Tuesday Review: Stromae shows us a hit

Got to get some organization up in here. I used to review concerts, books, movies, everything till I fell off the face og the earth. Here is an attempt to get back into that.

I'll post this video as a sort of introduction. Here is my favorite Stromae. Have no idea why it's the end of the world and he's in a supermarket. Just enjoy it, adds to his charm:

What a weirdo. I love him. Got to see him in person at The Depot this past September. I promise that every Belgian in Utah was there. It was a riot. Take a look:

Raising a glass to Cesaria Evora

Stromae is a class act performer and blew my mind. From his clothes (which he designs himself), to his choreography, to his beats... it's all en pointe.

Unconventional as ever. Just watch: 

He played at SXSW and was the talk of Austin. I highly recommend you check him out if you ever get the chance. 

*Sorry this videos aren't working... can anyone teach me some tricks???*

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

OH WOW

I apologize folks. Apparently if you don't write for a year, everything that comes out is a bit heavy. In reality, I am a mostly happy person!

So here's something sweet and cute to prove it. Chance the Rapper is a doll, and this video combines all my favorite things. Remember when I used to post dance stuff all the time? Here's some more of that.

Take me to church indeed.

Let's see.
What other happy news do I have...

Got two swimsuits from J.Crew for $17 each.

Just picked up Paul Blart Mall Cop from the library so that I can be all caught up before I watch the sequel with the fam.

And they now sell single cans of Q soda at Harmon's.

Give me a million, thanks.

I really couldn't ask for more in my life.

Music for your Midweek: Polica - Wandering Star

Hey there.
Slowly creeping my way back into blogging.
Being unemployed is EXHAUSTING.

But really.
I used to blog all the time to escape the monotony of work and school, and since I'm not doing much of either of those things, I haven't needed it as much. But there are still things I want to share, so here it goes!

This song has been on my radar for a while. Can't remember if I've shared it with you already, so please forgive me if it's a repeat. So You Think You Can Dance has started up again, so I'm even more interested in anything dancey. Enjoy:

Music for your Midweek: Beyonce - "Upgrade You" and special dance bonus!

I still haven't given Beyonce's new album a solid listen. Any of you have the dvd I can borrow? It's necesary to watch it with the music videos included, duh. Anyway, here's our girl Bey. About this time every winter, I get into a dancey mood. Which means I watch hour upon hour of dance videos like the following. *The boys at 2:20 are my favorite* Time to re-institute roommate dance practice at the Animal House! I need to master these moves.

And a bonus! This video from some local kids has gone viral. do you recognize that Salt Lake alley. I'm so proud. Star Wars + twerking is better than you think, trust.

Mr. Robbins. You're killing me.

I just love everything Jerome Robbins does...

...or anything that has his style.

Oh gosh. Remember when they used this clip in that Gap commercial? I bought some of those black skinny pants from Gap for $4. I felt awkward wearing them cause they were just becoming a "thing". Well I bought those way back in 2006, and they just got a hole in them THIS year and it made me sooooooo sad. :(

Anyway. How about a ballet without music?

WOW WOW WOW

I anyway. I got back on this dancing kick cause I just watched a new music video from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros last week:

I haven't given these guys a good listen since 2009 (I'm more a fan of the frontman's solo stuff). But this song is pretty darling.

February Mix: There's a million reasons to leave

Her ya go fellas. Les celebrate ma birf.

1. All My Friends - Stephen Francis
2. Tonight, Tonight - Passion Pit
3. Beauty And A Beat - Justin Bieber Featuring Nicki Minag
4. Left & Right In The Dark - Julian Casablancas
5. The Way We Move - Langhorne Slim
6. No Diggity (Blackstreet cover) - The Klaxons
7. Serpents - Sharon Van Etten
8. Wonder Woman, Wonder Me - Kishi Bashi
9. Itchin' On a Photograph - Grouplove
10. Kids (MGMT Cover) - The Kooks
11. I don't know - Lisa Hannigan
12. I think I Need a New Heart - The Magnetic Fields
13. One Way Trigger - The Strokes
14. Naive (The Kooks) - Lily Allen
15. Feel to Follow - The Maccabees
16. You're Going Back - The Tallest Man
17. Van Helsing Boombox - Man Man

NOTES:
1. This was going to be an all cover mix, but I wanted to include other songs so... We just have Stephen Francis covering LCD Soundsystem, Passion Pit covering Smashing Pumkins, The Klaxons covering Blackstreet, The Kooks covering MGMT, and Lily Allen covering The Kooks. We're all over the place this month, I think it's going to be a theme.
3. aaaaaaaa watch this video and you'll know why i love this soooonnnnnnggggg. We've been practicing these moves regularly, and we actually got a couple down! We're great.
4. Kara is a super bad influence and all we do is talk about how dreamy Julian is. I mean really:

5. I always love a good falsetto. I'm so excited for the new album.

If you can't dance to this, you can't do nothing for me baby.

All y'all know I have much respect for guys who know how to move. 

So here is a gem of a video that I love:

Body Electric

You want to see this:

Don't worry, there is almost zero storyline, just how I like it. 

Also, have you guys been watching So You Think You Can Dance? 

I love Cyrus. He's a trooper.

And did you watch Oscar Pistorius run yesterday? He is such an inspiration.

Between him and Chad le Clos, I'm starting to get a crush on Team South Africa.

Watching all these artists and athletes are helping me appreciate my body more. I want to treat it right.

"...glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1 Corinthians 6:19

Friday the 13th: Hobo with a shotgun

I hope you had a good Friday the 13th! Mine was fab.

It's late.

I got home from catering a bit ago, which reminded me of catering last week. Let me explain.

Christian only eats things in certain number. His daily, morning routine takes 2 hours. His belongings, (and even his thoughts) have to be perfectly in order and symmetrical. It can be exhausting for us; even more so for him. Living at home with my brother who is diagnosed with OCD helps me realize the "obsessions" and rituals I've created in my own life. While I hardly face the same challenges he does, remember those things helps me relate.

This usually happens when it's dark and late and I'm generally by myself. 

Example: When I head to my room late at night, I make myself do "something" for 10, 15, or 20 seconds while I walk up the stairs. The "thing" I do could be holding a glass of water against my chin, dragging  my index finger and pinky along the banister, holding onto my earlobe, etc. Usually, it requires holding my body in the same general position till I reach the top of the stairs/my room/the light. If I don't do this, something "unfortunate" would happen. It's kind of like making a bet with myself. If I complete those "bets", it assures my safety.

Which brings me to catering last week. When I'm also alone and super nervous, I picture the scariest/worst things I can think of. The rational in my head is that if I imagine it happening, then it won't happen. Horrible things only happen when You least expect them. But last week, it got out of control. I was coming home from a dinner with a van full of dirty dishes and things to be sorted. I thought that people would be at the shop when I got there, but I was all alone. The shop is close to the Provo river, and sort of isolate. I was ready to be freaked out. So I started thinking of the scariest things for example:

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

What? That doesn't sound scary to you? It actually sounds comical? Oh. You are so wrong.

This movie came out at Sundance last year. I didn't see it of course; I imagine it's really bloody and awful. But when I was in the shop late that night, I kept imagining a hobo with a shotgun, creeping around the corner. 

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE KITCHEN

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE HALL

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE BATHROOM

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE BATHROOM STALL

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE FRIDGE

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE WALK-ON FREEZER

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...WAITING OUTSIDE THE DOOR

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN THE DARK

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...UNDER MY CAR

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...IN MY BACKSEAT

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN 

...RIGHT BEHIND ME!!!

This is what I was thinking over and over. Now are you scared? Now do you know how I feel?

Usually when I get too scared, I try to think of this: 

Makes it all better. 

Ven a Bailar: This has been the danciest day of my life

Saturday morning = Zumba
It is so fun. The instructors are from the spanish branch in my stake, and they are also Zumba instructors at a local gym. They know what they're doing. Every morning, they come in color coordinated outfits. I love it.

So here are some of the songs we dance to, along with others that I have listened to on the Spanish radio lately:





Longest intro ever, you can skip to 1:30








Oh man.
You would love to watch this class. We are awesome. There's a lot of booty shaking going on in there. After class I went to the music store and bought this:

It's Radiohead sheet music! I've been a little obsessed with their song "Videotape". Seriously. I dare you to listen to this song and NOT let it become an obsession. "You shouldn't be afraid / because I know today has been / the most perfect day I've ever seen". SO, this was the best way to learn how to play it on the piano. Got it the first time. LOVE it. the book has other great songs too. Except it is missing one of my faveys, "Let Down". Oh well. I tried teaching it to myself, but I couldn't get the beats right. Try counting the beats to that song. I'm pretty sure there are two time signatures, at least at the beginng. Impossible. 

ANYWAY

I went with Bethany and her friend Abby to swing dancing at Glen Echo Park.

OMG

I can't even describe it to you.

Think of it this way. Imagine a Star Wars convention. There are people who love it, and they are awesome and awkward. Like star wars kid. So this dance was like a ton of star wars kids of all ages, races, and gender(s). They were all awesome in their own way.There were more men then women (what!?) so we were always "cutting the rug" (that's dance speak for you newbs) with our new friends. Oh man. At the beginning, we learned dance steps, which were a struggle for some. But when they hit the floor, they would try and do every spin, dip, and twirl that they had seen in the movies or on "So You Think You Can Dance". The actual dance steps went out the window.  It was the weirdest/best thing ever. We laughed the whole time. I wish you could have been there.

So this was a very musical, dance-y day.

I am thoroughly exhausted.

Just in case.

WODdling soundtrack: Sondre Lerche - "Phantom Punch"

They say that tomorrow is the end of the world.

So I thought I would share these videos with you while I still have the chance. 

It's been nice knowing you.

Dance Yourself Clean

My time at Brigham Young University is swiftly coming to a close. One semester after this, I will be a free women. I entered to learn, and soon,  I will "go forth to serve "(or "earn" as Ingrid's father has often told me). Even though I have been part of BYU in some form or another for the past 5 years of my life, I am saddened to report that I am not a true "Cougar".

I've never been tunnel singing.
I don't have an all-sports pass.
I haven't even hiked the Y.

None of these girls are me... bless their hearts.

It would be a shame to let me time here in the bubble just pass me by without experiencing some of the eccentricities that personify the BYU.
So.

I enrolled in Dance 180: Beginning Social Dance

adorable

Essentially, this class is a compilation of things that are difficult for me to deal with. You have to be in close proximity with unfamiliar man-boys. You have to be courteous and gracious and polite. Worst of all, you must engage in the art of small talk. gross. I knew I was in for a fun time when the first guy I danced with asked me what color my toothbrush was. Really. And he wasn't being funny.

But most of all, social dance requires certain amount of bravery. You have to own up to the fact that you are going to look silly, at least at first. Everyone needs to practice being confident once and a while, especially me.

This class has required a lot more dedication and is more difficult than I had anticipated. Luckily, one of my room mates is minoring in dance, so I've been able to practice with him a bit. Very kind of him, I am a difficult partner (his toes get stepped on quite a bit). So far I've learned the foxtrot, cha-cha, and the waltz is a work in progress.

Thursday, I was formally introduced to "Dance Lab". I think all students taking a dance class have to go. I didn't know what to expect, there were so many people! Actually dancing was kind of hard. Everyone ran into each other cause it was so crowded. Then they had floor shows where more advanced dance classes would perform actual routines that they learned. My dance teacher did a polka to "Supercalafragilisticexpedalidocious". So charming.

Actually, if you know how to dance well, it can look pretty cool. I was officially won over by the social dance scene when they did the Viennese waltz to the Harry Potter theme song.

It was as awesome as it sounds.

So thanks BYU. Thank you for offering your students a venue where awkward gals and guys can turn into coordinated young men and women. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I've felt it in the air these past few days. The first day of class is only three short weeks away! Luckily, everything is falling into place, just in time. I got the job at Aspen Grove, so I will be living and working there while going to BYU. Once I have a secure method of transportation all will be well. But I also feel a little nervous about going back to class. I fear my brain has turned to mush. As long as my spanish is a bit better than these guys, I should be ok:



I'm going to start reading Como Agua Para Chocolate to get my brain in gear. I'm also taking New testament, and FOUR anthropology classes.

AND
Step Up 3D was fun. Though when I left the theater to practice my moves, I am sure that I did look like these guys:



Did I mention I LUV Community? Well, I do.

move - l'art du déplacement

In honor of the upcoming release of "Step Up 3D" tomorrow, we have a movement themed entry. Despite the fact that I have no formal dance training and I am extremely bashful, I think to be a dancer would be the most completely perfect job in the world. Really. It is a miniature obsession of mine.

Hermana. Holmes assured me this is normal, and even showed me "how-to" videos online. She said these were THE moves while I was on my mission:

Isn't little Price Twice the cutest thing?

This is difficult.

A few months ago I had my mom record "Dance in America : NY Export : Opus Jazz" (isn't that a lot of colons?) which is part of the PBS Great Performances series. The ballet was choreographed by Jerome Robbins (West Side Story), and originally performed in 1958 with the dancers wearing tennis shoes. It is neat.

Watch the full episode. See more Great Performances.

As a film alone, it is beautiful. You can stream the whole thing online, so if you get the chance to watch it, you should. This dance was supposed to encapsulate the attitudes of youth in the 1950's. What would a dance symbolizing our generation look like?

The NYT talked about dancing this week too.

Hulu also wanted to celebrate the release of Step Up 3d, so they put together an internet series.It's called "The LXD" and I think it's kind of about this top secret organization that gathers up people to fight a mysterious masked man. And guess what LXD stands for. Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Yep. Before you start laughing, just watch this. I present Chapter 3, ROBOT LOVE STORY:


freaky.

Ok, maybe you're still laughing after watching that. But I like it! The music kind of reminds me at times of that short in Paris, Je'Taime with Elijah Wood that is supposed to be kind of darkly funny but actually just creeped me out. The spell check just told me "creep" is not a verb...what?

So there you have it. I'll start learning those dance moves as soon as I perfect my parkour skills. ha.