I can’t believe how quickly the end of 2011 is rapidly approaching… I spent the day at the studio preparing recital costume orders, gathering up lost and found items to donate and rehearsing some of our performance team kids who came in over break. Trying to tie up some loose ends before we begin the start of our busy season filled with competitions and recital preparations.

TOP DANCE BLOGS 2011
Thank you for everyone who commented on our 2011 entry into Top Dance Blogs – we didn’t make the finals for Top 20.. but go on over to Dance Advantage to vote for the blogs who did! I’m excited to find some new blogs to add to my blog reader.

If you want my advice (and why wouldn’t you?), The Dance Buzz’s favorite blogs on the list are Maria’s Movers and Adult Beginner. If you don’t know who to vote for, I recommend one of these blogs! But don’t take my word for it, check ’em out!

SURPRISE COMING SOON… GET READY!
I have somewhat of a surprise for other bloggers to be revealed this week that I hope will inspire some dance bloggers to participate! Sorry, can’t tell you now… you’ll have to check back later this week.

Think of it as a virtual Christmas / New Year’s present to you from me 🙂

18Dec2011

Monthly Recap

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Are you on Pinterest yet? If you were, you wouldn’t have
missed this awesome picture!

Yes I am aware that monthly re-cap would make more sense at the end of the month, but its been a busy month! And at the end of the month we have to have yearly recaps… so here is December’s (a bit early) recap.

What You Missed From The Dance Buzz

Vote for us for Dance Blog 2011!
Dance pinspiration over at my pinterest page
Things I tweeted
Dance Teacher Survival Kit gift idea
Tons of music inspiration (holiday, license-free music, new music mondays)
Blank Wall Makeover

Dance Happenings Around The Internet

I am so excited about the Jacob’s Pillow “KNOW DANCE” project inspired by the Never Stand Still dance documentary (directed by Ron Honsa). You can participate by creating a response by answering this question in a video: “what do YOU want people to know about dance”! I can’t wait to see people’s responses and would like to involve my students in creating a response of our own.
Economics behind the Nutcracker
Top Dance Stories from my dance blog friends at Twitter
Stephen Colbert features (and participates) in the Nutcracker:

http://www.hulu.com/embed/-BDNppU0h2YS1oZ1lag4jQ

And if this doesn’t spread some holiday cheer, I don’t know what will…

And did I mention, vote for us for Dance Blog 2011!?

Oh, I did? Well then, why haven’t you voted yet! Tuesday is the last day for comment voting for Round #1

14Dec2011

Holiday Gift Idea: Teacher Survival Kit!

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Need a fun and unique gift for your dance teacher? Create a “Dance Teacher Survival Kit”! Make a list of items your dance teacher likes and create individual baskets for each teacher. Stick it all in a cute basket or bin and wrap it up in a nice bow and you are set to go! Since you’re customizing it, you can spend as much or as little as you’d like.

Practical Gifts To Include:

Hair ties or bobby pins if she has long hair
Aspirin
Mini-sewing kit
Small screwdriver if he or she is a tap teacher
Small massager tool (for sore muscles or feet)
Foot lotion or bath salts (although I’m guessing she already has a closet-full)
Pack of stickers (if they use stickers in class)

Funny Gifts To Include (you will need to add an explanation for each one):

A marble… for when you’ve lost yours
String / paperclip… to keep it all together
Sponge… to help clean dances
Rubber band.. to keep you flexible
Lifesavers… because you are one!
Stars (could be Starbursts, or an ornament)… you inspire your students to reach for the stars!
Candle… you light up people’s lives

More ideas like this from Angel’s Corner

Other Gifts

iTunes gift card
Bottle of wine (for after a long night of teaching!)
Gift card to his or her favorite restaurant (or to the coffee shop/sandwich shop nearby the studio)
Christmas ornament
Cookies or chocolate
Gum or mints

Share your own ideas: leave a comment!

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our ideas from last year.
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And there’s only a few days left to VOTE FOR US for Top Dance Blog of 2011 by commenting on the post (click this link). Thank you!

6Dec2011

NMM: Holiday Music Round-Up

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

If you enjoy this post, take a moment to VOTE FOR US for Top Dance Blog of 2011 by commenting on the post (click this link). Thank you!
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My students performing "Winter Song" (2010)

I started writing a post about holiday music, but I realized:

1. I did that last year and I still use the songs on the list.

2. Other dance bloggers also have some great suggestions.

3. It's not Monday, so I guess this isn't a "New Music Monday".

So instead, I'm pointing you in the direction of some already awesome posts about holiday music! Ok, so one of them is my own post, so technically I just called myself awesome.. but let's let it slide, ok? 'Tis the season!

The Dance Buzz Holiday Music – Full albums and individual track recommendations

And because I can't resist, here are a few more "winter" and holiday tracks to keep your playlists updated!

11Oct2011

New Music Monday: Halloween Playlist

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Tired of the playing the Kidz Bop version of "The Monster Mash"* or "Who Let The Ghosts Out"* for your halloween class yet? Here's a fresh group of creepy and spooky songs just in time for the spooky season!

* Here's the link to that album in case you're not tired of it!

http://widgets.itunes.apple.com/itunes.html?wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=30&affiliate_id=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.linksynergy.com%2Ffs-bin%2Fstat%3Fid%3DQaW75AlCQx4%26offerid%3D146261%26type%3D3%26subid%3D0%26tmpid%3D1826%26RD_PARM1%3D&t=Halloween%2520Playlist%25202011&d=From%2520The%2520Dance%2520Buzz%2520Blog&pl=0,434962720,182920863,157192623,388158217,434961477,18623845,362996073,201458527,283170189,266397084,265518008,304173796,139988983,338722113PRESCHOOLERS
Boogie Monster – Recess Monkey – your kids won't be able to sit still when this song starts playing
Harry's Haunted Halloween Circus – Ralph's World
Looking for Dracula – Charlotte Diamond
Dressing Up – The Wiggles

5Sep2011

New Music Monday: Work Playlist

Posted in Music by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

It’s Labor Day here in the United States, so in honor, here is a short work-inspired playlist to with a little something for everyone!

These songs would also work great for a job-themed recital – we did “Work & Play” a few years back.
Continue reading →

25May2011

Happy National Tap Dance Day!

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

May 25th is International Tap Dance Day – get out there and celebrate!

Some great tap dance sites:
International Tap Association
The Tap Dance Blog
History of Tap
The Tap Source

18Dec2010

Holiday Craft: Personalized Ornaments

Posted in Uncategorized by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

I wanted to share a gift I made for my youngest students (ages 5-7) that was easy and fast to make…and it was cheap!

24 Shatter-proof Ornaments – $3.50
Permanent Paint Marker – $2.00
Spray Glitter – $2.99
Ribbon or pipe cleaners – $1.99
Cost per student: Around $0.40

If you have more students, the cost per student only goes down because the paint makers and glitter will be able to be used again. I already had the silver paint marker, spray glitter and leftover pipe cleaners so my only cost was the ornaments – and my students were so excited to see their name on an ornament and moms were appreciative that they weren't getting a sugar-high before dinner.