Lights. Camera. Baby! Wait, what?

I know, I know, I know- I missed last week. Annnnddd, I promised to share the gift of music provided by those roaming troubadours of the New York City Subways but I got distracted. No, I didn’t drop my computer in the toilet rendering my iTunes library obsolete. I went to the movies… A LOT! What's a girl to do when she gets several AMC giftcards for Christmas? Spend them, duh! It is, after all, that time of year when studios bombard you with “award winners” and everyone becomes a pundit. So what does all of this have to do with music? Well as I awoke from my popcorn induced coma and exited the theatre through the blinding light that signaled re-entry into the real world, it became clear to me that I was a changed person. I had rediscovered the amazing awesomeness of the soundtrack! C-ello!

Soundtracks have always been important and a favorite music source of mine. In many cases the music can make or break a film. It can be used to define character. Would Jaws be as frightening without those creepy two notes announcing his arrival? I think not! Would Indiana Jones be anything without his theme song? Nope, you might as well take away his hat and his whip while you’re at it! P.S. If you have no idea who Indiana Jones is please pick up the new Vanity Fair and read on! I am very excited for the new movie. Ahhhh, I digress! Back to business- the amazing awesomeness of the soundtrack! Right.

So what amazingly awesome soundtrack did I discover? One word, JUNO!


No matter what your feelings are about this film, I found it to be funny and incredibly touching, you have to admit it has one of the, I can’t think of another word for it, coolest soundtracks. Not only does it help define character but it also really supports the tone of the movie. Now, I know you are probably thinking that all those things are great for the movies but who cares about character and tone when it comes to a number in a dance competition? To that I say this: dance is an expressive medium. I am pretty sure that every person who has ever danced would say that they have done so because using movement was the only way that they could release whatever emotion was floating around inside them. It is a release much in the same way that journaling helps writers or painting helps painters. A competition is a platform for every dancer to improve their ability to share that release with others. When a dancer begins to move they have not only entered into a relationship with the music they are dancing to or the people witnessing the movement; but in a way, they are expressing the relationship they have with themselves. They are giving an insight into their character and the tone by which they live their life.

Wow, that was a little bit deeper than I had anticipated especially considering that you are all going to listen to the Juno soundtrack and think, “This is what got Music Mama all riled up about character and tone?!” But it’s true. The music of the soundtrack is exactly like the movie. At one moment silly and fun (Vampire, All I Want Is You) and at other times it is incredibly touching (Anyone Else But You, Sea of Love). Speaking of Sea of Love, this cover is performed by the incredible Cat Power. Its simplicity and tenderness are so stirring I cried. I can’t wait to see a piece done to this song that really allows the dancer or dancers to release. I think that would be pretty cool!

That is all for this week! Speaking of Cat Power- next Tuesday Cat’s new album of covers (y’all know what a sucker I am for a good cover) drops and Music Mama will be there first with all the opinions of a politico at the Michigan Primary!

Lyrically Yours,

Music Mama

PARENTAL ADVISORY: As always, parents should screen first for explicit content on all albums suggested by Music Mama! As certain songs suggested by Music Mama may be appropriate, full albums may not and should be screened accordingly.

NYCDA FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK

NYCDA is pleased to present our very first FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK!

ALEXA SANNIOLA of BAYONNE, NJ

Alexa was nominated by fellow dancer Melanie because “Alexa would do anything to dance, she is very committed and puts a lot of effort into her dancing.” However, it is clear that Alexa is committed to being a well-rounded person as well! She is an honor student at Bayonne High School. She makes a lot of people laugh with her great sense of humor. And she recently danced the Arabian Variation in The Nutcracker. When asked why Melanie looks up to Alexa she said, “I look up to her because she is a very skilled dancer. She is well rounded and she does her best at everything she does. She never gives up and always keeps trying." Alexa has clearly made an impact, not only on Melanie, but also on some of the other dancers at her studio, Ms. Huguette’s Dance Studio. “A lot of people at the studio look up to her as a dancer and a person. Because of her great technique and the way she shows how she feels when she is dancing, she is amazing to watch and she draws you in.”



We think Alexa is pretty cool! Hope you do too! Know a person or three people or twenty people who deserve a shout out? Email us and tell us about them! This is an ongoing honor and we are always accepting nominations. At the end of the season YOU will get to vote for your favorite featured dancer of the week and they will be the first NYCDA Featured Dancer of the Year. BE SURE to get us those nominations! Click on the "Featured Dancer of the Week" link in the sidebar for full details.

THE MOMS HAVE SPOKEN... AGAIN!!

NYCDA wants to give a shout out to our sister company, ONSTAGE NEW YORK, for their outstanding showing in the DanceMom.com 2007 Readers Survey of Dance Competitions.


Onstage New York is kicking off their Regional Tour in Springfield, MA on Feb.2-3, 2008! If you haven’t put Onstage New York on your calendar be sure to check out the website at www.onstagenewyork.com!

THE MOMS HAVE SPOKEN

NYCDA is one of only two competitions to receive the top honor, HIGH PLATINUM, from the readers of DanceMom.com. This annual survey polls dance parents and their children who attend competitions across the country! This is such an exciting honor as it was voted upon by you, our attendees! To read the full article and see the full results of the survey click the link below!


CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE!

IF YOU ARE AMONG THE VERY YOUNG AT HEART... part duex

Happy New Year! Well, if Christmas makes me feel like a kid then New Year’s Day is a friendly reminder that I am not, in fact, an actual kid! Young, yes but kid, no! And since today is the first day of the rest of my life- wow that sounds so heavy- I am going to look to the future. I am going to have faith that 2008 will bring good music, good friends, and good times!

So, let’s get started with what’s to come. My first pick this week, I can’t believe I am actually going to suggest it, but seeing as this artist has been touched by the fairy godfather known as Timbaland; it is only a matter of time before this song takes over the airwaves and your dance classes! I am referring to Ashlee Simpson’s new single Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya).

It is a little Gwen and a little Madonna with some Bananarama on the side. If this single is any indication of what can be found on the rest of the album then 2008 may prove to be a good year for Miss Simpson.

Next up are two girls from California with a mission for saving the planet and producing awesome music! Did I mention that one of their major influences is The Muppets Show? I LOVE THEM!

Abbey DeWald and Amanda Barrett are The Ditty Bops. They have already traveled 4,700 miles by bicycle, performed a national FARM tour (Yup, a tour performed on farms), and won over the hearts of those music Gods over at Grey’s Anatomy. What more could they ask for? Well, you could sign their PLASTIC REDUCTION PETITION or you could purchase their new album, Summer Rain, which is due to drop in early 2008. After releasing their previous albums with Warner Bros. and butting heads along the way, these girls are doing it for themselves and flying solo. So show the girls some love and check out their albums, Moon Over the Freeway and The Ditty Bops. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the song Sister Kate. That’s all I’m gonna say about that one!

Wow, it is almost midnight and the first day of the rest of my life is almost over! Not bad 2008. I’m a fan so far! Hopefully your year started out with a bang too! Next week, I am going to highlight one of my favorite music finds from the subway (Hey, if Oprah can do it then so can I). Check back next week to scoop the music gold that can be found on the F train!

Lyrically Yours,

Music Mama

PARENTAL ADVISORY: As always, parents should screen first for explicit content on all albums suggested by Music Mama! As certain songs suggested by Music Mama may be appropriate, full albums may not and should be screened accordingly.

NYCDA'S FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK

Do you know someone that deserves some recognition? Is there someone special in your life that you look up to? Why not nominate them for 'NYCDA'S FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK'! Every Monday NYCDA will post information about that week's featured dancer along with their picture. Just shoot an email to nycdancealliance@gmail.com and answer these questions for us!

1. Your Name
2. Your Studio
3. Your City, State
4. Nominee's Name
5. Nominee's Studio
6. Nominee's City, State
7. Why are you nominating this person?
8. Why do you look up to this person?
9. How does this person make an impact on the world around them?

Copy and paste these questions into the body of the email and email us the answers! Please attach a picture of who you are nominating and make the subject of the email 'FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK'.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL!

IF YOU ARE AMONG THE VERY YOUNG AT HEART...

Happy Holidays everyone! Seeing as today is Christmas and this time of year is a celebration of what it means to be young at heart, I thought I would write about music that makes me feel like a kid! I know that it is hard to find new music and even harder to find music that is age appropriate. What does “age appropriate” even mean? In a world where the radio is bringing sexy back and the candyman is droppin’ panties and poppin’ cherries, what is a parent or teacher to do about finding music for younger dancers? Well, look no further. Music Mama is at your service!

First things first, let’s cross the pond. The Queen, Posh and Becks, Fish and Chips, Big Ben. Dance Music! I am in love with what’s been happening over in Jolly Ole England the past few years as far as dance music goes and more importantly music that you can use for your young ones. I know what you’re thinking, “But Music Mama, Amy Winehouse is running around town in her bra refusing to go to rehab!” Take heart, my friends! This is the country that gave us the Spice Girls in their prime and seeing as the circle of life is still in tact, there is a new group of young girls ready to pounce on the throne of Girl Power. They are The Pipettes!


This trio of ladies, backed up by their band The Cassette, dropped their North American debut in October (which means they are still undiscovered by the masses). The girls do sing about bumping and grinding from time to time but I think you’ll find a few gems on their album, We Are The Pipettes. Their sixties inspired pop is comparable to the fun tunes of Hairspray! My favorite songs include Pull Shapes and Your Kisses are Wasted on Me. Give ‘em a whirl. You won’t be disappointed.

If sixties pop isn’t what you need and what you really need is something a little more “Willie Wonka by way of New Orleans" then I've got your number. That is the way ClassCAir reviewed Patrick and Eugene’s Postcard from Summerisle and I couldn’t agree more with that description.


Patrick and Eugene are two blokes with a taste for the eccentric! Their album, Postcard from Summerisle, was released in 2004. You may remember the opening song, The Birds and the Bees, from the VW Rabbit commercial a few years back but if you don’t then give it a listen! I promise visions of little bees in tutus dancing in your head or maybe something a little more Busby Berkeley is in order! Whatever you decide I am sure you will find something fun on this album. Their covers of Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get you Out of My Head and Beyonce’s Crazy in Love are also worth a spin.

Well, it is almost midnight and I have after Christmas sales to hit up bright and early so I should get to bed! Be sure to check back next Tuesday for more mini and junior music suggestions! We’ll stay on this side of the pond next week. I promise!

Lyrically Yours,
Music Mama

PARENTAL ADVISORY: As always, parents should screen first for explicit content on all albums suggested by Music Mama! As certain songs suggested by Music Mama may be appropriate, full albums may not and should be screened accordingly.