jazz. However other big bands such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie provided some of the all time great Jazz recordings.

Whilst the Big Band led jazz in a more conventional direction. The late 1930s and 1940s also saw jazz develop in another direction through the creation of the new Be Bop craze. Be Bop is epitomized by the great musicians such as Charlie Bird Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins. These musicians took Jazz to new heights of improvisation, loosening the adherence to harmonys and rigid chord structures.

Unlike previous forms of jazz, Be bop was not designed for dancing but was seen more like an opportunity to showcase the musical expertise of the performers. Some of the great be bop recordings came about as the performers played off each other, each striving for greater excellence and improvisation. One of the greatest recordings of this period was Jazz at Masey Hall 1953 featuring Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker amongst others, it is a very good example of live jazz music. In the 1960s Be bop evolved into a form of free jazz with little if any adherence to conventional harmonies and chord structures. One of the best selling jazz recordings which characterized this new form was A Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.

Alas many of the great jazz performers led tragic lives, a seemingly very high percentage died prematurely, inevitably from drug and alcohol misuse. Unfortunately many young performers came to associate drugs with being a successful jazz performer so jazz developed a strong reputation for association with narcotics.

To play Jazz music successfully a classical background is definitely an advantage. To be a successful jazz player you need to be able to learn the chords and scales of the song. With this basic structure you can then improvise around these chords to give the improvised or jazz effect. However to be a great jazz musician a lot more is needed than formal training, successful improvisation is a difficult skill that appears to come easily to a rare few.

Richard is an economics teacher in Oxford and is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre Richard edits a site on the music of Sri Chinmoy

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mambo dance

Houston Ballroom Dancing and Waltz, Salsa, Foxtrot, Two Step and more
Arthur Murray Dance Studio provides Houston Dance students excellent dance instruction ... An offshoot of the Mambo , the Cha Cha (originally the cha-cha ...
http://www.houstonballroomdancing.com/types.htm

Wild Wild West, Mambo No. 5, and Livin' La Vida Loca Dance Video ~ Videos
${description} ... Home Physical Ed & Team Sports Rhythm & Dance Videos ... Christy first teaches the dance step-by-step with her back toward the camera. ...
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mambo pictures, videos and albums
Mambo pictures, videos and albums that take you on an armchair tour of the ... A weekend long dance festival held every year at Balboa Park, in San Diego, CA. ...
http://www.webshots.com/explains/entertainment/mambo.html

Cajun Mambo Walk ~ Line Dance Choreographed by Max Perry
CAJUN MAMBO WALK ... COUNTS / STEP DESCRIPTIONS FORWARD AND BACK MAMBO STEPS 1 Rock step forward on ... SIDE TO SIDE MAMBO STEPS 5 Rock step to Left side on ...
http://www.parishcountry.com/lineA-E/cajun.html

UNITED STATES DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS - Tickets/Schedule - Schedule
Five dance championship in Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, ... the World Pro/Am American Nine Dance Championship - Rhythm Section ... Professional Mambo Championship ...
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DFW SALSA DANCE - JAY STYLZ DANCE LESSONS Mambo Merenegue Cha Cha Cha ...
Jay Stylz Salsa | If It Ain't Sexy... Don't Do It! - The Sexiest Latin dance classes in DFW taught by the infamous Jay Stylz and Jenny The German Chocolate.
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salsabortropical : Messages : 352-381 of 381
salsabortropical: ... Nice Oak Floor to dance all night with Dj Mambo Flava... Tony Duarte(Salsabor ... April 5th Salsa/ Mambo Dance Social Party & Chacha Workshop ...
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Chinese American Service League - Kit Dance
Mambo - the dynamic portal engine and content management system ... Gallery CASL Corporate Dinner 2006 Kit Dance . Advanced Search ...
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Mambo : A fast Latin dance , similar to Salsa, which comes from Cuba. ... Salsa: A popular Latin nightclub dance which evolved as a modified form of Mambo . ...
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The Mambo - The Cuban Rhythm That Makes Feet Dance
The mambo is a Cuban genre of music and dance that combines traditional Cuban ... Shinn, Duane "The Mambo - The Cuban Rhythm That Makes Feet Dance . ...
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Mambo---The-Cuban-Rhythm-That-Makes-Feet-Dance&id=1264604

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HAARP Review

Muse is a three-piece band from the UK that plays rock music for future generations. They incorporate synth, distorted guitars, amazing bass lines and powerful drums to create music about this world and the worlds beyond this one. The band has previously released many albums and a live DVD. This second live DVD, called HAARP, includes a live CD of the performance at Wembley Stadium, and also features many of the band's instantly recognized songs, including "Starlight," "Knights of Cydonia," "Hysteria," "Supermassive Black Hole," and more!

This product offers a live concert in both audio and video form with both a CD and DVD recording of their live set at a packed Wembley Stadium from two sold-out performances in June 2007.. The quality is excellent in both audio and visual aspects. There are a few visual affects that enhance the performance, and at times you can hear the crowd singing along to the songs.

One of the great aspects of HAARP is that it showcases the range of the band's music and the powerful performances they are known to give. Fans of classical, metal, rock, pop, synth, dance and more will love this band and this DVD/CD set! Muse incorporates many types of music into their own style. They blend classical styles with very modern sounds and a touch of futuristic themes exist in the band's music, as well.

The quality of performance this band puts on is well-captured on this DVD & CD set. I had the pleasure of witnessing a live performance by Muse three years ago, and HAARP captures their live magic perfectly!

After purchasing this set myself, I've been listening to it over and over again! Those around me may soon tire of having this play on repeat, but I know I won't! That isn't to say HAARP has no downfalls. There is a lack of special features on the DVD, plus a few songs from the performance didn't make it to the final product. Still, it's worth the buy.

Muse has a tendency to make their audience feel magical, revolutionary and powerful, as only the music of this band can make you feel.

I believe any fan of the band will fall in love with this and also fans of music in general will appreciate it on many levels. It's also easy to see why Muse is so often called the best live act of our time. Not only do two sold out nights at Wembley Stadium attest to that claim, but the quality of the performance and the love of their fans also prove the claim to be quite true.

Tonia Jordan is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/spidergirl so stop by and read for a while.

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Weather Report Mr Gone Jazz Music CD Review

I can describe the latest release from Jazz super group Weather Report for you with just one word Outstanding!

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce thats exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and youve got one of Weather Report most impressive releases ever.

Overall Mr Gone is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Jazz fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 2 - River People, track 3 - Young And Fine, and track 8 - And Then

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat. Outstanding!

Mr Gone Release Notes:

Weather Report originally released Mr Gone on January 15, 1991 on the Legacy Recordings label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat

2. River People

3. Young And Fine

4. Elders, The

5. Mr. Gone

6. Punk Jazz

7. Pinocchio

8. And Then

Weather Report: Wayne Shorter (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, background vocals); Joe Zawinul (melodica, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizers, percussion, background vocals); Jaco Pastorious (fretless bass, drums, timpani, background vocals); Peter Erskine (drums, background vocals); Manolo Badrena (percussion, background vocals).

Additonal personnel: Deniece Williams, Maurice White (vocals); Tony Williams, Steve Gadd (drums); Jon Lucien.

Recorded at Devonshire Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California. Includes liner notes by Bill Milkowski.

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Merengue in New Zealand

Origin:

Merengue originated in the Dominican Republic. It is the national dance of the Dominican. There are a few stories describing how the dance originated. The most common one is that of the slaves who were chained together and had to move by dragging one foot at a time. Merengue as a two beat music and since the footwork is quite similar to walking, it is a very easy dance to learn.

Music:

Merengue is played in 2/4. The double sided drum is played on one side with a stick with a strong syncopation to mark the beats. Saxophones and guitars are also very popular instruments found in the music.

Dance:

Merengue footwork is extremely easy to learn as it's a simple two beat movement ("left, right") with the body weight being moved between the legs. The upper body stays fairly straight while the hips move with the weight change. The Merengue frame is much smaller (closer) in comparison to Salsa. Having said that, Merengue is often led with a single (right) hand on the back. But in open hold, arms are often completely extended out instead of maintaining a closer L-shaped frame.

Latinos NZ Popularity Scale: 8.5/10

Meregue is a very popular Latin American Dance in New Zealand, second only to Salsa. On an average night out in a Latin Club, as many as every second or third song can be Merengue.

Article taken from Latinos.co.nz (http://www.latinos.co.nz)

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Violin Or Fiddle? The Differences Explained by a Player

“That’s a fine lookin’ fiddle ya got there, kid.”

I gritted my teeth into a forced smile and quietly thanked the old man at the bus stop. “Fiddle!?” I thought, gritting my teeth into a polite smile. “It’s a V-I-O-L-I-N, you old goat!”

Teenagers are sensitive and easily embarrassed, but this chickie had a bit too much pride in self-labeled “superiority as a classical musician,” which meant I was annoyingly arrogant and a general pain in the butt.

Humbled by merciless teasing in jazz college opened my eyes to the music outside my sanctioned little bubble.

I learned to fiddle.

For the most part “fiddle” is a style of music, such as Celtic, Bluegrass or Old Time. Nevertheless, there are a few differences and stereotypes between fiddle and violin.

We’ve all threatened Fluffy that she’ll be taking a trip to the string factory if she doesn’t stop scratching the couch. There’s the violin’s dark secret of winding silver around a stretched piece of animal tissue (run Fluffy, run!). This used to be the principal method of making violin strings.

Gut strings possessed a rich and full quality ideal for orchestral playing. They weren’t perfect for the bank account, however, and fiddlers resorted to the cheaper alternative: steel. Steel strings have a “bright” timbre (tone) and carry well in a solo situation.

Steel strings are very difficult to tune with the violin’s clumsy wooden pegs. Many steel strings were broken until the glorious invention of fine-tuners, the tiny little metal mechanisms on the tailpiece that makes tuning a piece of cake. Violinists adopted this technology for use on their steel “E” strings which is nearly impossible to tune with the peg.

When I was youth symphony many players removed their lower string fine tuners haughtily, like a child insisting training wheels are for babies. The use of fine tuners on all four strings unfortunately had become associated with less skilled musicians since fiddlers used them. There is also evidence that fine tuners alter the quality of harmonics (higher frequencies). This a ridiculous stereotype was invented: violinists use the pegs, fiddlers use fine tuners.

It is thought that fiddles are simply cheap violins. At one time this could have been true, as poorer or rural folks usually played home-made fiddles, not Strads. They were less likely to afford private lessons or attend the symphony, but learned traditional tunes at jams and ceilidhs (kay-lees). Since many fiddlers never had formal lessons, most couldn’t read music and played everything by ear, whereas violinists could read music usually could not improvise. Another stereotype was invented.

Holding a violin with one’s jaw makes it nearly impossible to talk and play simultaneously (similar to walking around with your pants around your ankles). Square dancing fiddlers dealt with this difficulty by holding the violin down on their arm rather than under the chin, freeing up their jaws to “call” the dance moves. This technique is a big no-no in classical playing and it created yet another rift between violin and fiddle.

Luckily it seems the violin/fiddle gap has narrowed considerably in the past few years. Most players use new hybrid strings that posses a full and rich, yet clear, tone and respond well to both classical and fiddle playing. Classical violinists aren’t so sticky about fine tuners anymore as they are seen as an advantage over using stubborn old pegs.

The resurgence of fiddle music in pop culture has created an opportunity for fiddlers to aspire to a higher level of playing ability and for violin students to branch out and try other genres of music. Hence fiddlers and violinists alike have finer instruments and a formal music education.

Fiddle technique is being abandoned by many fiddlers who have discovered the benefits, such as greater speed and fewer backaches, of the classical technique. New programs in music education in new programs has produced fiddlers who can read music and violinists who can improvise.

As more musicians branch out musically and develop new ways of playing there will be little difference between "violin” and “fiddle.” Musicians will feel much more comfortable playing with each other and the stereotypes will fade away, both violin and fiddle will be valid.

You’ll see the old man at the bus stop whistling to “Celtic Swing Baroque Techno” on his MP3 player. 

**Rhiannon Schmitt (nee Nachbaur) is a professional violinist and music teacher who has enjoyed creative writing for years. She writes for two Canadian publications and Australia's "Music Teacher Magazine."

Her business, Fiddleheads Violin School & Shop, has won several distinguished young entrepreneur business awards and offers beginner to professional level instruments, accessories and supplies for very reasonable prices: Visit http://www.fiddleheads.ca

90's dance music