Christmas Around the World

This may turn out to be a long post--so bear with me--, and writing it may be hard for me, but I think it needs to be said.

My mom was given tickets to this years CAW and thought that I would be excited about it. Ever since I found out a few things about the folk program, the director, and looked back at the way I was treated, I haven't wanted to go to any of the concerts. My whole life has revolved--in one form or another--around dance and for me to have the feeling of "I don't want to go" I knew that I had been duped harder than I originally thought. But I still had a friend on the team and I wanted him to know that I support him and his efforts, so I went. I enjoyed a few of the numbers and I cheered for friend, but I don't look at it with the same eyes I used to. All in all, it was actually really hard for me to watch. Feelings and emotions that I had tried to just brush off and bury deep came back to punch me in the gut. I am proud of my friend for the hard work that he's put into it, so that is why I went.

But anyway, getting back to the show. Maybe talent has just gotten worse, or they aren't being as picky anymore, but I had a hard time watching some of those dances without biting my tongue to keep from laughing. Ugg! I almost fell asleep too, which was weird because I wasn't tired. But then again, it could have been the fact that I went to the saturday night show, which is the last one, so most people already have the feeling of "I'm done, get me out of here". Anyway, here are some short little breakdowns of what I thought--my opinion--of the dances.

Poland
It was an interesting way to start off the show. The singer was good and she was in tune! Yay! The suite was fun, some parts more than others, but when it came to the Oberek, it was messy, kind of sloppily done, and there was no energy coming off that stage. People were dancing, but not performing (yes, there is a difference).

India
This was a train-wreck from the beginning! I couldn't help but laugh--and be embarrassed for the dancers--through the entire number. They weren't on beat, the guys weren't getting into it, ugg! I love Bhangra style dancing because it is just so much fun. The energy, the music, you want to smile and enjoy the dancing. That wasn't what I was seeing. They all just looked out of place and again, dancing but not performing.

Mexico
Interesting, but sloppy. The girls handled the skirts well, but their turning ability wasn't all that well done. The guys, umm, no. One guy split his pants. I started laughing so hard and Jakob asked me why, so I pointed it out to him. That guy kept his hand behind his back, really low, in attempts to cover that up, but when you have a white shirt hanging out of black pants, it's just too obvious. Plus, they tried too hard with the machetes. Jakob had helped to re-shape and re-edge those because of all the chunks taken out of them. I don't think people understand that you aren't supposed to get sparks out of them. If you get sparks, that means you're taking a chunk out of the metal which is really dangerous if it hits your eye or gets in any-one's mouth. Plus they kept dropping them because it looked like they weren't throwing them right.

China
Pretty, but a bit slow. There wasn't much to look at either. I'm still on the fence about this one.

Canada
Turlutte was good. The guys were in time and in tune; always a plus. Refabrique au Quebec is great! I learned it when Gary was teaching it the first time in the 500 level class. It is a blast to perform and the little skit that they do with it is cute.

Mountain Strings
Ugg. That was my first impression of Oy Chanukah. It was so much better when the girl wouldn't sing. You couldn't understand her; no it isn't because she was singing in a different language, it was because the way she was "singing" into the mic and the way the levels were, it came out as gobbledygook. Much much better when it was just the instruments playing. It was a fun song, but it just didn't work with the girl singing.

Israel
This is a fun dance, but maybe because I've seen it year after year, I've become immune to it. The girl who did the solo at the beginning and then the solo in the middle didn't have the height on the leap or the spinning ability I've seen from other people who have done that part. Again, it seemed like people were just dancing, not performing. But at least it was together and on beat and upbeat.

Scotland
I was on a team with one of the soloists, so it was fun to see her still doing her highland fling thing. The triplet was fun to watch and the music matched the mood. The girls looked like they were having fun and I've done highland dancing before and it is tough on your legs, but the girls kept smiling and performed.

Men's Chorus
That was a fun addition. They are entertaining to watch and they sound great! Plus, they get so into their performance, that when they came out to dance during the Wales number, that was just fun. Yes, it seemed like some of them were still muddling through the steps, but at least they had a smile on their face and the girls did a good job of pulling them through. It was fun to watch and listen too. Also gave a bit of a break from some of the dancing.

Wales
I liked it, I really did. The mash-up with Men's Chorus was fun and this was one dance where it looked like everyone was dancing and performing. I liked the costumes as well. Overall, fun and well done.

Ireland
Mountain Strings was a bit distracting, and when the dancers finally did come on, someone kicked the mic, they weren't on beat (for the first part) and it just looked like they didn't want to be doing this. The soft shoe wasn't up to what I've seen it, but it was okay. The guys solo was good, but there needs to be more power from certain people. When the whole group started dancing, it got a bit messy with people kind of throwing their feet around, but at least it stayed with the music.

Armenia
Pretty, but the music does start getting a little bothersome after a while and even my younger brother asked me if they were just repeating the same phrase over and over and over again. Nice catch there bro.

Turkey
I like it. It starts out slow and methodical, then all of a sudden livens up and gets loud and fast. Just what you need to perk yourself back up. Plus, if you know some background on the style of dancing, you can see what the movements are trying to emulate and you hear it at well because of the coins and jewelry that are on the costumes. Plus the costumes are just so bright and fun; at least for the girls they are. When the guys came out, both my brother and Jakob said "Hey look! Pirates!" and I just had to laugh.

United States
The western line dance was fun and at least the team was together, on beat, and really seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Good job David and Lyndsey with the solo. The clogging number was fun, but I miss the power that it used to have. Some of the solos were good, a couple more than others, but overall fun and a crowd pleaser. When it comes to this year's mountain strings, they need to stick to playing and not singing.

Romania
Fun, but again, not a lot of energy coming off the stage. It was funny when the girl lost her overskirt and had to finish the dance in just her chemise. This dance needs power with the stomping when you're performing it in a large venue such as the Marriott Center.

Philippines
I loved the Dance of the Lights at the beginning. It was beautiful, smooth, and performed well. The Tinikling, umm, not so much. You could see in their faces and body language that some of the dancers were still afraid of getting their foot snapped between the poles. I had to bite the inside of my cheeks during the last half of the dance because one pair of girls just kept falling over; no matter what they did they couldn't keep their feet under them.

Ukraine
I'm happy they brought back the duet at the beginning, that has always been my favorite. You need a good pair of dancers/actors in order to pull it off and I think the guy did a great job. The girl needs more facial expressions and both need bigger movements, but it was still fun to watch. I was so happy that Hopak was brought back! It is a great way to end the show and a popular dance with the audience. Well done.

Overall, a nice way to spend a hour and some. There were some things that I would really change, but for a show that is normally pulled together in about a month, good job.

Well done my friend, well done.