The theme of the performance was water pollution and its effects on animals in the ocean. In addition to the theme, we included characters/animals like jellyfish, crab, clownfish, turtle, shark, beta fish, and the two main Orixas which were Lemanja who represented the water goddess and Omolu who represented water pollution and the spread of diseases. The theme we chose and the dance moves we came up with represented how water pollution can cause damage to fishes or animals in the water, and how we need to save the ocean by not throwing trash or substances that may cause harm. In my opinion, we interrogated the theme and our dance movements successfully.
As a group, we decided to pick a song that had a good rhythm and beat that we could dance to. We used “She Came Along” by Kid Cudi. Even though the song did not have a specific meaning, it worked well with the dance moves and we felt comfortable with the song. At the same time, in order to represent each character in the story, we used bright colored t-shirts with the name of our fish painted o
n them in order to distinguish ourselves from each other. For example; yellow or orange would be for the clownfish and black would be for the Orixa Omolu. In the use of props, we chose to have signs in the end in order to spread the message in which said, “Save the Ocean”. Additionally, Omolu carried a bag with trash in order to give to each fish as the spread of pollution. One of the main gestures that we used were hand and arm movements such as stroking or bringing our arms up and down to make it look and symbolize waves.
My job as a choreographer was to position the characters in their spots. I decided to incorporate some African dance moves that I had performed in my elementary school dealing with swaying of the hands, bringing hands together going from side to side and the movement of hips and feet in the direction of half circles. Additionally, we added water movements like stroking of the arms to represent swimming and positioning our hands like bowls and moving from side to side as if we were holding water. As well, we incorporated the movement in which you bring your hand down and then up, wiggling your fingers in order to represent waves. Furthermore, while practicing the dance routine it occurred that we had been making a lot of circles and we were repeating some of the same routines, I decided to take away some part of the movement and change it. Instead of going in a lot of circles, the Orixas would step in the front and have their battle and the rest would line up with each other on whichever side they are positioned and do a form of line dance in order to switch sides. As for the dancing of the Orixas, I had positioned both of them to be in the middle because they were the main characters that would explain the significance of the theme and send a message through their dances. The group decided that both Orixas should be fighting/battling because since Lemanja is the goddess of water, she protects the fishes and the overall ocean and Omolu the god of sickness spreads diseases to the ocean and pollutes the water in bringing trash and death. In Omolu’s dance, she gave each fish a piece of trash in conveying that they are being polluted and eventually die. The shark on the other hand, does not die of pollution but of starvation, because as the food cycle, all of the food that the shark eats are dead. After a few arrangements of the dance routine, we finally decided that it was good. Our dance performance clearly stated the theme of water pollution and demonstrated how it can kill living organisms in the ocean.
If we were to continue with our dance performance, I think I would incorporate some hip-hop or merengue into it, because it would look interesting to see different kinds of dancing all in one show and it would be an interesting idea to try out. I do not think that I would subtract anything from the dance, but to let each character in the group have their 5 minute part or solo so the audience could also get a feel of what the character is all about.
Overall, from the experience that I have gained in taking this class and through the explanations of the history of Brazil and dance moves, I did not know what Orixas were and that they had their own dance movements in order to represent themselves. As well, through the different forms of movements like walking or sitting; how they can be incorporated as kinds of dance maneuvers. At the same time, I did not know about the different dances in Brazil like Samba or Capoeria. Furthermore, I learned that teamwork and sharing ideas can help everyone understand what they are doing, as well to come up with a dance that everyone had fun making up. Additionally, I witnessed that if you put effort and have fun in what you do, you feel more confident and you bring out your true identity. I also learned that you can integrate Brazilian dance to any kind of music depending on the rhythm and the beat it has. Dance is a way to express oneself and spread a message through movements and body language. I had fun getting involved and experiencing a new culture and how a true Brazilian parties!
As a group, we decided to pick a song that had a good rhythm and beat that we could dance to. We used “She Came Along” by Kid Cudi. Even though the song did not have a specific meaning, it worked well with the dance moves and we felt comfortable with the song. At the same time, in order to represent each character in the story, we used bright colored t-shirts with the name of our fish painted o
n them in order to distinguish ourselves from each other. For example; yellow or orange would be for the clownfish and black would be for the Orixa Omolu. In the use of props, we chose to have signs in the end in order to spread the message in which said, “Save the Ocean”. Additionally, Omolu carried a bag with trash in order to give to each fish as the spread of pollution. One of the main gestures that we used were hand and arm movements such as stroking or bringing our arms up and down to make it look and symbolize waves.My job as a choreographer was to position the characters in their spots. I decided to incorporate some African dance moves that I had performed in my elementary school dealing with swaying of the hands, bringing hands together going from side to side and the movement of hips and feet in the direction of half circles. Additionally, we added water movements like stroking of the arms to represent swimming and positioning our hands like bowls and moving from side to side as if we were holding water. As well, we incorporated the movement in which you bring your hand down and then up, wiggling your fingers in order to represent waves. Furthermore, while practicing the dance routine it occurred that we had been making a lot of circles and we were repeating some of the same routines, I decided to take away some part of the movement and change it. Instead of going in a lot of circles, the Orixas would step in the front and have their battle and the rest would line up with each other on whichever side they are positioned and do a form of line dance in order to switch sides. As for the dancing of the Orixas, I had positioned both of them to be in the middle because they were the main characters that would explain the significance of the theme and send a message through their dances. The group decided that both Orixas should be fighting/battling because since Lemanja is the goddess of water, she protects the fishes and the overall ocean and Omolu the god of sickness spreads diseases to the ocean and pollutes the water in bringing trash and death. In Omolu’s dance, she gave each fish a piece of trash in conveying that they are being polluted and eventually die. The shark on the other hand, does not die of pollution but of starvation, because as the food cycle, all of the food that the shark eats are dead. After a few arrangements of the dance routine, we finally decided that it was good. Our dance performance clearly stated the theme of water pollution and demonstrated how it can kill living organisms in the ocean.
If we were to continue with our dance performance, I think I would incorporate some hip-hop or merengue into it, because it would look interesting to see different kinds of dancing all in one show and it would be an interesting idea to try out. I do not think that I would subtract anything from the dance, but to let each character in the group have their 5 minute part or solo so the audience could also get a feel of what the character is all about.
Overall, from the experience that I have gained in taking this class and through the explanations of the history of Brazil and dance moves, I did not know what Orixas were and that they had their own dance movements in order to represent themselves. As well, through the different forms of movements like walking or sitting; how they can be incorporated as kinds of dance maneuvers. At the same time, I did not know about the different dances in Brazil like Samba or Capoeria. Furthermore, I learned that teamwork and sharing ideas can help everyone understand what they are doing, as well to come up with a dance that everyone had fun making up. Additionally, I witnessed that if you put effort and have fun in what you do, you feel more confident and you bring out your true identity. I also learned that you can integrate Brazilian dance to any kind of music depending on the rhythm and the beat it has. Dance is a way to express oneself and spread a message through movements and body language. I had fun getting involved and experiencing a new culture and how a true Brazilian parties!
Thank you Fatima. I really enjoyed your choreography. Many of our guests did, too and made a point to tell me. Congratulations! As I mentioned to Diego, your group's interpretation/use of Omolu is somewhat off the mark. Please read the comments I left for him. However, your idea was clear and well delineated in the parade and dance. Your writing is solid, but you are too dependent on introductory adverbial phrases and prepositional phrases. Spice it up and simplify at the same time by using elegant, simple sentences connected with semicolons. I think you'll like it. Next, beginning a sentence with "as well" is not considered grammatically correct. The proper word is "also." "As well" is typically "as well as," a comparative prepositional phrase that acts like an adverb and means "like" (similar to) and "also" or "additionally." Use it too much, and you create havoc for yourself with the verb tense. Check out your entry again and you will see a few times where the tense got away from you, though your verb-subject agreement is awesome! Your writing will be fantastic. You are very close already! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteparade: √++
write up: √+