Dances with Dogs or Clowns in Clogs!!!
Last Sunday we were involved in the Million Paws Walk in SA. I say involved but that is a very loose description of our demonstration! We have done demos before, successfully I might add, but this one came as a bit of a shock – a real learning curve for us all. For me, not only about performance but also organisation.
Those of us with gypsy blood enjoyed the long trek from the car park, over a very busy road, carrying table, music player, music, dog crate –(not that there was anywhere in the shade we could put them) various items for the dogs, and various items of our attire. In the other one of our six hands we had our dogs – or did they have us?
It was at this point I wanted to go home, dig a hole or hibernate! For the record the forecast ‘cool and showers’ failed to materialise – it was hot!
We arrived to hundreds of dogs and even more people who all managed to crowd around the very slimline ring. This meant that there were dogs very close to the performers – first big distraction! Unfortunately the ring area had food treats all over the floor because we followed the ‘best trick’ and ‘musical chairs” games. Then there was the dreaded squeaky toys going off in all directions and the demo dogs from other disciplines were stacked up behind us so we had nowhere to relax our poor critters. We eventually found the generator for our music – then had to find the man who was to show us how to use it – he was at tea I believe! It didn’t really matter because the public address system was so loud we couldn’t hear our music anyway.
Beginning to get a feeling about this demo but, like true troupers (or idiots) we went on with the show!
We introduced the team and they did a few moves etc. then we went on to the individual routines – don’t think we would call them performances! A couple of our dogs were not happy at this stage – so ate some of the treats on the ground, others were not as keen to take part at usual and actually went on a ‘go-slow strike’ – some of this probably came from us being fraught, hot and nervous too! Generally I think the dogs did well in the circumstances because they had never been to anything as noisy and busy as this. The introduction was done by the Totally Wild team – with me trying to add a few points here and there, watch everyone, encourage everyone and still look after my own dog!
Are you beginning to get the picture? Yes - this was when I began to think that killing myself was a good option!
With stalwart showmanship (hee! hee!) we all did our routines – several were good and the crowd did applaud! With regard to our outfits most were able to get away with a bit of sparkle but personally, dressed in teacher’s gown & mortarboard, I felt more like an old, fat and passed over exotic dancer! Our spies told us that there were some very nice remarks from spectators so a bit of positive feedback kept us all from suicide! Even though it was a difficult day I have total admiration for our group who all did their best, and our dogs – who probably didn’t give a hoot but did it for us. What more can you ask?
Not deterred, and still mustard keen, we are back at the drawing board, determined to continue to improve what we now call our comedy act! Watch this space! Ha!
Carole
Those of us with gypsy blood enjoyed the long trek from the car park, over a very busy road, carrying table, music player, music, dog crate –(not that there was anywhere in the shade we could put them) various items for the dogs, and various items of our attire. In the other one of our six hands we had our dogs – or did they have us?
It was at this point I wanted to go home, dig a hole or hibernate! For the record the forecast ‘cool and showers’ failed to materialise – it was hot!
We arrived to hundreds of dogs and even more people who all managed to crowd around the very slimline ring. This meant that there were dogs very close to the performers – first big distraction! Unfortunately the ring area had food treats all over the floor because we followed the ‘best trick’ and ‘musical chairs” games. Then there was the dreaded squeaky toys going off in all directions and the demo dogs from other disciplines were stacked up behind us so we had nowhere to relax our poor critters. We eventually found the generator for our music – then had to find the man who was to show us how to use it – he was at tea I believe! It didn’t really matter because the public address system was so loud we couldn’t hear our music anyway.
Beginning to get a feeling about this demo but, like true troupers (or idiots) we went on with the show!
We introduced the team and they did a few moves etc. then we went on to the individual routines – don’t think we would call them performances! A couple of our dogs were not happy at this stage – so ate some of the treats on the ground, others were not as keen to take part at usual and actually went on a ‘go-slow strike’ – some of this probably came from us being fraught, hot and nervous too! Generally I think the dogs did well in the circumstances because they had never been to anything as noisy and busy as this. The introduction was done by the Totally Wild team – with me trying to add a few points here and there, watch everyone, encourage everyone and still look after my own dog!
Are you beginning to get the picture? Yes - this was when I began to think that killing myself was a good option!
With stalwart showmanship (hee! hee!) we all did our routines – several were good and the crowd did applaud! With regard to our outfits most were able to get away with a bit of sparkle but personally, dressed in teacher’s gown & mortarboard, I felt more like an old, fat and passed over exotic dancer! Our spies told us that there were some very nice remarks from spectators so a bit of positive feedback kept us all from suicide! Even though it was a difficult day I have total admiration for our group who all did their best, and our dogs – who probably didn’t give a hoot but did it for us. What more can you ask?
Not deterred, and still mustard keen, we are back at the drawing board, determined to continue to improve what we now call our comedy act! Watch this space! Ha!
Carole
DWD Workshop with Ann Bulke - May 2, 2010
Hi everyone
Finally have found time to write about the Hip-Hop-Hounds DWD workshop.
Ann Bulke was the presenter and she did a splendid job – she even managed to rename our school the ‘Dance Studio’ . This name will, of course now stick!
We had the whole Sunday to play and we started with an interesting discussion on how people got into the sport. Various interesting reasons here – some blame was laid on me for press-ganging folk with the ‘you will love it- honestly’, approach. Ah well, it worked didn’t it?
In the morning, Anne gave us some really good information about Dances with Dogs and what we need to know regarding competition etc. We now realise that we do not have to perform a marathon at this stage! We understand that next week will be ok for that! Ann explained a lot of basics for us, such as choreography, musical requirements, what to wear (and how not to pay a fortune for it!) and she also demonstrated puppy training and free-shaping.
We went on to demonstrate what we were capable of – or not!! We all did a short demo of some of our moves – I say some because under pressure we could not remember them all! Yes, I know I give massive hand signals – but husband says I tend to throw myself all over the place when I dance whether there is a dog involved or not! All fun though.
After lunch, supplied by Brad, Kerrie’s ‘man about the house’ we went to a different part of the school where there was more space and everyone who had a routine performed it (sort of!) and those who didn’t performed anyway. Ann held everything together and all teams handled themselves admirably. Even Jean and Dogo, and Prue and Bridie, who had never done any of it before, managed to look like old hands. I was impressed.
We practiced with target sticks with the obligatory tea strainers attached -which came in useful at tea-break – sorry smoko! We also did some cane work. This was enlightening as we all found out how un-coordinated we were. How on earth does one make cane and arms go one way and legs go the other? If I’d wanted to be a contortionist...........................
Although most of the people attending were Hip-Hop-Hounds members, there were half a dozen from other areas around Adelaide. It was great to work together and we are going to do it again soon.
The Following Tuesday was our normal HHH class. It was great for me to hand the reins over to Ann – actually we were all naughty and let her get on with it! We did a lot of music editing and worked on starts and finishes for our routines – a very industrious afternoon!
So when the time came to throw Ann out of the car and onto the plane at the crack of dawn I was very sad to see her go. It was a great workshop, and the time outside the workshop was terrific too. I have to say that we appreciate her coming to SA, all her hard work and especially that surprise donation she made to get HHH up and running. Thanks to those who attended and a special thanks to Ann for such a great time.
Carole
Finally have found time to write about the Hip-Hop-Hounds DWD workshop.
Ann Bulke was the presenter and she did a splendid job – she even managed to rename our school the ‘Dance Studio’ . This name will, of course now stick!
We had the whole Sunday to play and we started with an interesting discussion on how people got into the sport. Various interesting reasons here – some blame was laid on me for press-ganging folk with the ‘you will love it- honestly’, approach. Ah well, it worked didn’t it?
In the morning, Anne gave us some really good information about Dances with Dogs and what we need to know regarding competition etc. We now realise that we do not have to perform a marathon at this stage! We understand that next week will be ok for that! Ann explained a lot of basics for us, such as choreography, musical requirements, what to wear (and how not to pay a fortune for it!) and she also demonstrated puppy training and free-shaping.
We went on to demonstrate what we were capable of – or not!! We all did a short demo of some of our moves – I say some because under pressure we could not remember them all! Yes, I know I give massive hand signals – but husband says I tend to throw myself all over the place when I dance whether there is a dog involved or not! All fun though.
After lunch, supplied by Brad, Kerrie’s ‘man about the house’ we went to a different part of the school where there was more space and everyone who had a routine performed it (sort of!) and those who didn’t performed anyway. Ann held everything together and all teams handled themselves admirably. Even Jean and Dogo, and Prue and Bridie, who had never done any of it before, managed to look like old hands. I was impressed.
We practiced with target sticks with the obligatory tea strainers attached -which came in useful at tea-break – sorry smoko! We also did some cane work. This was enlightening as we all found out how un-coordinated we were. How on earth does one make cane and arms go one way and legs go the other? If I’d wanted to be a contortionist...........................
Although most of the people attending were Hip-Hop-Hounds members, there were half a dozen from other areas around Adelaide. It was great to work together and we are going to do it again soon.
The Following Tuesday was our normal HHH class. It was great for me to hand the reins over to Ann – actually we were all naughty and let her get on with it! We did a lot of music editing and worked on starts and finishes for our routines – a very industrious afternoon!
So when the time came to throw Ann out of the car and onto the plane at the crack of dawn I was very sad to see her go. It was a great workshop, and the time outside the workshop was terrific too. I have to say that we appreciate her coming to SA, all her hard work and especially that surprise donation she made to get HHH up and running. Thanks to those who attended and a special thanks to Ann for such a great time.
Carole