Jackrace asked:


Dancers audition for a ticket to Vegas. During season one, the 50 top Dancers were assigned to groups, each of which spent time working with five different choreographers for a week, at the end of which the choreographers chose the top 16 Dancers.

Every season after the first has been of a format where the competitors at the Vegas callbacks dance choreography in front of the judges who pick the top 20 based on their performances. After the first season, the format changed from dancers switching partners every week to one where the top 20 keep the same partner until the show has reached ten finalists. Between the top 20 and the top 10, viewer’s vote is based on the couple, rather than the individual.

Once the show has reached ten dancers, the dancers randomly pick their partner’s name from a hat as well as their style(s) of dance. As well, during the top ten finals, each dancer does a solo, and the viewers have an opportunity to vote on competitors individually, rather than in pairs. When the season finale comes around, everyone dances with everyone. Both guys dance with each other, both girls dance with each other, and both girls Dancers with both guys. In the results show of the season finale, the judges pick their favorite dancer of the season and the dancers re-enact it; (obviously not a dance that that judge choreographed). There are special guest-star performances, and surprise appearances.

There are Five Seasons in United States alone, with the 5th season being auditioned currently.

So you think You Can Dance Season 1

So you think You Can Dance Season 2

So you think You Can Dance Season 3

So you think You Can Dance Season 4

So you think You Can Dance Canada

A mixture of contestants is chosen for the show, ranging from unknown street dancers to winners of national championships. All contestants have to work their way through a rigorous audition process, and, over the course of the show, are assigned different dance styles and partners each week to test their versatility. So you think you can Dance holds auditions in major cities across the U.S., looking for the top dancers in each city.



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don robert asked:


It is said that dance is one of the oldest art forms known to man, and that it not only hones the body, but it improves the mind as well.  Being a rather vigorous form of movement, dancing is typically ideal for keeping the body toned, and is now even used as a means to lose excess and unwanted body weight.  Many people find this quite preferable to actually sweating out the unwanted pounds exercising in the gym, since dancing also produces the same euphoric feeling in people as working out.  Dancing, whereas once restricted to game shows, parties, and other social events, has even become an international competition where representatives of different countries can present their national pride on the dance floor, and the two most common types used for competition are ballroom dancing and hip hop dancing, a dance form that the Philippine All Stars singularly excels in.

The Philippine All Stars also present a unique example to other members of their generation, since it is not often that youths of their age get to represent their countries in a venue that the entire world gets to see.  Also quite unique is the fact that the Philippine All Stars is made up solely of a group of friends who were already together as a group even before they went to the competition, rather than just forming a group to participate in the international hip hop dance competition.  The group was able to represent the Philippines and ear the country additional fame by winning the World Gold title in the 2006 International Hip Hop Open in Italy, the first ever Asian country to do so.  The group also did the same in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Los Angeles, California.  2008 also saw the group doing their brand of on-stage magic in Las Vegas, Nevada, bagging the Gold in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships.

Other than national pride, the Philippine All Stars also seek to elevate the common notion often placed on dancers and dance groups, namely that of being second rate performers, by proving that what they do is only achieved by hard work, determination, team work, and true talent, something that is far from being second rate at all.  Prominence never left the group after their hugely successful foray into the dancing limelight, as they had numerous appearances in various venues, events, and TV shows following their wins on the international stage.  The Philippine All Stars were also largely successful in becoming positive role models for an untold number of aspiring youths all over Asia, inspiring numerous groups to actually try their mettle at forming an equally talented dance group and join popular dance competitions.



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Linda Dunkelberger asked:


Your music makes your moments. Work with your Wedding Dance Band to choose the wedding dance songs, and the memories you want to have forever.

For your reference, listed below are the Top 10 Newest Wedding Dance songs and the Top 10 Most Requested Wedding Dance Songs.

Top 10 Newest Wedding Dance Songs

Lucky” by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillet

Who will like it: The bride and groom and the rest of the lovebirds. 

When to play it: For the first wedding dance song.

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay Top

Who will like it: Everyone. 

When to play it: During the cocktail hour or between dinner courses.

“Good Time” by Alan Jackson

Who will like it: The country-music lovers. 

When to play it: Right after dinner.

“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Who will like it: The romantics and nostalgics. 

When to play it: The cake cutting.

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyonce

Who will like it: All the single ladies. 

When to play it: The bouquet toss.

“Beautiful” by Akon

Who will like it: Couples and hip-hop enthusiasts. 

When to play it: As one of the first slow songs after dinner.

“So What” by Pink

Who will like it: All the single guests. 

When to play it: Following a slow song to get everyone back out on the dance floor.

“Just Dance” by Lady GaGa

Who will like it: Your guests who like to dance. 

When to play it: Once the elderly guests have left and it’s time to get the party started.

“Green Light” by John Legend

Who will like it: Couples and any singles who may have paired up at the end of the night. 

When to play it: Toward the end of the evening.

“When the Night Comes” by Dan Auerbach

Who will like it: All the couples. 

When to play it: As the last slow song at the end of the night.

Top 10 Most Requested Wedding Dance Songs

“Nothing Compares To You” by Sinead O’Connor

“Close To You” Maxi Priest

“Power of Love”. Jennifer Rush

“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley

“Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis Presley

“Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel

“When You Say Nothing At All” by Ronan Keating

“From This Moment On” by Shania Twain

“You Made Me Love You” by Al Jolson

“How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees

If you are prepared and coordinated with your band, you’ll be making happy music for the rest of your life.

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Duane Shinn asked:


The mambo is a Cuban genre of music and dance that combines traditional Cuban music with the highly Americanized forms of swing and big band.

It’s a very syncopated type of music, a style that finds its footing in rhythm as opposed to melody (though melody, of course, plays its role). Mambo is always played in 4/4 time and uses an amalgamation of American big band instruments and those found in traditional Latin styles; mambo bands will typically have a horn section in a addition to the very percussive bongos, timbales and congas.

Though mambo is a decidedly Cuban style, it’s roots are far more European than Latin. The very first mambo was based heavily on English and French ballroom dancing music, and it was rarely intended for dancing. Though it certainly carried an inherent dance ability, early mambo was music for the sake of music; no dance had been assigned to it, nor did it seem like one would be.

The early mambo thrived as a piece of music alone until the 1940s when Damaso Perez Prado, a Cuban bandleader, began specializing in the form. His version of the mambo brought people to their feet and led to the famous mambo dance’s creation. Prado is also credited with bringing mambo music and it’s accompanying dance to the United States, though the form sustained a bit of a shift as a result of the cultural change. Prado altered the mambo to make it slightly more commercial, more ready for 1950s American consumption, and watched the form become an almost instant craze. Prado’s role in composing and popularizing the form earned him the title “Mambo King.”

Typical instruments used in mambo music are the conga drum, the bongo, timbales, claves, and a mixture of band instruments including the trumpet, trombone, saxaphone, bass (usually upright bass, but sometimes an electric bass) and the piano. It is this mixture of Cuban rhythmic instruments and instruments used in big band jazz that gives the mambo it’s distinctive sound.

Some typical mambo songs include “Papa Loves Mambo”, “I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo”, “Mambo Italiano” and “They Were Doin’ The Mambo”.

Rhythmically it is similar to, but not identical to, other Latin-American rhythms such as the samba, tango, bossa nova, beguine, and others, but is unique enough to be instantly identifiable as a mambo.

But like most instant crazes, mambo faded out of American popularity nearly as quickly as it arrived. Though the form is still heard and danced today, it morphed into a variety of different styles, including the pachanga, a mambo-like dance that also faded quickly. Mambo recently saw a resurgence of popularity in the late 1990s with a rock and roll based mambo revival, but that too was extremely short-lived.



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Duane Shinn asked:


The mambo is a Cuban genre of music and dance that combines traditional Cuban music with the highly Americanized forms of swing and big band.

It’s a very syncopated type of music, a style that finds its footing in rhythm as opposed to melody (though melody, of course, plays its role). Mambo is always played in 4/4 time and uses an amalgamation of American big band instruments and those found in traditional Latin styles; mambo bands will typically have a horn section in a addition to the very percussive bongos, timbales and congas.

Though mambo is a decidedly Cuban style, it’s roots are far more European than Latin. The very first mambo was based heavily on English and French ballroom dancing music, and it was rarely intended for dancing. Though it certainly carried an inherent dance ability, early mambo was music for the sake of music; no dance had been assigned to it, nor did it seem like one would be.

The early mambo thrived as a piece of music alone until the 1940s when Damaso Perez Prado, a Cuban bandleader, began specializing in the form. His version of the mambo brought people to their feet and led to the famous mambo dance’s creation. Prado is also credited with bringing mambo music and it’s accompanying dance to the United States, though the form sustained a bit of a shift as a result of the cultural change. Prado altered the mambo to make it slightly more commercial, more ready for 1950s American consumption, and watched the form become an almost instant craze. Prado’s role in composing and popularizing the form earned him the title “Mambo King.”

Typical instruments used in mambo music are the conga drum, the bongo, timbales, claves, and a mixture of band instruments including the trumpet, trombone, saxaphone, bass (usually upright bass, but sometimes an electric bass) and the piano. It is this mixture of Cuban rhythmic instruments and instruments used in big band jazz that gives the mambo it’s distinctive sound.

Some typical mambo songs include “Papa Loves Mambo”, “I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo”, “Mambo Italiano” and “They Were Doin’ The Mambo”.

Rhythmically it is similar to, but not identical to, other Latin-American rhythms such as the samba, tango, bossa nova, beguine, and others, but is unique enough to be instantly identifiable as a mambo.

But like most instant crazes, mambo faded out of American popularity nearly as quickly as it arrived. Though the form is still heard and danced today, it morphed into a variety of different styles, including the pachanga, a mambo-like dance that also faded quickly. Mambo recently saw a resurgence of popularity in the late 1990s with a rock and roll based mambo revival, but that too was extremely short-lived.



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John Parks asked:


Brazil, the fifth largest country in South America , is a land rich in history, mystique and exceptions to the rule. Founded as a Portuguese colony in 1500 that was later known as the Empire of Brazil, it became a republic in 1889 and is now known as the Federative Republic of Brazil. Its official language is Portuguese, which is spoken by nearly the entire population – and the only Portuguese-speaking nation in Latin America – making its natural and cultural identity very distinct from its Spanish-speaking neighbors. Brazilian Portuguese is also different from that spoken in Portugal . It is fitting that the Museum of the Portuguese Language in Brazil ‘s capital São Paulo is the first language museum in the world.

One of the founding members of the United Nations, Brazil is the world’s tenth largest economy and boasts a natural environment of unparalleled diversity and breathtaking geographic beauty, making it a great draw for international tourists seeking sun and beach and adventure forays into the Amazon Rainforest. But where Brazil really stands out in terms of its natural resources and cultural contribution to the world is music, specifically jazz. Although it can claim many fine classical composers, Brazil is where the great rhythm-and-beat styles of the samba, bossa nova, pagoda, frevo and many others found life.

“Watercolor of Brazil” (known in most English-speaking countries as simply “Brazil”), written in 1939 by politically militant composer Ary Barroso, became one of the most popular songs of all times and was the birth of the samba. Since then it has enjoyed innumerable recordings from Brazilian native musical artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, but internationally as well by such legends as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney to still more recent versions by Placido Domingo, Dionne Warwick and the Ritchie Family. With the ballroom dancing craze fuelled by popular TV shows like “Dancing With the Stars,” the song ” Brazil ” and the samba have found a fresh generation of eager fans.

Arguably one of the most beloved and respected musicians of the 20/21st century is Brazil’s João Gilberto who rose to fame in the late 1950s when he slowed down the samba to work with his syncopated acoustic guitar. His cool, hip way of whispering lyrics made him an idol of U.S. beatniks and jazz artists alike, and he continues to inspire a new generation of pop artists like Gilberto Gil,Caetano Veloso and his own daughter Bebel Gilberto, now a star in her own right. But Gilberto’s place on the world jazz map was firmly stamped when a collaboration with songwriter Jobim, a fellow Brazilian, led them to record “Chega de Saudade” and create the bossa nova.

The bossa nova quickly became a craze in the United States and spread through the world after American jazz saxophone legend Stan Getz discovered the sound and recorded, amongst others, “The Girl From Ipanema” with Gilberto and his wife Astrud. Bossa nova-style jazz remained Getz’s icon sound until he died. Gilberto remains a superstar in Brazil and one of its greatest natural resources.

For more information on Brazil, visit http://www.brazilmicroblog.com and http://www.latinamicroblog.com.



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George Andrews asked:


History of the DJ

In the old days (before 1995 or so), there were fewer DJs out there. Why? A few reasons…

·        DJ equipment used to be both very expensive and hard to find.

·        In the old days of vinyl records, music was also expensive and it was difficult to build a library of older popular music. When a record when out of print, it was hard to find.

Nowadays, with a laptop, a set of speakers and downloading music from file sharing sites anyone can be a DJ. This is not correct.

 

 

Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?

So now that you’ve just found out that there are probably 1,000 DJs within a short drive of you, how can you tell who might do a good job for you? There’s no single way that’s foolproof. You’ll need to combine a couple of these following steps to be confident in your choice.

 

A good place to start could be a referral from someone you know who has used their services and had a great experience with this DJ Company.Ask the Venue you are holding your reception for any recommendations. Pay attention to who the  DJ is attending events.

Go online and google ( check for positive or negative feedback)

 

Full time vs. Part time –  A full time company will devote a lot more time and effort to make sure your event is just perfect. Someone who holds a 9-5 job will not make your wedding his priority. He has a steady income coming in. This is extra spending money. Even if your event is not a success it is no big deal because he /she still has a 9-5 Job. A full time devoted company like International Sounds needs your future referrals therefore we need to execute a flawless show.

Office and office hours – Do they keep regular office hours and return calls promptly? International Sounds has 4 convenient locations and maintains regular business hours. We return calls within 24-48 hours at most.

How long has the company been in Business? Ask to see proof

Meeting the representative of the company or DJ- What are your initial impressions? Attire, appearance etc. Is this the person or company you would like entertaining your wedding. What does their office or surroundings look like, neat, well organized. This can also be a clear indication of a true professional.      

Attitude -Does the DJ seems interested in working with you or do they seem more interested in your deposit? When you bring up any concerns do they say “yeah, no problem” or do they take the time to listen to you and thoughtfully come up with a solution or can they tell you how they’ve handled similar concerns in the past? Can they create the ambiance you are looking for?

Insurance – A professional DJ service should carry at least a one million-liability policy. It is also a requirement by all venues. If the DJ doesn’t have appropriate insurance, you may be liable for any damages or incidents the DJ may cause. (Damage to the venue, fire or even Death)

Quality Equipment -The use of equipment that can be bought at Best Buy , Sears or Radio Shack isn’t professional. Consumer products are not made to handle long hours of usage and not made to be moved around every week. Only high-end commercial grade equipment should be used.

Backup equipment and staff -equipment failure is rare with commercial grade professional gear, but do you really want your special occasion ruined because your Disc Jockey did not come prepared? It is also important to know if your Disc Jockey has a back-up plan in case of illness or an accident. This is very important. A DJ who works by himself and is not part of a company could be risky.

 

Appearance of the DJ and Equipment set up – will the DJ be in formalwear at your wedding? (unless you’d like them dressed differently). Also, find out what their equipment will look like when it’s all set up. Will they hang some sort of banner screaming out their name at your wedding. 

 

Contract – The important parts are the date, times, location, price Services to be provided in full description and cancellation policy. 

 

Requests and Music – A versatile Disc Jockey is willing to listen to your suggestions, give you feedback and play from your desired song list. A professional Disc Jockey will also accept the fact you may not want certain songs played. You need to communicate this to your DJ. You also need to give the DJ the flexibility to switch gears using his experience if things are not moving well.

What is the Policy on sound control? You certainly do not want your guests aggravated by very loud music. International Sounds pays attention to detail.

 

Punctuality – A professional DJ should arrive at least one hour prior to the start time you have given them. (Depending on setup maybe even earlier) Your entertainer should ideally be setup and in-place before your first guest walks through the door. 

 

Pricing – This is ultimately up to the customer. If you feel you are getting a great service for a fair price then you have made a great choice. There is no set standard of what a DJ should cost. Obviously a well-experienced DJ will cost more than a novice. Sure websites and magazines make suggestions of what you should pay a DJ but that holds no weight. There is no DJ school, no city, state or government agency governing this industry. You are paying for talent and service. This is an art form.

 

Showcases vs. Video presentations – Attending bridal shows where DJs are performing at a live showcase can be very misleading. The DJ company has setup every piece of equipment they own including sound, lighting, screens, etc building up an image you might not be able to afford. Raw footage video presentations can give you a better idea of a wedding as it’s happening realistically. This can also be proof of the actual work the company has done. 

 

Are they Wedding Specialists? Unless you are looking to create a sweet sixteen or a Bar mitzvah feel at your wedding, you need to make sure the DJ has enough wedding experience. Ask the DJ to show you Wedding videos and /or Thank you letters from satisfied Brides.

 

 

Tips and advice from George Andrews of International Sounds

 

We suggest you hire 2 professionals for your wedding. A DJ and an MC.

The DJ will make sure he executes your music appropriately and the MC will run your party alongside the catering manager, make all the necessary announcements and best of all this is a great form of back up if for some reason your DJ falls ill at the reception. He will take over or vice versa. All of our staff members are cross-trained.

Caution some DJ Companies might sell you a DJ and MC package and in essence it could be 1 professional who will try to do both and may be bring an assistant in to play the role of the DJ. Of course the assistant does not get paid the same as a professional does, therefore you may choose the company with the cheaper price. Remember the old saying “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR” It is extremely difficult for 1 person to execute a perfect show.

( It is hard for a chef to be the cook, waiter and bartender and hold the fort with just a busboy)

Trends

Couples are now taking ballroom dancing lessons and waltzing their first dance Transforming a space with lighting Plasma TV s with photo montages of bride and groom and ceremony recap pictures Maintaining   traditions with ethnic music

Planning your wedding from start to finish may be overwhelming but by hiring the right professionals you can put your anxiety aside and be sure that your special day will provide wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

 

George Andrews ( wedding industry expert)

( George has been written up in For the Bride Magazine,and has given many seminars including several  @ Michael C. Fina in NYC)

 

 

If you have any questions feel free to contact GEORGE ANDREWS anytime via email @ internationalsounds@gmail.com

International Sounds

445 Park Avenue 9th floor

NY, NY 10022

WWW.INTERNATIONALSOUNDS.COM



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