Art Videos: THE PERFORMING ARTS
2020-2021
Performing arts refers to art that is performed before an audience. Professionals usually focus on one aspect of art such as drama, dance or music. Others possessing craftsmanship or technical skills often fill supporting roles such as set designers or sound technicians.
The performing arts include dance, music and theater. Many performing artists use their bodies, voices and talents as a means of artistic expression. They include singers, actors, comedians and dancers.
Methow Arts teaching artists have created art videos to help students build a foundation in performing arts concepts and skills. The videos on this page are targeted at students in grades K-6 who are in remote learning situations, and focus on simple dance techniques and other performing arts genres. Let us know what you think.
LET’S DANCE SERIES
Dance On! Intermediate/Advanced Choreography (all ages/Performing Arts)
Ready to try some harder choreography? Dancer and teaching artist Lyndsay Frady takes it up a notch in this dance that works with any song with an 8 count. This lesson is accessible to all ages, but is designed for those with a basic background in dance/movement. You can find less advanced dance lessons
HERE.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Let’s Dance! Part III (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist, dancer, and Merc Playhouse Executive Director Missi Smith introduces you to some dance steps that can be used with a wide range of music: musical theatre, jazz, hip hop…whatever you like to listen and move to, as long as it has an 8-count beat.
If you find this video too complicated, we encourage you to begin with Let’s Dance Part 1, below.
Materials: space around you, bare feet, sneakers, or jazz shoes, waterbottle (optional)
Let’s Dance! Parts I-II (all ages/performing arts)
Teaching artist, dancer, and Merc Playhouse Executive Director Missi Smith introduces you to some dance steps that can be used with a wide range of music: musical theatre, jazz, hip hop…whatever you like to listen and move to. Even those who consider themselves to have two left feet will find themselves a little more comfortable on the dance floor–or in the living room–with these moves in their repertoire.
You’ll learn steps like “step touch, “jazz box,” “out cross turn clap,” and “raise the roof.”
Let’s Dance Part 1: K-2nd grade
Once you master these steps you may want to move on to our Let’s Dance Part 2 video, below.
Let’s Dance Part 2: 3rd-6th grade
If you find this video too complicated, we encourage you to begin with Let’s Dance Part 1, above.
Materials: space around you, bare feet, sneakers, or jazz shoes, waterbottle (optional)
BREAKDANCE SERIES
Intro to Breakdance Part 9: the Kickout (all ages/family)
Keep adding to your footwork by learning the kickout, a move that pairs with the CC (from Intro to Breakdance Part 8). Twisp B Boy gives you some fun moves to work on in this final lesson in the Intro to Breakdance series.
Intro to Breakdance Part VIII: the CC
(all ages/Performing Arts)
Continue to work on your footwork with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.
Materials: space around you, music, comfortable clothing
Intro to Breakdance Part VII: the 6-Step (all ages/Performing Arts)
Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.
Materials: space around you, music, comfortable clothing
Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part VI (all ages/Performing Arts)
Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part V (all ages/Performing Arts)
Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Intro to Breakdancing IV, TopRock (all ages/Performing Arts)
Keep working on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this intro to breaking dance series.
Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing
Intro to Breakdance III: Back Step (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the back step–a fundamental component of breakdancing.
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
Intro to Breakdance II: Side Step (all ages/Performing Arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the side step–a fundamental component of breakdancing.
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
Intro to Breakdance: Top Rock part 1 (all ages/performing arts)
Teaching artist and breakdancer “Bboy Hero” Miguel Renteria breaks down breakdance for you with a very basic step. You’ll learn the crossover, which is a foundation of breakdance. Miguel has been dancing since he was 12, he has competed in breakdance battles, and has taught breakdance at schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.
You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to
WORLD RHYTHMS SERIES
West African Rhythms (all ages)
Teaching artist Brooke Bourn gets you moving to the rhythms of West Africa, using various steps from traditional dances. No dance experience required!
What you’ll need: space to move, bare feet
RESOURCES:
FOLI: there is no movement without rhythm
Some of you may be old enough to remember Obo Addy, the late Ghanaian musician/dancer who performed and taught West African dance and drumming workshops in the Okanogan region many times in the past two decades. Learn more about Obo Addy HERE.
Although Obo Addy has passed, you may enjoy learning more about a former member of Obo Addy’s group: Nii-Okaidja Afroso, who shares a message of community and unity through the rhythms and words of his native Ghana. You may even be old enough to remember seeing Okaidja (pronounced Oh-Kie-Jah) perform at your school. Learn more about Okaidja HERE.
Learn to Juggle (all ages/family)
Juggling isn’t easy, but it can be learned in 3 steps and a lot of practice. Longtime juggler Rob Crandall walks you through the steps to becoming a juggler. (performing arts)
Materials: 3 things to juggle such as tennis balls or baseballs, bean bags, or small oranges (ask an adult if this is ok) or use snowballs outside!
Follow this link to create your own juggling balls out of rice and balloons.