THE MEDIA! (monroe e price) Cultural Globalization : the role of the media, how media acts as a liberator and a government activist as well as catalys

Each time there is a new technology used to communicate with the masses, there are groups of people (usually those in power) that feel threatened. Even homing pigeons were seen as a threat to power! But the paranoia really took off with the invention of the radio. Leaders of countries thought that anarchists would use the radio to spread propaganda, and that worry only got worse with the invention of the Internet. Because the Internet brought such freedom to read outside of your borders, it also gave the opportunity to read propaganda and false information leading to up rivals. Technology freed information so much that it is credited with "obliterating borders." However, weak nations do not like this freedom, and the use to spread political propaganda such as democracy. So some nations have censored the Internet. However, the more you sensor the Internet, the more people will try to read the censored material. by letting citizens to have the freedom to choose, you are intern receiving their trust.

TIS THE SEASON! AUDITION SEASON!

For many young and aspiring professional dancers it is the most nerve wracking part of the year, summer intensive audition season! During the months of January and February the most recognized ballet schools hold auditions for students around the WORLD, only taking a select few that match their style. Most programs are 5-6 weeks some of the big names are: School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and San Francisco Ballet. However, there are also hundreds of smaller and equal sized programs. Stay here for more information.

look Mr. Z

"This blog is very informative, I have emailed the link to all my dance students and parents for updates on cultural dance. I am a community salsa teacher and I am looking to expand my repertoire to include other cultures. This blog includes all the information I have been looking for- Keep up the good work and keep us informed!!"

The Nutcracker Clinches for Life

Due to the recent economic slump, ticket sales of the Nutcracker have been down. Companies across the country including the World renowned New York City Ballet have been reporting a significant drop in ticket sales.
Because The Nutcracker is the main source of income for the dance world and ticket sales have been down, many companies have either been closing, cancelling shows, or cutting back on lighting, sound and special effects.
The Christmas season is a time for family, fun, and magic, however this year's season has been less than that for Cincinnati Ballet. Cincinnati Ballet has reported one of the biggest slumps in its history. In order to fill the house, Cincinnati Ballet has been offering half price tickets. However, even that offer could not rid the public of the financial troubles. On the first Friday performance, the Cincinnati Ballet sold a mere 140 tickets, when during a healthy economic period 1,400 tickets is considered low.
The Texas Ballet Theater has also hit record hard times. Instead of being accompanied by a traditional live orchestra, the Texas Ballet Theater will be using recorded music to cut back on costs.
If Nutcracker ticket sales are down, the economy must be in real trouble.

White Boys Can't Dance? How about White BIRDS?

I don't know who said white boys can't dance , but luckily they said NOTHING about white birds. Meet Snowball, the dancing Cockatoo, and aspiring So You Think You Can Dance contestant. SNOWBALL

Khmer Classical Dance

I was recently in Cambodia and had the privilege of seeing the Apsara Dance School in Phnom Penh. Aspara is a dance traditionally performed by young Cambodian women to welcome the Thai Gods into a temple as well as to honor the Aspara, female divinity of the Khmer Civilization. Khmer dancers use a variety of movements and gestures similar to mimes to tell a story. Hand gestures in Khmer classical dance are called kbach (meaning style). These hand gestures form a sort of alphabet and represent various things from nature such as fruit, flowers, and leaves. Dancers do not speak, sing, or even open their mouths! Many critics find this art form abstract and vague due to the small movements and lack of expression, however, I believe that these small gestures and lack facial are expressions are to show respect to both your king and gods by trying not to out shine them.

The Khmer Classical Dance style suffered a huge blow during the Khmer Rouge regime. The Khmer Rouge regime was a communist regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979. Pol Pot, the leader of the Khmer Rouge, believed that educated and aristocratic citizens were a threat to his power, and in order to eliminate this threat he killed over 1.5 million educated citizens and their families. The Khmer dancers suffered from these killings because Pol Pot considered dance to be an aristocratic institution. Surviving dancers came out of hiding when the Khmer Rouge fell and most joined the Royal University of Fine Arts. Through these schools the dance technique was preserved and is still considered a very important tradition. In these schools dancers study for seven years until they can be professional. The desired body is dainty and curvy. Desired curves are in the back, hands, elbows, and knees. Male bodies should also be slim, but males must be able to do acrobatics moves so they must have strength and balance.

Four main types of roles exist in Khmer classical dance; néay rông (men), néang (maidens), yéak (ogres or yaksha), and the sva (monkeys). Most roles are played by women, however, the monkey is soley played by a man due to the acrobatics involved. Classical dance costumes are highly ornate and heavily embroidered, sometimes including sequins and even semi-precious gems.

The music used for Khmer classical dance is played by a pinpeat orchestra. This type of orchestra consists of several types of xylophones, drums, oboes, gongs, and other musical instruments. While the pinpeat orchestra is not playing, the dancers sing to tell the story.

Other GREAT blogs

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